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Everything She Ever Wanted: A True Story of Obsessive Love, Murder, and Betrayal
20 hours, 23 minutes
WAS SHE A SWEET SOUTHERN CHARMER?
OR A COLD-BLOODED KILLER?
For their wedding portrait, petite Pat Taylor and handsome Tom Allanson posed as Rhett and Scarlett.
Both came from fine Southern families, and dreamed of the Tara-like plantation where they would grow roses, raise horses, and move in the genteel circles of Atlanta society. Less than two months later, their dream exploded in terror and murder: their beautiful home mysteriously burned to the ground and Tom was convicted of the brutal slaying of his mother and father.
Pat's only brother had died in a puzzling suicide, her grandparents-in-law were poisoned with arsenic, and no one—from her wealthy employers to her own children—was safe when Pat Allanson didn't get her way. It took Georgia lawmen more than two decades to stop her for good—if indeed they have.
In this fascinating account, Ann Rule delivers a tour de force: a whirlwind of misguided love, denial, guilt, and passions out of control; a series of brilliantly manipulated crimes; the bizarre and horrifying tale of two families brought to ruin; and, at the center of it all, the heartless, supremely selfish sociopath whose evil hid behind soft words and gentle manners, but who destroyed—without mercy—those who loved her.
WAS SHE A SWEET SOUTHERN CHARMER?
OR A COLD-BLOODED KILLER?
For their wedding portrait, petite Pat Taylor and handsome Tom Allanson posed as Rhett and Scarlett.
Both came from fine Southern families, and dreamed of the Tara-like plantation where they would grow roses, raise horses, and move in the genteel circles of Atlanta society. Less than two months later, their dream exploded in terror and murder: their beautiful home mysteriously burned to the ground and Tom was convicted of the brutal slaying of his mother and father.
Pat's only brother had died in a puzzling suicide, her grandparents-in-law were poisoned with arsenic, and no one—from her wealthy employers to her own children—was safe when Pat Allanson didn't get her way. It took Georgia lawmen more than two decades to stop her for good—if indeed they have.
In this fascinating account, Ann Rule delivers a tour de force: a whirlwind of misguided love, denial, guilt, and passions out of control; a series of brilliantly manipulated crimes; the bizarre and horrifying tale of two families brought to ruin; and, at the center of it all, the heartless, supremely selfish sociopath whose evil hid behind soft words and gentle manners, but who destroyed—without mercy—those who loved her.
Audible Audio
First published December 1, 1992
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About the author
Ann Rule
141 books4,510 followersAnn Rule was a popular American true crime writer. Raised in a law enforcement and criminal justice system environment, she grew up wanting to work in law enforcement herself. She was a former Seattle Policewoman and was well educated in psychology and criminology.
She came to prominence with her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, about the Ted Bundy murders. At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington Crisis Clinic, giving her a unique distinction among true crime writers.
Rule won two Anthony Awards from Bouchercon, the mystery fans' organization. She was nominated three times for the Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America. She is highly regarded for creating the true crime genre as it exists today.
Ann Rule also wrote under the name Andy Stack . Her daughter is Goodreads author Leslie Rule.
She came to prominence with her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, about the Ted Bundy murders. At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington Crisis Clinic, giving her a unique distinction among true crime writers.
Rule won two Anthony Awards from Bouchercon, the mystery fans' organization. She was nominated three times for the Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America. She is highly regarded for creating the true crime genre as it exists today.
Ann Rule also wrote under the name Andy Stack . Her daughter is Goodreads author Leslie Rule.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
April 15, 2020
This book was wild as HELL!
Pat Taylor Allanson is the most evil and terrifying character I've ever read about...And the most terrifying part is that she's a real person and everything in this book actually happened.
Many many years ago I watched the Lifetime movie about Pat Taylor Allanson and I thought that movie was wild. I had no idea that the movie was actually tame compared to the real story. Pat Taylor Allanson is a serial killer. She is responsible for at least 3 murders, but its suspected that she may have murdered at least 3 more people.
And how much jail time did she do for these murders?
ZERO!
She did go to prison for a couple years for Attempted Murder and later for drug related charges but she effectively got away with being a serial killer.
This woman has amazing luck!
I will admit that I did think at the beginning of this book that is was gonna be too long. I didn't understand why Ann Rule was telling us these background stories that I didn't think had anything to do with Pat.
I was bored!
But boy do I understand what Ann Rule was doing. We needed those seemingly unrelated stories in order to paint a fuller picture of what it took to create the sociopath that is Pat Taylor Allanson.
God! This story was WILD!
Pat Taylor Allanson is the most evil and terrifying character I've ever read about...And the most terrifying part is that she's a real person and everything in this book actually happened.
Many many years ago I watched the Lifetime movie about Pat Taylor Allanson and I thought that movie was wild. I had no idea that the movie was actually tame compared to the real story. Pat Taylor Allanson is a serial killer. She is responsible for at least 3 murders, but its suspected that she may have murdered at least 3 more people.
And how much jail time did she do for these murders?
ZERO!
She did go to prison for a couple years for Attempted Murder and later for drug related charges but she effectively got away with being a serial killer.
This woman has amazing luck!
I will admit that I did think at the beginning of this book that is was gonna be too long. I didn't understand why Ann Rule was telling us these background stories that I didn't think had anything to do with Pat.
I was bored!
But boy do I understand what Ann Rule was doing. We needed those seemingly unrelated stories in order to paint a fuller picture of what it took to create the sociopath that is Pat Taylor Allanson.
God! This story was WILD!
January 27, 2009
The ugly truth about what motivates some people to kill is always shocking. What's worse is when, knowing this, other family members side with the killer. Spoiled rotten by her family, Patricia Vann Radcliffe Taylor Allinson, a Georgia beauty whose goal in life was to emulate Scarlett O'Hara, led a life of deadly horror. Fed by her family's constant devotion from early childhood through middle age, Pat, who could do nothing wrong by her family's standards. A narcissistic personality, without a shred of conscience, she systematically destroyed her own family. Nothing she ever had was enough. This is a gripping story.
May 25, 2021
May 2021 update: This book still ticks me off. It seems like Pat Taylor just got away with what she did. I am also still sad and upset that the one daughter was still pushed out of her own family and treated like a pariah for telling the police about what her mother and sister have been up to. I did find one update online though about Pat Taylor.
In February 2008, Patricia Taylor Allanson, age 70, was arrested and charged with doctor shopping for thousands of pain pills over the past year. It is believed she may have received over 3,700 pills in less than a year. Her bond was set at $22,500 for three felony counts of unauthorized distribution.
I finished this Everything She Ever Wanted: A True Story of Obsessive Love, Murder, and Betrayal and Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? the other day. I am going to have to go back and buy some more Ann Rule novels since I ended up once again being fascinated by her True Crime story.
This novel starts with a marriage. Taking place in Atlanta in 1974 we have Pat Taylor marrying her new husband Tom Allanson and thrilled that she will finally start to belong to the elite Atlanta society life she craves. When Tom buying Pat a plantation so that they could have their own Tara she feels like everything in her life is finally going her way. However, things quickly change when Tom finds himself out of work and blackballed from getting new work due to his father Walter disapproving of Pat. With some very strange occurrences everything reaches a fever pitch and two people are left dead.
Ms. Rule seems to have a certain formula in her novels (which I like) that she usually starts off with the murders and "suspects" and then we work our way backwards from their childhoods, upbringings, and back to the present day of the murders. She follows that same formula here and also includes some pictures of Pat, Tom, and others who are depicted in this novel. I honestly don't have a problem with it since it does work. Though at times a bit of the backstory does drag on a bit I thought it was a very minor complaint and not enough to deduct a star since the entire novel does keep you reading well into the night.
I would definitely recommend to True Crime readers.
In February 2008, Patricia Taylor Allanson, age 70, was arrested and charged with doctor shopping for thousands of pain pills over the past year. It is believed she may have received over 3,700 pills in less than a year. Her bond was set at $22,500 for three felony counts of unauthorized distribution.
I finished this Everything She Ever Wanted: A True Story of Obsessive Love, Murder, and Betrayal and Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? the other day. I am going to have to go back and buy some more Ann Rule novels since I ended up once again being fascinated by her True Crime story.
This novel starts with a marriage. Taking place in Atlanta in 1974 we have Pat Taylor marrying her new husband Tom Allanson and thrilled that she will finally start to belong to the elite Atlanta society life she craves. When Tom buying Pat a plantation so that they could have their own Tara she feels like everything in her life is finally going her way. However, things quickly change when Tom finds himself out of work and blackballed from getting new work due to his father Walter disapproving of Pat. With some very strange occurrences everything reaches a fever pitch and two people are left dead.
Ms. Rule seems to have a certain formula in her novels (which I like) that she usually starts off with the murders and "suspects" and then we work our way backwards from their childhoods, upbringings, and back to the present day of the murders. She follows that same formula here and also includes some pictures of Pat, Tom, and others who are depicted in this novel. I honestly don't have a problem with it since it does work. Though at times a bit of the backstory does drag on a bit I thought it was a very minor complaint and not enough to deduct a star since the entire novel does keep you reading well into the night.
I would definitely recommend to True Crime readers.
June 18, 2009
"Everything She Ever Wanted" by Ann Rule is the true story of Patricia Vann Radcliffe Taylor Allanson, a Georgia woman who envisioned herself as a modern day Scarlett O'Hara and systematically tore anyone and everyone down who stood in her way of that fantasy.
Ms. Rule does an excellent job of researching Pat's childhood as a spoiled and selfish little girl who was coddled constantly by her family, who aged to become a spoiled and self-centered adult who never really truly grew up. Reading about her childhood and the complete lack of boundaries she had, while her family continually fawned over her and found no wrong with absolutely anything she did, had me angered and annoyed. Could fate have been changed if her parents had put their foot down with her? We will never know. Pat's brother ended up a suicide; her mother and father in law murdered; her husband's grandparents poisoned; an elderly employer poisoned; even her own daughter was poisoned.
During it all Pat hid behind her frail, helpless female exterior, conveniently fainting when confronted with anything unpleasant, and keeping the mask of her sociopathic character hidden, with absolutely no remorse or concern for the havoc and path of destruction she left behind.
This story was so fascinating, so unbelievable that it had to be true. Definitely one of Ms. Rule's very best works. Highly recommended
Ms. Rule does an excellent job of researching Pat's childhood as a spoiled and selfish little girl who was coddled constantly by her family, who aged to become a spoiled and self-centered adult who never really truly grew up. Reading about her childhood and the complete lack of boundaries she had, while her family continually fawned over her and found no wrong with absolutely anything she did, had me angered and annoyed. Could fate have been changed if her parents had put their foot down with her? We will never know. Pat's brother ended up a suicide; her mother and father in law murdered; her husband's grandparents poisoned; an elderly employer poisoned; even her own daughter was poisoned.
During it all Pat hid behind her frail, helpless female exterior, conveniently fainting when confronted with anything unpleasant, and keeping the mask of her sociopathic character hidden, with absolutely no remorse or concern for the havoc and path of destruction she left behind.
This story was so fascinating, so unbelievable that it had to be true. Definitely one of Ms. Rule's very best works. Highly recommended
December 4, 2009
This, along with Small Sacrifices is one of my favorite Ann Rule books. This "southern Belle" goes to great lengths to get whatever she wants, whenver she wants and from whomever she wants, using her feminine wiles and manipulation and once again this woman seems absolutely larger than life. This and Small Sacrifices are the Ann Rule books that I recommend to anyone and every one who might be interested. You won't believe the shit this lady pulls!! She gets caught at first, while proclaiming her innocence to the end of course, and goes to jail for several years, but picks right up where she left off once she's released - taking advantage of the few friends of hers that stick around.
Whether it's creating major conflict and setting up her husband to look like an armed burglar in his parents house resulting in a deadly shoot-out between father and son, to manipulating her husbands grandparents to sell their house to pay for her own mansion after which she then slowly poisons and tries to kill them, to brazenly repeating the very actions she was accused of years before right under the noses of the few people in her life that stuck around and defended her. This lady is out of control and leaves quite a trail of bodies.
Whether it's creating major conflict and setting up her husband to look like an armed burglar in his parents house resulting in a deadly shoot-out between father and son, to manipulating her husbands grandparents to sell their house to pay for her own mansion after which she then slowly poisons and tries to kill them, to brazenly repeating the very actions she was accused of years before right under the noses of the few people in her life that stuck around and defended her. This lady is out of control and leaves quite a trail of bodies.
November 14, 2020
Ann Rule writes the story of Pat Taylor and how her story unfolds from a woman who is admired to a sociopath who killed those who were in her path. The story reads more like a series of articles.
September 4, 2012
This book stays with you. I couldn't quit thinking about it after I was finished. I was left wanting to know what happened to the family
after the book ends. I found a little info, but not enough. I want to know the oldest daughter, Susan, was able to be happy far away from
her mother. Did the granddaughter, Ashlynne, turn out OK after being tormented by Pat and raised in such a dysfunctional household? What
about Susan's son, Sean. Did he ever realize the truth? I think Tom had to tell himself he killed his parents in self-defense just so he could live with his guilty conscience. See what I mean? It was a very disturbing story and is going to haunt me for awhile.
after the book ends. I found a little info, but not enough. I want to know the oldest daughter, Susan, was able to be happy far away from
her mother. Did the granddaughter, Ashlynne, turn out OK after being tormented by Pat and raised in such a dysfunctional household? What
about Susan's son, Sean. Did he ever realize the truth? I think Tom had to tell himself he killed his parents in self-defense just so he could live with his guilty conscience. See what I mean? It was a very disturbing story and is going to haunt me for awhile.
September 5, 2017
DNF--
This has nothing to do with Ann Rule's writing (I'm most likely picking another of her books during this month) but I just can't read 500 pages about such unpleasant people. I have over 400 books to read, I don't want to keep wasting my time with these people (although I'm still googling the case just to know what happened in the end)
This has nothing to do with Ann Rule's writing (I'm most likely picking another of her books during this month) but I just can't read 500 pages about such unpleasant people. I have over 400 books to read, I don't want to keep wasting my time with these people (although I'm still googling the case just to know what happened in the end)
October 14, 2015
I think I'm just over Ann Rule's method of writing. This story was fascinating, but the execution was less than desirable.
July 7, 2020
Over- simplified. Too many unanswered questions.
December 27, 2023
2.5 rounded up.
I don’t think I’m a fan of Ann Rule’s writing style.
I don’t think I’m a fan of Ann Rule’s writing style.
April 30, 2024
Oof. I appreciate Rule’s attention to detail, and the recreated dialogue, but this book was so much longer than necessary. Took me forever to complete. And the subject matter - Pat Taylor (plus her various other monickers) - was not even that interesting. Too much true crime lately has me oddly desensitized in my reading, I guess.
September 18, 2025
This is not my first Ann Rule read and it most definitely won’t be my last either! In fact, I think it’s amongst my favourites I’ve read by her. Minus maybe The Stranger Beside Me because that one is just beyond iconic. But this one made me feel almost as excited and horrified while reading it. This story is absolutely horrifying and Pat is just as psychotic as they come. The lives she ruined and the utter havoc she spread wherever she went is just mind blowing. And as usual Rule’s sensitivity is on point in her writing, she’s not being sensationalistic or exploiting the victims. That’s one of my favourite parts about her writing, her ability to bring class and sensitivity to a normally quite exploitative genre.
May 25, 2024
Wow… just wow.
One of the creepiest women that Ann Rule has written about had me turning the pages and gasping. It’s difficult to believe that people commit unspeakable crimes, and get away with so much destruction for so long.
This story will have me more alert to “care givers” and other people that I come in contact with.
One of the creepiest women that Ann Rule has written about had me turning the pages and gasping. It’s difficult to believe that people commit unspeakable crimes, and get away with so much destruction for so long.
This story will have me more alert to “care givers” and other people that I come in contact with.
November 25, 2012
For fans of true-crime you can't beat Ann Rule. An earlier novel this is one of her best. Story of Pat Taylor, a female sociopath with major entitlement issues, she believes she deserves everything & ends up destroying the lives of everyone that loves her. A true-crime story written so well it reads like fiction; if this is your genre you'll love it.
February 8, 2015
Spellbinding!
Couldn't put this book down. What an amazing, horrible tale of a selfish woman who was constantly enabled by her parents.
Couldn't put this book down. What an amazing, horrible tale of a selfish woman who was constantly enabled by her parents.
April 20, 2022
Ann Rule picks cases to write about that one will not soon forget. "Everything She Ever Wanted" is no exception as it tells the true story of a murderous and selfish narcissistic woman, who has a plan to destroy her husband, her in-laws, and basically anyone who gets in her way to fulfilling her life and owning a plantation (debt free of course).
She's not an outright killer that is spotted - she's a sneaky one who frames her husband and goes to jail for murders he did not commit, tries to get him to go for a suicide pact, lies about and poisons others, injures and makes herself sick.... all in the name of getting everything she ever wanted at the end of her plan. BUT......
This book can be found free on Hoopla and Scribd- text and audio.
She's not an outright killer that is spotted - she's a sneaky one who frames her husband and goes to jail for murders he did not commit, tries to get him to go for a suicide pact, lies about and poisons others, injures and makes herself sick.... all in the name of getting everything she ever wanted at the end of her plan. BUT......
This book can be found free on Hoopla and Scribd- text and audio.
March 15, 2024
This book was pretty good! Although it had some pretty dated ideas about gender roles/marriage and was a little bit too long, it was such an unbelievable true crime tale. Anne Rule really is the true crime queen 👑
February 6, 2025
Wynudziłam sie przeokropnie... Napisana w bardzo niewciągający sposób i mi za bardzo momentami przypominała lekcję historii albo artykuł na Wikipedii, niż wciągający reportaż. Ilośc szczegółów sprawiła, że kilka razy zapomniałam, o czym właściwie ta książka miała być ><
July 26, 2020
What a wild ride! I must have shaken my head and declared, "Unbelievable" at least 30 times as I read this true story. We probably all have some family members who were or are a bit different, but this woman's antics really take the cake. Any parent who thinks overindulging a child won't harm them needs to read this!
September 8, 2018
Another engaging true crime book by Ann Rule. There is so much information over a long period of time I can't imagine trying to organize it into a cohesive story. Overall, she does a great job of this, just one part where I wondered why she went back in time after the major event. I felt like this information should have been first but if I had to guess, she thought putting the murders first would capture and hold attention better. This book shows how a person with mental issues can go too far--way too far and scarily, how she was able to avoid true justice for some of her actions. Fortunately, she did serve time for others. (I imagine Jean Boggs has passed on by now but I'd like to send her a note of support--some of her story is word for word from my life.) Not a real nail biter or depiction of horrific events but a solid read for the true crime enthusiast.
May 30, 2018
I listened to this on audiobook and the reader's breathy, southern accent had me scared to death from the very beginning! However, as much as I was intrigued (and freaked out )by the story she was piecing together about this female sociopath from Atlanta in the 1970s, I felt like there were gaps in the story that left me going "huh?". Not all the clues fit together perfectly and I felt like in some places there was an overwhelming amount of detail and in others, not enough. I might listen to another one of her books, just to add a little excitement to the morning/evening commute. But then again, I might not. Kinda meh.
April 23, 2011
Another of Ann Rule's fantastic renderings of a truly horrific crime, or--in this case--horrific crimes. The depths to which human nature can plunge has ceased to amaze me; however, the ability of people foolishly to ignore warning sign after warning sign is truly appalling. All parents who are guilty of foolishly indulging their children and saving them time and again from the consequences of their own actions should be forced to read this book and witness the possible consequences of such behavior.
April 8, 2020
First real page turner I've read in a long time. I had difficulty putting it down. Rule writes in her usual compelling way but the subject matter in this absolutely takes the cake, the ice cream, your jewelry, and your estate.
October 15, 2021
What can happen when a child gets everything she wants from birth. This lady has no conscience. I feel extremely sorry for her older daughter, who absolutely did the right thing in reporting her mother to the police.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2009
incredible. i have to google this woman to make sure she does not live anywhere NEAR me.
March 9, 2025
Pat was a pretty child who was given everything this wanted and was never punished for anything. She grew up (but she didn’t, really) to continue to expect to be given everything she wanted. When she married for the second time to Tom, his parents detested her. Tom sided with Pat, and for years he was unable to see how manipulative she was. When his parents were shot and died in the mid-1970s, Tom went to jail for it. Pat made sure he handled the trial as she wanted him to, not how his lawyer wanted him to. He was in jail for 14 years.
Meanwhile, Pat, who got along well with Tom’s grandparents, took care of them. All the while, having them change their wills to leave everything to her as she slowly poisoned them. That was caught in time (before they died). Pat finally went to jail, but was out again after only a few years. During all her adult life, though she had three kids of her own, Pat’s parents would always take her in and protect her as much a they were able, regardless of anything she did.
When Pat got out of jail in the late 1980s, Pat misrepresented herself (and her younger daughter, Debbie) as registered nurses, working for an elderly couple, but when the husband died not long after Pat and Debbie were let go by the family, things heated up. It was a few years later, but Pat’s oldest daughter learned from that family what had happened. It turns out Pat and Debbie were poisoning the couple and stealing from them. On’70s.
She did a lot of awful “smaller” things in between, as well. She was quite a selfish, manipulative, narcissistic child, really. She never grew up. In fact, she resented her children and grandchildren if they became too close to her own mother and took away time and love she thought should only be hers. She had a brother who was not treated well because of Pat’s selfishness, who ended up killing himself when he was still in his 20s. It’s sad that she did everything she did and it hurt so many people, including within her own family (though many in her family continued to side with her through everything, and against other family members who spoke up against Pat).
This book was extremely well researched and very detailed. I have a 2002 edition with a bit of updated information on what happened when Pat was released from jail. It was originally published while she was still in jail.
Meanwhile, Pat, who got along well with Tom’s grandparents, took care of them. All the while, having them change their wills to leave everything to her as she slowly poisoned them. That was caught in time (before they died). Pat finally went to jail, but was out again after only a few years. During all her adult life, though she had three kids of her own, Pat’s parents would always take her in and protect her as much a they were able, regardless of anything she did.
When Pat got out of jail in the late 1980s, Pat misrepresented herself (and her younger daughter, Debbie) as registered nurses, working for an elderly couple, but when the husband died not long after Pat and Debbie were let go by the family, things heated up. It was a few years later, but Pat’s oldest daughter learned from that family what had happened. It turns out Pat and Debbie were poisoning the couple and stealing from them. On’70s.
She did a lot of awful “smaller” things in between, as well. She was quite a selfish, manipulative, narcissistic child, really. She never grew up. In fact, she resented her children and grandchildren if they became too close to her own mother and took away time and love she thought should only be hers. She had a brother who was not treated well because of Pat’s selfishness, who ended up killing himself when he was still in his 20s. It’s sad that she did everything she did and it hurt so many people, including within her own family (though many in her family continued to side with her through everything, and against other family members who spoke up against Pat).
This book was extremely well researched and very detailed. I have a 2002 edition with a bit of updated information on what happened when Pat was released from jail. It was originally published while she was still in jail.
December 28, 2022
*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*
"Anyone who took attention away from her was her enemy."
It didn't matter if it was her own family, Pat Taylor needed to be the center of everything and everyone. When she wasn't she found a way to be even if it meant someone had to die. Everything She Ever Wanted, by the queen of true crime stories Ann Rule, is a nail biting mind blowing and at times exhausting detailed account of a true example of a narcissistic sociopath.
In the 1970s Pat marries younger Tom just as his divorce papers are finalized and Tom's father is not happy about it. In less than two months Tom's parents are dead, Tom is on trial for murder and Pat...well Pat has plans for the future.
Did you think that was it? Ha! That's just the first hour of this audiobook. The lives that Pat destroys financially, emotionally and physically is beyond comprehension. Her lack of remorse, even when caught, is a prime example of psychopathic behavior.
As always, the immensely talented Cassandra Campbell brings Pat, with all her dramatic manipulation, to life and you understand why those who loved her, "wanted to believe her lies." It's a fascinating case and the author tells it like a twisty psychological thriller.
The book was originally published in 1992 and became a two part Lifetime movie which I watched on Prime Video. The perfectly cast Gina Gershon chewed up the screen as Pat with her over the top southern sexual charm. Compared to the audiobook I would give it 3.5 Stars. If you are a fan of true crime, psychological thrillers, or can't stop listening to mesmerizing audiobooks this newly published version is everything you ever wanted to hear.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Simon Audio for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
**This Review Is For The Audiobook**
"Anyone who took attention away from her was her enemy."
It didn't matter if it was her own family, Pat Taylor needed to be the center of everything and everyone. When she wasn't she found a way to be even if it meant someone had to die. Everything She Ever Wanted, by the queen of true crime stories Ann Rule, is a nail biting mind blowing and at times exhausting detailed account of a true example of a narcissistic sociopath.
In the 1970s Pat marries younger Tom just as his divorce papers are finalized and Tom's father is not happy about it. In less than two months Tom's parents are dead, Tom is on trial for murder and Pat...well Pat has plans for the future.
Did you think that was it? Ha! That's just the first hour of this audiobook. The lives that Pat destroys financially, emotionally and physically is beyond comprehension. Her lack of remorse, even when caught, is a prime example of psychopathic behavior.
As always, the immensely talented Cassandra Campbell brings Pat, with all her dramatic manipulation, to life and you understand why those who loved her, "wanted to believe her lies." It's a fascinating case and the author tells it like a twisty psychological thriller.
The book was originally published in 1992 and became a two part Lifetime movie which I watched on Prime Video. The perfectly cast Gina Gershon chewed up the screen as Pat with her over the top southern sexual charm. Compared to the audiobook I would give it 3.5 Stars. If you are a fan of true crime, psychological thrillers, or can't stop listening to mesmerizing audiobooks this newly published version is everything you ever wanted to hear.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Simon Audio for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
**This Review Is For The Audiobook**
May 5, 2019
If this wasn't Ann Rule, I'd honestly question if this was, in fact, fiction. It still hasn't hit home the amount of chaos, catastrophes, and carnage this lady left behind when she didn't get what she wanted. And then for her own parents and even 2 of her kids to be completely fine with it. Murders, fires, theft, divorces, bankruptcies, prison sentences. And STILL she got what she wanted by barely serving any time for her atrocious actions. I wanted to jump into the pages of this book and choke the hell out of her, her parents, and her daughter. Maybe more of an emphasis on her mother for indoctrinating her horrid behavior. You know that infamous scene where Cher slaps Nicholas Cage and says, "Snap out of it!"? That's what I wanted to do to half the people mentioned in this book.
But as to the writing, Ann was, of course, a winner. I LOVE how she left the unanswered questions just lingering in the air throughout the book until the very end. With every interview and theory and mention of the crimes within this book, I found myself switching my versions as to what happened. Then I'd revert back to my previous theory, as if I'm trying to solve the crime myself. Incredible writing and a completely true hard-to-believe story that could only be brought to you by the Queen of True Crime, Ann Rule.
But as to the writing, Ann was, of course, a winner. I LOVE how she left the unanswered questions just lingering in the air throughout the book until the very end. With every interview and theory and mention of the crimes within this book, I found myself switching my versions as to what happened. Then I'd revert back to my previous theory, as if I'm trying to solve the crime myself. Incredible writing and a completely true hard-to-believe story that could only be brought to you by the Queen of True Crime, Ann Rule.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2020
“Choices are like dominoes, one tumbling against the next and then the next until events go out of human control.”
True story about a manipulative woman who destroyed lives of almost everyone she met. There is so many crazy twists and turns that I almost couldn´t believe it actually did happen. The only negative I found about this book was that the author went almost into too much details - describing lives of every family member up to 4 generations back, which in some cases was necessary, but I really didn´t need to know the entire life story of every detective connected to the case or every second cousin. It slowed things down quite a bit, but once the book got into court cases it was impossible to put it down. If you are into true crime and manupulative personality disorders (narcism, Munchhausen, etc) I would highly recommend this one. 4*
True story about a manipulative woman who destroyed lives of almost everyone she met. There is so many crazy twists and turns that I almost couldn´t believe it actually did happen. The only negative I found about this book was that the author went almost into too much details - describing lives of every family member up to 4 generations back, which in some cases was necessary, but I really didn´t need to know the entire life story of every detective connected to the case or every second cousin. It slowed things down quite a bit, but once the book got into court cases it was impossible to put it down. If you are into true crime and manupulative personality disorders (narcism, Munchhausen, etc) I would highly recommend this one. 4*
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