This is very sad. I hope these jerks get punished.

their own mother? Incomprehensible to me...hope they get the fucking book thrown at them...

yet that wasn't enough so they abused her and stole from her.

This is such sad news.

I just recently re-read "The Stranger Beside Me", in which she speaks at length about how hard she struggled to build a writing career in order to support her children after she and their father divorced.

For her sons to take advantage of her now is beyond contemptible.

Although the name of the bookmescapes me, the serial killer does not..... Jerry Brudos.

It was one of her shorter writings but I think one of her best.

I am truly addicted to true crime books, and have many favourite authors. But Rule never disappoints.

I once told my kids that if my husband met with an untimely demise, the first thing they need to do is get my rather vast collection of true crime books out of the house before the police arrive - as I have a special "liking" for books about people who kill their spouses.

The book you've forgotten the title of is "The Lust Killer". I think my favourite of Ann's books is still "Small Sacrifices" about Diane Downs, which I've read three times.

remember the name. That was a great book.

And Farrah Fawcett's portrayal of Downs in the movie version was truly stunning work.

You are right probably her best.

I've been a junky for years on true crime. I also probably watch too much ID and 48 hours!!

... it's no fun to watch shows like L&O with me, because I usually figure out the killer and the motive before the first commercial.

That's because so many TV/movie plots are based on true crime books, or take snippets from several of them to create a storyline.

The great irony of my fascination is that I've been a court reporter for 30 years - but have done very few criminal cases over the years. (I've done mostly corporate-commercial trials). So I guess my true crime books are my "fix".

I did do a case a few years ago, though, involving an absolutely beautiful young man who was petitioning the court to have some of the restrictions of his parole removed. We'd had a lengthy conversation before his hearing started about his artwork, as he had his portfolio with him for a meeting with an art dealer later that day. The photographs of his artwork were exceptional - oils, water colours, and wrought-iron sculptures. He was handsome and charming beyond imagining.

It was only after the hearing started that I learned why he'd been in prison - having bludgeoned his best friend to death with a wrench after an argument about a movie they'd just seen together. I immediately thought of Ann's encounters with Ted Bundy - and how charismatic those capable of unspeakable violence can appear to be on the surface.

It was an eye-opening experience for sure.

You just never know. But I do think by reading it we might catch on sooner than those who do not, right before they whip the garrote out..

Or don't hitch hike... etc....

boyfriend didn't want kids. Farrah Fawcett played her brilliantly in the TV movie. Can't think of the name of the book,but that one really got to me.

I am so sad to hear she is being abused. Makes me sick.

many years ago.. alt.true-crime.
It was a wild time back then..

And hey...smart women stick together....

I was. I remember "Martha Sprowles" and "Joe1Orbit" the most
I went by ChevreTrois

A joint investigation by the King County Sheriff's Office and the Normandy Park Police Department revealed that four of Ann Rule's children receive an estimated $25,000 monthly salary through her corporation, Rule Enterprises LLC, for "assigned responsibiliti

"Assigned responsibilities", my foot! That said, the predation by her son was despicable. Financial elder abuse is unfortunately widespread. I wish Ann Rule peace and serenity for the rest of her days.

How horrible

She's my favorite true crime author as well. Too bad her sons grew up to be first class turds.

I'm a true crime fanatic and always loved her books. I didn't know she was in such poor health. What her sons did was disgusting; I hope they are punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Last edited Tue Apr 21, 2015, 09:15 PM - Edit history (1)

although I thought her last book was not up to par and often did not even sound like her

wishing her the best

I can't fathom how someone could treat someone who is elderly and disabled that way, never mind their own mother. From the article it sounds like they are very messed up as adults.

I have just discovered Ann Rule books - it's not like I had never heard of her. I saw the movie about Diane Downs starting Farrah Fawcett...I knew who she was but I didn't pick up one of her books until a few months ago. Those books have quickly become a new favorite and I'm glad I still have a couple dozen to go. So sad to hear about her poor health.

I will still read other authors but Ann Rule spoiled me.

As others have mentioned here, I too am a fan. A few years ago I emailed her after I finished one of her books to tell her that I was very impressed. She emailed back with a fairly lengthy email thanking me for my comments and me are giving me an update on the case that she had written about. That's pretty remarkable. It sounds like there won't be anymore of her books, and that's a shame. In my view she was one of the top, if not the top, true crime writers.

She can really get into the human stories behind crimes and not just focus on police procedure and (often tedious) courtroom drama like most other true crime writers. Friends once visited Seattle and the first thing that came to mind, "land of all the murders!" How horribly sad that her own sons would treat her like that. Her daughter Leslie is a writer also and I think has been helping Ann the past few years.
Looks like no more spine-chilling books. She and the late Jack Olsen were the very best true-crime writers IMO. Both based in Seattle.

...Small Sacrifices and The Stranger Beside Me several times each, and they are chillingly compelling every time.

Shame on her sons!

I have also read all of her books, and met her in Portland several years ago at a signing. Hard to believe her own children could be so cruel to their elderly mother. A sad thing.

Another Ann Rule fan here. Whenever I find a book written by her, I buy it. She's the best.