American Mother is the story of Stella Nichols and how she poisoned Tylenol capsules in Washington state. It all came down to money, and her husband's insurance policy. The author, Gregg Olsen, does a fabulous job in laying out the story and giving out all of the details, for all of the victims and the investigation. I basically knew the story before reading it, but he gave details that I did not know and made it so interesting that it was hard to put down. I love his writing and he has never disappointed me in anything I have read of his. This is no disappointment either. The writing is superb and the storyline very interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone! ( )

Originally published as Bitter Almonds: The True Story of Mothers, Daughters, and the Seattle Cyanide Murders in 1993, American Mother: The True Story of a Troubled Family, Motherhood, and the Cyanide Murders That Shook the World is a revised and updated edition from Gregg Olsen.

On June 5th in 1986, emergency services were called to the mobile home of Stella and Bruce Nickell in Auburn, Alabama. Bruce had collapsed and was struggling to breathe. When asked by the paramedics trying to make sense of his symptoms, Stella, calmly sipping her coffee, claimed he’d taken nothing other than Asprin. Despite best efforts, Bruce passed away, and the M.E. attributed hid death to emphysema.

Bank accounts manager, wife and mother, Susan Snow took two Extra Strength Excedrin as was her habit while getting ready for work on the morning of June 11th 1986. Fifteen year old Hayley, heard her mother fall and rushed in to the bathroom to find her unresponsive and gasping for breath. Sue was rushed to hospital but slipped into a coma before being declared brain dead shortly awards. Electrocution, heart arrhythmia or stroke were suspected causes but during the autopsy, the M.E.’s assistant detected an unmistakable if faint odour of bitter almonds, and to everyone’s shock, toxicology tests confirmed a fatal level of cyanide in the blood.

Though Detective Dunbar strongly suspected Sue’s husband of poisoning his wife, the FDA could not risk a repeat of the Chicago Tylenol tampering case in 1982 and a recall was issued of Extra Strength Excedrin bottles, especially batch #5H102. That evening a patrol officer was dispatched to a hysterical caller. Stella Nickells informed him that her husband had died two weeks earlier, shortly after taking Excedrin capsules from a batch matching media reports. Tests quickly revealed that the some of the capsules were contaminated and though Bruce had already been buried, a blood sample was fortunately available which showed Stella’s husband was the first victim of cyanide poisoning from tainted capsules.

Olsen presents a comprehensive account of the case and the people involved. The first half of the book focuses on two things after establishing the facts of the crime – the investigation by local and federal agencies, and a portrait of the victims and their family’s, while the second half focuses on the trial that found Stella Nickell guilty of the murder of her husband and Sue Snow.

To shed light on Stella’s actions, Olsen delves deeply into her life. Drawing on interviews with her family, friends and acquaintances, he reveals a complex, sad tale of generational dysfunction and trauma. Of particular interest to Olsen is Stella’s relationship with her eldest daughter, Cindy, who eventually testified against her.

Olsen’s extensive research into every facet of this case is evident, but the huge amount of detail he includes can sometimes be overwhelming. I thought the narrative was generally well organised, though some repetition is noticeable, especially with the account of the court case as it presents much of the same material Olsen had already disclosed. I feel photographs, and a timeline of evidentiary events, would have been beneficial inclusions.

From the evidence shared in American Mother, it seems obvious to me that Stella, who was sentenced to 90 years imprisonment and who remains incarcerated in 2022, is responsible for the deaths of her husband and Sue Snow. I believe Cindy was at least aware of her mothers intent to kill Bruce but I remain undecided about her direct complicity in the execution of the crime.

American Mother is an absorbing exposé of a shocking true crime and the woman found responsible, both an interesting and entertaining (in a morbid sort of way) read. ( )

This story is chilling and haunting. I cannot even believe that this is a true crime story. It is all too outrageous. I was moved by this story and was so impressed that Olsen honored the story so brilliantly. He was able to share the story but did so by honoring the events and those involved, for better or for worse. The truth is almost always scar than fiction. This in one of the best true crime stories I have ever read! A must read!!! ( )