Everything She Ever Wanted

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Summary: Another Great One by Ann Rule
Review: Ann Rule never disappoints me! This book spans some 20 years, telling the story of how two families came together in a Gone-With-The-Wind marriage that left some family members dead, and others nearly dead or with ruined lives. Usually I can get the gist of the story by reading the captions under the pictures in the middle of the book, but not this one. Pat Allanson's husband is convicted of murdering his parents, but you don't quite know until the end whether he really did it. Pat tries to kill her husband's grandparents, the book takes you through the trial and conviction, but there are still hundreds of pages left to read! Pat Allanson just doesn't know when to quit! You won't believe how she (and her family) treats her daughter, how she thought she could get away with more attempted murders, and how many lives she could ruin. I just wish Susan would have been tested for poison, and I wish her and her children all the best for having the guts it took to do what she did.

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Summary: for parents who spoil their children..
Review: Everything She Ever Wanted is the true story of a southern 'belle' who makes the gradual transition from being a spoiled, selfish child into a manipulative, overbearing witch. Her ego and cold disregard for the people who love her leads her down the path of murder. From a 10,000 ft perspective Everything She Ever Wanted sounds a bit formulaic. However what makes this book compulsive reading is the fascinating interrelationship between the murderess and her manipulated family. I was amazed at how much she got away with, and how her family defended her until the end (despite being victims themselves). Familial love is indeed blind.

Bottom line: Everything She Ever Wanted is typical Ann Rule stuff. That is, it is well-written and researched. No, it's not among her best works. But it makes for pure reading enjoyment nonetheless.

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Summary: Captivating Ann Rule story of the ultimate sociopath
Review: The most horrific, conniving, controlling, murderous, childish, sick person I have ever read about. Ann Rule is excellent in plotting the story of a truly heinous pathetic soul as Pat. Her enabling, sad parents and family members are to also be responsible for allowing such appalling behavior to continue. Pat would destroy anyone who was in her way, including her own children and grandchildren. There was absolutely no one who was exempt. The pain caused to her own parents was another devious act. She would keep her imprisoned husband from his only family; she would keep a small son from his sick mother (Pat's daughter); she would keep a dying old man from his beloved wife. etc. After serving prison time, and released, it was shocking to learn that she would include one of her daughters into her life of crime and deceit AGAIN. But fortunately, one daughter had the tenacity and courage to report her back to authorities. Family members become enablers and someone should have stopped her long ago, before innocent people are hurt.

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Summary: Unbelievable
Review: This book was completely shocking. I can't believe that so many people stood by and let Pat Taylor ruin their lives.
She is the perfect example of a wacko. Ann Rule does a great job of showing what a fake this woman is. Her oldest daughter should be thankful she has nothing more to do with her family that has so obviously lost touch with reality. Too bad her son doesn't support her and instead chooses to side with his pathetic excuse for a grandmother. The worst thing about this crime is that Pat Taylor isn't in jail for the rest of her sad life. Not Ann's best book, but still a good read.

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Summary: I live in Zebulon and know!
Review: Yes, folks, it's true. I was born and raised where this nonfiction book took place. It started the year I was born and Ann Rule got it all right.