Every Breath You Take: A True Story of Obsession, Revenge, and Murder

A Cop's Appreciation

Sheila Blackthorne Bellush knew two things for sure. She knew that her ex-husband would murder her and she understood that Ann Rule was someone who would honor her with the truth in her description of Sheila's life with Allen Blackthorne and her death at his hand. I have been in law enforcement for thirty years and have investigated many crimes related to domestic violence, including homicides and suicides. Ann Rule has maintained her standard for thorough research of her subjects and the investigation and prosecution of the criminal case. Ms. Rule understands the complexities of the behaviors and relationships in cases of domestic violence. She holds true to honesty in her description of Allen Blackthorne as a master manipulator who seeks to control Sheila for years after their divorce. Ms. Rule has provided us with a glimpse into the heart of evil when Allen realizes that he can no longer control Sheila. He is successful in taking from her the one thing she has always known he would--her life. Thanks to Ann Rule for holding fast to Sheila Bullush's request to tell her story.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Too Close to Home

I feel I was lead to read this book because of my impending divorce. My soon to be ex-husband's persona is much like that of Allen Blackthorne's. Reading this book has opened my eyes to a harsh reality that makes me cringe...

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about true crime.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A very long book.

The story itself was very sad and tragic. This is the first book I read by Ann Rule. The book was at least 200 pages too long.. She was way too descriptive about everything and everyone. I lost interest in some parts of the book. I agonized over finishing the book because I didnt see an end to it. Also, the picture she paints of the victim, makes her seem like a saint. And no one is a saint. So I thought she was a bit too generous in the description of the victim. I would only recommend the book if you have a lot of time on your hands. Otherwise, pass.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

A Sad Story and a Hard to Believe Bunch of Characters

Everything in this story is hard to believe. Yet it is unfortunately a true story. Puzzling though. How could these one-time killers/plotters, four of them, managed to matter of factly conspire to kill that poor woman. How could the affable Joey Del Toro become a murderer? This book is overfilled with details but lacks specifics when describing the characters. They are all filled with contradictions. For example Sheila's new husband appears to be a child beater and a caring father at the same time. The good parts of the books are the tracing of the killer and the trial. The rest is a bit too long and too detailed. What is absolutelay useless are the one page life story of the detectives assigned to the case. Who cares about their reason for joining the force, etc.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Beyond Diabolical Describes Rule's Latest Villain

I have read all of Ms.Rule's books and this is one of her very best! The shockingly evil nature of Allen Blackthorne, the ex husband of Sheila Bellush, is exposed and developed in captivating detail as he haunts, taunts and harasses his ex-wife relentlessly across a seven year period ,leading to the prophetic, tragic and violent ending of her young life..In the eeriest twist to this tale, Sheila had asked her sister to find Ann Rule to write her story, Sheila knowing full well that she could not escape the demon that Allen Blackthorne had become.This vision by Sheila of her eventual fate, makes this story that much more compelling..the superb forensic and detective work is spellbinding as a team of lawmen, including members of the legendary Texas Rangers, tightens the net around Allen Blackthorne to bring him to justice..The trial is a 'sweaty palms' read, as I found myself worrying that somehow Allen Blackthorne would connive and feint his way through the legal system like he did as a charlatan in every other facet of his bizarre life...The research done for this great book provides a rich fabric of detail which is gripping.. Every Breath You Take is another Rule gem that you simply can't put down..a great read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It's a slow read

The book is taking me a while to get through. It goes into to much of the history of the characters. I skipped pages that I didn't feel was necessary in the book. I'm sure it will get better towards the end, if I ever get there.

Awesome book!!

Awesome book. There are some real sickos out there....

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ann Rule does it again!

One of the best book I have ever read, AnnRule is the best..Such a sad story though....

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review

Good story, but there were an incredible amount of typos and misspellings. Are all her books like that? Would like to read some more.

Fabulous

Had+me+spell+bound...very+wellwritten

Usually enjoy Ann Rule - not so much this one.

Not Ann Rule's best.

Page Turner

Although I watched this story on 48 Hours, the book is more detailed and gives a lot more information. Ann Rule is an excellent writer and very detailed in her books. If you love true crime, you will definately enjoy this book.

It's alright.

The story is good but it takes forever to get to the crime and by then you already know what is going to happen. I would try this author again, maybe. I lost interest once I got to the investigation part.

Story is fasinating - slow read at times.

The subject matter for this book was very interesting but the book itself got very slow at times.

Highly recommend

Dark & terrifying. Truly tragic. Ann always finds a way to unravel the mystery of these individuals actions, minds & those others sucked into their psychosis. I pray for all the innocent people harmed by this monster.

Chilling

You will never listen to the song 'Every Breath You Take' without remembering this story. So very sad, and preventable. A must read, before you ask for a devorce

What a real life monster

As I read this book at first I thought why all the introduction of these people of the past..but boy..it all came together. Its amazing to me how the judicial system is such a worthless run around. I understand that it works for certain types of situations but clearly this man knew all the flaws just by studying the system. He actually sits in a court room of cases that do not purtain to him (at that particular time) and takes notes of error to use later for his benifit..how pathetic! That is one pre-meditated sick mind. And Texas should be ashamed of its self to have witnessed time and time and time again how the system abuses abused women.
Protects "their own" to the point the women actually have to develope their own "safe community" for inner support emotionally and financially.
This book was such an eye opener to what and how the system can easily over look the obvious. Yet never take ownership to the systems mistakes. This Monster of a man continuously abused and used everyone and everything in his power and in his way and it took a long time for it to come full circle. I would certainly recommend reading this book so that women out there will be more aware of these smooth talkers who clearly have the power to put you in a body bag!

Makes You Feel Like You Were There

This book made me feel like I knew the Blackthornes. The way Ann Rule goes into grinding detail about their marriage and divorce, and what a nightmare Sheila's life became at the end; because of the stalking, the harassment, manipulation and the emotional abuse that she had to endure at the hands of her ex-husband. All of Rule's books go back YEARS, and cover so much more than the actual crime itself. But you feel like you were right there from Day 1. Rule's talent is unreal, and unmatched. I would highly recommend this book to true crime fans, but I have to tack on the disclaimer - some of the things that take place are very disturbing, and it's terrifying to imagine that a person could get away with these kind of things, and for as LONG as he did, while the criminal justice system turned basically a blind eye until he had killed his victim. You'll love the book because of Ann Rule's amazing writing style, but as with every one of her other books - be prepared to get a big, up close and personal, unpleasant taste of what it feels like to be on a sociopath's bad side.

You will not put this book down!

I have read many Ann Rule books but this book, by far, was my favorite. This book was very personal to Ann Rule and you find this out when you read the foreward of the book. I still can't get over how the victim was an avid reader of Ann Rule books and years prior to her story she had told her sister, that if anything would happen to her to track down Ann Rule and have her write her story. The story was so bizarre and horrific in nature, that I was emotionally involved in it from start to finish. If you read no other book of Ann Rules....read this one

A reviewer

My dad got me hooked on true crime books years ago. The first book he gave me was by Ann Rule & it was The Stranger beside me. I have read all her books. You can't go wrong with Ann Rule. This particular book was so sad & shocking. Check out the works of Ann Rule. You won't be sorry.