Customer Reviews

Lust Killer

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once again, Ann Rule proves why she is one of the best. "Lust Killer" is a concise and insightful look into the life and crimes of serial killer Jerome Brudos. But more than that, it is a chilling look into the often forgotten realm of victimology. Think you're safe when you go to the mall at high noon? Read this book. Think a man who looks like a big dumb teddy bear can't possibly be a threat to you? Read this book. Think a chance encounter with some stranger in a typical middle-class neighborhood is no big deal? Read this book. Oh, and one more thing . . . be ready to look over your shoulder the next time you go shopping.

One of the most frightening aspects of this true-crime story is that theoretically, the serial killer, Jerry Brudos could be released back into the community. He's been in the Oregon State Penitentiary for over twenty years now, manufacturing leather key fobs, collecting women's shoe catalogues, and keeping the prison's computer network humming. If he does get his freedom, no one should be surprised if he starts collecting women's shoes again--with the feet still in them.

I found "Lust Killer" to be one of Ann Rule's most disturbing books, not in the least because a young, door-to-door encyclopedia saleswoman was Jerry Brudos's first murder victim. Usually I can distance myself from serial killer victims, telling myself that I would never allow myself to get in a situation like that, e.g. hitching a ride on the freeway. However, I did sell encyclopedias door-to-door while I was working my way through college, and yes, our bosses insisted that we wear high heels. If I'd been flogging my books in Oregon, my foot might have ended up in Brudos's freezer, too.

Ann Rule, a former policewoman writes about the victims with a compassion that sometimes ventures over the border into cliché. Many are described as stunningly beautiful, innocent, soft-spoken, harmless, well-loved, kindhearted creatures who would certainly have qualified for sainthood if their lives had not been cut tragically short. One good lesson does come out of this book though: the author emphasizes that the victims who fought got away. The ones who yielded or tried to talk their way out of captivity, died a gruesome death.

The author tells the story of Jerry Brudos, from several perspectives, including that of the unlucky encyclopedia saleswoman, Brudos's wife, and the homicide detectives who finally trapped and arrested him. Mainly though, we see the serial killer through his own thoughts and actions. I don't know how Ann Rule got into his head, but she does a very chilling job of portraying this man who preferred his sex partners dead, and who saved some very grisly souvenirs of his exploits.

One of the most pitiable victims was Jerry Brodos's clueless wife. She was actually arrested, charged, and tried for abetting in his murders (he brought his victims to his workshop in his garage, where he tortured, murdered, and dismembered them), mainly because her neighbors and the police couldn't believe that she didn't know what was going on. Her husband certainly gave her lots of hints: he never let her access the freezer in the garage--if she wanted something from it for dinner, he fetched it for her; he left nude photos and moulds of women's breasts lying around in the house; he occasionally paraded around in front of her wearing women's clothing.

She was just one of those women who never challenged an authority figure, no matter how strangely he behaved.

One factual error in the book: Wisconsin killer Ed Gein did not murder his mother as stated by the author in this book. On December 29th, 1945, Gein's mother died after a series of strokes, and Ed felt that he had "lost his only friend and one true love. And he was absolutely alone in the world." (quoted from Harold Schechter in his book "Deviant").

Ann Rule weaves the double life of Jerry Brudos beautifully into a tapestry of pre-modern forensic science. Before the days of DNA testing,psychological profiling and victim awareness, Ann Rule gives a clear, concise look into the mind of a psychopath. Jerry Brudos was able to fool those around him into thinking he was an O.K. guy, a good husband, and gifted electrician. He kept his wife in the dark about his bizaare sexual/murderous crimes, while continuously being on the move to stay ahead of the law. A big, homely man, he nevertheless was able to convince many smart, beautiful women that he was safe to be with. It's an eye-opener to the real dangers in life. Our mothers were right when they said, "Don't talk to strangers." Listen to your inner voice and stay safe.

"Lust Killer" is the best of the 7 Ann Rule books I have read to date. Set (once again) in "peaceful" Oregon, it tells the story of Jerome Brudos, an absolute Wacko of a "small time" serial killer. "LK" is notable for its brevity and compactness. The author does a first rate job of concentrating the plot, which never wanders or digresses into backgrounds, geographical descriptions, or introductiuons of minor characters as do some of her later works(see "And Never Ler Her Go"). There are no wasted pages in "LK". This is the perfect place for a reader to test Ann Rule to see if (s)he likes her. My guess is that the author passes with flying colors. AR fans need not think twice, this one is a no brainer. The story is so compact that the reader can even break the "Ann Rule rule" and view the few centerfold photos without telegraphing the ending. Another amazon reader e-mailed me with the thought that Brudos and Diane Downs of "Small Sacrifices" would make a great couple. Read both and see if you agree. Question: Why do the streets and subways of New York City seem safer than Oregon?

This was a book that I borrowed from a friend..come to think of it...I still have the book (oops) Anyhow....this was a good book written around the time Rule was making a name for herself as Andy Stack. I read this twice. A sadistic monster responsible for the disappearance of beautiful young women who had full lives ahead of them, and would no doubt have been successful had fate not thrown them in Jerry Brudos' path. Thier thin, beautiful fragile bodies were no match for this physically built stong LUST KILLER...this book made me rethink about going out alone, and thanks to one couragous girl in this story...I learned a thing or two....

Above, best describes Jerry Brudos. A doughy family man who wanders from one job to the next and has a deep hatred for who else? -- his mother. Serial killer after serial killer say they hate their mother. So why do they kill other women? Brudos also likes to wear ladies undies and high heels which makes me wonder why his wife never thought there was more to her husband then just his headaches. I'm not saying that all men who wear women's underwear are serial murderers but I don't understand how Darcie Brudos never followed up on her husbands weird habits. For instance: locking his workshop door and refusing to let her in, telling her to call him from wherever before she could come home, disappearing at all hours, and finding a paperweight that in the shape of a woman's breast. Is it me, or are some people really that naieve? Ann Rule is great at true crime writing and this story holds your interest, I think Jerry got off easy considering that those four women no longer have their lives and their families no longer have them. This book should also serve as a warning to women....BEWARE....we are not as free as we think we are, when we have to worry about our car breaking down or walking in a Mall parking lot where a maniac could be waiting.

I loved this book. Ann Rule writes so that you feel as though you are there. The book begins with a recitation of the events as the police learned them; then after the killer was arrested, his confessions and the evidence gathered during searches provides unbelievable detail. Unless you already know the story of Brunos, you won't believe what happens, even after he's sentenced and in prison. This book is a strong message to everyone, especially young women, to be aware of your surroundings!

Ann Rule looks deep into the mind of Jerome Brudos and takes us from his early years of contempt for his mother, to his final acts of hatred toward all women. His own wife, whom he loved dearly, never knew of his murders, rapes and unthinkable acts toward the women he abducted. Even when he was apprehended, the stoic confession of his crimes was more an act of bragging than remorse. Ann Rule keeps us turning the pages until we flip the last one

I'd be truly interested to hear from Ann Rule herself about the re-issuing of books that seem to pre-date even Rule's "first book," The Stranger Beside Me, and how and why she was writing under the name Andy Stack. Then again, perhaps others know the answer to these mysteries.

I found this book to be interestingly different from Rule's later publications, where her writing is "thick," and her details incredibly thorough. This was a book that, I thought, was somewhat weak compared to Rule's later writing, though I will read anything that she puts out.

As I've been reading all three titles that were reissued, I am struck more and more by the thought, "Where do these monsters come from?" I had a childhood that could match any of these murderers for sadness, despair and abuse, yet I haven't a violent bone in my body. I'm always interested when Rule tries to probe that question.

My impression of this book is that its a lukewarm telling of a scary story, and it's an interesting read in that it's Ann Rule at her earliest.

Jerry Brudos was a true monster..He even says the dead women mean as much to him as a used napkin. His wife was a sweet person who never asked questions and obeyed her husband. Ann Rule paints a wonderful story of a boogey man and how he was made. No one knows how many women he destoryed.