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The Mother's Day Murder
The Black Widow
They met while working together at a Taco Bell in Augusta, seventeen-year-old Larry Kelley and thirty-one-year-old wife and mother Gina Spann. Their unusual friendship soon blossomed into something much more when Gina invited Larry to live with her, her husband Kevin, and their teenage son. While Kevin slept in a back room of the house, Larry and Ginal shared the master bedroom, flaunthing their love in front of Kevin.
The Humiliated Husband
But it didn't stop there. Gina enlisted Larry and three of his friend to murder huer husband and cash in on his $300,000 life insurance policy. So on Mother's Day of 1997, two teenagers knocked on the Spanns' door, and when Kevin opened it, shot him point-blank. As Kevin Spann's lifeless body hit the ground, his two assassins sauntered away casually.
The Lovesick Teenager
Police zeroed in on the motley crew soon enough -- and each would pay heavily for their crime. Gina, Larry, and two of his friend would each receive life sentences for the ruthless murder of Kevin Spann. In a case as twisted and shocking as fiction, bestselling author Wensley Clarkson explores this volatile web of sex, greed, and murder that ended in deadly disaster.
They met while working together at a Taco Bell in Augusta, seventeen-year-old Larry Kelley and thirty-one-year-old wife and mother Gina Spann. Their unusual friendship soon blossomed into something much more when Gina invited Larry to live with her, her husband Kevin, and their teenage son. While Kevin slept in a back room of the house, Larry and Ginal shared the master bedroom, flaunthing their love in front of Kevin.
The Humiliated Husband
But it didn't stop there. Gina enlisted Larry and three of his friend to murder huer husband and cash in on his $300,000 life insurance policy. So on Mother's Day of 1997, two teenagers knocked on the Spanns' door, and when Kevin opened it, shot him point-blank. As Kevin Spann's lifeless body hit the ground, his two assassins sauntered away casually.
The Lovesick Teenager
Police zeroed in on the motley crew soon enough -- and each would pay heavily for their crime. Gina, Larry, and two of his friend would each receive life sentences for the ruthless murder of Kevin Spann. In a case as twisted and shocking as fiction, bestselling author Wensley Clarkson explores this volatile web of sex, greed, and murder that ended in deadly disaster.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
232 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 15, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 14, 2026
I devoured this book in one day. It reads like a fast-paced thriller, and some parts are so shocking that you almost forget you’re reading a true-crime story.
The premise alone is absolutely wild! Imagine a 200 LB woman in her 30s working at Taco Bell alongside teenagers, seducing them, partying with them, and eventually moving some of them into her home with her husband and CHILD only to ultimately convince some of them to kill her husband.
This case reminded me of Love You Madly: The True Story of a Small-Town Girl, the Young Men She Seduced, and the Murder of Her Mother where a female victim claims abuse and seduces men to kill her alleged abuser. It's chilling to read how much power these women had over their pawns.
The premise alone is absolutely wild! Imagine a 200 LB woman in her 30s working at Taco Bell alongside teenagers, seducing them, partying with them, and eventually moving some of them into her home with her husband and CHILD only to ultimately convince some of them to kill her husband.
This case reminded me of Love You Madly: The True Story of a Small-Town Girl, the Young Men She Seduced, and the Murder of Her Mother where a female victim claims abuse and seduces men to kill her alleged abuser. It's chilling to read how much power these women had over their pawns.
September 10, 2009
This book was a huge disappointment for me since I've read a few other books by Clarkson and enjoyed them. This one just seemed to drag on and on with him repeating the same facts over and over. I think if he'd delved deeper into the characters than just the murder itself it would have been a much better book.
May 22, 2026
"The Mother's Day Murder" by Wensley Clarkson is a gripping true crime account that delves into a chilling and heartbreaking case. Clarkson meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to the tragic crime, providing a detailed and compelling narrative.
The book explores the complexities of the investigation, highlighting the dedication of law enforcement and the devastating impact on the victim's family and community. Clarkson's writing is both sensitive and thorough, offering a balanced portrayal of the people involved.
It is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts. It sheds light on a disturbing case while honoring the memory of the victim and the pursuit of justice.
The book explores the complexities of the investigation, highlighting the dedication of law enforcement and the devastating impact on the victim's family and community. Clarkson's writing is both sensitive and thorough, offering a balanced portrayal of the people involved.
It is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts. It sheds light on a disturbing case while honoring the memory of the victim and the pursuit of justice.
October 2, 2018
This was a bit repetitive and perhaps not as much was known about the personal life of Gina since her sister and teenagers in her life seemed to be her main accusers. It wasn’t bad and was a bit eye opening. I cannot imagine an older, heavier and sort of matronly woman with the ability to get so many young men to act against their own self interests.
October 25, 2022
This case was a disaster.
How did she convince all these boys to do shit?!?!?
Also, no parent thought to call the cops for the pedo-ish nature of what was going on?!?!?!
NO ONE ?????????
Also, I think Larry needs to be let out. He wasn't intelligent enough to know what was going on. Hell he brought his toy dinosaur collection with him when he moved in with her. Come on.
How did she convince all these boys to do shit?!?!?
Also, no parent thought to call the cops for the pedo-ish nature of what was going on?!?!?!
NO ONE ?????????
Also, I think Larry needs to be let out. He wasn't intelligent enough to know what was going on. Hell he brought his toy dinosaur collection with him when he moved in with her. Come on.
July 16, 2025
Unbelievable but true
I loved this book and had to constantly remind myself that this was not a fictional story written by a talented novelist but a true account of a truly heinous crime..
I loved this book and had to constantly remind myself that this was not a fictional story written by a talented novelist but a true account of a truly heinous crime..
May 18, 2026
The Mother’s Day Murder
This is a complicated story, with lots of moving parts, a little scary in introducing us to teenagers who seem to live in an untethered world where casual murder is possible. Crazy stuff!
This is a complicated story, with lots of moving parts, a little scary in introducing us to teenagers who seem to live in an untethered world where casual murder is possible. Crazy stuff!
October 16, 2017
Really good and fast read. Finished in a day. I wanted to hold off reading because this psycho shares a birthday with me. LOL
July 21, 2021
Well written with a lot of detail and facts.
September 17, 2025
Book is self explanatory after a while, not really full of emotions. 3/5 rating for the books flow & storyline altogether.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews