- Hardcover: 728 pages
- Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (Jun 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0786254203
- ISBN-13: 978-0786254200
- Product Dimensions: 22.1 x 16.2 x 3.6 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,986,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Last Dance, Last Chance (Ann Rule's Crime Files)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Master of the true-crime genre (CHICAGO TRIBUNE )
No writer in America has ever probed the dark heart of a killer so deeply (Edna Buchanan )
Devastatingly accurate insight. (NEW YORK TIMES ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
No writer in America has ever probed the dark heart of a killer so deeply (Edna Buchanan )
Devastatingly accurate insight. (NEW YORK TIMES ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
* America's best true-crime writer and her new collection of crime stories drawn from her private file
--This text refers to the
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57 reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
TOP NOTCH TRUE CRIME WRITER !
18 Feb 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I LOVE Ann Rule, she NEVER disappoints me! I just finished "Last Dance Last Chance." She has a talent and skill for putting you right in the midst of what is happening. In Last Dance Last Chance she again upholds her listing as a top notch True Crime Writer. I feel outraged regarding the attitude of Lena the mother of Anthony Pignataro. Her spoiled brat of a boy never matured into a man. He whines all the way to the end and is still whining. He administered poison to his adoring wife, week by week, month by month, calmly watching her suffering and deterioration. He waited impatiently for her death. But Debbie didn't die, she managed to live. FINALLY Dr. Anthony Pignataro has reaped the rewards of lies, deceits, cheating, betraying and attempted murder ... He will be in prison till the year 2019. His wife Deborah, his children . . . .and yes, even his mother have suffered tremendously because of his calculating actions, his cruelty. He led a privileged life, enough money, nice cars etc., but he just didn't have the right stuff to be a doctor, husband or father. I also like the photos that can be referred to, i.e. showing that the handsome, young or very innocent looking are in many cases the opposite of what they appear to be. Thank you Ann Rule for educating us, showing us once again that what you see isn't always what you get. To be on the N Y Times best seller list again only proves that your fans are above average. It is an honor that you have definitely earned.
Also recommended: ALL of Ann Rule's books,short stories included. I learn from every one: Every Breath You Take, And Never Let Her Go, If You Really Loved Me, etc. etc.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Inside the mind of a sociopath...
12 Jun 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback
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.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Anne Rule gives us an interesting collection...
13 Jan 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback
of stories from her case files, with her signature section of pictures from each of the cases. The longest case is the title case, which features the infamous wannabe plastic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Pignataro from Buffalo. The cases against Pignataro had unfolded throughout the 90's....and I had left Buffalo by that time and only got bits and pieces of the saga.
I'm perhaps too taken with Ann Rule to judge this objectively; I do know that from time to time she waxes so strongly for the criminal's victim that perhaps she doesn't always portray the story in the fairest light. In the case of Pignataro, we have perhaps one of the least evil criminals Rule has ever written about -- instead she presents a fascinating case study of how someone suffering from narcissism can actually allow it to draw them into cruel and criminal acts against others. Those considering plastic surgery of any kind will learn to be sure and fully check credentials of the surgeon, before agreeing to the procedure.
I'm perhaps too taken with Ann Rule to judge this objectively; I do know that from time to time she waxes so strongly for the criminal's victim that perhaps she doesn't always portray the story in the fairest light. In the case of Pignataro, we have perhaps one of the least evil criminals Rule has ever written about -- instead she presents a fascinating case study of how someone suffering from narcissism can actually allow it to draw them into cruel and criminal acts against others. Those considering plastic surgery of any kind will learn to be sure and fully check credentials of the surgeon, before agreeing to the procedure.
The remaining cases, although shorter, each will hold your interest, and here you will meet some truly sociopathic personalities. Once again, you'll be caught up in how much Rule learns and researches her true crime pieces, and how scary the world can be. In this case, Rule not only features victims
who are close relatives or acquaintances of sociopaths, but also strangers who come into the periphery of a sociopathic personality, and how they can be victimized by such a criminal.
Highly readable and another winner from Ann Rule!
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