This is such a fascinating tale of lies, theft, arson, poisoning, and murder that EVERYTHING SHE EVER WANTED appeared on Lifetime as a TV mini-series starring Gina Gershon and Victor Garber. The crimes were so cleverly done that it took authorities two decades to bring the perp to heel. In the meantime, two families were destroyed.
This story opens with the engagement and marriage of tiny Pat Taylor and blacksmith Tom Allanson. They dreamed of creating a Tara-like plantation where they could raise Morgan horses and roses and take their place in the sophisticated social arena of Atlanta. They were both divorced but felt they had now met their soulmate (in the other partner). They even dressed as Rhett and Scarlet for their wedding.
Tom's parents were unhappy he remarried so quickly after his divorce from Carol. Tom's father was an attorney running for a judgeship, and he was angry with Tom. Pat wanted peace between Tom and his parents and encouraged him to contact them. They weren't buying, and Mr. Allanson threatened his son with death.
After Tom's parents were murdered in their home, Tom went to prison for their murders. In the meantime, to support herself and her two daughters (from a previous marriage), Pat started doing home care (passing herself and one of her daughters as nurses). After their long-term care job ended, one daughter called and threatened the other for making them lose their jobs.
When checking on what happened, the daughter called the long-term care job to find out what happened. The family knew the two had stolen priceless objects and suspected they had killed their father. Everything started to unravel at this point. When the older man's remains were tested for poison, the truth came out. This book is a page-turner.
Ann Rule began her career as a Seattle police officer. She used that knowledge in her thirty-five best-sellers (all of which are still in print). She writes with such an understanding of the criminal mind. Her writing is concise and sharp; there are no vague statements or ideas. Ms. Rule knew what she wanted to say and did it with class and panache. Her most famous novel was THE STRANGER BESIDE ME, which told the story of Ted Bundy, who worked beside her and whom she considered a friend.
Another great Ann Rule book. As the old saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction. I always enjoy the photos included in Rule's books as they put a face with the characters you are reading about. Highly recommend this, or any of her books.
True story of obsessive love, murder and betrayal written by best woman author of true crime. Readable style of writing creates a narrative of individuals and events that can make this book hard to put down. Story of headstrong Georgia woman who controls all around her using either her behavior or continued demands. Made into a Lifetime television mini-series.
