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.
This was a very well researched book about a sociopathic woman who thinks she can break all the rules and get away with it.
Pamela N. (karotladee) from ANNAPOLIS, MD wrote on 3/20/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
True complex story about a real 'drama queen' but is easy to follow. bonus pics in center of book
Melissa B. (Missy) from FOND DU LAC, WI wrote on 11/1/2005...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Pat Allenson is truly a black widow in a southern belle costume. Horrifying story about a spoiled little girl who never grew up. Ann Rule outdoes herself on this one.
Judy M. (indianajkm) from BEDFORD, IN wrote on 5/13/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another Great Ann Rule book!! If you like true crime, this is a must read!
Carrie L. (feef) from MADISON, WI wrote on 2/27/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
DEFINITELY one of her best!!
Katie R. from O FALLON, IL wrote on 10/1/2006...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A really strange true story with 32 pages of photos.
Emmagene D. from LEROY, AL wrote on 4/15/2006...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoy Ann Rule's books, she writes as if shes looking over the shoulder of the people as their lives play out. This one takes place in Georgia.
K E M. (Rampallion) from EVANSTON, IL wrote on 8/7/2005...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This one is my favorite Ann Rule book.
Rate These Member Reviews
Jennifer F. (JMF08) from NORTH WALES, PA wrote on 8/20/2008...
It's sad to say but this story was too slow to get into. I gave it about 10 chapters and then I gave up. There was nothing that compelling to draw me in. It is hard to give up on a book but I gave up on this one.
Tracy B. from SOMERSET, KY wrote on 8/18/2008...
Ann Rule writes the best true stories, this is one of those books that you say I can't believe that.
JoAnne H. from FRUITLAND, ID wrote on 10/22/2006...
Obsessive Love, Murder, Betrayal in the South
Lisa R. from OTTAWA HILLS, OH wrote on 8/29/2006...
Another good book by Ann Rule. A must read for true crime and Ann fans
Christine S. (JrZyChris) from PEQUANNOCK, NJ wrote on 8/24/2006...
From the back cover:
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.
Sandra H. (Sanandee) from CHAMPAIGN, IL wrote on 8/21/2006...
Ann Rule True Crime, obsessive love, murder & betrayal;Pat Taylor & Tom Allanson are like modern-day Scarlet O'Hara & Rhett Butler in the South, then people start noticing all these puzzeling deaths, home burned, suicide, what next?
Margaret H. from SURPRISE, AZ wrote on 1/25/2006...
True life story of Pat Taylor and handsome Tom Allanson and their love and tragedy. Everything Pat ever wanted she got and everything she touched turned to ashes or was destroyed and she was never to blame or was she?
Annette S. from PHOENIX, AZ wrote on 11/2/2005...
Stories of obessive love, murder and betrayal.
Robin P. (sleepy) from SCRANTON, SC wrote on 7/27/2005...
Great True crime book
Diane K. from SAINT CLAIR, MO wrote on 6/30/2005...
A true story of Obsessive love, murder and betrayal.