Customer Reviews

A Fever in the Heart: And Other True Cases (Ann Rule's Crime Files)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"A Fever in the Heart" was the most astonishing, haunting book I have ever read. Ms. Rule's prose style is so understated that one wonders how it is that one begins to see the unfolding of these dark events in a way that is almost like a film documentary. The book was almost searing in its intensity, and the little touches -song lyrics of the day, descriptions of the foilage in Washington in different seasons - draw one into the plot in a most curious manner. She is indeed a master, although truth be told she has found a way to coax her stories into telling themselves. More stories, Ann!

When I bought this book , I was in the used bookstore looking for a any true crime book I had yet to read (of which there are few). I am SOOO glad I bought this book. The story seemed soo far fetched had I not been in the true crime section when I bought it...I might have thought it a new fiction thriller! The charachters are well researched, and the details so crisp and vivid. I actually closed my eyes a few times imaginging the scene like I was there ! If you want a good book , that contains a few other stories about 'fevers in the heart' I'd HIGHLY suggest this book. You wont be disappointed...

Ann Rule is the # 1 true crime writer. I have read many true crime books by other authors but none of them compare to Ann Rule. She tells you everything about the crime, the killer & the victims. I have every book she has ever written & will keep buying her books. Thanks Ann for being the best.

I'd just finished reading Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, (my first foray into true crime)and was so engaged in the story I thought I would give Ann Rule a try. I was very disappointed. The title story itself sounded intriguing, the love triangle turned deadly. Obsession and devotion leading to murder. The first 100 or so pages were okay, not Capote, but readable. But then the author just went on and on and on and on and on. I began skipping big chunks of the narrative,because it simply reiterated the same facts over and over again.We sat through a rehashing of every facet of the story, followed every excruciatingly dull bit of police/DA/Defense procedure. We sat through confessions, then sat through them again during the trial and through every incarnation of them given to cops, prosecutors, defense attorney's, etc. The entire judicial part of the story was five times longer than necessary. I nearly gave up. Stubbornness alone made me persevere and I finally slogged my way through the entire thing. I found the remaining stories more engaging, simply because they were more succinct. I've read that this isn't the best example of Rule's work, and may give her books another go. If you are new to Rule, I would recommend starting with something else.

This was my first ANN RULE ( I'm hooked ) Ann writes as if she were somewhere above watching the scene develop. You come to feel as if you knew these people. I was so caught up in the story....I drove to Yakima and retraced the route....then reread the book. Much of what Ann tells you can still be found today....even the people living in the house today are very friendly and were nice enough to let me look around and take pictures...maybe they did look at me as a strange duck as I drove away. After this adventure I am trying to do the same with all of her books. She writes in such detail as to make the areas come alive again...so many years later.

Once again Ann Rule, a great storyteller and writer on the horrific detail, tells a story on a perfect murder. So perfect that any detective can agree with. Theres no such thing as a perfect crime that are in all fictional mysteries. An experienced homicide detective investigates an unexplained death with only blood,and no body. An incredible story that sheds light on a marriage that seemed happy, but lead to a betrayal. Also the author of the story made it so exciting for a reader to read, like adding a serial killer in the story. This story is like a murder waiting to happen.

I love Ann Rule's books, but the first time I tried it, I laid it down. Thankfully, I picked it back up, I was hooked. This is one of Ann's true crime files volumes. I really got swept up in the title story of a young man, his coach and mentor who got swept up in a love triangle involving the two men and the wife of the first man. It makes soap operas stink,(which I think they do anyway), The good guy takes poor coach into his home afer a divorce, and next thing you know, wifey leaves husband for coach. (No doubt for money and materials), then she wants hubby#1 back. Well, what follows is murder which benefits nobody but the wife, whom after one man is dead and the other in prison, proceeds to marry another poor fool. Ann sometimes tends to give too much credit to characters, (especially to looks), as she does in this case. This was an average woman who just knew how to play two men against each other, also involving others to make the murder happen. The other short stories are good, too, especially "The Highway Accident". If you are a Rule fan, of course, read it.

I have always enjoyed Ann's way of writing and this book is full of excellent stories! Truth is surely stranger than fiction! I highly recommend this book! (I only wish there were more pictures!!!) ~~Sabrina Veley

what can i say, anne rule is at her best. this book is an excellent example of her research and knowledge of the subject

I usually enjoy Ann Rule's books. But the first story in "Fever" was dull. It was a boring soap opera starring an average looking woman, a frumpy coach and a husband who needed a backbone. The only likable character was Morris and once he was gone, I was left with the boring tale of the average looking woman and the frumpy coach. Ms. Rule just went on and on with a story that could have been told in half the pages. The other short stories in the book were intersting. Infact the "Highway Accident" might have been a better story to spend some time telling.