book data
497 ratings, 3.83 average rating, 36 reviews
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published
May 2002
by Sound Library
binding
Audio Cassette
isbn
0792725395
(isbn13: 9780792725398)
description
Multi-millionaire genius Allen Blackthorne was a violent sociopath who hid behind his classic good looks, charm and money, and left a trail of con job...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 606)
Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
anyone who likes true crime
When I checked this book out from the library, I had no idea what it was about until I began reading it (I picked it because I love Ann Rule). When I began, I couldn't believe that it was about the Blackthorne/Bellush murder. I lived in the area where the plan was hatched, drove by the countryclub almost every day where he played golf, my husband was a firefighter in the suburbs where Allen Blackthorne lived and actually had been in his mansion to do a fireplan. Not only that, the actual murd...more
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
True crime fans.
This true-crime book was a slight departure from Rule's usual fare of serial killers. Instead, she covered the life history of Allen Blackthorne, an abusive, megalomaniac who hired people to kill his ex-wife. Her death left two teenage girls and four quadruplet toddlers without a mother.
Rule, again, does an outstanding job of giving us the family background which shaped the twisted psyche of a murderer. However, in her interest to cover all the details, Rule included much which slowed...more
Rule, again, does an outstanding job of giving us the family background which shaped the twisted psyche of a murderer. However, in her interest to cover all the details, Rule included much which slowed...more
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Read in November, 2007
Not quite as scary as Green River Running Red - but I listened to this book in the car with my parents on the way to our vacation destination, which might have helped decrease the fright factor. It was a little hard to keep track of all the characters, but luckily I caught the 48 hours special on WE about a week after I'd finished it, so I could put names with faces.
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I've read almost all of Ann Rule's true crime books, and they are always gripping -- even if you already know the outcome of the story. The key is the psychological portrait she draws of each character, especially victim and murderer. Guarantee: whenever I start an Ann Rule book, I won't be able to put it down. This book was no exception.
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I had lived in Southwest Florida for only a few months when this murder occurred, and I remember it vividly. I tend to read everything Ann Rule writes as it is, typically waiting for the paperback since they're not re-readable (except for the one about Ted Bundy) but for me,this one was hardcover-worthy.
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2 comments
I still think about the characters in this book sometimes. Ann Rule is the best true crime author out there. This book, as are all her novels, is chilling and will time and again have you shaking your head in disbelief at the depths of depravity some human souls can sink to.
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Read in November, 2007
I always love reading Anne Rule books; they are heartbreaking, but riveting. It's scary how a successful, outgoing millionare can be a demon on the inside. I do often think about the family the woman left behind, and hope they are doing OK in life.
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Read in January, 2008
Another good one from Ann Rule. A story of a man who couldn't bear to lose and would stop at nothing to get revenge. I'd give this five stars except for there seemed to be way too much family history going back several generations.
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True crime has always intriqued me, to see what makes someone cross the line from Love into obsession and lies. This book has stuck in my mind, to know that it is the children suffer the most in these tragic stories.
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Read in April, 2008
After torturing her for years, an obsessed ex-husband has his ex-wife murdered in front of her one-year-old quadruplets. This one was so sad that I had to swear off true crime for a while.
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Read in February, 2008
Ann Rule is a very good author. She tells a story that makes you feel like you really know the characters. Her stories are about true crime. She puts a lot of research into her books.
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Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
again, anyone.
This is an awesome book. The gal that this story is about requested that if anything ever happened to her, that Ann Rule write her story. It is sad and riveting all at the same time.
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Read in October, 2008
Typical Ann Rule style recount of the murder of the mother of quintuplets. Well researched and presented this one comes with an interesting introduction by the author.
This was another good book from Ann Rule. The murder is plotted in Texas and I was in college when this took place...so it was interesting to read about it in more detail!
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True-crime novel about a woman who divorces a socio-path and gets on with her life with a new husband and quadruplets only to be haunted by the first husband.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in August, 2008
Way too much information is mindlessly repeated through out the book. Also, as the story is slow to develop and it finishes too fast without a lot of closure.
Read in July, 2003
recommends it for:
true crime readers
When I read this book I couldn't put it down. I felt for the family and found that Ann Rule did them justice with this book.
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Read in April, 2008
same as all my other Ann Rule reviews...awesome, chilling, provides incredible insight into the criminal, etc etc.
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Ann Rule is the best True Crime writer. If you enjoy this genre...you will enjoy all her books.
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Listened to this audiobook. As Ann Rule books go, this wasn't one of my faves, but it was good.
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true-crime (on 37 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 11 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 9 people's shelves)
truecrime (on 8 people's shelves)
own (on 5 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 4 people's shelves)
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