I just took another little “break” from my Cozies – still staying with the broad “mystery” theme. It has been a while since I did this. The last time I did I read the very same author: Ann Rule. I love her true crime novels. This time I read her 1993 “A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases” (also known as Ann Rule’s Crime Files Vol. 1). Ann Rule’s crime Files are collections of several different crimes, with one longer “main” true crime that anchors the book. The “main” crime in this particular Crime Files is about Randy Roth – an apparently very charismatic woman-charmer.

While the shorter crime cases are interesting and well-written, it’s Randy Roth’s incredible, dastardly actions that stood out for me. Women, BEWARE the charmers like him!

I believe that Ann Rule is considered one of the best, if not the best true crime author. She makes the crimes (with all the people and settings) read like good fiction – and sometimes it’s hard to believe her books are based on real events.

Ann Rule had an interest in true crime even before she started writing. She was once a police woman with the Seattle police department and she also volunteered on a crisis help line – with serial killer Ted Bundy!

I think of myself as a rather slow reader – even though I took an Evelyn Wood Speed-Reading course years ago. However, every time I read one of Ann Rule’s true crime novels, it seems I truly get my money’s worth at that speed-reading course!

If you’re ever interested in reading a true crime novel >>> I strongly recommend starting with one by Ann Rule. (Even though it may spoil you when you read a true crime novel by someone else!)