Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder

Media:	Mass Market Paperback
Author:	Ann Rule
Publisher:	Signet Book
Release date:	01 July, 1988
Our price:	$7.99

Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder

Average rating: Stars

What a fantastic book!!!

I am truly a bonafide Ann Rule junkie after reading this book!!! She writes the story of Diane Downs with such detail, but with compassion for the children involved. There's not a time in my car when "Hungry Like A Wolf" comes on that I don't cringe knowing that this was the song Diane related to. I can't wait to read the rest of Ann Rules books!

Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder - Ann Rule

Diane Downs is pretty creepy

Even though this is an older crime case from the '80s, it is still fascinating and a good read. Good enough to re-read. I can only imagine how it would be written today, with more of an emphasis on the forensics. (The explanation of the beach towel absolutely haunts me). I wish that it had some updates, though, such as about Diane's later prison break, and the guy who fell in love with her when she was on Oprah. Ann Rule is not technically a great writer, but she has had her moments.

Ann Rule - Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder

"Hungry Like the Wolf"

I was skeptical when I found a used copy pf this book, but I really enjoyed it. Diane Downs proves to be as disturbed as the most notorious serial killers in Anne Rule's account of the murderous mom. Even though this is thicker than most of Rule's books, it was hard to put down.

Diane Downs was a woman that brought many issues to her adult life. She was diagnosed as having a histrionic personality disorder, an anti-social personality disorder, as well as a narcissistic personality disorder. One of these disorders can have an averse effect of a person's life. These flaws in addition to being molested as a child caused Diane to be starved for attention as well as having problems in her relationships with men.

Diane felt trapped in her marriage and became involved in several extra-marital affairs. Her obsession with a married man named Lew caused her to committ the ultimate crime. Seeing her children as a hindrance to her relationship with Lew, she attempted to kill her own three children. Even more disturbing, she shoots her children to 80's pop band Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf". The song coincides with her motive of lust and greed perfectly. Downs was only able to kill one child, while severely injuring the other two. She had committed a less than perfect crime.

After describing the events that led up to the incident, the author documents the investigation. This includes the heartbreaking story of the eldest daughter testifying against her own murderous mother in court.

With plenty of swerves that often seem too outrageous for reality, this book is a keeper. Easily, this story is as good as any horror or mystery story.

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