What do you think?
Rate this book
Deadly Desserts: Grandmother, Pastor's Wife, Serial Killer
Not yet published
Expected 12 Nov 26Deadly Desserts is the incredible but true story of Nannie Doss-the most prolific female serial killer in history. Over a twenty-year period beginning in the 1930s, she murdered husbands, lovers, and family members throughout the country-as well as countless other innocent individuals-with rat poison baked into her delicious desserts.
A Baptist pastor's wife and grandmother in a small rural town outside of Tulsa, she was the epitome of the gum-smacking “Granny Nannie” persona that she projected...at the same time that her body count was growing. Nannie led the choir, was a favorite of the children, and baked the most delectable treats. Tenderly caring for the sick, watching over her family like a mother hen, while writing letters to the lonely, she was the dearest friend to all-including six husbands-until they aggravated her in some small way. And then they got their just desserts. By the time she was discovered and convicted, sweet Nannie murdered more people than any female in history.
This is an incredible tale that also reads like a page-turning novel, complete with dialogue and a series of mind-bending, unexpected twists. It's a story of suburban madness, sexual conquest, unfulfilled romantic fantasies, that were expressed throughout a quiet, undetected but unprecedented killing career. Nannie's incredible story crisscrosses the country, covers several eras and provides a fascinating glimpse into how her gender both protected her from discovery, but ultimately condemned her. The story is meticulously researched and well-resourced with major newspaper reports of the time. The author's approach includes multiple perspectives-conversations among the key characters, narrative storytelling, and contemporary reports from journalists, court transcripts, psychiatrists, and detectives from the day. It is written to read as a head-shaking novel.
A Baptist pastor's wife and grandmother in a small rural town outside of Tulsa, she was the epitome of the gum-smacking “Granny Nannie” persona that she projected...at the same time that her body count was growing. Nannie led the choir, was a favorite of the children, and baked the most delectable treats. Tenderly caring for the sick, watching over her family like a mother hen, while writing letters to the lonely, she was the dearest friend to all-including six husbands-until they aggravated her in some small way. And then they got their just desserts. By the time she was discovered and convicted, sweet Nannie murdered more people than any female in history.
This is an incredible tale that also reads like a page-turning novel, complete with dialogue and a series of mind-bending, unexpected twists. It's a story of suburban madness, sexual conquest, unfulfilled romantic fantasies, that were expressed throughout a quiet, undetected but unprecedented killing career. Nannie's incredible story crisscrosses the country, covers several eras and provides a fascinating glimpse into how her gender both protected her from discovery, but ultimately condemned her. The story is meticulously researched and well-resourced with major newspaper reports of the time. The author's approach includes multiple perspectives-conversations among the key characters, narrative storytelling, and contemporary reports from journalists, court transcripts, psychiatrists, and detectives from the day. It is written to read as a head-shaking novel.
248 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 12, 2026
About the author
Jerry Jamison
82 books83 followersThe author of more than 40 published full-length fiction novels, Jerry Jamison has been an award-winning advertising copywriter with over 60 national writing and creative development commendations during his career. As the principal of a California-based advertising agency, he has helped create and guide successful and memorable campaigns for a wide range of clients throughout the country. The “Tales of Suspense” Series (currently 25 stories), is his first foray into the mystery/thriller genre.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free copy of, Deadly Desserts, by Jerry Jamison, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Nannie Doss is not like other women, she is a serial killer. Nannie buried more husband, then most brides, at her own hands. I have never heard of her before reading this book, a sad, but interesting read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nannie Doss was one of the most prolific female serial killers of the mid twentieth century. For over two decades, she dispatched four husbands and was suspected of murdering multiple members of her own family including children and grandchildren. Over her lifetime, it was hypothesised that she was responsible for as many as eleven deaths, although she was only charged with the murder of her fifth husband Samuel Doss in 1955.
In this biography, Jerry Jamison follows her from her abusive upbringing to her later years as an outwardly respected elder in her community.
Doss had an eventful life and the author did an excellent job covering it without the narrative ever getting bogged down. The pace was strong throughout.
While I enjoyed the writing style, Jamison took a number of creative liberties, filling in the blanks where there was next to no information. He freely admitted this in the introduction. I can’t disagree that the fictitious aspects of the book did make it a much more compelling read; however, by the time I finished the biography, I did feel I should have read it with a large pinch of salt.
With thanks to Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC.
In this biography, Jerry Jamison follows her from her abusive upbringing to her later years as an outwardly respected elder in her community.
Doss had an eventful life and the author did an excellent job covering it without the narrative ever getting bogged down. The pace was strong throughout.
While I enjoyed the writing style, Jamison took a number of creative liberties, filling in the blanks where there was next to no information. He freely admitted this in the introduction. I can’t disagree that the fictitious aspects of the book did make it a much more compelling read; however, by the time I finished the biography, I did feel I should have read it with a large pinch of salt.
With thanks to Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I never heard of this serial killer so I was very invested in reading her story. I liked the authors writing style as it read more like a story rather than just facts and information. However, the author does state upfront that he took some creative license by combining some people and fillers to keep the story flowing. I do appreciate the authors honesty about that but would have liked to have had a way to identify where that occurred. Overall it's a good story and definitely a recommended read for any true crime buff. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Who'd think that sweet looking lady on the cover would be a serial murderer?! This is a fascinating history of a woman with many names. I recommend this for any true crime fans as it's a unique story
Who'd think that sweet looking lady on the cover would be a serial murderer?! This is a fascinating history of a woman with many names. I recommend this for any true crime fans as it's a unique story
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When asked why she “did it,” Nannie Doss said “I was just searching for the perfect husband . . . . I was just looking for love, and when I didn’t find it in a man - or he let me down somehow - I guess I figured I was wastin’ my time with that one, and it was best to move on sooner than later.” Thus concludes the reason behind the murders done by most prolific female serial killer in American history. Nannie Doss is alleged to have killed over eleven people between 1927-1954.
In “A Note from the Author, which starts this true crime book, the author explains his book’s structure which is to tell the story of “the Giggling Grandma” (one of the monikers assigned to Nancy Hazel “Nannie” Doss) in a more of a novelist style [my interpretation] so as to “add humanity and context to what otherwise would be a one-dimensional character.” Extensive research went into the book as well because a lot of the details of Nannie’s’ life occurred over years and states and they were necessarily collected in one place. Nannie had a hard early life as a product of an abusive childhood and sought escapism through her whole life. The story is told chronologically and in a journalist way that is even handed and I believe achieves the author’s intent to portray Nannie realistically. Because there are several keys points in her story that if revealed in my review might destroy the reader’s enjoyment of the book, I’m going to end my summary here. Suffice it to say these help the reader understand Nannie better.
I enjoyed this true crime book probably because as a mood reader I sometimes gravitate toward this genre. I’m interested in understanding human motivation in the context of real situations as well as in novels. The true crime genre gives the opportunity to do this. As previously mentioned it was well researched and well written. It brought to light a woman’s tragic story of searching for love in all the wrong places. It’s for these reasons I gave the book five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academics for granting me access to this ARC.
In “A Note from the Author, which starts this true crime book, the author explains his book’s structure which is to tell the story of “the Giggling Grandma” (one of the monikers assigned to Nancy Hazel “Nannie” Doss) in a more of a novelist style [my interpretation] so as to “add humanity and context to what otherwise would be a one-dimensional character.” Extensive research went into the book as well because a lot of the details of Nannie’s’ life occurred over years and states and they were necessarily collected in one place. Nannie had a hard early life as a product of an abusive childhood and sought escapism through her whole life. The story is told chronologically and in a journalist way that is even handed and I believe achieves the author’s intent to portray Nannie realistically. Because there are several keys points in her story that if revealed in my review might destroy the reader’s enjoyment of the book, I’m going to end my summary here. Suffice it to say these help the reader understand Nannie better.
I enjoyed this true crime book probably because as a mood reader I sometimes gravitate toward this genre. I’m interested in understanding human motivation in the context of real situations as well as in novels. The true crime genre gives the opportunity to do this. As previously mentioned it was well researched and well written. It brought to light a woman’s tragic story of searching for love in all the wrong places. It’s for these reasons I gave the book five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academics for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this Advanced Reader Copy.
Four stars.
Nannie Doss is one of those true-crime boogeymen you have probably heard of but never really stopped to consider in detail. Jerry Jamison has done an excellent job of researching and storytelling in Deadly Desserts. Nannie is painted as a surprisingly sympathetic character, with each era of her life well explained and grounded in the circumstances surrounding her.
Each of her husbands is deeply flawed in his own way, leaving the reader to wrestle with an uncomfortable question: Did Nannie do what she felt she had to do, or did she simply take it far, far too far?
Nannie may be one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history, and police believed she was responsible for several additional deaths beyond those she confessed to. That makes the scope of her story particularly fascinating, especially given how long she was able to move through life without anyone fully recognizing what was happening around her.
My only criticism is that the author explains at the beginning that some creative license was used to move the story forward, including combining characters and adding fictionalized details where necessary. I understand why an author might make those choices in order to create a more readable narrative, but I think they occasionally undermine the reader’s confidence in what they are being told. Once that disclaimer is introduced, it becomes difficult not to wonder which moments are documented fact and which were created or altered for the sake of the story.
Still, Deadly Desserts is absolutely worth the read and fits the bill for a good true-crime story. I recommend it for readers who like their true-crime nonfiction to read like a good thriller.
Four stars.
Nannie Doss is one of those true-crime boogeymen you have probably heard of but never really stopped to consider in detail. Jerry Jamison has done an excellent job of researching and storytelling in Deadly Desserts. Nannie is painted as a surprisingly sympathetic character, with each era of her life well explained and grounded in the circumstances surrounding her.
Each of her husbands is deeply flawed in his own way, leaving the reader to wrestle with an uncomfortable question: Did Nannie do what she felt she had to do, or did she simply take it far, far too far?
Nannie may be one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history, and police believed she was responsible for several additional deaths beyond those she confessed to. That makes the scope of her story particularly fascinating, especially given how long she was able to move through life without anyone fully recognizing what was happening around her.
My only criticism is that the author explains at the beginning that some creative license was used to move the story forward, including combining characters and adding fictionalized details where necessary. I understand why an author might make those choices in order to create a more readable narrative, but I think they occasionally undermine the reader’s confidence in what they are being told. Once that disclaimer is introduced, it becomes difficult not to wonder which moments are documented fact and which were created or altered for the sake of the story.
Still, Deadly Desserts is absolutely worth the read and fits the bill for a good true-crime story. I recommend it for readers who like their true-crime nonfiction to read like a good thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest and fair review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Let’s talk trigger warnings first and foremost. This book has MANY triggers - mental health, physical abuse, verbal abuse, suggestions of sexual abuse, child abuse, child death by poisoning, and premeditated murder. Not being familiar with the Nannie Doss story, I was absolutely not prepared for the harm against children, so I feel like others should be.
For those also not familiar with Nannie Doss, she was the most prolific female serial killer in the United States, using arsenic-based rat poison to kill anyone who irked her or meddled in her business. Nannie was on the hunt for true love and a glamorous life, and she would not have anyone stand in her way. This book truly reads like a fiction book as the author used some artistic freedom to fill in the gaps in the facts provided about the case. However, upon reading Nannie’s confessions, my guess is that he didn’t need to fill in much. It’s not very often that a non-fiction book can transport you to the story, but this one surely did.
When it comes to stories like these, I hate saying that I enjoyed it or loved the book, largely because of the content, and because this was a real woman who committed horrible crimes, but I did very much enjoy this book because her story is fascinating and reads like a thriller. I would also definitely pick up a book by this author again.
5/5 stars
Let’s talk trigger warnings first and foremost. This book has MANY triggers - mental health, physical abuse, verbal abuse, suggestions of sexual abuse, child abuse, child death by poisoning, and premeditated murder. Not being familiar with the Nannie Doss story, I was absolutely not prepared for the harm against children, so I feel like others should be.
For those also not familiar with Nannie Doss, she was the most prolific female serial killer in the United States, using arsenic-based rat poison to kill anyone who irked her or meddled in her business. Nannie was on the hunt for true love and a glamorous life, and she would not have anyone stand in her way. This book truly reads like a fiction book as the author used some artistic freedom to fill in the gaps in the facts provided about the case. However, upon reading Nannie’s confessions, my guess is that he didn’t need to fill in much. It’s not very often that a non-fiction book can transport you to the story, but this one surely did.
When it comes to stories like these, I hate saying that I enjoyed it or loved the book, largely because of the content, and because this was a real woman who committed horrible crimes, but I did very much enjoy this book because her story is fascinating and reads like a thriller. I would also definitely pick up a book by this author again.
5/5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an astounding and incredible true crime story. Jerry Jamison has painstakingly researched the life and events of the most prolific female serial killer, Nannie Doss, to write an unputdownable memoir. By writing a narrative non-fiction story, Jamison has introduced the reader to every facet of Nannie's life, including her abusive childhood and the affect this had on her subsequent life. As a result of her upbringing, Nannie developed severe migraines and began hearing voices. These voices would co-exist with Nannie and compel her to perform and justify the most horrific acts.
Despite all of this, I felt so sorry for this confused and delusional woman, who found comfort in reading romance books and magazines and corresponding with men through a lonely hearts column, in the hope of meeting the perfect husband.
Jerry Jamison has written a well paced story which kept me turning pages, all the time in utter disbelief, and reminding myself that this is a true story and these murders actually happened. It leaves you wondering how she was able to get away with everything for so many years. Truly an amazing read and I love the cover!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Academic and Jerry Jamison for my advanced copy to read and give my honest opinion.
Despite all of this, I felt so sorry for this confused and delusional woman, who found comfort in reading romance books and magazines and corresponding with men through a lonely hearts column, in the hope of meeting the perfect husband.
Jerry Jamison has written a well paced story which kept me turning pages, all the time in utter disbelief, and reminding myself that this is a true story and these murders actually happened. It leaves you wondering how she was able to get away with everything for so many years. Truly an amazing read and I love the cover!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Academic and Jerry Jamison for my advanced copy to read and give my honest opinion.
September 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for an advance copy of this book.
4/5 stars
Plot: true-crime story of the”Giggling Granny” serial killer
Impression: I enjoyed this book and was unfamiliar with the story of Nannie Doss. She lived a horrific life but committed atrocious crimes. A timeline would have been very helpful because she moved from man to man so very quickly. I also would have liked some insights from the psychiatric evaluations she had. She was a peculiar woman and I definitely won’t forget her story!
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault and abuse, alcohol abuse, crimes against children
Star System: 5 star reads are books I can’t put down and/or make me cry. This is a book that will stick with me for either the topic, writing style, or emotional impact.
4 star books are unique or interesting and perhaps teach me something new. A feel good read is usually 4 stars.
3 star reads are good, solid books. I’m not necessarily learning or feeling anything new.
2 star books have some plot holes or timeline issues. These are the books that just aren’t believable.
1 star books are typically offensive
4/5 stars
Plot: true-crime story of the”Giggling Granny” serial killer
Impression: I enjoyed this book and was unfamiliar with the story of Nannie Doss. She lived a horrific life but committed atrocious crimes. A timeline would have been very helpful because she moved from man to man so very quickly. I also would have liked some insights from the psychiatric evaluations she had. She was a peculiar woman and I definitely won’t forget her story!
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault and abuse, alcohol abuse, crimes against children
Star System: 5 star reads are books I can’t put down and/or make me cry. This is a book that will stick with me for either the topic, writing style, or emotional impact.
4 star books are unique or interesting and perhaps teach me something new. A feel good read is usually 4 stars.
3 star reads are good, solid books. I’m not necessarily learning or feeling anything new.
2 star books have some plot holes or timeline issues. These are the books that just aren’t believable.
1 star books are typically offensive
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everyone that knows me knows that I absolutely love true crime! So of course I was intrigued when I stumbled upon a serial killer that I hadn’t really heard too much about. A preacher’s wife, and possibly one of the most prolific female serial killers in America. Nannie Doss. ‘Granny Nannie’, as many called her, was responsible for 11 deaths over a twenty year period by adding rat poison to her highly sought after baked goods. However, police suspect there may be several more than the ones she confessed to. You can really tell how much time and research was put into gathering facts for this book. From her abusive childhood, to the behaviors of all six of her husbands. The author does add a note stating that some creative changes were made for the story. Overall I found this to be a really informative and interesting read, especially for the true crime lovers like myself!
Thank you so much Jerry Jamison and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you so much Jerry Jamison and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve certainly heard of Nannie Doss over the years, but I don’t recall reading any books about her until now. This was an entertaining book about her bizarre life, and all the many people she killed around her over her lifetime. I think her hatred for her father and how he treated her growing up made her act out this way. If this is all true, it’s just astounding the number of people she got rid of with her rat poisoned yummy treats she baked. The ‘Giggling Grandma’ was hooked on romance novels and magazines, and she used the Lonely Hearts ads in newspapers to both search for true love and to scam men.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Publisher and Author for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Wow! I loved this book, I had never heard of her before and really enjoyed reading all about her and her serial killing ways! I enjoyed the way this book was written and found it really easy to follow along.
This kind and cuddly looking grandma is infact Americans worst female serial killer, she also comes across as a master manipulator who is very clever at getting away with it by using her innocent looking face and personality to her full advantage.
If your into true crime and serial killers this is a definite read, if your not I still highly recommend giving it a read!
Wow! I loved this book, I had never heard of her before and really enjoyed reading all about her and her serial killing ways! I enjoyed the way this book was written and found it really easy to follow along.
This kind and cuddly looking grandma is infact Americans worst female serial killer, she also comes across as a master manipulator who is very clever at getting away with it by using her innocent looking face and personality to her full advantage.
If your into true crime and serial killers this is a definite read, if your not I still highly recommend giving it a read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’d never heard of Nannie Doss before but the synopsis immediately drew me in. This was easy to follow and the writing style kept me engaged throughout. Seeing the progression of Nannie’s crimes was fascinating, I honestly couldn’t believe how long she was able to get away with it.
Her story is absolutely wild! I definitely found myself wondering how so many suspicious deaths surrounding her went unnoticed for so long. The children! Really?!
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC.
Her story is absolutely wild! I definitely found myself wondering how so many suspicious deaths surrounding her went unnoticed for so long. The children! Really?!
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews