Ann Rule has penned a real-life monster story with "Last Dance, Last Chance." Here she tells the story of Doctor Anthony Pignataro, the son of a prominent Buffalo, NY surgeon, who lacked any of the gifts his father had. He masked his insecurity and incompetence with a veneer of arrogance and attitude that alienated most of those around him. In fact the only person besides his mother to stand by him through years of failed attempts to finish a medical residency program was his wife Debbie.
Not only was Tony Pignataro crude, rude and offensive to most people, but he showed little true affection for his family unless he needed something from them. In fact, he was a philandering husband, caught in at least two affairs by his long-suffering wife.
Pignataro ventured into cosmetic surgery after inventing a permanent hairpiece that attached to the skull via titanium implants. He made a fortune doing this procedure along with the occasional breast implantation and tummy tuck in his understaffed office. His poor work habits ultimately had deadly consequences when a young woman died during a routine breast augmentation procedure.
As a result, Pignataro lost his medical license and his practice, developed a heroin habit and continued an affair with a stripper named Tami, whom he decided to make a new life with as soon as he could dispose of his wife. He attempted to do so during a brief reconciliation period.
His plans went awry when Debbie survived the massive poisoning, and with the tests proving she was poisoned, investigators soon focused on Tony as their lead suspect. This is a chilling tale of a conscienceless killer who had everything going for him and trashed it all through his own greed and lust for adoration.
This is another testament as to why Ann Rule is the best at her craft.
