Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This book was recommended to me by a friend who said it was great. Being from San Antonio, I was looking forward to reading a true-crime book that took place in the Alamo City; however, I was deely disappointed.The book reads as if Ms. Rule cut-and-pasted her interview notes together. She never gives any psychological depth to any of her characters nor does she follow through with expecting detail. For instance, on p.146, Sheila's mother recounts how Maureen, Blackthorne's wife after Sheila, calls Sheila on the phone and is screaming. Gene says, "Someone on the other end was screaming so loud," Gene said, "that I could hear it across the kitchen. It was Maurreen. Sheila spoke to her very calmly, and said, 'I tried to warn you, Maureen, and now I have a life and a fmaily, and I can't be involved in your problems wit Allen.'" Tell me, Ms. Rule, what problem was Maureen having? Give us the full details. Another example on p. 101: "Most of Sheila's closest women friends knew that she was terribly concerned that Allen might be sexually abusing Stevie, but the signs were so subtle that she didn't have anything that she could prove." So tell me, what were the subtle signs? It's as if Rule is too afraid to go into too much depth for fear that she will offend the reader. Rule mistakes detail for depth.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I agree totally with the review below entitled "B O R I N G". Ann Rule is one of my favorite authors, but this book is a major disappointment. The story is not compelling, and it could be told in less than an 100 pages instead of over 400 pages. It was hard to finish the book. I don't mean to minimize the horrific murder that occurred, but I didn't find this story to be on par with what I can usually expect from Ann Rule.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Great Ann Rule Book
Review: This book is a real page-turner. The research Rule does is nothing short of phenominal..(SP)
Rating:
Summary: Every Breath You Take
Review: Ann Rule is the master of True Crime writing. She doesn't go into detail about horrific events but is compassionate about the victims. This is by far the best book she has put out. I have read all of her books and she can't keep up with me reading them. I read this book in two or three days and was sad when I finished it (because I need another book by her). She is also the kindest author ever and I don't even think the True Crime title is worthy of her publications. It's more like investigative reporting. Read Every Breath You Take - you won't be disappointed!!!! And as she talked to Sheila in the beginning - she hoped to get it right for her memory.
Rating:
Summary: Every Breath You Take...Ann Rule
Review: Every Breath You Take was my first experience of an Ann Rule book. I was so totally captivated that I could do nothing else until I finished it. She thoroughly researched the characters lives and presented them as if you felt you knew them. Allen Blackthorne was totally motivated with self-interest and used everyone to his own advantage, including family and friends, by lies or any other means that suited his purpose and then just walked away from them as if he had no use for them whatsoever and never even knew them. Ann Rule tells of his life from childhood to the horrific murder of his ex-wife, the mother of 2 year old quadruplets, in an attempt to try and explain the evil and total lack of conscience in this man. Sheila Bellush, his ex-wife who was murdered, was afraid of him but also stubborn in her continually fighting him in court, for 10 years after their divorce, to try and get him to live up to his responsiblity as the father of their 2 daughters. And when she thought she had finally won, he had her murdered. This is the first book I have read by Ann Rule, but it will not be my last.
Rating:
Summary: Every Breath You Take by Ann Rule
Review: One of the best True Crime books that I have read recently. I wish I could find more True Crime books of this calibre.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book from Rule!
Review: As a retired sergeant I can appreciate the way that Rule writes about true life stories. As a presenter on domestic violence and stalking, I can say she is "right on" with the words she uses to describe the subjects in her books. This book is a perfect look at how some killers try to manipulate the criminal (and civil) court systems. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Ann Rule Does it Again!
Review: I read the reviews of this book and frankly, I was puzzled. Several people wrote to say they lost sympathy for victim Shelia Bellush and that they could not understand why she would stay in a relationship if she was so "terrified." Those who wrote with these views have obviously never even heard of spousal abuse and have no idea what men on power trips can do to a woman. I thought this book was fascinating...Ann's keen look into a cold-blooded killer's mind kept me up into the wee hours of the night. I couldn't wait to get home from work the next day to finish the book and I hope that Ann, at this very moment, is sitting at her desk working on her next masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Ann Rule Never Lets Me Down
Review: I wait for Ann Rule's books to come out like I wait for Christmas every year. Only Ann always delivers, unlike my boyfriend who bought me a vacuum last year. (I'd been asking for a pearl necklace.) Anyway, Every Breath You Take is no exception. It's another great book by the queen of true crime. It kept me glued to my sofa, unable to put it down. That Blackthorne guy was as fascinating as he is sick and desperate for attention. It's one of those things where you're repulsed by someone and at the same time curious about them. When I finished the book I really understood what makes him tick. And those other three. They didn't even know Sheila, Blackthorne's ex wife, but they were willing to kill her for a few bucks. When I finished, I passed the book on to a friend who enjoyed it as much as I did. We had the best time going out for dinner and talking about all the people and the turn of events. I only have one complaint: How long do I have to wait for another Ann Rule book? Can't we find someway to clone her? It would be a benefit for society.......or at least all of us Ann Rule addicts who gobble up everything she writes. Well, thanks, Ann, for never letting us down.
Rating: 
Summary: So-So
Review: There is something lacking with Ann Rule's latest book. I have read all of her previous books, but this one seems rather dull and lacks the suspense of her earlier works. While the story itself is tragic, she doesn't really convey the drama of it all. Having grown up in the Sarasota area, I think the St. Petersburg Times coverage of this case was far better and would suggest to those who are intersted in the story to search the St. Pete. Times website for their previous work on the case.
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