When Diane Downs and her three children were shot on a quiet, country road, residents of Springfield, Oregon, were frightened. A bushy haired stranger had flagged down their car, Diane told police, as she described how the man had coldly opened fire on her sleeping children. Despite the fact she was shot, too, the young mother managed to drive to the hospital in time to save all but one … child. But something about her story was fishy, and detectives began to suspect Diane was lying. Was it possible that she was the shooter? Absolutely not, her supporters insisted. Diane, they said, adored her children. When investigators suggested a motive, Diane was indignant. Not only would she never harm her own children, she certainly would never do it for the reason detectives suggested. Was the attractive blonde the wonderful mother she claimed to be? Or was she a woman so obsessed, she would kill her own young to achieve her goal? Ann Rule’s critically acclaimed SMALL SACRIFICES, was an instant bestseller, and later Farrah Fawcett was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Downs in the TV miniseries based on Rule’s book.
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It’s hard to choose a favorite Ann Rule book but this one is definitely in my top 10 list. She makes you feel everything the people close to the case feel, pulling you right into the story.
I felt that some of her later books were not as good but if, like me, true crime is your favorite genre, you can’t go wrong with any early Ann Rule book.
I love all of Ann Rules true crime books. Too bad she passed and we will no longer have any new books of hers to read
One of Ann Rule’s very best..
I know we have all heard about this and seen the made for TV movie but that just doesn’t prepare you for what’s in this book. I just don’t understand how any mother could do this to her children! It is a tough read but a great read! Thank you for all the work you put into it!
I haven’t read it yet
Please read the second paragraph of my review for info on Diane Downs’ DAUGHTER…
I loved reading this book years ago and had collected many of Ann Rule’s paperback and a couple of hard back books, still in great condition out of respect for Ann Rule. I even got the chance to meet her at a book signing in Seattle, Wa! I still have a digital photo of us smiling at the camera! I was very saddened and shocked when she died when I followed her on Facebook.
***READ HERE! I was listening to a podcast series called “Happy Face Presents: Two Face, Hidden in Plain Sight” which is a 10 episode series about Diane Downs’ case where the host/investigator talks about the case and does her own researching AND also interviews Diane Downs’ youngest daughter… Becky Babcock. Remember when Diane went off to prison looking really pregnant?? Well, that was with Becky! Becky was adopted into a wonderful loving family, but one day her curiosity got the best of her and she wanted to know who her biological mother was and then was told who… Her whole life changed after that. Through the years and through DNA testing and lots of digging, she eventually found and reached out to her biological father, to Diane in prison, her step-siblings, and extended family! She talks about all of this in detail. There is so much more to this case that gets revealed! The host also interviews Diane’s ex-husband and other family members by phone and email.To this day Becky is still trying to put the pieces together, but I don’t want to spoil it any more than I have. It’s fascinating, so try to find time to look that podcast up, you won’t be disappointed!!
Well written story of a psychopathic mother.
I heard about this “mother” when I was a small child and it has stayed with me all of my life. I seen bits and pieces on a tv movie when I was little. How on earth could a mother do this to her children? Ann tells this story in such a true fashion and it nearly rips your heart out reading what this woman did. And realizing she will never completely pay for what she did. The author is an amazing true crime storyteller.
This book is very eye-opening to my belief. I will not say what belief for fear someone might not read. My husband and I both think it is one our best books. Gripping courtroom scenes. Must read!
I read this book years ago and it was really disturbing, i don’t think I could read it again.
Ann rule was a wonderful writer
This is one of her most saddest and interesting true stories