A Poisoned Passion

By the age of twenty-four, Air Force Staff Sergeant Mike Severance had already survived a series of missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. But his life back at home, in Texas, would prove a lot more dangerous…

In the winter of 2005, Mike’s wife, a veterinarian named Wendi Mae Davidson, reported him missing. Wendi told police that Mike had been acting erratically—visiting local clubs, staying out late, sometimes not coming home at all. She filed for divorce the very next day.

Eventually Mike’s body turned up in a stock pond on a private ranch. Investigators described a corpse that was weighted down with two cinder blocks, a rock, a boat anchor, and other equipment. It had also been stabbed forty-one times with a knife. But an autopsy report told a different story: That the cause of death was exposure to pentobarbital and phenobarbital, drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine. All the evidence pointed to Wendi…and soon she would  be found guilty of murder in the first degree.

Diane Fanning’s A Poisioned Passion is the true, shocking story of a war hero and a marriage that ended in cold-blooded murder.

Reader Reviews

“No book I have ever read infuriated me more than this one. I am a true crime book enthusiast and have read everything by the great Ann Rule but this was the first I ever read from you. First off, you had a great, quick-read writing style and you captured my attention every bit as well as Ms. Rules books do… I could not believe the state of Texas would let the children stay with what is essentially a narcissistic family. Anyways, loved your book and will put you in my true crime must read catalog.” – Juan

“It’s the naivete of the people who plot the ‘perfect murder’ who keep you in the business of writing fascinating books about their mistakes and keep people like me rushing to the bookstores to read the books. Keep up the good work!” – Dr. Michael Stone

“I just finished reading your book “A Poisoned Passion”, and just wanted to tell you that no book I have ever read infuriated me more than this one.  I am a true crime book enthusiast and have read everything by the great Ann Rule but this was the first I ever read from you.  First off you had a great quick read writing style as I finished the book in a day and you captured my attention every bit as well as Ms. Rules books do.  But obviously what upset me was the subject of that book the Davidson family in general and how you brought out what cold and callous people they are.  I could not believe the state of Texas would allow children to stay with what is essentially a narcissistic family.  Anyways loved your book and will put you in my true crime must read catalog.  Keep up the good work.” – Juan

“I wanted to tell you how compelling your book was.  Nothing could be more chilling than a killer’s own rationalizations and mental gymnastics.  No matter how many stories of sociopaths I come across, each is fascinating.  But this tale, and your excellent presention of the material, really had me stirred up.  Here’s a woman with enough brains to become a DVM, yet was so disturbed that murder became a feasible option and a lifestyle choice.” – Susan

“I have just finished your book and my blood is still at boiling point.  I would like to congratulate you on your style and I have to admit that I always thought Ann Rule was the best.  Not anymore.  I salute you!”  – Evelina