Worth More Dead by Ann Rule

The Crime Files #10 compiles riveting and chilling true cases that seem to be related under the headline "Worth More Dead". Every case is unique on its own way and develops a simple and easy to follow prose that make this a quick and worthwhile read. This is no bedside reading (for some readers that is) but it is indeed pure and unbiased. Rule makes a huge effort in being impartial throughout the whole series and she seriously accomplishes this. She is a wonderful writer that certainly knows the perks of keeping the reader focused. Worth More Dead R: 3/5 An unbearably long case that gives the title to the collection focuses on the crime of the murder of Cheryl Pitre under the hands of Roland Pitre. Rule develops Pitre's character focusing on his ability to manipulate everyone around him. We get to witness justice being made with a lot of lingering throughout the years, that can only be blamed towards Pitre's snake like behavior. Also, we get to hate Roland Pitre on our own and not by Ann Rule's influence, which is certainly appreciated. It's Really Weird Looking at My Own Grave R: 4/5 A good witness is key to an investigation. When the chips are down, no one is fully expected to keep a crystal-like memory in the facts that were to destroy their life. The panic and shock burdens the capacity of thought and most notably the ability to memorize stuff. This was not the case for William Scribner's victims. With their wit and their fast thinking, they were able to not only escape murder but also served as a vital part in solving their own cases. It was amazing to witness two young women fleeing danger using what was purest and natural in them, given the circumstances. Old Man's Darling R: 5/5 Homicides done by a woman are difficult to find. It's easy to exclude a woman as a human uncapable of being a benefactor of crime and hard to comprehend that they are just as capable as any other man of conceiving serious crime. The case of Randy Yoder's murder is not only unbelievable to the unbeknownst acquaintances of the murdered, but also scarily common. A crime driven by obsession and possession. Completely dominating the victim to their own need and benefit, destroying every faculty and becoming a master, are two of many thoughts that might've been the inciters in this terrible crime. The description of the crime in this story is particularly good, and I love me a good crime story. All For Nothing R: 4/5 This was a multiple murder that affected Rule's own acquaintance. The description of the crime scene and nature of the crime is beautiful in itself and once again, this is a story that is characterized by jealousy and the desire of possessing the victim. This seems to be the main impulsive force in every crime that implies a personal relationship between the executor and the victim but this doesn't mean that it can be easily predicted. Great story that invites to a lot of insight on the reader's part. The reading of this story is rich and accomplishes it's purpose. A Desperate Housewife R: 4/5 The last story of the book serves as a swift conclusion a work full of despair and human suffering. I believe this story was chosen to conclude the book simply because Carolyn Durall appeared to have a nice life, with nice pleasures and a nice family. No one ever noticed the rotten core of the Durall family that was brought in by the instability of the narcissistic husband Bob Durall. Carolyn certainly deserved better, given the circumstances that she never did anything wrong to harm her family or specifically her husband. She never could even begin to consider the thought of being killed by her own husband. All she ever did was try to save her marriage with desperate measures and received the dawn of her life. It's clear that the criminal mind is fascinating in it's own way. The causes and specific stimuli that drive a human towards murder will never be fully understood, but when human obsession is on the recipe, we may have certain clues to ascertain the causes that triggered this sort of response. Every criminal listed in this book could have certain narcissistic traits (I'm no psychologist, for the record) that incited them to prioritize their needs before anyone else's, not even considering rational thought. What the rational mind would've done in this sort of situations is exclusively focused on analytical thought, a characteristic that this criminals possessed on some stages of their modus operandi but that they completely abandoned on their decision making, ultimately condemning themselves to sentence. They tried to subdue their victim like a puppet and the feeling of possession grew so great to them that they ended up deserting even their own instincts, being unable to recognize themselves. They were dangerous in the free roaming of society but luckily the investigator and police work was thorough. It is no wonder that everyone that reads this book is in some measure aroused by satisfaction for the fact that these criminals are behind bars never to be seen in society ever again. The isolation from society and free will is the worst punishment of all, but the weight of loosing human life is much stronger. Ann Rule mentions: "The ripples that spread out from violent crime always wash over innocent people" and I believe she's a distributor of those ripples.