But I Trusted You and Other True Cases (Ann Rule's Crime Files Series #14)

First Book

All I can say is OMG!! This is my first true crime book and I am hooked on Ann Rule. I'm going the wrong way in her series (I just got done with book 13) The way she writes I feel like I know the victims of these crimes. It is touching and very sad at the same time.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Not As Good as I Expected

But I Trusted You is the fourteenth volume in author Ann Rule's "Crime Files" series, where she takes a novel length case, makes it the main focus of the book and throws in several "smaller" type cases as well. As much as I have enjoyed Ms. Rule's previous efforts, But I Trusted You left me wanting and a bit disappointed.

Let's start with the feature length case, which concerns the murder of teacher Chuck Leonard by his estranged wife Teresa. I personally did not find anything noteworthy with this case, whether it be that the actual case was a "by the book" spousal homicide or too much was left on the editing room floor. I wish there had been more background on both Chuck and Teresa and would have been happier if this had been one of the "shorter" cases included, allowing room for another true crime case to be included in this volume. I also thought the title did not coordinate with the case, as Chuck and Teresa were already separated and initiating divorce at the time of Chuck's death and neither Chuck nor Teresa trusted the other.

The second case profiled "Death in Paradise" was a very interesting case but without a firm resolution. I felt as though the story was just skimmed on the surface and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. Perhaps this would have been a better "featured" case, but with more information on all parties concerned. The title of this book, however, did fit the alleged facts of this case.

The title also fits "Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth", the third case profiled. This case was very sad to read as the laws of the 1970s prevented the victim from obtaining the protection she was seeking. Any parent reading this story will have a feeling of dread putting yourself in the victim's shoes.

"Monohan's Last Date" deals with the most vicious and cold blooded killer in the book. I felt this case had more detail than any other highlighted in the book.

"Run as Fast as You Can" seemed out of place in But I Trusted You. The killer and victim had no prior relationship and no trust issues. Perhaps the victim felt safe due to location and time but, again, it seemed an odd choice given the theme of the book.

Both "The Deadly Voyeur" and "Dark Forest: Deep Danger" dealt with individuals who ultimately put their trust in the wrong people, with fatal results. I did not like the somewhat ambiguous ending of "Dark Forest: Deep Danger" though.

Ann Rule's earlier Crime Files were fantastic, well written slices of true crime. Finishing this book, I couldn't help but wonder if she was scraping the bottom of the barrel with these. Don't get me wrong - - Ann Rule has long been my favorite true crime writer and she remains so. Her book on the Diane Downs murder investigation and case, Small Sacrifices, is one of the best written and accounted true crime masterpieces out there, as well as her tale of the Ted Bundy case, The Stranger Beside Me. For that reason, I always have very high standards for her books and this one just didn't quite peak for me.

But I Trusted You is a decent enough book and will certainly do if you are looking for a true crime compellation but I expect more from my Queen of True Crime.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Really good!

Another great book of true-crime stories by Ann Rule! The author is very detailed and thorough in her research and always manages to tie in coincidental dates and/or anniversies. Very intriging and frightening true stories; scary to realize some of the convicted criminals Rule is writing about are soon to be up for parole-hearings. Very in-depth background information; Rule is very knowledgable not only in the crime field but also in regards to psychology. Several fascinating accounts of murders and other horrific crimes solved. I would recommend any of Ann Rule's books; they are all engaging and really interesting. I can't wait for her next book to come out later this month!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

But I Trusted You and other true cases. By Ann Rule.

I bought this in hopes of finding a quick read, as I was on the road bouncing from trade show to trade show and needed something besides the usual boring television to watch. I'm glad I bought it and now am looking for more books by the same author.
This book is a terrific read for those of us who love true crime stories and figuring out HOW some of the people in our world turn out to be so mentally twisted. these stories are wonderfully written with intrigue. The author makes the crime come alive with just the right balance of true court proceedure and story telling. Each of the subjects operate their own special kind of dimented perversion and yet somehow still manage to get away with living in an everyday world.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Ann Rule's books are the best

This book and all of Ann Rule's writings are the best, none can compare to the way she brings her real subjects to life on each page. Keeps you turning the page for the next part of the story.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

It was lacking the 'center photos'

I always turn to the center of the Ann Rule books, especially if it's an old case. I love to see the big wide ties and the detectives' mustaches! Anyway, I was surprised and felt cheated. Why is the e book lacking?

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A real page-turner, from beginning to end

I picked up Ann Rule's 'But I Trusted You' to help pass the time on a snowed-in weekend, and found it to be just as engrossing as her earlier works. I thought the most fascinating case file was 'Monohan's Last Date,' about a newly-divorced man in the '70s, who tried to get involved with the 'swingers' scene, and ended up being robbed and murdered by a psychopath. The case file of the title, is the longest and most in-depth in the book, about a woman whose greed led her to destroy a potential lifetime of happiness, with the click of a trigger.
(I even let a few favorite TV shows pass, because I found the book so difficult to put down...)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

But I trusted you and Ann Rule has a clue

Intriguing, occupying, stratigic and mystifiying.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

My Daughter Loves The Book, You Have To Check It Out, Highly Recommended

I Got This Book For My Daughter For Christmas, She Is A Big Ann Rule Fan, Has A Lot Of Her Books. The Only Writer She Likes Reading.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

ann rule does it again

another good read

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Confused

I'm new to nook, do any of Ann Rule's e-books contain piictures?

Ann at her usual best

Always a good read. I've read them all and this one does not disappoint.

Tv The 3rd degree

Another great book by peterson. How in the would can this guy turn out such good material in such short order. Keep them coming.

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