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Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder
by
Ann Rule
Ann Rule's shocking and powerful account of the destructive forces that drove Diane Downs, a beautiful young mother, to shoot her three young children in cold blood.
"Vivid....Extraordinary...a page-turner."--New York Times Book Review
"Superb...[a] riveting detective story."--Indianapolis Star
"A harrowing pathological portrait....A work of resonance and revelation with brea
...morePaperback, 1 page
Published
July 5th 1988
by Signet
(first published 1987)
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Sep 26, 2010
Mariel
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
hungry like the wolf
Recommended to Mariel by:
the rachel
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 much for my...more
I'll never forget the "live"(from prison)interview of the female monster of this book on the "Oprah" show some years back. It was the only time I ever saw (of the few times I ever watched the show,of course(Ha)),Oprah get so angry that had - that woman(monster)of been in studio with her-Oprah wanted to and would have physically beaten her down. Of course,to the delight and cheers of the audience. This book will absolutely put a knot in your stomach,that to some degree, I truly believe never enti...more
2 likes
·
like
· see review
May 03, 2012
Shyla
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
disturbing-content,
true-story
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 of my mind...more
Sep 05, 2010
Sherri
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2010-book-list,
i-own
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 20/20 episod...more
9 likes
·
like
· see review
Sep 02, 2011
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Postal workers and daycare workers.
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, we CAN, thr...more
4 likes
·
like
· see review
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 parole was deni...more
I also read on Wikipedia that her request for parole was deni...more
Jun 05, 2012
Christine
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
holy-fucked-up,
true-crime
This is the first Ann Rule book I've read and I'll probably read more of hers. It's a very descriptive account of one of the most notorious murder cases where a woman shoots her three kids in order to be with her married boyfriend who didn't want kids. 2 of the kids survive, but only one is old enough to be a credible witness, despite her severe injuries.
The case is relevant now because Becky Babcock or whatsherass is whoring out the fact that her biological mother is Diane Downs, despite the f...more
The case is relevant now because Becky Babcock or whatsherass is whoring out the fact that her biological mother is Diane Downs, despite the f...more
1 like
·
like
· see review
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 tears for me....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 tears for me....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 writing...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 writing...more
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 incident un...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 incident un...more
Jan 20, 2012
Jessica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Emily Thompson, Vicki Mason
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 three different personality di...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 three different personality di...more
Jan 15, 2013
Tanja Seppä
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
kindle
A trule stomach-turning true crime novel about Diane Downs, who shot her three children - killing one daughter, Cheryl - because her current lover did not want to be a father to them. For a while I wondered why I had picked it up, I mean, why read something with such an obvious ending? (Yes, I know I said this about the last book I read too.) Still, it was enlightening. The book delves into Diane's life and her thinking processes in great detail. The prosecution's case was not all that strong. C...more
http://abookofadifferentcolor.blogspo...
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 and weaves together all...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 and weaves together all...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
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 horrifying than t...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 horrifying than t...more
Yep, I read this. There isn't much left to say about Diane Downs. She's guilty as hell, and in prison where she belongs. Probably being a woman is what kept her off death row, because I'm sure there were enough aggravating circumstances(maybe Anne Rule goes into this--it's been so long since I read it, I don't remember.) Her case bears eery similarities with the Susan Smith case about 10 years later. Both women made up fictitious assailants, though the public bought Smith's story for a bit longe...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 places themselve...more
A sociopath has no concious, someone with a narcissistic personality disorder places themselve...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.
This is one of my all-time favorite True Crime books, right up there with In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and The Stranger Beside Me (also by Ann Rule).
Ann Rule's portrayal of Diane Downs as a narcissistic sociopath who is willing to sacrifice her children to get the lover she's obsessed with to return to her is amazing, and her unraveling of the crime and its aftermath is really well done and very thorough. This is one of those books that made me go out and read every book by the same author th...more
Ann Rule's portrayal of Diane Downs as a narcissistic sociopath who is willing to sacrifice her children to get the lover she's obsessed with to return to her is amazing, and her unraveling of the crime and its aftermath is really well done and very thorough. This is one of those books that made me go out and read every book by the same author th...more
This was the first true crime book I ever read. Ann Rule is the person who unwittingly sat next to Ted Bundy manning a crisis telephone line. Though her output has been small, it's all of excellent quality, very well researched, and - unfortunately - brings the character of murderous criminals all too well to life.
This crime happened a long time ago, news-cycle wise. So much has happened since then that has seemingly overshadowed the tragic story "Small Sacrifices" tells. Yet Ms. Rule sets the s...more
This crime happened a long time ago, news-cycle wise. So much has happened since then that has seemingly overshadowed the tragic story "Small Sacrifices" tells. Yet Ms. Rule sets the s...more
Jul 25, 2011
Debra Darschewski
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
true-crime
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 did it......more
I remember seeing a 20/20 show on the Diane Downs' case and I couldn't believe the whole issue. Shooting her kids and lying and smiling about it. I am not sure how to rate this book. Yes, Ann Rule was excellent in getting the story across but Diane Downs is what is stopping me. I found the book interesting and very sad. At some parts of the book I was sad for Diane Downs then I remember "Hey wait, this might not be the truth", this was one of the struggles for me. I also have little cousins aro...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
1 like
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like
· see review
On May 19, 1983, 27-year-old Diane Downs shot her three young children and blamed it on a car-jacking attempt by a shaggy-haired stranger. Diane's odd, detached behavior raised suspicions from the moment she arrived at the hospital with her dying children in tow. Sadly, one child died; the other two beat the odds and survived the point-blank shooting (both are alive and well today, although the boy remains paralyzed from the chest down).
The first time I heard anything about this crime was durin...more
The first time I heard anything about this crime was durin...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 most biased works. That's because...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 most biased works. That's because...more
I live in the Eugene/Springfield area and have been on the road where she shot her kids many times. I read this book because I was curious to see what would drive a woman to shoot her kids and because it took place close to home. She is just completely crazy. I thought it was really interesting when the cops were talking about how her busy-haired suspect description is one that is given a lot of times when people are trying to make up an attacker and that was a major tip-off. Sad situation.
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.
Well written account of Diane Down's horrific crime of shooting her three children. It was so hard to read (especially being a mother). To imagine someone being so delusional and cruel is just sickening. If you like True Crime this is a great book.
After reading the book I of course googled this disgusting woman and found that she has been denied parole twice in recent years and won't be eligible for another hearing until 2020. I hope she dies in prison.
After reading the book I of course googled this disgusting woman and found that she has been denied parole twice in recent years and won't be eligible for another hearing until 2020. I hope she dies in prison.
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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 Crisis...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 Crisis...more
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30 de Ago 03:17
Well thanks for your time... Hope to hear from you soon
15 de May 19:37