Leslie Rule and Ann Rule are both well-known authors of crime and paranormal books, but are they related? The answer is yes, they are mother and daughter. Leslie Rule is the youngest of Ann Rule’s four children, and she inherited her mother’s passion for writing and investigating mysteries. In this article, we will explore the relationship between Leslie and Ann, their careers as writers, and some of the similarities and differences in their works.
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A Mother-Daughter Bond
Leslie Rule was born on February 25, 1958, in Seattle, Washington. She grew up in a family that had a strong connection to law enforcement and crime. Her grandfather and uncle were sheriffs in Michigan, another uncle was a medical examiner, and a cousin was a prosecutor. Her mother, Ann Rule, was a former police officer who became a freelance writer for true crime magazines under the pen name “Andy Stack”
Leslie was exposed to the world of crime and murder at a young age, as she often accompanied her mother to court trials and crime scenes. She also helped her mother with research and photography for her articles and books
One of the most shocking experiences for Leslie was meeting Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer who was a friend and co-worker of her mother at a suicide crisis hotline center in Seattle. Leslie later learned that Bundy had killed dozens of young women, some of whom were her age or younger
Despite the dark and disturbing nature of her mother’s work, Leslie had a close and loving relationship with her. She described her mother as “the most wonderful person in the world” and “the best mom ever” She also admired her mother’s talent and success as a writer, calling her “a genius” Leslie followed her mother’s footsteps and pursued a career in writing, focusing on paranormal and suspense genres.
Leslie Rule has written over a dozen books, including two novels and several non-fiction books on ghosts, spirits, angels, and miracles. She has also written dozens of articles for various magazines, such as Reader’s Digest, Woman’s World, and Fate She said that she became interested in the paranormal because she grew up in a haunted house that was built on a Native American burial ground on Puget Sound. She also claimed that she had experienced several ghostly encounters throughout her life
Ann Rule has written over 30 books, mostly true crime stories based on real cases that she researched extensively. She is best known for her debut book, The Stranger Beside Me (1980), which is about her personal relationship with Ted Bundy and his crimes. She also wrote several bestsellers, such as Small Sacrifices (1987), about Oregon child murderer Diane Downs; Green River, Running Red (2004), about serial killer Gary Ridgway; and Too Late to Say Goodbye (2007), about dentist Bart Corbin who killed his wives
Both Leslie and Ann have received critical acclaim and recognition for their works. Leslie has been praised for her vivid descriptions, compelling narratives, and thorough research on the paranormal phenomena Ann has been hailed as “the queen of true crime” and “America’s best true-crime writer” by critics and fans alike She has also won several awards, such as the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America and the Anthony Award from the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention
A Contrast in Style and Subject
While Leslie and Ann share a common interest in writing and crime, they have different styles and approaches to their subjects. Leslie prefers to write fiction or non-fiction stories that involve supernatural elements, such as ghosts, spirits, angels, or miracles. She said that she likes to explore the mysteries of life after death and the possibility of communication between the living and the dead. She also said that she writes from a personal perspective, based on her own experiences or beliefs
Ann prefers to write non-fiction stories that focus on human psychology, behavior, and motivation behind crimes. She said that she likes to analyze the minds of criminals and their victims, as well as the social and legal aspects of their cases. She also said that she writes from an objective point of view, based on facts, evidence, interviews, and documents
Leslie’s stories tend to be more imaginative, creative, and speculative than Ann’s stories. Leslie often uses fictional elements or scenarios to enhance her stories or to illustrate her points. For example, in her novel Whispers from the Grave (1995), she tells the story of a woman who inherits a haunted house from her aunt and discovers a family secret involving murder. In her book Coast to Coast Ghosts (2001), she recounts various ghost stories from different states in America, some of which are based on legends or folklore
Ann’s stories tend to be more realistic, factual, and detailed than Leslie’s stories. Ann often uses actual names, dates, locations, and events to tell her stories or to support her arguments. For example, in her book Small Sacrifices, she chronicles the life and trial of Diane Downs, who shot her three children and blamed a stranger for the crime. In her book Green River, Running Red, she documents the investigation and capture of Gary Ridgway, who killed at least 49 women in Washington state
A Legacy of Crime Writing
Leslie Rule and Ann Rule are both successful and influential authors of crime and paranormal books. They are also related by blood and by passion. They have a strong mother-daughter bond that transcends their differences in style and subject. They have also inspired and supported each other in their careers and lives.
Leslie said that she learned a lot from her mother, not only about writing, but also about life. She said that her mother taught her to be compassionate, courageous, and curious. She also said that her mother was her role model and hero
Ann said that she was proud of her daughter, not only for her achievements, but also for her personality. She said that her daughter was talented, intelligent, and kind-hearted. She also said that her daughter was her friend and confidante
Leslie Rule and Ann Rule are both remarkable women who have made significant contributions to the field of crime writing. They are both respected and admired by readers and critics alike. They are both part of a family legacy that will continue to fascinate and educate generations to come.
