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8th out of 190 books
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196 voters
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Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder
by
Ann Rule
Ann Rule was a writer working on the biggest story of her life, tracking down a brutal mass-murderer. Little did she know that Ted Bundy, her close friend, was the savage slayer she was hunting.
Mass Market Paperbound, 494 pages
Published
July 5th 1988
by Signet Book
(first published 1987)
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I saw a special on Diane Downs and her daughter Becky Babcock on an episode of 20/20 a couple weeks ago. The story was horrific but intriging to me. In the episode they talked about how this woman, Diane, had shot her 3 children, killing 1 of them and injuring the other 2. She blamed everything on a "bushy haired stranger" who shot the kids, but she was still found GUILTY in her long trial. Before she got arrested she became pregnant with Becky (who was originally named Amy) and the 20...more
Crazy Diane Downs! Even crazier, if you Google her, you'll see that her poor father has a website devoted to her innocence. I know it's pitiful and comes from heartbreak and desperation, but it really bugs me when a loved one of an accused killer (Jackie Peterson; Diane's father) actually justify seemingly remorseless behavior with stupid, disingenuous lines like "You can't know how you'll react under those circumstances. Everyone is different". This is just plain incorrect. In fact, w...more
Chilling. I strongly believe she was guilty on all charges. The bushy-haired-stranger theory doesn't cut it for me. It doesn't make any sense. Plus, she had an eye witness and I couldn't possibly overlook Christie's testimony as Downs' defense lawyer wanted the jurors to do. I think the worst of all is how Downs kept on denying the evidence and still does... as if by denying what she did she can change the fact that she is a murderer.
I also read on Wikipedia that her request for par...more
I also read on Wikipedia that her request for par...more
Anne Rule is an incredible writer. She has a knack for hooking her audience and telling tales too horrific to believe they are true. I think she sets up stories well and has you turning each page as quickly as you can to find out how it all ends. However, my only complaint about her style of writing is that she almost always seems to portray her subjects are more beautiful than they truly are. The men are extraordinarily handsome. The woman are beyond attractive. Granted, this is subjective, but...more
First of all I must say, I don't think anyone could write True Crime like Ann Rule! Her daughter Leslie is also one of the authors that I like, but she writes paranormal books.
Now, about this book! From the moment I read this book (without prior knowledge of the case being as I was born five years after she committed this crime and by the time I was old enough to under stand these things, she was no longer talked about) I KNEW that she was guilty. This book brought forth anger and tea...more
Now, about this book! From the moment I read this book (without prior knowledge of the case being as I was born five years after she committed this crime and by the time I was old enough to under stand these things, she was no longer talked about) I KNEW that she was guilty. This book brought forth anger and tea...more
I feels wrong to give such a terrible story a 4 star rating, but the truth is, it was extremely well done by Ann Rule. I love reading Rule's true crime books when I'm in the mood for a real scare. She transports you into the crime scene and history's of the people involved.
For those unfamiliar with the Diane Downs story, she was convicted of the murder of one of her children, and attempted murder of her other two children. It is a heartbreaking story come back to life by Rule's perfect wr...more
For those unfamiliar with the Diane Downs story, she was convicted of the murder of one of her children, and attempted murder of her other two children. It is a heartbreaking story come back to life by Rule's perfect wr...more
I remember watching the tv version of Small Sacrifices in the 1980's. There's a scene of Diane Downs (played by Farrah Fawcett's hair) where she's driving the kids to the middle of nowhere for less witnesses (preferably none alive, anyway) to their impending murder. The twin and I loved to panic and yell "This isn't the way home!" whenever in the car with our mom (she loved it), and other such fun scenes from the film. (There's a darker side to that story in that mom whined faaar too m...more
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Perhaps nothing is more frightening or fascinating than the female sociopath and maybe that's partly why this book is so intriguing and such a true crime classic (or should be!)
In May of 1983, young divorced mother of three Diane Downs shows up at an Oregon ER with her three children. All of them have been shot, by a bushy haired stranger that Diane ostensibly stopped to help. Certainly shocking enough to think that anyone would shoot three young children, but investigation into the incid...more
In May of 1983, young divorced mother of three Diane Downs shows up at an Oregon ER with her three children. All of them have been shot, by a bushy haired stranger that Diane ostensibly stopped to help. Certainly shocking enough to think that anyone would shoot three young children, but investigation into the incid...more
OMG. I'm about to go on an Ann Rule reading spree. This book was so good I neglected pretty much everything I should have been doing this past week because I could not stop reading it.
The amount of research Rule must have had to do to paint such a complete picture of Diane Downs and all the aspects of her crime and trial just boggles the mind.
Overall Downs was a pretty horrible person, utterly selfish and ceaselessly attention seeking. She supposedly suffered from th...more
The amount of research Rule must have had to do to paint such a complete picture of Diane Downs and all the aspects of her crime and trial just boggles the mind.
Overall Downs was a pretty horrible person, utterly selfish and ceaselessly attention seeking. She supposedly suffered from th...more
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The book has an air in incredibility, how could a mother not fight to save her children? And, when Downs becomes the prime suspect, how could a mother have shot her children as they lay sleeping in the backseat of her car.
Ann Rule writes many true-crime novels, although this it the first that I've read of hers. I think it is difficult to write true-crime stories without getting boring, but for the most part, Rule accomplishes this...more
The book has an air in incredibility, how could a mother not fight to save her children? And, when Downs becomes the prime suspect, how could a mother have shot her children as they lay sleeping in the backseat of her car.
Ann Rule writes many true-crime novels, although this it the first that I've read of hers. I think it is difficult to write true-crime stories without getting boring, but for the most part, Rule accomplishes this...more
Feels weird to rate a true crime book about a woman who tried to murder her three kids with a "I really liked it". But I was very interested in the story and thought it well written and very balanced between the legal side and the emotional side. As someone who likes to learn about the human psych this was hard to put down. Not sure if there is a more diverse, strange person to study then Diane Downs. This lady is nuts! And even so, even so I could not help the tiny voice in the back o...more
The true story of Diane Downs who attempts to kill her three children because the man she is obsessed with doesn't want the responsibility of children. She shoots them late at night while they all sleep in her car then rushes to the emergency room with a story of being flagged down by a black man while driving along a empty country road. Naturally the truth eventually comes out though it is a long process that illuminates the deep narcissism, codependency and psychosis of Ms. Downs. Ann Rule is ...more
Barbara
added it
Ann Rule’s true crime book about Diane Downs, who was accused of shooting herself and her three children (one died and the other two received very serious, life-threatening injuries) in May, 1983 near Eugene, Oregon. She claimed they were shot by a “shaggy haired stranger” on a country road late at night. The story was later made into a TV movie starring Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal. Ann Rule (most famous for her book The Stranger Beside Me, about Ted Bundy) is no Truman Capote but if you are ...more
From back cover:
"Somebody just shot my kids!" Diane Downs brought her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children beside her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the 'shaggy-haired stranger' Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even ...more
"Somebody just shot my kids!" Diane Downs brought her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children beside her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the 'shaggy-haired stranger' Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even ...more
First off this book is very well written. It is very detailed to give you every aspect of the case. It goes beyond that to also describe what else is going on what happens after the trial to give a round picture of the story. It very well pieced together and difficult terms explained so it is easy to follow. For this it is very good, but the type of person its written about is absolutely frightening.
A sociopath has no concious, someone with a narcissistic personality disorder pla...more
A sociopath has no concious, someone with a narcissistic personality disorder pla...more
true story of Diana Downs and the murder of her kids. excellent story makes u wonder what these people think that these innocent beings become so expendable and inconvenient --people like tht shouldn't have kids.
interesting true crime story....makes me think of the Susan Smith story...two woman allegedly abused as young women by their fathers and with very immature views of relationships...obsessed with looking for "love"...unfortunately their children are just seen as objects and obstacles and become their victims of self absorbed mothers...hard to relate, but scary how Diane deludes herself...the preponderance of evidence shows there is no busshy haired killer, just a narcissistic mother who...more
‘Small Sacrifices’ by Ann Rule is a true story about a woman who is willing to do whatever it takes just to be with the man she loves. Diane Downs knows that she had the power to be with any man that she wants. When she meets a man named Lew it seems like nothing could go wrong, and she feels like she’s finally found the one. There’s just one problem, Diane has 3 children; 8 year old Christie, 7 year old Cheryl and 3 year old Danny. Lew doesn’t seem to keen on the idea of her moving in with him ...more
This is one of the best books from Ann Rule's best stretch of writing, from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. "Small Sacrifices" is leaner, fairer and more balanced than Rule's bloated, often slanted later works in which saccharine philosophizing pushes its way into the narratives.
The irony is that a lot of people — mostly Diane Downs supporters, who, nearly three decades later are still legion — will be happy to tell you that "Small Sacrifices" is one of her mo...more
The irony is that a lot of people — mostly Diane Downs supporters, who, nearly three decades later are still legion — will be happy to tell you that "Small Sacrifices" is one of her mo...more
I read this so long ago that I don't remember it that well. I enjoy "true crime" novels and this fit the bill. It, like so may others of this genre, reminds us that murder happens to ordinary people. You'd be amazed how many people you may know who have had some experience with ghastly death. It's not a subject one generally brings up in polite conversation but if someone who has been a victim mentions it, it's surprising what others can contributer to the conversation.
What a tragic story! I live in Salem, and my mother made me watch the movie. I am more a book person, so after watching this movie, I HAD to read the book. Naturally, Springfield is only an hour away and so I was very interested in reading this book.
Diane Downs shot her kids. There is no doubt in my mind. She did it for a man. As a mother myself, I would shoot a man before i shot my kid! and I dont care who the man is!
Absolutely captivating unfortunate event.
Diane Downs shot her kids. There is no doubt in my mind. She did it for a man. As a mother myself, I would shoot a man before i shot my kid! and I dont care who the man is!
Absolutely captivating unfortunate event.
Wow!!!! This was my first "true crime" novel. I must say that I am impressed with Ms. Rule's attention to detail and research. The story itself is very heart-wrenching. As a mother myself, I cannot even begin to imagine this scenario. However, I am a firm believer that Ms. Downs has very real and very VERY troubling personality flaws. As a result, her children paid the ultimate price. For me, this was a very heavy (emotionally) novel to read. I have compassion for all the partie...more
WOW! Fantastic read! I grew up watching the movie with Farrah Fawcett and so I was already familiar with the story before I read the book. Ann Rule did an excellent job of telling the true story of a woman who shoots her own children because they're obstacles to the man she loves but who doesn't want children. She feels if she kills her kids the man of dreams will want to leave his current wife and be with her. Very sad story with a touching ending for the surviving children.
Mel
added it
Read this when it first came out. I was on a serious Ann Rule kick at the time. Until the whole Susan Smith thing, this was my worst nightmate of a horrible mom.
Rule is always excellent at spinning the tale and making the reader feel her mixed contempt and compassion for her real life villains.
I'm loathe to rate it as "loved it" because the story is so disturbing, but it is well written and draws one in completely.
Rule is always excellent at spinning the tale and making the reader feel her mixed contempt and compassion for her real life villains.
I'm loathe to rate it as "loved it" because the story is so disturbing, but it is well written and draws one in completely.
The writing isn't just awesome, but it's a solid book. I read it when it first came out, in around 1988, but I always remembered it because of the haunting portrait of Diane Downs. So I found it again and re-read it and it was even better the second time. I'd love to have an even more up-to-date update on Downs, though I assume she's still in prison for life in New Jersey. Fascinating true crime book.
Of all the true crime writers, Ann Rule is my absolute fave and this book -- about Diane Downs, who murdered one of her daughters and tried to murder her other children -- a good example of her probing, no-nonsense approach. It's not my favorite Ann Rule book -- I need to think about that a bit more -- but it's a good place to start for those who want to check out true crime.
Small Sacrifices is the story of Diana Downs, the woman that tried to murder all of her children when she thought it would benefit her fantasy relationship with a man. She's a very sick woman. She always told people she would someday be famous and live in a big house. Well, she is and she does...too bad her big house has cement walls and stanless steel toilets and mirrors.
Fascinating look at how a mother prioritized her boyfriend over her children. She viewed her children as "fungible." That chick was batsh*t crazy!
Search Diane Downs videos on YouTube. She was jailed in 1984 and in December 2010, was denied another parole hearing for ten more years.
I am committed to trying some new genres. True crime is the first. Thanks, Barb and Tracie!
Search Diane Downs videos on YouTube. She was jailed in 1984 and in December 2010, was denied another parole hearing for ten more years.
I am committed to trying some new genres. True crime is the first. Thanks, Barb and Tracie!
Unbelievably horrible - what this woman did to her children. An absolute heart-breaker - this made me sob for those children. A tough story to tell but Ann Rule accomplishes it in a way that has you glued to the pages, while grabbing for the kleenex. I felt that the children need to have their story told and have it read. Let them not be forgotten.
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Ann Rule is a popular American true crime writer. She came to prominence with her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, about the Ted Bundy murders.
At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington ...more
More about Ann Rule...
At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington ...more
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