[Review] Kiss Me, Kill Me and Other True Cases (Crime Files #9) by Ann Rule
TW: Rape, Murder, Graphic Descriptions
Kiss Me, Kill Me and Other True Cases (Crime Files #9)
By Ann Rule
Published by Pocket Star
5 out of 5 stars
Kiss Me, Kill Me is the ninth installment in Ann Rule’s Crime Files series and it features eleven cases that, in one way or another, involved lust and romantic relationships. This was the first Ann Rule book I’ve read, and she’s now my favorite true crime writer. What distinguishes her from all the other authors I’ve encountered so far is that you can tell how much she cares about every single victim. Rule never shames or blames them for having been involved with the men who murdered them, which is sadly a very common occurrence in this genre. Furthermore, she also doesn’t glorify the killers (another staple of true crime books), focusing instead on their victims. Who they were, how they dressed, their personality, and the people who loved them, showing the reader the person they were before they were reduced to merely the word “victim.”
The events of each case are presented in chronological order, are thoroughly explained down to the details, and written in a simple and clear manner. Rule presents the reader with information on every step of the murder investigations, including the trials. She was actually present for the trial of several murderers throughout her career as a journalist, so the reader is getting first-hand information. The most interesting chapter for me was the first one, Kiss Me, Kill Me, which also happens to be the longest. In it, the author recounts one of the first cases she worked on, and that was only solved over thirty years after it was committed due to the advancements in DNA technology.
Another highlight was the chapter, The Lonely Hearts Killer, because Rule recounts her experience working with the detective Pierce Brooks in the hunt for Harvey Glatman. Glatman’s case is considered a “classic,” he’s a serial murderer that predated the “Boston Strangler,” who many consider the first serial killer in modern culture. Detective Brooks also invited Rule to be a part of the task force responsible for setting up a tracking system to catch serial killers. The system, known as VICAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program) has been instrumental in several murder investigations since then and is commonly mentioned in crime shows, such as Criminal Minds.
There was one major issue I had with this book and it’s the same issue I’ve had with almost all true crime books/podcasts/documents I’ve come across. I believe that every true crime writer should touch (even if briefly) on certain aspects of the criminal justice system of their country. In Ann Rule’s case, those aspects would be law enforcement’s racial bias and the disparity of punishment for white people and black people. Still in that vein, the police brutality many citizens (mostly POCs) have suffered in the US, said brutality almost always goes unpunished. Furthermore, there have been several instances in which innocent people (again, mostly POC) were arrested and even executed for crimes they did not commit. Finally, it’s important to also inform the readers that there were many cases butchered by law enforcement. Either because they prosecuted an innocent just to close an investigation, ignored women who reported their abusive partners/stalkers/family members, or simply because they didn’t perform their due diligence.
Ann Rule does not mention any of that. She does quite the opposite and puts law enforcement officials on a pedestal. The author is clearly fond of the officers she has worked with in the past, which is completely understandable, but it’s also clear that she views law enforcement officers through rose-colored glasses. I’m in no way saying that all cops are bad, corrupt, racist, and violent, however, a staggering amount of them are and to pretend otherwise is harmful.
This is not part of the review but a request I’d like to make to those reading this. The last case featured in this volume is the disappearance of Julie Miner Weflen, who was kidnapped and (presumably) murdered in Spokane County on September 15th, 1987. She’s now been missing for over 30 years and the person responsible for her (presumed) death has yet to be identified. If you, or someone you know, lived or was in the area during that time, please read up on this. In case you happen to have any information that might be useful, please contact the Spokane County police department. Although it is unlikely her disappearance will be solved so many decades later, it’s still worth trying.
