The Black Widow: The Life and Crimes of Griselda Blanco, America’s First Billionaire Drug Smuggler

by Hugo Clark

The Black Widow is a non-fiction true crime novel about the notorious drug smuggler Griselda Blanco. Discover Griselda's story from her childhood on the streets, to becoming an international criminal mastermind.

Learn how she partnered with infamous criminals like Pablo Escobar to become one of the most powerful businesswomen in organized crime history - earning billions of dollars in profits along the way. This riveting tale of true crime takes you through all the twists and turns as you uncover secrets that span countries and continents while witnessing first-hand what it takes to become a ruthless killer with no regard for human life or morality.

She was a mother, a businesswoman, and a ruthless killer. One of the most infamous female criminals in all of history, uncover the details behind the rise and fall of the Cocaine Queen of Miami in this winding, fascinating recount of history.

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2023

Reviews

[P.B. Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grim, real, and shocking

This is a truly horrific story of a lesser-known queen of drug dealing, Griselda Blanco. All of us know of Pablo Escobar. But this book highlights the terror of a woman that left her devastating footprint from Colombia to America.

I am amazed by the nonchalant tone of delivery on a topic that gave me the shudders. Reading the account of Griselda made the famous saying more concrete - truth is stranger than fiction.

If you dig true crime thrillers, this is the book to go for. There are impressive details with timelines on the rise and downfall of mainly Griselda and a fair coverage of Pablo Escobar.

I thoroughly enjoyed this larger than life narrative.

[Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing book about the QueenPin of the drug underworld. She died in the same way she ordered so many others to be killed. I watched the movie, and now have read the book. I can see why she was hated, and it’s infuriating how she so easily killed off those who didn’t do something to her liking or because they got in the way of the lifestyle she chose to live. It’s also sad that she corrupted her very own children in choosing the life that she did.

[Tina Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this after watching Griselda on Hulu. The book definitely fills in a lot of details the series left out—especially about her background and the scope of her operations. I'm very glad I never crossed paths with this woman in real life... absolutely terrifying!

[Valerie Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling account of the Queenpin. Recently started watching the Netflix show and I wanted to see how it deviated from true accounts.

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly shocking and equally entertaining as I listened to all the crimes Griselda had committed, especially since it’s nonfiction.