Ann Rule dead at 83
Ann Rule dead at 83
#1Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/27/15 at 5:58pm
Per numerous sources, Ann Rule--arguably the most read true-crime writer in history--has died in Washington state at the age of 83.
Like many true-crime fans, I learned to love the genre from Rule (The Stranger Beside Me), McGuiness (Fatal Vision) and Mailer (The Executioner's Song). Rule was in that small group of writers who not only give the reader the facts of the forensics and trial, but capture the cultural context in which crime takes place. Her compassion for victims and their survivors was legendary, but she also manged to portray criminals as more than the mere sum of their crimes.
IIRC, our own Pal Joey knew her well and considered Rule a friend. My deepest sympathies go out to you, PJ. I'm sure everyone who knew Rule feels her loss keenly.
#2Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/27/15 at 6:11pm
I haven't been able to stop crying all day. She was the nicest woman--and a helluva writer.
#3Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/27/15 at 6:22pm
I never had the pleasure of meeting her, PJ, but in interviews she seemed exactly as you describe her. I am so sorry for your loss.
#4Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/28/15 at 12:18pm
I loved her books! The first I read was If You Really Loved Me back in 1992. I think I bought it at an airport not even realizing it was true crime. I was hooked after that. She was such an amazing writer.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#5Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/28/15 at 12:28pm
I never read her, but I do remember enjoying the TV-movie SMALL SACRIFICES, based on her book and starring Farrah Fawcett in one of the most convincing portrayals of a sociopath I have ever seen.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#6Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:12am
Lovely article by William Grimes in Wednesday's NY Times.
NY TIMES: Ann Rule, Author of Books on Ted Bundy (a Friend) and Other Killers, Dies at 83
#7Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/31/15 at 5:37pm
THE STRANGER BESIDE ME is sui generis, given Rule's personal relationship with the subject of the book (Ted Bundy).
So I think SMALL SACRIFICES is probably her "masterpiece", though I've read so many of Rule's books over 40 years that I can't fairly evaluate them all.
Would you agree, joey, or is there a better Rule book out there?
#8Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 7/31/15 at 7:49pm
She was very proud of the Peabody Award won by the miniseries of Small Sacrifices. None of her other books was awarded liked that.
My personal favorite is In the Still of the Night. The idea of a mother not ceasing, over 11 years, to leave a stone unturned in her quest for justice for her daughter. Ann became part of the story, which was the case in many of the books she wrote after Stranger.
JbaraFan1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/04
#10Ann Rule dead at 83
Posted: 8/4/15 at 8:17pm
I too like IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT, Joey. I believe that was the book I saw Miss Rule discussing on TV.
But SMALL SACRIFICES is such a great character study and Rule did such an amazing job of setting out her theory of the crime. I'm even open to the possibility she (Rule) may have been wrong (not about Downs' guilt, but about her motive); however, the point remains that the theory and character study are beautifully articulated.
(To be clear, I don't think Rule was wrong; her book is absolutely convincing. My point is that since I've done no independent research, I am happily just taking Rule's word for what was going on in Downs' mind.)
