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Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating and Sympathetic
Review: 'A Rage To Kill' is the sixth installment of Ann Rule's "Crime Files", and I fear the series is running out of steam. While the others in the series focus on one main story followed on by shorter stories, this book only contains short-ish (30-50 pages) stories. And so we don't have the pleasure of Ann Rule's great research and insight, as found in her single story books (eg, 'Dead By Sunset'). It is as if the author didn't want to sweat the details and simply wanted to tart up police reports, and then stuff them into a book.Having said all this, Ann Rule does write in a very fluid style. Her books are always a fast read. And while the stories here are most definitely morbid and horrific, they are fascinating (much like viewing a road accident). Bottom line: empty calories for the brain. But like junk food, hopelessly addictive.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment for Ann Rule fans
Review: I became an avid reader of Ann Rule's true crime, but her case files seem to be thinning out. Worse yet, she seems to have been distracted while writing this paperback. The name of it suggests that the major story within is called "A Rage to Kill" but there is no such story in the book. She has some minor gaffs in the writing (pleading guilty by reason of insanity?) that make you wonder if she proofread it. The Bus to Nowhere could have been called The Story to Nowhere, because she didn't go any further into the killer's motives than pointing out that he was a sloppy housekeeper with no job (I fit one of those qualities). While her earlier works were derived from more sensational stories, these are little more than cleaning out the closet.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointing Read for Fans
Review: I've read quite a few of Ann Rule's crime files editions, plus other stories and this one was really disappointing. Having read the back cover, it sounded really compelling. It said that Ann "uncovers the motives" of Silas Cool. I didn't think she did that at all. As a matter of fact, I turned to the last page and was highly surprised. It seemed as if she couldn't be bothered to finish the story. I felt as if none of my questions had been answered regarding this case. It certainly wasn't deserving of the title case. It should have been one of the bonus stories, in my opinion. Having said that, the other cases in the book were classic Ann Rule. They were well written and interesting. I gave this book 4 stars because of the bonus cases. If you are going to read it, don't expect much from the first case. The rest are very good.
Rating:
Summary: highly recommended
Review: In A RAGE TO KILL, former policewoman Ann Rule empties her files of short cases she just can't forget. Some of the stories are from her early years of writing, before serial killers like Ted Bundy made headlines -- before they made the horrific not only believable but also common place. Other stories are more recent. Some of the killers were brilliant; others captured because of their stupidity. One death isn't solved. Yet each of the stories has one element in common -- a rage to kill. Each of the stories is haunting in a different way. Whether it's a tale of a killer kidnapping beautiful young women from shopping malls, or of the young woman who saw death coming at the hands of the father of her children and was powerless to prevent her own murder, each story is written with chilling detail. All of the stories illustrates the ability of irrational violence to strike without warning, taking a life in moments. When I read other reviews of this collection, I encountered many reviewers expressing disappointment based on other work they had read by this same author. Perhaps because I haven't read many true crime novels, and my judgement system is a little different, or perhaps because I do enjoy Ann's writing style and inquisitive nature -- clearly demonstrated even with these shorter tales -- I thoroughly enjoyed A RAGE TO KILL. I heartily recommend it to all fans of true crime.
Rating:
Summary: The snake has all the lines
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Ann's done it again!
Review: That Ann Rule is held in such regard by the literary world (and this probably includes non true crime authors) should surprise no one, especially her legions of fans who await every latest book of hers with baited breath. In her 6th volume of crime stories, Ms Rule certainly proves her writing talent is 2nd to none. That she chose to write 10 short stories may have surprised some of her followers, but she is able to tell a story and draw conclusions in 20 or so pages, and how many authors have that ability? In all but 2 instances, the stories and killers she profiles in this book most likely didn't even receive a radar blip in the media. America is a country where so many murders are committed, and sadly, only the goriest and most bizarre rate a mention in the media. But Ms Rule, a woman who doesn't seek out the sensational, a woman of great empathy and compassion, gives these stories a chance to be heard and discussed. She enables all the forgotten victims an opportunity to have voices.
Rating:
Summary: Ann's done it again!
Review: That Ann Rule is held in such regard by the literary world (and this probably includes non true crime authors) should surprise no one, especially her legions of fans who await every latest book of hers with baited breath. In her 6th volume of crime stories, Ms Rule certainly proves her writing talent is 2nd to none. That she chose to write 10 short stories may have surprised some of her followers, but she is able to tell a story and draw conclusions in 20 or so pages, and how many authors have that ability? In all but 2 instances, the stories and killers she profiles in this book most likely didn't even receive a radar blip in the media. America is a country where so many murders are committed, and sadly, only the goriest and most bizarre rate a mention in the media. But Ms Rule, a woman who doesn't seek out the sensational, a woman of great empathy and compassion, gives these stories a chance to be heard and discussed. She enables all the forgotten victims an opportunity to have voices.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Collection of True Crime Cases
Review: This book differed from the others in that it had a compilation of several short cases. An interesting read. Highly recommended to those who enjoy reading true crime case studies.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This book is amazing. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I was shocked that all of these stories actually happened. These are some of the most riveting accounts of seemingly normal people who were compelled to suddenly lash out at innocent victims. In one of the stories Ann Rule tells the forces that drove Silas Cool to shoot the driver, causing the bus to plunge off the Aurora Bridge. The catastrophe left three dead, including Cool, and dozens injured. Rule also expertly constructed the unseen chain of events that resulted in an explosive tragedy. Also in this book are nine other great cases that show Ann's unique view of the human mind gone insane. You may think you know who is safe and who isn't, but Ann shows that none of us are truly safe when some people show irrational violence.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK
Review: This is a very good book,although it has made me a bit paranoid about going places or being alone.The stories in this book are very graphic,depressing,but compelling.The only flaw with this book is that at times I was bored with how long it actually took the story to begin,such as The Bus To Nowhere and The Lost Lady,although I guess its to help better understand the people and victims. Overall a very good book,i recommend it.
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