Kiss Me, Kill Me : Ann Rule's Crime Files Vol. 9 (Ann Rule's Crime Files)

Rating:
Summary: Is it me?
Review: Am I the only one that thinks Ann is taking the easy way out with her short stories? I know she spent alot of time on her recent book, but these 30 year old stories have got to go. With all the lunatics running around out there, it seems to me that Ann would be writing one book after another. "The Highway Accident" was in a previous book, so why did I have to spend $7.00 to read about it again? Although the stories here were interesting, I can't help but wonder why Ann remains focused on such old stories.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting, well written read from a master.
Review: Ann Rule has written another volume of her true case files; this is volume 9 and like the preceding volumes, there is a main novelette type story and a number of smaller stories. As always, she writes in a low key style with an obvious sympathy and compassion for the victims. In this volume, her unifying theme is how would-be lovers become predators and murderers. In almost every case, the murderer is unsympathetic if not an actual psychopath. And in almost every case, the victim is a trusting, naive lamb. The bulk of the stories occur during the 60's and 70's and in many cases, take many years for the perpetrator to be apprehended. Most occur in the Northwest areas of Washington and Oregon.

As the reviewer mentions, this story have a particular resonance with the current news stories regarding Scott Peterson and the death of Laci Peterson. The handsome, personable persona over an evil soul continues to fascinate and bewilder us.

Although this book is an engrossing read, I much prefer her full length books where she has the time and space to really delve into a story. In fairness, though, these vignettes do not have the depth to be expanded.


Rating:
Summary: Bruisin' thru the 50's, 60's & 70's
Review: As in her eight prior "Crime Files" volumes, Ann Rule has "scrapbooked" one, albeit shorter, "Novella" length account (133/396 pages,) and several shorter sagas from her True Crime files. This time the focus is on "the dark side of love" and older, colder, cases.

Previously, this reviewer had commented in a review that there must be something in the water - what with all the serial killers run rampant out there in Ann Rule's Pacific Northwest beat. Well, in what could almost be a direct comeback, Ann reminds me of my part of the country's recent horrors perpetrated upon Dru Sjodin, Jodi Huisentruit, & Erika Dahlquist. So, will Ann be covering those trials if they occur in a January in Fargo or Brainerd? As a local weatherman says, our winter weather is "character building."

Owen's Ann Rule rule: Don't peek at the pictures in the center until the suspect has been identified by law enforcement, unless you are one of those folks who read the last chapter of any mystery first ;-) frequently doesn't apply to this book written by She for whom the rule was written, as, frequently, there are no pictures of the perps (who she sometimes chooses to allow to remain anonymous (!) or their victims, just the Law & Order folks involved in catching or bringing the bad guys to justice - or injustice in some cases. /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer


Rating:
Summary: Both entertaining and a bit disappointing
Review: I am an Ann Rule fan but these Crime Files books become more and more disappointing. While I like that there is a collection of stories in these books, of late I find that the main story drags on and that some of the shorter stories are stories that Ann has previously written about. If I am paying the price of a new book I don't want to read old fodder. I understand that Ann has a background in police work (making it near and dear to her heart) but I think there is too much focus on the detectives in the stories. I don't want to see photo after photo of detectives and D.A.'s. I'd much rather see photos that support the real life impact of the victim who was a real person. I do, however, appreciate that Ann avoids graphic and gruesome photos. I like how Ann tries to make the victim come to life but I often think she goes overboard in relating how absolutely beautiful, intelligent, generous, and vivacious each victim is. If you have not read very many of Rule's books then I recommend this one; if you have already read several then I would recommend passing. Although the book is truly entertaining you probably don't want to reread something she already wrote about--especially when there is no update to the story. Also, in Ann's defense, she wrote about some old, cold cases but they have recently been solved due to DNA evidence. I can't fault her for writing about these cases. Indeed, I applaud the diligent people who brought the psychopaths to justice.

Rating:
Summary: Not very good
Review: I find myself disapointed once again with an Ann Rule book. The last few have not been up to the usual Ann Rule format. I hate to say it but, I too have considered not bothering to read another. Waste of money to read old cases that had been printed in earlier books.

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Earlier Works Much Better
Review: I have always thought and still think that Ann Rule is the queen writer of true crime novels. Her style is simplistic and she really digs in to her character personalities and psychological profiles like a true pro. Being and ex-police woman makes her credibility more valid and real. However, this book was a bit dry and somewhat dull filled with old cases, although it was not hard to get through like all her other novels. Ann you are a great writer! Keep the good stuff coming!
Kiss Me, Kill Me, was okay, but anyone interested in Ms. Rule should read her earlier works witch are excellent.



Rating:
Summary: Not Ann's Best Book by a Long Shot!
Review: I love Ann Rule, but this book does not showcase her talents. It is rather lifeless, dull, and far too easy to put down after a few pages. I just couldn't get interested in these musty old cases. I'm sure they were newsworthy in their day, but they make for boring reading in this volume. Read some of Ann's earlier works, they are much more rewarding than this one. Sorry, Ann.

Rating:
Summary: derivative Ann Rule material...
Review: In now the 9th of her Crime Files series it has become clear Ann Rule has run out of interesting crime cases to report on, or she is simply going through the motions on some modestly interesting cases with lots of dust on them (most were over thirty years old). I bought this book at the airport right before boarding a transatlantic flight, as a last minute purchase. At least it was very readable, in Ann Rule's somewhat folksy way. But having finished the book a couple of days ago I cannot remember any of the true crime stories it contains. This doesn't speak well for the book(, nor for me?).


Bottom line: utter true crime fodder. Ann Rule has done much, much better.

Rating:
Summary: Maybe I'll just give up being an Ann Rule fan.
Review: No, it's not just you. This book is pathetic. Usually I love Ann Rule and I have enjoy each one of her books. But this???? Ugh. Old stories from 30 years ago or more. Stories already repeated in other books? And no indepth character descriptions like her other books. Maybe it's time for me to give up on Ann Rule and find another author. Don't buy it. It's a waste of time and money. Will Ann Rule ever get over having known Ted Bundy? My God, she talks about it in each and every book. I'm really tired of hearing about how she knew him. My, my, my, she's had a whole career on how she knew Ted Bundy, now get over it and stop talking about it. I can't take it anymore. And yes, Ann we also know you were once a policewoman for like a minute. Hurray to you. I should look at other True Crime writers and find a new one. Ann, same old, same old, it too old.

Rating:
Summary: When a writer becomes to comfortable in their own skin
Review: Sorry but I feel the same...I love Ann Rule but, the last three books have been disappointing. The true case files came out as a new release, and was filled with old stories I'd read before. The Green River Running Red was hard to keep track of in the style that it was written. This story- Kiss Me Kill Me, was okay but, it was filled with old cases.
Ann has maybe taken on a different theme in her writing style as some writers do after years of bestsellers. I'm writing this only to say don't forget about us Ann...your fans! We love you just the way you were! Please don't change!