Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder (Signet)

by Ann Rule

Book, 1988

Genres

General Nonfiction

All Topics

Nonfiction

Collection

Your library

Publication

Signet (1988), Mass Market Paperback, 496 pages

Description

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger Beside Me comes ashocking true crime account of the destructive forces that drove a beautiful young mother to shoot her three young children in cold blood. "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 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, a suspicion grew that was even more horrifying than the crime itself- Did Diane shoot her own children? Haunted by this question, a dedicated district attorney searched for the answer 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.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jshillingford

This is the book that hooked me on true crime novels. Diane Downs committed a horrifying crime. She killed one of her children and tried to kill the other two. She blamed a imaginary assailant, but the truth quickly came out. Rule unravels the motivation behind Diane's actions, the determination of

authorities to uncover the truth and hold her repsonsible and the unbelievable courage of her daughter - who testified against her. An awesome and terrible book, a must read.

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LibraryThing member autarkia79

This book was fascinating! This is the first book by Ann Rule that I've ever read. Diane Downs was such an interesting case study. If you like reading about female pathological liars and sociopaths, this is your book. I couldn't put it down. It's written in a style that makes you feel like you're

right there as this case is unfolding. I like that the author tried to make you spend a little time in Downs' head and get a little of what her background was, and what led up to her shooting her children.

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LibraryThing member WanitaCoy

Ann does a great job at letting you glimps into the mind of the killer

LibraryThing member whirled

Small Sacrifices is a gripping and suspenseful read, even for those familiar with the case of convicted child killer Diane Downs, who shot her three young children to secure the love of a married man. Bestselling true crime author Ann Rule dissects the actions and character of all the main players

in the shooting tragedy, exploring in forensic detail the possible motives of Downs, a diagnosed narcissistic sociopath. A chilling and fascinating book.

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LibraryThing member bribre01

Fascinating and creepy, but it got a bit tedious and repetitive.

LibraryThing member loubigfish

Riviting... and exciting. This book was about a woman who care only for herself. She was selfish and demented. The kids were adoreable and living in hell and no one ever knew... Thank you Fred Hugi... and others.... Great read and a moving story about how a criminal's mind works... The Lord works

in His magic in His own time... Great write and author Ann Rule does wonders with crime stories. Would highly recommend.

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LibraryThing member lesliewright34

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.

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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus

What could possibly motivate a mother of three to shoot her own children? This very question is posed and answered in Ann Rule's best seller, Small Sacrifices. Diane Downs is a sociopath and complex character. Her story, Small Sacrifices,will break your heart.

The story begins with Diane Downs

driving to the hospital and reporting her children have been shot by an unknown man who stopped them on the road. Through flashbacks we get to know Diane, her early life and her experiences. We follow the police investigation as they start to tie her to the horrible act. We then move on to the court case which plays out with so much drama you don't realize you're reading about an actual event.

I originally read this book when it was first published and recently watched the late 80's made-for-TV movie starring Farrah Fawcett. Probably because of that, when I had a reading challenge that called for rereading a book, I immediately thought of this one. No matter how many times you read it you will still be horrified by what Diane Downs did. Horrified or not, you'll be gripped by this fascinating true crime story.

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LibraryThing member nandamom74

Great book. Fascinating story.

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