Everything She Ever Wanted

By Ann Rule

Pat Taylor was spoiled and pampered as a child and, as an adult, apparently believed that if she wanted something she could do whatever it took to get it, even if she had to kill for it. Seeing herself as a modern Scarlett O'Hara, she used her good looks and charm to manipulate and destroy.
Her first marriage failed but she found a man she thought could provide her with the lifestyle she wanted. Tom Allanson and Pat were married in costume, she as Scarlett and he as Rhett. But Tom's wealthy parents didn't approve of the marriage. They ended up dead, perhaps through Pat's manipulation of the situation, setting son against parent, and Tom was convicted for the crime.
With Tom & his parents out of the picture, Pat set her sights on his grandparents. She tried to poison them but she was caught and sent to prison. She may also have burned down her own home to get the insurance money.
After prison Pat got a job as nurse to a wealthy couple. Once again she used poison and the man died. Pat was caught for that too but plea bargained her way out of a murder charge.

Pat Taylor is quite a piece of work, selfish, desperate and heartless. Her pretty facade hid an ugly, cruel soul. Reading about her was pretty interesting, an exploration of a classic sociopath.