Book Review: Practice to Deceive by Ann Rule
By: Ann Rule
Genre: Non-fiction: True Crime
353 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: October 8, 2013
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Synopsis:
Nestled in Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is a gem of the Pacific
Northwest; accessible only by ferry and the soaring Deception Pass
Bridge, it is known for its artistic communities and stunning natural
beauty. Life there is low-key, insular, and the island’s year-round
residents tend to know one another’s business. But when the
blooddrenched body of Russel Douglas was discovered the day after
Christmas in his SUV in a hidden driveway near Whidbey’s most exclusive
mansions, the whole island was shocked. A single bullet between his eyes
was the cause of death, but no one could imagine who among them could
plot such a devious, cold-blooded crime. At first, police suspected
suicide, tragically common at the height of the holiday season. But when
they found no gun in or near the SUV, Russel’s manner of death became homicide. Like a cast of characters from a classic mystery novel, a host of Whidbey residents fell under suspicion.
Brenna Douglas was Russel’s estranged and soon-to-be-ex wife, who allowed him to come home for a Christmas visit with their children. The couple owned the popular Just B’s salon. Brenna’s good friend Peggy Sue Thomas worked there, and Brenna complained often to her that Russel was physically and emotionally abusive. Peggy Sue’s own life has been one of extremes. Married three times, hers is a rags-to-riches-and-back-again tale in which she’s played many roles: aircraft mechanic, basketball coach, the “drop-dead gorgeous” beauty queen as a former Ms. Washington, Las Vegas limousine driver, million-dollar horse breeder, wealthy divorcĂ©e. But in 2003, her love affair with married guitarist Jim Huden led the two Whidbey Island natives to pursue their ultimate dreams of wealth and privilege—even at the expense of human life.
Brenna Douglas was Russel’s estranged and soon-to-be-ex wife, who allowed him to come home for a Christmas visit with their children. The couple owned the popular Just B’s salon. Brenna’s good friend Peggy Sue Thomas worked there, and Brenna complained often to her that Russel was physically and emotionally abusive. Peggy Sue’s own life has been one of extremes. Married three times, hers is a rags-to-riches-and-back-again tale in which she’s played many roles: aircraft mechanic, basketball coach, the “drop-dead gorgeous” beauty queen as a former Ms. Washington, Las Vegas limousine driver, million-dollar horse breeder, wealthy divorcĂ©e. But in 2003, her love affair with married guitarist Jim Huden led the two Whidbey Island natives to pursue their ultimate dreams of wealth and privilege—even at the expense of human life.
My Thoughts:
* I received a copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this to be an engrossing read except for the parts when she veered off onto other crimes. I tended to lose interest whenever that occurred. However, when she stuck to the crime on Whidbey Island I found the book hard to put down. So, it's a ...
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