Ann Rule Books in Order
The complete guide to Ann Rule's true crime books, featuring order of publication, summaries of her Crime Files series, and recommendations on where to start.
Last updated: December 18, 2025
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Publication Order
37 books
Lying in Wait and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2014
A collection focused on premeditated crimes and ambushes. Rule details cases where killers patiently stalked their victims or laid traps, highlighting the calculated nature of their malice.
Practice to Deceive
by Ann Rule
2013
The murder of Russel Douglas on Whidbey Island. Rule untangles a bizarre web involving a beauty queen, her lover, and a disgruntled wife, showing how a small-town homicide investigation uncovered a complex conspiracy.
Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2012
This anthology examines the danger next door. The cases focus on community tragedies where the killer was a familiar face—a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend.
Don't Look Behind You
by Ann Rule
2011
A collection of hidden dangers and secret lives. The stories illustrate how the past can come back to haunt the present, and how predators often hide in plain sight.
In the Still of the Night
by Ann Rule
2010
The suspicious death of Ronda Reynolds, initially ruled a suicide. Rule follows the tireless crusade of Ronda's mother to prove her daughter was murdered, exposing flaws in the initial investigation.
But I Trusted You and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2009
Stories of ultimate betrayal by friends, lovers, and colleagues. Rule focuses on the shock and devastation that follows when a trusted companion turns out to be a killer.
Mortal Danger and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2008
A collection about high-stakes risks and fatal outcomes. These files cover cases where victims found themselves in perilous situations, often unaware of the mortal danger lurking in their everyday lives.
Too Late to Say Goodbye
by Ann Rule
2007
The story of Jenn Corbin and Dolly Hearn, two women linked by their relationships with Bart Corbin. Rule uncovers how a double-murder mystery solved decades apart revealed a dentist's deadly pattern of control.
Smoke, Mirrors, and Murder and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2007
Accounts of con artists and manipulators who created false realities to entrap their victims. The stories reveal how easily intelligence and kindness can be exploited by those without a conscience.
No Regrets and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2006
This volume spotlights killers who refused to admit guilt or show sorrow. Rule examines the chilling mindset of criminals who justify their actions regardless of the evidence against them.
Worth More Dead and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2005
A collection focusing on greed as a motive for murder. The central cases involve spouses and family members who decided that an insurance payout was more valuable than a human life.
Kiss Me, Kill Me and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2004
Stories of romance turned lethal. This anthology looks at relationships that began with passion and ended in violence, highlighting the warning signs that were missed until it was too late.
Green River, Running Red
by Ann Rule
2004
Rule’s massive investigation into the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway. Having reported on the case for twenty years, she chronicles the lives of the many victims and the relentless police work that finally caught the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history.
Without Pity
by Ann Rule
2003
A collection examining cold-blooded killers who show no remorse. The stories delve into the lack of conscience that allows certain individuals to commit brutal acts against friends and strangers alike.
Heart Full of Lies
by Ann Rule
2003
The case of Liysa Northon, who claimed she killed her pilot husband in self-defense. Rule reconstructs the life of a woman who wove a complex tapestry of fabrications to justify a calculated murder.
Last Dance, Last Chance
by Ann Rule
2001
This volume features the bizarre case of a doctor who poisoned his wife, among other stories. Rule explores how desperate individuals try to dance around the truth to escape justice.
Every Breath You Take
by Ann Rule
2001
The heartbreaking story of Sheila Bellush, a mother of quadruplets who was murdered in her Florida home. Rule traces the crime back to a bitter ex-husband and a hired hitman in a cross-country conspiracy.
Empty Promises and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
2001
A collection of cases where trust was met with betrayal. The stories focus on victims who believed the lies of those closest to them, leading to devastating and often fatal consequences.
Jerry Harris Case
by Ann Rule
1999
A detailed account of the disappearance of Jerry Harris, a self-made millionaire whose vanishing exposed a web of greed and treachery. This case highlights the relentless determination of his wife to find answers.
And Never Let Her Go
by Ann Rule
1999
The case of Thomas Capano, a politically powerful Delaware lawyer who murdered his secretary, Anne Marie Fahey. Rule details the massive investigation and the arrogance of a man who thought he was above the law.
A Rage to Kill and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
1999
A Crime Files anthology exploring the minds of killers who snap. The collection delves into the psychology of sudden violence, including the story of a bus driver whose secret life led to the abduction of a child.
The End of the Dream
by Ann Rule
1998
The saga of Scott Scurlock, known as the "Hollywood Bandit," who lived a double life as a charismatic ecologist and a prolific bank robber. His spree ended in a violent shootout that shattered the lives of his friends.
In the Name of Love and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
1998
Features the case of Jerry Harris, a wealthy businessman who vanished, leaving his wife to hunt for the truth. Rule uncovers a plot of betrayal by a trusted friend who coveted Harris's life and fortune.
Bitter Harvest
by Ann Rule
1997
The tragic case of Debora Green, a brilliant doctor whose marriage and career crumbled, leading to a horrific house fire that killed two of her children. Rule examines the mental collapse that preceded the crime.
A Fever in the Heart and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
1996
A collection focusing on crimes of passion, jealousy, and fatal attractions. The headline case involves a love triangle that turned deadly, showcasing how intense emotions can drive otherwise ordinary people to violence.
Dead By Sunset
by Ann Rule
1995
The story of Brad Cunningham, a charismatic and ambitious man who left a trail of battered women and financial ruin. When his wife, an attorney, was found dead, it sparked a high-stakes legal battle to prove he was the killer.
You Belong to Me and Other True Crime Cases
by Ann Rule
1994
This collection leads with the case of Tim Harris, a Florida highway patrolman who swore to protect but became a predator. Other cases explore the dark side of obsession and the fatal consequences of possessive love.
A Rose for Her Grave and Other True Cases
by Ann Rule
1993
The first volume in the Crime Files series features the case of Randy Roth, a mechanic whose wives had a habit of dying in tragic accidents. It also includes other accounts of killers who hid behind a mask of normalcy.
Everything She Ever Wanted
by Ann Rule
1992
The story of Pat Taylor, a Southern belle who seemed to have it all, but whose path was strewn with mysterious illnesses and death. Rule exposes a cold-blooded sociopath who used poison and manipulation to maintain her lifestyle.
If You Really Loved Me
by Ann Rule
1991
The case of David Brown, a manipulative computer genius who persuaded his teenage daughter to kill his wife. A shocking look at a master puppeteer who treated his family like pawns in a deadly game.
Small Sacrifices
by Ann Rule
1987
The harrowing story of Diane Downs, who drove into an emergency room claiming a stranger had shot her three children. Rule unravels the twisted reality of a mother whose obsession with a lover led her to commit the unthinkable.
The I-5 Killer
by Ann Rule
1984
An account of Randall Woodfield, a handsome former football player drafted by the Green Bay Packers who became a serial predator. He terrorized the I-5 corridor, committing a string of robberies and murders while maintaining his charming public image.
Mind Games
by Ann Rule
1984
A terrifying story of survival and psychological manipulation, exploring the dark corners of the human mind. This title delves into the power dynamics between predator and victim.
The Want-Ad Killer
by Ann Rule
1983
The case of Harvey Carignan, a drifter who used newspaper want-ads to lure young women with offers of employment. Rule traces his long history of violence and the legal loopholes that allowed him to kill again.
Possession
by Ann Rule
1981
In Ann Rule's only novel, a woman’s camping trip in the Cascades turns into a nightmare when her husband is killed and she is taken captive by a survivalist. To stay alive in the wilderness, she must play a dangerous psychological game with her captor.
Lust Killer
by Ann Rule
1981
The true story of Jerry Brudos, a polite family man and electronics expert who hid a dark obsession. Behind the facade of his suburban life, he was a fetishist and murderer who preyed on young women in Oregon.
The Stranger Beside Me
by Ann Rule
1980
Ann Rule’s definitive account of her time working at a suicide hotline alongside Ted Bundy. While she viewed him as a kind, sensitive friend, he was secretly carrying out a cross-country killing spree. A chilling blend of memoir and investigative journalism.
Where should I start?
If you are new to Ann Rule: The Stranger Beside Me is her most famous work, detailing her personal friendship with serial killer Ted Bundy.
If you want a gripping family drama: Small Sacrifices → If You Really Loved Me → Everything She Ever Wanted.
If you prefer shorter cases: A Rose for Her Grave → You Belong to Me → A Fever in the Heart.
Author bio
Ann Rule (1930–2015) remains a defining voice in the world of American true crime writing. For decades, she was much more than just a reporter of facts; she was a storyteller who brought a deep sense of empathy to every case she touched. While many writers in the genre focused on the sensational aspects of violence, Rule was known for her meticulous attention to forensic detail and her genuine care for the victims.
Her path to becoming a best-selling author started long before she ever published a book. Born in Lowell, Michigan, Rule was practically raised in the family business of law enforcement. Her grandfather and uncle were sheriffs, and a cousin served as a prosecutor. While other children might have spent their summers at camp, Rule spent hers volunteering at local jails.
This unusual upbringing sparked a lifelong fascination with the criminal mind. She wanted to understand what made people cross the line.
Before she became a full-time author, Rule gained invaluable real-world experience. She worked as a caseworker and even served as a police officer in the Seattle area. These jobs were crucial to her later success. They grounded her writing in the gritty realities of investigation. She didn't just know the procedures; she understood the language, the exhaustion, and the emotional toll of police work.
However, her career took a harrowing, personal turn in the 1970s. The story of how she became a household name is something that sounds like fiction, but it was all too real.
During this time, Rule was volunteering at a suicide crisis hotline in Seattle. She worked the night shift alongside a young psychology student named Ted Bundy. To Rule, he was a kind, trustworthy friend who would walk her to her car to ensure she was safe. They saved lives together, side by side.
At the very same time, Rule was reporting on a series of brutal, unsolved murders for a new book contract. She spent her days hunting a shadowy killer and her nights sitting next to Bundy. It was only later that the devastating truth clicked into place: the sensitive friend she trusted was the very monster she was writing about.
The resulting book, The Stranger Beside Me, became a landmark in the genre. It wasn't just an investigation; it was a chilling personal memoir of betrayal. It changed the way people read true crime.
Over the next three decades, Rule proved she was far more than a one-hit wonder. She published more than thirty books, cementing her status as the queen of the genre. Her works included massive undertakings like Green River, Running Red, which detailed the hunt for the Green River Killer. She also produced the popular "Crime Files" anthologies, which allowed her to cover multiple cases in a single volume.
Rule had a special knack for finding the cracks in the facade of seemingly perfect lives. In books like Small Sacrifices and Everything She Ever Wanted, she showed readers that evil doesn't always lurk in dark alleyways. Sometimes, it hides inside beautiful suburban homes.
Readers responded to her because she had a compassionate voice. She didn't just chronicle gore for entertainment. She focused on the lives interrupted by violence and the detectives who worked tirelessly to seek justice.
Rule continued writing until her death in 2015. She left behind a legacy that transformed true crime from cheap sensationalism into complex, character-driven narratives. Today, her work remains the gold standard for anyone interested in the genre.
Edited by
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