Helpful Score: 3
A chilling story of the generations of harm done by incest. It drove a woman to murder her children in an ultimate plea for love and attention.
Charles T. (Gyp) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Decent character study of a narcissistic lunatic. A bit too long and it is dry as someone said earlier. Definitely worth reading for fans of the genre.
Helpful Score: 3
As always, the book far exceeds the movie. I was enthralled from the moment that I picked it up.
Jennifer N. (MoxiesMom) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
What an excelent book. Diane Downs is complete sociopath and pathelogical liar. Once again Ann Rule takes you right there.
Becky P. (Bex) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Diane Downs...what a crazy, psychotic woman. This is a fabulously told tale about a woman who would do...and did do..just about anything to get what she wanted. Just amazing.
Janet M. (Janny) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
very interesting book
Elizabeth (celeria) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 174 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Thorough, utterly readable (if not totally unbiased) account of the Elizabeth Diane Downs case in 1980s Oregon. Downs was convicted of killing one child and attempting to murder her other two children.
Dawn R. (morningwheat) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Unbelievable account of the sins of the mother taken out on her children. Chilling!
Jennie B. (MyLikeIt) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 450 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A riveting tale of a mother who murders her children by an outstanding true crime author. Heartbreaking, infuriating, fascinating.
Helpful Score: 1
An unbelieveable story that is completely true. Ann Rule is the best of the true crime writers.
Helpful Score: 1
Disturbing and chilling!
Mae N. (Skippyfool) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 100 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Taken from the back cover:
Somebody just shot my kids! Diane Downs brought her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children beside her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the shaggy-haired stranger Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children? A dedicated district attorney, haunted by this question, searched for the destructive forces that seemed to possess this beautiful young mother and uncovered a chronology of incest, psychological wounding, desperate affairs, and surrogate motherhood.
Ann Rules gripping, powerful, and ultimately terrifying true story of passion and murder will hold you in thrall as it plumbs the unimagined depths of darkness concealed within a human being.
Somebody just shot my kids! Diane Downs brought her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children beside her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the shaggy-haired stranger Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children? A dedicated district attorney, haunted by this question, searched for the destructive forces that seemed to possess this beautiful young mother and uncovered a chronology of incest, psychological wounding, desperate affairs, and surrogate motherhood.
Ann Rules gripping, powerful, and ultimately terrifying true story of passion and murder will hold you in thrall as it plumbs the unimagined depths of darkness concealed within a human being.
Helpful Score: 1
"Somebody just shot my kids!" Diane Downs brought her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children beside her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the "shaggy-haired stranger" Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children?
Helpful Score: 1
Unbelievable. True story of a woman so obsessed with winning back the love of her husband, she was willing to sacrifice anything. She goes through an elaborate scheme involving her three children, which sadly ends in the deaths of two of them. Pictures inside. Hard to put down.
Debra H. (a-gold-star) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ann Rule's shocking and powerful account of the destructive forces that drove Diane Downs, a beautiful young mother, to shoot her three young children in cold blood.
Helpful Score: 1
My first True Crime read- excellent!
Sara D. (we-love-our-greyhound) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful True Crime book! I have read numerous books from Ann Rule & have been pleased every time & this one is no different.
Jeanne L. (jadaskye) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 122 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Superb rivieting detective story. A good page turner. REALLY GOOD
Diane Down's is a sick sick lady. How could anyone shoot their kids just so a man would be with you. She just couldn't see that he just didn't want her anymore.
Leslie W. (kyyadifan) -
Aside from the horrific crime, this was a very engaging read. Diane Downs is an absolute narcissistic, cold-hearted, selfish, psychotic sociopath. I felt complete disgust for Diane and utter sympathy for her children, and all children who must suffer at the hands of others - especially a parent(s). Ann Rule does a fantastic job relating the true story of the tragedy of these children (and others who had the misfortune of crossing paths with Diane). She leaves no stone unturned and tells an unbiased account of the events leading up to the horror, the aftermath, and the trial. She even includes how irate Diane was at this book. This is a must read for any true-crime reader, but be prepared for your emotions to run wild.
I really enjoyed this book although it was a sad story. I like to read true stories and this didn't disappoint. I wanted to google the story after I finished the book. I would like to read another Ann Rule book because of this one.
Extremely sad story. Ann Rule is just one of the best writers I've read in years! I will keep reading everything this lady writes as long as she can write! I hope to be as a good a writer!
Elizabeth S. (1-14) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 9 more book reviews
the book was excellent, i have seen t movie,but the book is more detail,I would recommend this is a goodbook for people who like true crime.
The book is wonderful, heartbreaking.
Cheryl P. (cherylandtoto2) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 16 more book reviews
Of all of Ann Rule's books, this is the best. The killer's alibi will floor you!
GARY L. (LuckyGPass) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 33 more book reviews
KIND OF DRY
Bonnie P. (bonbon) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 104 more book reviews
This is a true story, very well written about a mother accused of shooting her children. As the police investigate, she insists that "a shaggy haired stranger" did it. I could not put this book down.
Sue W. (nana4) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 88 more book reviews
Excellent book! Ann Rule does it again. If you like true crime, you'll love this one.
Barbara R. (Crop4Fun) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 1217 more book reviews
Paperback book by ANN RULE
Jillian H. (JillianH) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 20 more book reviews
http://abookofadifferentcolor.blogspot.com
Small Sacrifices is the true crime story of Diane Downs, the mother that shot her three children and then drove them to the hospital with a dramatic and terrifying tale of a 'bushy-haired stranger' who had demanded Downs' car and then inexplicably shot her children when she refused.
Some of you might know this story from the Farrah Fawcett made for TV movie by the same name, personally I've not seen it, but it is on now on our Netflix.
The book has an air in incredibility, how could a mother not fight to save her children? And, when Downs becomes the prime suspect, how could a mother have shot her children as they lay sleeping in the backseat of her car.
Check out my full review at:
http://abookofadifferentcolor.blogspot.com
Small Sacrifices is the true crime story of Diane Downs, the mother that shot her three children and then drove them to the hospital with a dramatic and terrifying tale of a 'bushy-haired stranger' who had demanded Downs' car and then inexplicably shot her children when she refused.
Some of you might know this story from the Farrah Fawcett made for TV movie by the same name, personally I've not seen it, but it is on now on our Netflix.
The book has an air in incredibility, how could a mother not fight to save her children? And, when Downs becomes the prime suspect, how could a mother have shot her children as they lay sleeping in the backseat of her car.
Check out my full review at:
http://abookofadifferentcolor.blogspot.com
by Ann Rule.
"Somebody just shot my kids!" screamed blonde Diane Downs as she screeched her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children scattered around her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the "shaggy-haired stranger" Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children? A dedicated district attorney, haunted by this question, searched for the destructive forces that seemed to possess this beautiful young mother and uncovered a chronology of incest, psychological wounding, desperate affairs, and surrogate motherhood. Ann Rule's gripping, powerful, and ultimately terrifying true story of passion and murder will hold you in thrall as it plumbs the unimagined depths of darkness concealed within a human being."
"Somebody just shot my kids!" screamed blonde Diane Downs as she screeched her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children scattered around her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the "shaggy-haired stranger" Diane accused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children? A dedicated district attorney, haunted by this question, searched for the destructive forces that seemed to possess this beautiful young mother and uncovered a chronology of incest, psychological wounding, desperate affairs, and surrogate motherhood. Ann Rule's gripping, powerful, and ultimately terrifying true story of passion and murder will hold you in thrall as it plumbs the unimagined depths of darkness concealed within a human being."
Irene W. (sky) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 131 more book reviews
Somebody just shot my kids? screamed blonde Diane Downs as she screeched her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children scattered around her. Thus begins the shocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the "shaggy-haired stranger" Diane accused of shooting 8 year old Christie, 7-year old Cheryl, and 3-year old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children? A dedicated district attorney, haunted by this question, searched for the destructive forces that seemed to possess this beautiful young mother and uncovered a chronology of incest, psychological wounding, desperate affairs, and surrogate motherhood.
Ann Rules gripping, powerful and ultimately terrifying true story of passion and murder will hold you in thrall as it plumbs the unimagined depths of darkness concealed within a human being.
Ann Rules gripping, powerful and ultimately terrifying true story of passion and murder will hold you in thrall as it plumbs the unimagined depths of darkness concealed within a human being.
Neomi M. (truecrimefan) reviewed Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder on + 115 more book reviews
"Somebody just shot my kids!" screamed blonde Diane Downs as she screeched her car to a halt in front of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital, her three gravely wounded children scattered around her. Thus begins the schocking tale of a truly unthinkable crime that shattered the tranquility of a tight-knit community. As police searched for the "shaggy-haired stranger" Diane acccused of shooting 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 3-year-old Danny in cold blood, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying that the crime itself: Did Diane shoot her own children?
