A Rose For Her Grave & Other True Cases (Ann Rule's Crime Files)

This book is bogged down with far too many unnecessary details (and repetition thereof) that I often found myself thinking: get to the storyline (or back to the storyline), please!

I slugged my way to the end of the first major story, only because I wanted to find out what happened to the alleged wife-killer - but after getting a few pages into the next story, I finally had to admit defeat, and the fact that I wasted $7 on a book that I just didn't enjoy.

Which happens to all of us...but when I saw a 4-1/2 star rating, I'd assumed it would be an absolute page turner.

Bottom line: there are much better (and better written) true crime books on the market - and this one's definitely worth a skip!

This book is bogged down with far too many unnecessary details (and repetition thereof) that I often found myself thinking: get to the storyline (or back to the storyline), please!

I slugged my way to the end of the first major story, only because I wanted to find out what happened to the alleged wife-killer - but after getting a few pages into the next story, I finally had to admit defeat, and the fact that I wasted $7 on a book that I just didn't enjoy.

Which happens to all of us...but when I saw a 4-1/2 star rating, I'd assumed it would be an absolute page turner.

Bottom line: there are much better (and better written) true crime books on the market - and this one's definitely worth a skip!

A Rose for Her Grave

True crime writing should interest and educate its readers (‘Author’s Note’). Human behavior is more fascinating than fiction. [But mystery novels outsell true crime.] Many of her other books deal with a single crime. Her books do not stress blood and gore and grotesque details. Why did a crime happen? Can it be a warning to the reader? There are selected photographs. The first of the six stories is book length, the others are like magazine articles.

“A Rose for Her Grave” discusses a “Bluebeard”. [The historic Blue Beard was an important noble who killed young children in an attempt to turn lead into gold - Alchemy.] Janis came from a poor family, was married and divorced, then moved to Seattle. She met Randy, who seemed perfect, and married him. They both bought life insurance. Janis fell off a mountain. Later Randy met Donna, they married. Donna was scared while rafting with Randy; she divorced him. Randy’s house was robbed, but his dog did not bark. Cynthia was widowed with two sons. She met Randy and they married. Cindy drowned while rafting with Randy. The police investigated. Recreating the drowning raised doubts about Randy’s version. His claims about Vietnam were false. They found stolen auto parts in Randy’s crawl space. [By now you can figure out how this will end.] Murder for insurance is an old, old crime. Did Ann include too many details to pad out his story?

“Campbell’s Revenge” is about a man who had trouble since his teenage years (harassment at school). He attacked a young woman, was caught and sentenced to prison. Eight years later his victim, her daughter, and a neighbor were killed. The neighbor’s husband found them and called the police. Campbell was living close to the crime scene! The system slipped up and three people died. [What if the victim had a pistol handy?]

“The Hit Person” is about an immigrant woman who married a rich American. Cultural and age differences led to a divorce. Then Wanda was found shot! Eyewitnesses provided information, the police arrested the suspect on flight to California. Wanda’s sister found her hidden diamond ring.
“The Runaway” is about a missing teenager, the youngest daughter. She went to check on a friend’s trailer but never returned. Eight months later her skull was found. The police interviewed many but liked one suspect. He killed himself but denied the murder in a suicide note.

“The Rehabilitation of a Monster” tells about finding a woman’s body near Salem Oregon. A missing person report gave her name. Her photo in the newspapers led to a tip that led to a name. He lived in the area where the body parts were found. He left his workplace without collecting his pay! Convicted and given a life sentence, he was later paroled. Then another woman’s body was found nearby. He confessed and told about yet another murder! Another life sentence.

“Molly’s Murder” is about a young woman who lived in a ground floor apartment. When she didn’t show up for work the police were notified to check her place. Her body was on her bed in her nightgown. Strangled, no burglary only rape. Trace evidence was gathered. One man became a suspect, he had a record. His hair and fibers were tested, they matched. The suspect disappeared before he could be arrested, but was later caught selling. He was tried and convicted, a life sentence. [Would she have survived if she lived with a relative?]

Ann Rule was one of my favorite authors until she switched to writing shorter versions of true crime. Thus, I have resisted reading this series for many years. The main story is long enough to be a full book. The other shorter stories are worth reading.

I liked this nonfiction audiobook in spite of myself. Long ago I had read another book about the same criminal in a Rose for Her Grave. Even then Ms. Rule made the case interesting and informative.

One criticism I have of this author is her tendency to eulogize the victims. She is careful to always present the police and families in a positive light also. This is a common characteristic of true crime writers as these same people are their sources for information.

The Narrator does an excellent reading. The Audible format was well done.

One of the most frightening aspects of these ten true-crime stories is that the early release dates for many of the perpetrators have already passed. I would hate to think that any of these particular criminals are free to kill again. Ann Rule has selected gruesome cases to include in "A Rage to Kill."

Fortunately a few of the most vicious killers did not survive their capture. Unfortunately one of them was never identified, and some of the stories have had to have their body count revised upward.

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.

The killers are more interesting, as in that old Vaudevillian cliché, "the snake has all the lines." A transvestite prostitute stabs his customer to death when the john discovers his true sex. A prison official must decide whether this particular killer should be incarcerated with other men or put in a prison for women. Spree killer Chris Wilder drives one of his victims cross-country, then puts her on a plane back to California instead of murdering her.

Rule's homicide detectives are all a heroic blend of hard work, perseverance, and courage. They do not stand out as individuals as they would if say, Joseph Wambaugh had written this book. I will remember the murderers in "A Rage to Kill" much longer than the bland policemen or the saintly victims, because they are the characters upon which Rule lavishes her most original prose.

Most of these cases took place in the Seattle area, and only one that I know of has received extensive, nation-wide media attention. True-crime aficionados will appreciate Ann Rule's meticulous attention to detail, and the extensive contacts with law enforcement officials that give her a unique perspective into each of these ten stories.

Here is a perfectly safe true crime/Ann Rule choice.

ARFHG consists of 6 stories. The title selection is considerably longer than the rest, yet this reader thought the shorter 5 entries were superior. Women are frequently the victims in true crime tales, but "Molly's Murder" and "The Runaway" were distinctly unsettling. Molly and Janna deserved so much better from life. And though a conviction of sorts transpires in "The Hit Person", the scales of justice are definitely unbalanced at its' resolution. As for that title selection, there was enough grime, crime and foul play to warrant a full length treatment. How does A.R. make that call?

This reviewer has previously commented on the "Ann Rule rule". It is in effect here! Though those pesky centerfold photos do their job of personalizing crime scene, bad guy, good guy and victim alike, they give away resolutions. The centerfolds are best saved for last. Is this the first time, the authoress included 2 such sections?

The bottom line is that "A Rose for Her Grave is a no brainer for Ann fans. Those unfamiliar with the authoress' work may plunge right in. And of course, the timid can always start with the old Ann standbys like "The I5 Killer", "The Stranger Beside Me' and "The Want Ad Killer".

This was very interesting and different than a non-fiction as the pace was a bit slower with more detailed information. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but the more I got into it the more interesting it became. I will read another of hers.

I enjoy reading true crime books, and Ann Rule writes a ton of them. This one includes several different cases. All are compelling, but she goes into much more depth in the Randy Roth murder cases which makes that section stand out. I read that one last, and I stayed up most of the night until I finished it. Fascinating stuff about a truly evil man who managed to fool a lot of smart women.

The only negative against Rule is that she sometimes writes in horrible cliches or bizarre metaphors. She'd be a better writer if she could avoid these clunky phrases.

the depth, without boring, is amazing. Love how Ms. Rule digs into both sides; perp & victims. she brings the stories to life. I don't want to give anything away; but, I highly recommend reading this.

Ann Rule as always captivates the mind and the soul with this haunting book. I think this one is one of her best written books. The story "A Rose for Her Grave" is a real page-turner and it is written and investigated with every detail retraced and no stone unturned so it seems. All the characters are very interesting people and it always seems as if in every page you are actually walking into the story, walking in the footsteps of the characters and wanting to reach out somehow. The other true cases are also well written stories.

This book was totally addictive reading, I have read hundreds of true crime books and this is in the top ten of mine, I'm definitely an Ann Rule fan now, Ann describes the characters very well without droning on like some true crime writers, from the detectives involved to the victims relatives, you feel you kind of know them a bit, and really feel empathy for the victims and their rellies, aswell as wanting to say "well done!" when the detectives finally nab the weirdo.

I thoroughly enjoy everything Ann Rule has written. She makes true crime a very interesting genre to read. She is definitely my favorite true crime author and I'm looking forward to reading more that she has written.

I just started reading true crime, and my repertoire would not be complete without the legendary Ann Rule. A Rose for Her Grave is an excellent introduction to Ann Rule. She's a great writer, pulling you into the crime, letting you know the victims and criminals both. Her descriptions of Pacific northerwest weather are an extra bonus, especially if you, like me, haven't visited that part of the USA. The first story- about murderer Randy Roth- is the longest. The other stories are short, but also interesting. Randy Roth's story includes everything- his past, his marriages, his work, and his eventual arrest and conviction. I was particularly moved by the story of young Janna, a 13 year old who lost her life far too soon to a monster. Ann Rule does a good job of weaving (then) contemporary murders with one unsolved murder from 1961. Each story is introduced by Rule, which helps the reader understand the depravity of the murder. Overall, A Rose for Her Grave is an absolute classic and a must read for all true crime fans.