Book Review: Worth More Dead: And Other True Cases

This is Volume 10 in Ann Rule's Case Files. Rule is my favorite writer in the True Crime genre, and the only one I read regularly. A former police officer herself, Rule not only has an understanding of procedures and the like, she also is better able to get cooperation, interviews and information from authorities.

Rule has a natural way with unfolding the tragic and sometimes unbelievable stories. Clearly well-researched, her books always contain background on both the victim and the perpetrator, sometimes a generation or more back into their families. She also frequently includes detailed histories of the police or DAs involved. While this can be a bit much, in this book, Rule steers away from this trend, mostly because the initial story is so complex and bizarre.

Like the other Case Files books, this contains a "main" story followed by several short-story length cases. The main story in this volume is the story of an arrogant man who killed people in his life who became inconvenient. It's an odd and engrossing story, and another warning to people not to be purposely blind when it comes to love.

Unlike her other Case File books, this volume's shorter cases don't seem to follow any theme or common thread, but as always are interesting and well-written.

As always, Rule includes pictures of the people and places involved. There seemed to be less pictures than usual, though that doesn't detract from the storytelling.

4 out of 5 stars