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    Perfect Poison: A Female Serial Killer's Deadly Medicine
    Perfect Poison: A Female Serial Killer's Deadly Medicine
    Perfect Poison: A Female Serial Killer's Deadly Medicine
    Audiobook14 hours

    Perfect Poison: A Female Serial Killer's Deadly Medicine

    Written by M. William Phelps

    Narrated by J. Charles

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Serial Killer on Ward C

    In Northampton, Massachusetts, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kristen Gilbert was known as a hardworking, dedicated nurse—so why were her patients dying? So many emergencies and sudden deaths occurred while Kristen made her rounds on Ward C that her colleagues jokingly called her the “Angel of Death.” Yet most people didn’t suspect the horrifying truth behind the nickname: that Gilbert’s polished façade concealed a scheming, manipulative liar and homicidal, narcissistic sociopath.

    Lethal Cure

    From August 1995 through February 1996, Gilbert dealt out wholesale death. Her victims were helpless patients who trusted her as a caregiver, only to learn too late that she was a killer, her weapon a drug capable of causing fatal heart attacks. But she got away with murder until three of her fellow nurses could no longer ignore the proliferation of deadly “coincidences” on Gilbert’s watch. Investigators believe Kristen Gilbert may have been responsible for as many as 40 deaths. As the law closed in, she struck back, faking suicide attempts, harassing witnesses, stalking her ex-boyfriend, and terrorizing the hospital with bomb threats. In March 2001, after being found guilty of four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, Angel of Death Kristen Gilbert was sentenced to life imprisonment.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateJan 29, 2008
    ISBN9781423349280
    Author

    M. William Phelps

    Crime writer and investigative journalist M. William Phelps is the author of twenty-four nonfiction books and the novel The Dead Soul. He consulted on the first season of the Showtime series Dexter, has been profiled in Writer’s Digest, Connecticut Magazine, NY Daily News, NY Post, Newsday, Suspense Magazine, and the Hartford Courant, and has written for Connecticut Magazine. Winner of the New England Book Festival Award for I’ll Be Watching You and the Editor’s Choice Award from True Crime Book Reviews for Death Trap, Phelps has appeared on nearly 100 television shows, including CBS’s Early Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, The View, TLC, BIO Channel, and History Channel. Phelps created, produces and stars in the hit Investigation Discovery series Dark Minds, now in its third season; and is one of the stars of ID’s Deadly Women. Radio America called him “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer.” Touched by tragedy himself, due to the unsolved murder of his pregnant sister-in-law, Phelps is able to enter the hearts and minds of his subjects like no one else. He lives in a small Connecticut farming community and can be reached at his website, www.mwilliamphelps.com.

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    Reviews for Perfect Poison

    4/5

    270 ratings25 reviews

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    • 3/5
      This is an intriguing subject; however, it was very poorly written and narrated (The narrator mispronounces cellulitis as cellutitis, a word that does not exist, repeatedly in one section). Having just listened to Blind Eye by James B. Stewart on a similar subject I realized how even a story as fascinating as this one can suffer due to poor writing skills. The dialog between the subjects of the book is terrible and it seems to go on and on! Having just listened to another of his books I realize this is a technique that is the standard of this author and his work suffers greatly because of this.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Kristen Gilbert was known as a hardworking, dedicated nurse, however, there were so many emergencies and sudden deaths during her shift on Ward C that colleagues jokingly called her the “Angel of Death”. They had no idea how close they were to the truth. Gilbert was a scheming, manipulative liar and homicidal, narcissistic sociopath, a serial killer.Her victims were her patients, people who trusted her to care for them, her weapon was a syringe filled with lifesaving medicine that used incorrectly can cause fatal heart attacks. Investigators believe she may be responsible for as many as 40 deaths before three of her fellow nurses came forward, unable to ignore the number of deaths on Gilbert’s watch. In March 2001, she was found guilty of four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.When I hear someone recommend a true crime (TC) book because “it reads like a novel” my standard response is, “If I wanted to read something that “reads like a novel, I’ll read a novel”. I believe this is the first TC book by M. William Phelps that I have read but it will not be my last. He may have just moved into my “favorite TC author slot”. Shh don’t tell Kathryn.This book has an incredible amount of detail and while not reading like a novel it is not a dry recitation of facts. But there are a lot of things happening, he details the deaths and her actions while working, then her behavior during the investigation, harassing witnesses, stalking and even phoning in a bomb threat to the hospital. Mr. Phelps has brought out the facts you need to know to understand what happened, there is not a lot of skipping about and he gives you the details of the trail, along with the testimony without the dry court transcript feel. I definitely recommend this book to true crime fans.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Much better than I thought it would be, I picked this up mostly because I am peripherally familiar with both the Northhampton area and the VA. What is missing from the book is any definitive explanation for Kristen Gilbert's motiviation in committing the murders, but other than that it is all here, including the rather depressing combination of clumsy cover up and denial of the sort the VA is known far and wide for. The author might have made some iffy judgements in terms of writing as though reading the thoughts of actual people, but that seems par for the course in non-fiction ever since The Right Stuff had Wolfe reading astronauts thoughts.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I started listening to this audiobook around 4 p.m on a Thursday + could not put it down until I finished it on Friday morning at 9.35.
      I found it well written, detailed, researched, + compiled perfectly. It is written in a way that you just have to find out what’s going to happen next.
      Mr Phelps is a contributor on many true crime episodes + it’s always a delight to hear his viewpoint.
      This is the first book of his I read +, as a regular reader of true crime for years, I look forward to listening, or reading, more of his books.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      It was a very informative book filled you in on the many crimes that happened
    • 4/5
      If you can suspend reality, and consider this book a paranormal mystery instead of a historical romance, then it is very good. The mystery had a good plot, but the constant references to the special talents of the society bothered me a little.
    • 5/5
      on Thursday, March 29, 2007 I wrote:


      I read this book, which is not a small one, pretty quick. This is a great true crime book. Very well written, interesting from page 1 till the end.
      Highly recommend if you like to read True Crime


    • 5/5
      I have to admit that this series of paranormal Victorian romances/mysteries has me hooked. Third in the series, this one can be read out of order, although I think some toss-away references to earlier books will be missed. Still, they aren't essential to the enjoyment of the book.This romance does have some steamy scenes, but they don't overwhelm the story. I liked the leads in the story and they made sense to me. Lucinda is smart and charming while Caleb is brooding and dark (and smart). While the mystery is a bit predictable, the fun in romances is how one gets from point A to point B, and this one is enjoyable.Recommended for fans of paranormal romances with a hint of mystery.
    • 4/5
      The Perfect Poison
      4 Stars

      Synopsis
      Lucinda Bromley is a botanist with the unique ability to detect any poison but she also has a notorious reputation following the suspicious death of her fiance. When a man is poisoned by a rare fern, Lucinda fears becoming the prime suspect and requests the help of Caleb Jones, a man known for being able to decipher any clue. Soon Lucinda and Caleb are immersed in a case of murder and conspiracy and must stop a relentless scientist and a deranged madman in their quest to perfect the deadly Founder's Formula.

      Review
      On the whole, the Arcane series has been a mixed bag for me but The Perfect Poison is more of a hit than a miss. This part of the series comes full circle with explanations for several ideas found in the contemporary books, such as the origins of Jones & Jones and the society's matchmaking service as well as the true nature of Caleb's ability (and by extension that of his descendent, Fallon Jones).

      Caleb and Lucinda are wonderful together and their romance is passionate and powerful. Lucinda is the most compelling of the three historical heroines in the series - her intelligence, charm and wit are appealing on many levels, and the fact that she accepts her attraction to Caleb so completely only adds to their chemistry. Caleb has the darkest temperament and struggles to cope with the true nature of his abilities but he brings this intensity to his relationship with Lucinda, which makes it absolutely perfect. One a side note, the explanation of Caleb's mental anguish is particularly fulfilling, especially for fans of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose - just love the intertextuality.

      The mystery is where the book falls short as it lacks the intrigue and intensity of previous installments. The plot itself is contrived and there is no atmosphere of urgency or excitement. Moreover, the climax is predictable and uninspired.

      Overall, an easy and entertaining read with a gorgeous tortured hero and a spirited heroine. The series continues with the Dreamlight trilogy and I look forward to continuing with it.
    • 4/5
      This is the first of the Arcane Society books I have read and i am going to go back and check out the ones prior to it. I loved Caleb, his straight forwardness was refreshing and enjoying.
    • 3/5
      Quick/Krentz books are good for commutes, which is when I have the most time to get a bit of relaxing " reading" done.
    • 4/5
      Lucinda and Caleb are another strong, fun couple from Amada Quick. Clever dialogue, hot sexual tension and a great suspense plot keep the pages turning!
    • 4/5
      I listened to this on Audio and found it to be a very good book. The woman who did the voices struggles with the male parts, but otherwise was excellent. I really didn't feel like this was a romance - it was 9 CD's long and there were only 2 'love' scenes and this takes place in Victorian England, so...not really a romance in my book. But the story was intriguing and I enjoyed the paranormal aspects.
    • 2/5
      It wasn't bad, just didn't work for me.
    • 3/5
      I came in the middle of this series by starting at book 5 rather than book 1. Although I was a bit lost with the plot line I didn’t feel completely lost with the story and it didn’t hamper my enjoyment of it. This is typical Amanda Quick novel where the broken hero sets out to save the heroine. There is a bit more mystery and twists in this one than other Quick novels I’ve read, which made it more enjoyable.
    • 5/5
      Another fine addition to the Arcane Society series. Caleb Jones has just established the Jones Detective Agency and ends up involved with Lucinda, a member of the Society who specializes in poisons, the kind that come from plant life. Not a lot of surprises here but the trip is fun and I do enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle's writing!
    • 5/5
      This book features Caleb Jones, founder of the Jones and Jones agency, which features prominently on Quick's historical and contemporary titles. The other Jones is Lucinda and we learn how they meet and fall in love. There is of course action - and per the title poison - involved.
    • 4/5
      Lucinda Bromley has a rare talent, she can detect almost any kind of poison. Her reputation is soiled by the fact that her finance died from what appeared to be poisoning. However her skills are used by the police. In the latest case she discovers that the poisoning subject was poisoned by a recently stolen fern from her collection. She hires Caleb Jones, part of a psychical investigation agency, to investigate for her. He can see patterns and sense when things ar going well in an investigation. He also fears that he's going mad, as has happened to his ancestors. They're attracted but can their fears keep them apart.I enjoyed the read, the two of them were interesting characters and enjoyable. There were moments when things didn't quite work but most of the story kept me well engaged.
    • 3/5
      Nice light fluff reading. The romance side of things didn't make me cringe like this genre normally does, so that's a big plus for the book! Liked the characters, especially the females. Good writing, fun, happy to read her again (though will need a break between her stories).
    • 4/5
      Lucinda Bromley has a reputation, and not one that ladies in Victorian England aspire to - not quite a black widow, if only because she's never actually been married. An expert in plant-based poisons, Lucinda's called in when a wealthy gentleman dies under suspicious circumstances. Lucinda identifies the poison - and realizes she has a problem. The poison that killed him bears traces of a rare plant specimen stolen from her greenhouse, a plant that, as far as she knows, no one else in London possessed. She's going to need a detective versed in strange goings on. Good thing she knows of one.Caleb Jones has a strong talent. It's kept him in and out of trouble for most of his life, but he's afraid it's driving him mad, a family curse. He's never been tempted to settle down. Not, that is, until he meets the woman society knows as "Lucrezia" Bromley. Now he just has to catch a killer and convince the lady. Three guesses as to which will be more difficult!Classic Quick. Predictable, but charming for all that she's written better.
    • 4/5
      Just finished this book. Those who are interested in the paranormal, especially with the added spice of romance, will really enjoy this book. I also just realized that I had another "Arcane Society" novel sitting in the "to read" section of my bookcase (it's been there over six months). Now I can't wait to get to it!
    • 4/5
      Lucinda Bromley is a suspected poisoner with a talent for botany and for detecting poisons. Caleb Jones is a private investigator with a talent for making connections. Together, they seek a scientist who is recreating a dangerous formula which enhances psychic abilities.Quick's Arcane Society novels are not my favorites of her many books, but this is one of the better ones.
    • 3/5
      Another in the Arcane Society series. Here Lucinda Bromley is a fallen woman, having been accused of poisoning her fiance. Caleb Jones helps her untangle several other mysteries. A very quick read. Similar to others in the series but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
    • 3/5
      Not a bad read. Went fast and kept my interest but pretty much interchangeable with any of the other Arcane Society novels.
    • 5/5
      Historical romance readers will be very, very happy with Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle's newest 'Arcane Society' novel, "The Perfect Poison". This is the long awaited story of Caleb Jones, founder of Jones & Jones Investigations. As a long-time and fervent (rabid might be more truthful) fan of the author, I loved how she contrived connections, both written and implied, to her contemporary 'Arcane Society' books and her Jayne Castle Harmony/St Helens books. But even if you've not been following any of those books, "The Perfect Poison" is a perfect delight.Lucinda lost her father, his business partner, and her fiance within two horrible months a year and a half ago. However, it was the fiance's death that caused Lucinda's infamous notoriety. You see, when the fiance of an expert botanist dies...well, rumors run rampant; and the ton loves nothing more than a good, juicy scandal! Lucinda is also a member of the Arcane Society and assists a certain local police inspector (also a Society member) in determining death by botanical means. So when she's called to assist in the inspector's latest case, and discovers the means of death was not only poison--but poison from an extremely rare plant that was recently stolen from her conservatory... well, she calls upon the unique services of Caleb Jones, psychical investigator.Caleb has his hands full with his new agency. As a strategic and hunter 'talent', his skills make him uniquely qualified, and quite gratified, to do this type of work...if he just didn't have to deal with PEOPLE. Caleb also has another little problem. You see, he's pretty sure he's inherited the insanity that comes with his particular family talent and fears his descent into madness is closer than ever. But it only takes a few minutes in Lucinda's company for Caleb to realize something amazing...she calms his tension and invigorates his passion. And for a man who can't pass up a puzzle, she's the most interesting puzzle he's ever seen.But there's trouble ahead for these two. A group of power hungry talents have created their own society within the Society. Their aim is to recreate a dangerous drug that can enhance psychic talents...but also kills. It's up to Caleb and Lucinda (despite Caleb's protests) to stop them.There's so much I enjoy about Quick's writing. Her historical novels have lots of sensual tension, but the actual deeds themselves are few and mostly PG-rated. Not to say I'm averse to hotter, but it's still a fairly easy gauge for me...if it's a Quick novel, it's PG. Also, her wonderful and witty dialogue always lures me into another chapter...and another chapter...and another chapter...until I look up and find myself done with the book and wanting to go back and read it again! There's humor, passion, suspense, very little real violence, a tidy mystery, and always a happy ending. Who can resist?