True crime author Ann Rule dies at age 83

AnemicOak · 07-28-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

n Rule, the bestselling true-crime writer who once befriended serial killer Ted Bundy, has died. She was 83.

Rule, who gained national prominence for her book on Bundy, “The Stranger Beside Me,” died Sunday at Highline Medical Center in Burien, Wash., according to Scott Thompson, a spokesman for CHI Franciscan Health. Rule suffered from congestive heart failure and other health problems, said her daughter, Leslie Rule.

A former police officer, Rule was virtually unknown in the publishing world in 1974, when she began researching a series of murders in the Seattle area. She later learned they had been committed by one of her close friends, Bundy. Rule published “The Stranger Beside Me” in 1980.

The book made her career, ultimately selling more than 2 million copies. Rule eventually penned dozens of true-crime works...

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituar...727-story.html

Phogg · 07-28-2015, 12:14 PM

The Stranger Beside Me is a fascinating book.

Catlady · 07-28-2015, 04:30 PM

My favorite Ann Rule book is Small Sacrifices, about the Diane Downs case.

ChandaK562 · 07-29-2015, 01:31 AM

Really sad to hear this. I love her books!

HarryT · 07-29-2015, 03:02 AM

I've always been a little dubious about the ethics of writing books about true crime, particularly when the people involved are still alive. It's awfully like making money from those crimes.

Phogg · 07-29-2015, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've always been a little dubious about the ethics of writing books about true crime, particularly when the people involved are still alive. It's awfully like making money from those crimes.

I have no ethical qualms whatsoever, if the research is thorough and the writer adheres to the truth in as much as it can be determined. Forewarned is forearmed, and people need to understand the sort of predators that are out there.

My early life was marred by violence. People who haven't lived it don't want to believe it is out there and don't prepare. If books wake even a few up then that is a good thing.

Jozawun · 07-29-2015, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've always been a little dubious about the ethics of writing books about true crime, particularly when the people involved are still alive. It's awfully like making money from those crimes.

Is there any essential difference in this between true crime books and newspaper reportage?
Or, for instance, between true crime books and those about contemporary war crimes?

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07-28-2015, 12:14 PM	#2
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	The Stranger Beside Me is a fascinating book.

07-28-2015, 04:30 PM	#3
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,415 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	My favorite Ann Rule book is Small Sacrifices, about the Diane Downs case.

07-29-2015, 01:31 AM	#4
ChandaK562 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 711208 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kindle Fire	Really sad to hear this. I love her books!

07-29-2015, 03:02 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've always been a little dubious about the ethics of writing books about true crime, particularly when the people involved are still alive. It's awfully like making money from those crimes.

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