Small Sacrifices: The Shocking True Crime Case of Diane Downs

by Ann Rule

Book Overview

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger Beside Me comes a shocking true crime account of the destructive forces that drove a beautiful young mother to murder. "Somebody just shot... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451166604
• Release Date: July 1988
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 1.1" x 4.1"

Customer Reviews

Small Sacrifices

Book you can't put down. Ann Rule one of my favorite authors. Have read several of her books.

My first Ann Rule Book

I saw the movie back in the 90's and had read Ann's book when it came out. To this day she is my favorite true crime author and i own most of her books and re-read them every couple years!

Interesting and beautifully written

This book really hooked me from the beginning. I knew all about Diane Downs and her actions, but this book filled in all the blanks I had. Beautifully written and worth the read!

Happy !!!

Came in great shape can’t wait to read the book

Ann Rule’s finest hour

Although I’ve read other Ann Rule books that I just couldn’t get into and never finished - this is definitely not one of them. The subject matter in this book is quite serious indeed, however it was Rule’s keen observation of this Diane Downs character that has always stuck w me. Her take on Downs is spot on, and her own bewilderment at Downs’ personality and entitlement is laugh out loud hilarity at times. The style of writing in this shocking saga is pure perfection. I still follow this case insofar as Downs’ multiple appeals and (unsuccessful) attempts at parole. Thankfully the justice gods, as they were, have kept this societal misfit right where she belongs.

The book is wonderful but I was told that the book was in good condition and it is completely fallin

I have always been intrigued about the case of diane downs. I love Ann Rules writing.

Page Turner to the End.....

This book is truly one of Ann Rule's best true crime books. The story of Diane Downs is so shocking one cannot help but think, "Who could shot their own children in cold blood?" Ann Rule looks in depth at the life of Diane Downs to unearth the hidden motives of this murderess. This book is incredibly interesting to those who like the psychology behind criminal motives. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in true crime and the mind. It was definately a page turner that left me wanting more. Ann Rule has a website that keeps her fans up to date on the subjects of her books. You to can find out where Diane Downs is today.

Best True Crime book ever written

Anne Rule is a writer of uncommon intelligence and insight. In "Small Sacrifices," she tells the mesmerizing story of Diane Downs, a beautiful, brillient, sociopath, who commits the ultimate evil when she shoots her three children to gain the love of a married man. Anne Rule's insight into the personality of Downs is as horrifying as it is disturbing. I literally could not put the book down. Never have I read or heard of such a selfish, self-centered woman as Diane Downs. She never confesses to shooting her children, but her conduct at the trial is sickening. She taps her foot and smiles while listening to "Hungry Like the Wolf," the song that was playing in her car while she slaughtered her children; she laughs when she should cry, she cries when it benefits her. One daughter is dead, one has lost the use of her arm and speech, and the little boy is paralyzed. None of this horror seems to penetrate Diane. She has no feelings for her children's suffering. The detail in this book is fasinating. Anne Rule describes every bit of evidence and presents it in such a way as to keep the reader of the edge of her seat. A must read for all true crime buffs.