ANOTHER OVER-LONG, MEANDERING MIX

I've always been a solid Ann Rule, buying every true crime book that she's written over the past 30 years. In print, Rule's books were compelling, well-researched, and hard to put down. However, this was BEFORE the general public became as savvy as this author in police procedure, forensics, and crime solving, thanks to the plethora of true crime and forensic science shows which "rule" today's television programming. Still, I purchased Ann Rule's Audible.com collections in spite of owning all of her main stories in hard copy. After listening to 5 or 6 of these compilations, I found that the longer "anchor" books are much better in the abridged versions because, rather than edit these stories for relevancy in the new millennium, Rule chose to retain information that was new and cutting edge in the 1980s but is now just repetitive and unnecessary. However, if you are new to Ann Rule, you will likely find her as entertaining as I did decades ago.

NOTE: I really wish Audible and Amazon would cease referring to Rule as a "former Seattle police woman" when the truth is that she was unable to pass the required eye test for the force. This misleading bit of info makes a reader think that a Rule gained some insider training as a policed officer and internal support as a member of the "the thin blue line". In actuality, she was just a good researcher and crime reporter during her prime which has long since ended as evidenced by these rehashed and out-dated entries in her "true crime files".

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17 people found this helpful

A crime to publish this twaddle...

I'm surprised at the high ratings for this book. Not what I've come to expect from Ann Rule!!

I respect Ms Rule's work tremendously, but this particular book is very poorly written. The narrative is strange and disorganized; the details are jumbled; the metaphors and analogies are trite and forced, and worst of all, the dialogue/testimony from key witnesses and characters is melodramatic and not believable. The case is interesting, but the writing is so disappointing that I couldn't finish listening, stopping once I reached the trial.

I've read and enjoyed quite a few of Rule's true crime books. I'm a big fan! I recently listened to her story about Ted Bundy for the first time and enjoyed it tremendously. This author can certainly write better than this amateur piece. I almost think someone else used her name!!

The story itself is bizarre. While I have no doubt the facts of the case are true, I have difficulty accepting the testimony of the wife as written in this book. Actually, all the dialogue is so poorly written that it sounds made up. The interviews between the murder squad detective and the "bad" cop, which take place in the car, are really strange and hard to follow. I don't want to give away any details, so I can't really say more, except that it was so bad that it was almost funny. Where was the editor???

Perhaps the narrator made it worse than it would be in print. I was somewhat irritated by the voices she attempted for each character. I normally like Laurel Merlington. I normally like Ann Rule, as well. So I can't put my finger on why this audiobook was so disappointing.



My advice is to skip this one.

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10 people found this helpful

Another Ann Rule Audiobook worth the wait.

What made the experience of listening to You Belong to Me the most enjoyable?

The cases Ann Rule investigated were interesting - as usual for Ann Rule.

What was one of the most memorable moments of You Belong to Me?

All the cases kept my attention, but none that were memorable.

What does Laural Merlington bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great reading voice, I always enjoy the tone of her voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The reaction I generally get from an Ann Rule book, shake my head and glad I haven't met the people she writes about.

Any additional comments?

I always look forward to Ann Rule audiobooks. They are too few and far between. For sure get the unabridged version of this audiobook. I originally bought the abridged version and it felt incomplete after finishing listening to it. The unabridged version is the way to go.

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5 people found this helpful

Review purely based on performance

I can't speak to the book/story itself (they may be much better than one star, I just don't know). However, the narrator sounded like a robot. It was terrible, like if Siri became an audible reader. If you want to give me step by step navigation instructions, fine, but it doesn't work for reading a true crime story. I couldn't get past 5 minutes... I'm not even sure what was said because I couldn't focus due to how bad the narration was.

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2 people found this helpful

Narrator

I don't care for her voice. I did not enjoy the listen, not at all.

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1 person found this helpful

i enjoyed the first story in the book.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

the first story was. and the others were not so good. the last was ok.

Would you recommend You Belong to Me to your friends? Why or why not?

no, but i would recommend reading the first story in this book.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Laural Merlington?

sure. i have heard some great readers. she was clear but not great. i enjoyed her reading though.

Do you think You Belong to Me needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no, it is several stories. complete in themselves.

Any additional comments?

i prefer a one story book. but the several story book is good for my sig. other. he falls asleep during good and bad books. short is better for him. i end up rereading the books usually 10 times or more by the time the book is done. he is 10 years older than me tho and maybe i will be the same way in ten years.

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1 person found this helpful

my first ann rule

Where does You Belong to Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

about middle, it wasn't bad and it kept my attention at work.

What did you like best about this story?

variety, I was a little bored at the beginning when she went into the history of everyone, but as the story unraveled I saw where it was important to know where these characters had come from.

What three words best describe Laural Merlington’s performance?

smooth, clear, and non-irritating

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

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1 person found this helpful

Tragic story

Riveting. I listened in my car AND read at home. I’m hooked on Ann Rule’s crime stories. Tastefully done.

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Just goes on and on.

I feel like this could be a good crime story but ironically goes into too much detail. Just goes on and on. Tell me about the murders already. 3 hours in and I’ve only learned personalities of the murderer, wife, and I’m assuming one of the victims but it’s been about 2 chapters about the same size woman’s life. I just can’t listen anymore.

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What A Pro!

Ann Rule is the first crime writer I have read who masterfully explains aspects of the justice system that may be misunderstood by the reading public. In addition, her reporting is solid, focused, and data based. She does not confuse civil and criminal proceedures, for example, but instead, often explains the difference. She also has great insight into evidence, victims, perps,, investigators, attorneys, and human nature in general.

Clean clear writing!

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