A Rage To Kill and Other True Cases: Anne Rule's Crime Files, Vol. 6

Ten different cases profile the victim and killer in Ann Rule's typical style. She reveals the vulnerabilities of the victim and the psychological influences that drove the murderer. Some are sex crimes, one is a spree killer and one murders a bus driver resulting in 30 people hurtling five stories down from a bridge in the out-of-control bus. It's a diverse batch of murderers, so true crime readers can surely find a few that fit their interests. Rule's detailed research and analysis of the motivation illuminate these frightening case studies.

That Ann Rule is held in such regard by the literary world (and this probably includes non true crime authors) should surprise no one, especially her legions of fans who await every latest book of hers with baited breath.In her 6th volume of crime stories, Ms Rule certainly proves her writing talent is 2nd to none. That she chose to write 10 short stories may have surprised some of her followers, but she is able to tell a story and draw conclusions in 20 or so pages, and how many authors have that ability?In all but 2 instances, the stories and killers she profiles in this book most likely didn't even receive a radar blip in the media. America is a country where so many murders are committed, and sadly, only the goriest and most bizarre rate a mention in the media. But Ms Rule, a woman who doesn't seek out the sensational, a woman of great empathy and compassion, gives these stories a chance to be heard and discussed. She enables all the forgotten victims an opportunity to have voices.

Genre: True Crime In A Rage To Kill, former policewoman Ann Rule empties her files of short cases she just can't forget. Some of the stories are from her early years of writing, before serial killers like Ted Bundy made headlines -- before they made the horrific not only believable but also common place. Other stories are more recent. Some of the killers were brilliant; others captured because of their stupidity. One death isn't solved. Yet each of the stories has one element in common -- a rage to kill. Each of the stories is haunting in a different way. Whether it's a tale of a killer kidnapping beautiful young women from shopping malls, or of the young woman who saw death coming at the hands of the father of her children and was powerless to prevent her own murder, each story is written with chilling detail. All of the stories illustrates the ability of irrational violence to strike without warning, taking a life in moments. When I read other reviews of this collection, I encountered many reviewers expressing disappointment based on other work they had read by this same author. Perhaps because I haven't read many true crime novels, and my judgement system is a little different, or perhaps because I do enjoy Ann's writing style and inquisitive nature -- clearly demonstrated even with these shorter tales -- I thoroughly enjoyed A Rage To Kill. I heartily recommend it to all fans of true crime.Cindy Penn, Reviewer

I'm one of Ann Rule's biggest fans and once I pick up any of her books I can't put them down. I have every book she has ever wrote and not a bad word about any of them. She is one of the greatest. This book is very good just like the rest of her books and I recommend all of them equally.

My guilty pleasure.I've waited months for another installment and there it was at Target...my cart jumped and to the express lane I went (with dental floss and a value-pack of Charmin thrown in for good measure).The rancid "Hannibal" was the "true crime" of the summer and I desperately needed a pure good read to negate that purple,elitist train wreck. Ann Rule delivers reliable, solid product...and with a heart true to her readership.The stories here are clipped but refreshingly vivid. Thank you Ann.