Title: Small Sacrifices
Author: Ann Rule
Publisher: Estate of Ann Rule in conjunction with Renaissance Literary & Talent
Release Date: July 5, 1988 (Original Publication Date) -July 2, 2018 (This Publication)
Genre: True Crime
Anne Rule's shocking and powerful account of the destructive forces that drove Diane Downs, a beautiful mother, to shoot her three young children in cold blood.
On the evening of May 19th, 1983, Diane Downs arrived at Mckenzie-Willamette Hospital driving a blood splattered Nissan. Inside were her three children (Christie Ann 8, Cheryl Lynn 7, and Stephen Daniel 3) in critical condition, lying in the back seat suffering from fresh gunshot wounds. Downs herself had been shot in the arm and immediately told authorities that a “bushy haired stranger” flagged her down on the side of a nearby deserted road and proceeded to shoot her three children, and then herself. She claimed she barely managed to get into the car and drive off, leaving the man behind. Two of Downs’ children, Christie Ann and Stephen Daniel, were expected to make a full recovery, while Cheryl Lynn passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. Downs’ strange and cold reaction to this news was what immediately heightened the suspicions of the hospital staff and authorities, contributing to her becoming the lead suspect. As the investigation continued, her version of the story became more convoluted and new evidence against her led to her arrest.
In 1989 SMALL SACRIFICES was made into the popular TV movie of the same name starring Farrah Fawcett, which earned her an Emmy nomination.
Last year I watched a 20/20 episode that had me spellbound. It was called My Mother's Sins, and is the story of Diane Downs, the mom that was accused of trying to murder her children in the early 1980's. One of her daughter's names was Christie (mine is Christi), and being a child of the 80's myself, I latched onto this story immediately. While still watching the episode I was on Amazon downloading a copy of Small Sacrifices, and instantly attempted to devour this horrific yet mystifying story.
It took me months to get through, thanks to moving and building a house, but I have to say that I preferred to take this novel slow. There is so much information, and the story itself so unimaginable and heartbreaking, that I needed to take in the information in doses. How could a woman attempt to murder her children for a man?? This is the question that plagued me the entire time I read.
In saying that, learning about Diane Downs was fascinating. I've never known anyone that could be so selfish, making herself the victim despite her children really being the ones who truly suffered, and showing the most inappropriate emotions at the most inopportune times. Not showing emotion about her dying children, and twisting everything to be about herself, Diane is the textbook definition of a narcissist and a severe one at that. I've truly never seeing anything like it!
Though I am a true crime buff, this is the first novel I've had the opportunity to read by the late Ann Rule, and all I can say is wow! The attention to detail is unparalleled, giving every nugget of information, showing every side of a multifaceted story, leaving no stone unturned, and no questions remaining.
The entire novel is captivating, but what really left me spellbound was during Diane's trial, when Christie, Diane's only surviving daughter, took the stand as an eyewitness. The bravery that sweet little girl showed was unmatched. I also couldn't wait to read the account of Diane Downs taking the stand in her own defense, and it did not disappoint.
Astonishingly detailed, and written in the most professional manner, you can feel the respect that Ann had for the victims, those precious children, and her passion to tell the truth of this heinous act to the world. Small Sacrifices gives you the full account of one of the most unthinkable acts done to innocent children by one of the most evil killers, Diane Downs.
About the Author
Ann Rule was a popular American true crime writer. Raised in a law enforcement and criminal justice system environment, she grew up wanting to work in law enforcement herself. She was a former Seattle Policewoman and was well educated in psychology and criminology.
She came to prominence with her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, about the Ted Bundy murders. At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington Crisis Clinic, giving her a unique distinction among true crime writers.
Rule won two Anthony Awards from Bouchercon, the mystery fans' organization. She was nominated three times for the Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America. She is highly regarded for creating the true crime genre as it exists today.
Ann Rule also wrote under the name Andy Stack . Her daughter is Goodreads author Leslie Rule.
No comments
Thank you for visiting! :)