Customer Reviews

Mortal Danger and Other True Cases (Wheeler Hardcover)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Over the years, I've read all of Ann Rule's true crime books, and usually look forward to the release of her new books. I special-ordered this one from a local privately-owned bookstore (it's good to keep money flowing locally!) and picked it up yesterday. Didn't have time to start reading it until after 10pm, right about when I usually watch the news and then go to sleep. Well, once I started to read it, I was riveted...couldn't put it down. Notably, I don't remember ever being so totally full of fear all the way through a book. Uncut, unadulterated...pure fear.

Though I fell asleep about halfway through, and fortunately did not dream about any of the cases Ann covers in "Mortal Danger", I simply had to finish reading it shortly after sunrise when I awoke.

So scary that neighbors, and people we trust, might turn out to be someone who will turn on us unexpectedly. Or that a kind and innocent young person could get off a bus and disappear into the night, in a relatively safe area, blocks from home.

My sympathy goes out to all affected by these tragedies.

I went into this knowing that Ann Rule's Crime Files cover multiple cases in one book as opposed to just one. Even though I've been an Ann Rule fan for years this is the first Crime Files I've read the simple reason being that I prefer in depth analysis but I needed a fix from the master. Thus my expectations for this book were far from high.

Mortal Danger actually go in depth on two cases and gives a once over lightly to three others. The first case tells yet another sad tale of a controlling man who goes off the deep end trying to keep a woman from leaving. Rule has covered this ground before but this time the man in question, "Dr" John Branden adds to the mix by being the disciple of a long-forgotten con-man. Stories like this always beg the unfair question of "why does she stay with him?" instead of the more obvious, "how does this whack job get away with this for so long?" It may take a village to raise a child but it takes a team of true-believers to help the likes of Branden avoid the law: old friends, daughters, ex-patients. These are the people I find baffling.

The next case is more standard police-procedural and bully for Ann Rule for being the rare true crime writer who can handle more than one style. There's plenty of CSI-like action on display in the story of the mysteriously massacred newlyweds. There's also another sad display of both our justice system dropping the ball and the women who bypass Match.com in favor of Inmate.com. I'm all for true-love, the power of forgiveness, belief in the essential goodness of humanity and the power of change but a man who's been incarcerated for a murder, especially the murder of his mother, is not penpal material let alone marriage material. This is a bit of logic deducible even by single-cell lifeforms and therefore also by women named Jennifer who live in bathroom-free trailers.

The rest of the stories give further proof that good fences make good neighbors. Make that electrified fences. In lesser hands these would be worth a few paragraphs in a newspaper but Ann Rule has a knack for showing us the lives - not just the names - caught up in horrible crimes. Yes, she does sometimes over-praise the victims but so what? Ann Rule is about giving the victim equal time with the killer and that's one of the things that makes her books so addictive.

There was one other difference I noticed in this Crime Files book versus her other books, the prose got a little purple now and then. Not a big deal, just noticeable. Even sub-par Ann Rule - and this is far from sub-par - is exponentially better than most true crime being published today.

I love you, Ann Rule. Never change. But lay off the days that " dawn bright and clear, ok?

Mortal Danger is a page turner by the Queen of true crime Ms. Ann Rule. This book is gripping from the first page to the last and rich with details. The first story in the book is a story of abuse and survival. Ann fully reconstructs the events of a woman named Kate in a deeply moving account of her strength and courage to persevere and move past the abuse, hurt, fear and anguish of domestic violence. This is an intimate portrait of her struggle.

The second story is about the murders of a happy young couple by a heartless killer. It is an unforgettable account. Ann focused on the circumstances surrounding the murder and the investigation done by a diligent police team. Ann has a way of explaining law and police procedures like no one else can.

All the stories in this book are brilliantly written and this book is hard to put down. I highly recommended this book.

I was able to get an advance copy of Mortal Danger. Which I'm glad I did. Even though I had company for the week, we both had copies and we read it together. The first story about Kate is a cautionary tale of what all women need to know about controlling, obsessive men. The other true crime stories are equally scary and told as only Ann can do. I highly recommend this book.

I have read every true-crime Ann Rule book there is, in addition to her one fiction novel. Mortal Danger is a riveting read which is practically impossible to put down. In it, Ms. Rule has written about five true-crime cases, including one very recent double homicide involving a young couple in Pierce County, Washington. Their killer, and neighbor, was a convict who never should have been released from the prison system in Massachusetts. For those who may be familiar with the case, Ms. Rule plunges you deep within the case and explains things the newspapers never divulged. She succeeds in bringing to life all five stories included in Mortal Danger with equal aplomb. Reiterated throughout the book is Ms. Rule's warnings to us all that sometimes people make the mistake of trusting the untrustworthy, loving the "right guy" who ultimately is all wrong, and befriending someone who's unable to be a true friend. Her writing strikes fear because of its biting reality. Her victims are real, and, unfortunately, the sociopaths she writes about are very real, too. If you care about a young woman, buy her this book; it could save her life. Many women end up being targets of violent crime because of shear niceness and naivete. There are lessons to be learned here, and Ms. Rule does a brillant job of delivering harrowing true-crime stories as well as life lessons.

I purchased this book to read on the plane to Seattle. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest area for years, I found the book taking me to familiar places. I couldn't put it down and I could see myself in the areas where these crimes were committed. I have since ordered three more of Ann's books. I love the way she writes.

Don't plan on getting anything done once you pick up this book. I ordered it here and am glad I did not pick it up on Thanksgiving, or I would have been eating at McDonalds!
Ann has written another masterful book that transports you to a variety of locales and into the hearts and minds of both sociopath and victim alike. All of the stories are riveting but the first one in particular has really stayed with me. It centers on a beautiful woman who made a poor choice of partner that nearly cost her life. If ever there was a story to send a message to other women, this is it. Ann takes you there like no one else can. I am already looking forward to her next book!

I read the latest by Ann Rule in two days. This book is indeed a wake-up call for any female involved with a man who is controlling or abusive. I recommend it highly. Ann consistently picks those crimes not over-written in the press; it is amazing that there are so many sociopathic men running around out there. Beware and be aware.

Ann Rule never fails to pick true crime stories that will keep us glued in our seats. Mortal Danger is yet another riveting collection of stories that solidifies Ms Rule's position as the Queen of true crime. I started reading this book and didn't stop until the final page was turned. My advice? Buy this book. It is Ann Rule at her best.

Another winner for Ann Rule!!! As usual, Ann's sensitive and knowledgeable approach to both old and new crime cases is entertaining and informative. It's a good, fast read, and you'll be craving another Ann Rule book when you finish.Excellent photos, too.