Rating: 
Summary: Ann Rule delivers again.
Review: Once again Ann has captivated her readers. Her characters are so well defined they become real. Like some neighbor, or friend you once knew.As the story unfolds, she has you pondering, perplexing questions as to why this murder occurred.Its a fascinating tale of the psychopathic mind and how this personality will go to the extremeto accomplish her mission; MURDER!("The Kill") This narrative will keep you engrossed from page one to the last bloody page.Ann Rule has kept me entertained with her brilliant writing for over 20 years. Another fine job. I think this book ranks along side one of her best, "Dead by Sunset".
Rating:
Summary: Heart Full of Lies
Review: Once again Ann Rule builds the character block by block, helping the reader see the whole spectrum of the person. People can be both good and bad, likeable and detestable.
Her research of subject matter and interviewing of witnesses is impeccable. I didn't find this book to be written in a bigger font to make up for content. This isn't fiction. The story was told, start to finish, does it really matter how many pages it did or didn't take to tell it? I hope Ann continues to tell the story for those who can no longer speak for themselves. People, who, by all accounts, were in very unfortunate situations and who deserve to still be living. Victims to be remembered as having been alive! Ann honors those unfortunate by spreading their story. Thanks for another fine writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Two Thumbs Up for Ann Rule, a fascinating study of insanity
Review: I just finished Ann Rule's new book, and I unequivically give it "two thumbs up". Yes, at times it felt a bit uncentered, and "choppy", but that doesnt' take away from the fascinating story of one' woman's downward spiral into deception and murder. It never ceases to amaze me, how Ann can lure us in to another's dark recesses of the mind. I always feel like I know her victims, the families, and the judicial system that eventually comes into play. I totally recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Another turn pager from the Queen of Crime
Review: Ann Rule never fails to grip readers with her stories, and HEART FULL OF LIES is no exception. As always Ann inserts little of herself into the book but draws crisp and vibrant images of the characters. Her attention to interesting detail will satify any real true crime fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart Full of Lies is not so full
Review: I picked up Ann Rule's latest yesterday with great anticipation. I've read every one of her books, and had high expectations for her latest. I was greatly diappointed when I opened the book and saw the size of the font. It almost looks like a large-print book for people with sight problems. This tells me there wasn't nearly enough material for a nearly-400 page book. I am very diappointed, and Ann Rule has fallen from my list of all-time favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Heart Full of Lies succeeds and raises an interesting issue
Review: For the reviewers above: I wonder who the heck reads Ann Rule for her "skillfull prose?" The story is what compells readers! I have an English degree and the lack of fluent prose does not even faze a reader who is caught up in the skillful depiction of real-life people. Those complaints are pointless. If you want good prose, try other literary genres. True crime is supposed to be relatively journalistic. I disagree with people upholding the Ted Bundy book as an example of wonderful prose by Ann Rule; I found it blowsy and distracting. This book was fascinating and absorbing, and the people involved make a deep impression on any reader. The story comes to life very quickly. A good author makes that happen, even if the style is not fluent. This book is also very relatable, we all have charismatic friends who (even though they may not be murderers) find a way to be the center of attention through dishonesty and manipulation.
Also, I am still reeling from shock at the reader above who claims that Ann Rule ignored all of these problems from Chris Northon and wrote a story based on the skewed versions of the Northon family and Liysa's old relationships. I hope it's a relative posing as an unbiased reader. I agree Ann Rule paints her victims as more saintly, (women as well as men!) but this person actually seems to believe that there was a plausible side to Liysa's allegations of abuse! Ann Rule did an excellent and merciless job showing the inconsistencies in Liysa's story, over and over. Also, she made the point very clear that Chris Northon was willing to seek therapy for his family, and included the therapist's notes about how his anger is nonviolent! She also wrote repeatedly that Chris did not appreciate Liysa's intellect and mental gifts, and ignored her ambitions. This, I agree, can be damaging to any person and is not the earmark of an attentive spouse, but it is FAR from abusive behavior. Used to feeling desired, Liysa of course was hurt when she realized Chris was used to his autonomous lifestyle. However, in her this hurt became a drive to rid herself of him in the way most beneficial to her, instead of working it out. And who were the "credible sources" who were ignored that knew about Chris's problems with alcohol? The reviewer above mentioned this, and where he or she got this knowledge is very unclear. Liysa not only murdered her husband but may have helped destroy the credibility of real abused women with her carefully concoted lies. The faking amnesia with her first husband was a practice session in her skillful deceit.
The most interesting issue this book raises is that of abuse of a male. It sounds like Chris was a victim of spousal abuse; emotionally. The damages to his character are pervasive. Anyone who still tries to find a solid thread of truth to Liysa's story of fear and abuse is doing a GREAT DISSERVICE to abused victims all over the world and is ignoring the real signs of abuse. Hopefully this woman's lies did not do damage to anyone's real story. Hopefully she asks for a new trial and gets NAILED with a life sentence so that her stories do not harm her sons.
Rating: 
Summary: It doesnt even rate one star!
Review: Readers...if you want a biased account of this case, go ahead and buy this book. Why wasn't Liysa's story told? this was my ongoing thought as I read this sensationalist book. And why does Rule so aggressively set out to paint Liysa as the villian? Why is she so judgemental? She doesnt even consider the possiblity that Liysa was abused. This book is clearly based upon information soley from Chris Northon's family and freinds. Certainly Rule can feel compassion for this family's loss, but why does she set out to destroy this woman in the process? Why is she quick to excuse Chris's worst traits and portray him as a saintly victim? One reason: her version SELLS.
I also find it hypocritical that she dedicates the book to Chris's son so that he may one day "know the truth". Gee, who gave Ann Rule the scales? And how can she make a judgement when she only knows one side of the story? How dare her dedicate this book to his son...this book will haunt and follow this boy for the rest of his life. Does Rule care that she is destroying his image of his mother? No.
There are huge gaps in the information given, leaving the reader questioning why she elaborated on some things and skips over other info ( info that would not support her biased theories).
Lastly, I work in the mental health field and am insulted by her amatuerish diagnosis of Liysa. She labels her a "sociopath". Newsflash: Sociopaths are not good mothers. And this is something even Rule could not dismiss, the fact that Liysa was a devoted and loving mother. BR>What a disappointment. I have previously read all of Rule's books but I won't read another.
I certainly am questioning everything that Rule has ever written, after reading this poorly written biased account of this case.I think the true story (the one that featured both sides, fairly) would have been much more interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: One of the most intriguing Ann Rule books I have read. Liysa Northon is obviously a sociopath-- and I'm glad that this tragic story brings out the truth, and clears her poor husband's name. The man was obviously coaxed and lured into doing lots of things he didn't want to do, all under her spell.Well written, and interesting. I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Not a Rule Masterpiece, But Solid
Review: Admittedly, I'm a fan of Ann Rule's, and I agree with other reviewers that this is not one of her finest books. But let's face it, even when she's not up to her own exacting standards, Rule still produces stellar work. For me, the first quarter of book moved a little sluggishly, and my interpretation of Chris, the murdered husband, was that he didn't have enough chutzpah or insight. He wasn't drifting through his life, but he wasn't the take-charge type, either. That is not a crime, I don't advocate all people be unpleasant, grim Alpha types. With a calculating personality such as Liysa, you need to be "onto her." Whereas others can take her at the surface, in an intimate relationship, you need to know what a person like her is capable of, her lies, deceit, etc., and WATCH OUT. Be wary. Perhaps that was a hallmark of all Liysa Northon's husbands, a personality quirk she could effectively use against them: they were successful but not particularly insane with ambition. She pushed and got what she wanted. Liysa is not as intelligent as she has animal cunning, and her narcissism, pretense and ambition fuel all her lofty goals. Still, even if this woman "achieved," it would never be enough. As with other emotionally disturbed women like her, it's never enough.
What I found puzzling about this woman, is if she had photography or writing talent, why wouldn't she pursue those goals on her own? Why would she have to marry and nag/bully her husbands into getting what she wanted? Intelligent career women do it on their own... then hook up with a husband.
I didn't think Rule portrayed Chris as a saint, but his faults weren't emphasized, either. For me, I see Liysa and other dangerous women like her as borderline personalities who present as narcissistic personality disorder. Borderline women are adept -- no, supremely skilled -- at polarizing people into opposing camps. They get people to fight over them. They believe themselves to be victims and manipulate others into believing it. They poison people's minds. God help the children any borderline's raising. Borderlines can appear as idyllic mothers, when they are anything but.
As others have pointed out, by virtue of attaching a 'y' to the middle of her name, tells you what you need to know about this woman. "Liysa." Give me a break.
As I read along, my biggest frustration was that so few people perceived this woman accurately. A sharp-eyed, discerning person would sense there was something off with Liysa Northon. I suppose her superficial chattiness, attractive shell and slim figure cloaked her capacity for evil... convincing people she was normal, even sympathetic.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good.
Review: I am a huge fan of Ann Rule, she never disappoints! While I don't think that this book is her absolute best, I still enjoyed in nonetheless.
And now about Liysa. I have never heard of a woman more in love with herself than Liysa Northon. Every single thing about her screams, "I want attention!" From her bragging attitude to the stupid 'y' she even added to her name, this woman is pathetic. It makes me sick that this woman actually got THREE men to agree to marry her, and even had two children. Scary. Her clueless friends need to wake up and realize that Liysa is one of the biggest manipulators around. I cringed when I read the statements they were giving to detectives about what a "monster" Chris Northon was. Gee, and how could they support their statements? Because LIYSA told them!! What a joke. I hope they read this book and realize how unabashedly stupid they look.
Ann, you've done a good job in telling this story. It couldn't have been easy to try to keep a fair attitude when telling this pathetic loser's story. Liysa Northon owes you a debt of gratitude for at least trying to give her SOME substance where no real substance actually exists.
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