The Want-Ad Killer (True Crime)

Anne Rule has done it again. She has written a true crime book that encapsulates the life and murders of a serial killer. This book is informative and interesting

As always, Ann Rule delivers the complete account of a monster who has lived among us posing threats to many young women. Harvey Carignan, who characterizes himself as a victim of all the signicant women in his life seeks revenge wielding power over women he has lured into his vehicle. Some lived to testify of a terrifying ordeal! I couldn't fall asleep after reading 2/3 if the book. Yet, when it happened, I felt an eerie presence. A shadow of a huge man covered me and a cold shiver went through my body like a sharpened knife. Without my head leaving the pillow from the living room sofa, I ran to my bedroom with that ghastly behemoth upon my heels and his hot breath on the back of my neck!! I closed the bedroom door locking it behind me! My feet were firmly planted so that I too would not feel the pangs of horror so many women before me had felt. I have got to stop reading these books! True crime is the most frightening genre of literature. My eyes opened and my heart was racing until I realized it was just a nightmare induced by reading The Want Ad Killer by Ann Rule. There are no happy ending in true crime. However the author does this story and the countless victims who suffered by the hand if this monster as much justice as possible. Great read for true crime fanatics!

I have been reading true crime and Ann Rule for years. Ann Rule has the gift of letting you in to the lives of these people both predators and victims. Her books feel like novels because she is one of the good TC authors that seems to research her books rather than copying news articles and court transcripts. I have no idea how I missed this book when it was first released. I am glad that I found it while shopping for a kindle book on Amazon. I don't normally like books about serial killers but I did enjoy reading this one.We got to see and know the victims which in a lot of times are lost as writers focus only on the killers. Harvey was a very brutal, cruel person and as always we see where he was not sentanced enough time and got out of prison to commit even worse crimes than before.I think all true crime readers will enjoy this book.

I always rate Ann Rule book very highly, her writing style is clear and has enough background detail to keep the story flowing along. I have not come across a book from Ann that I did not enjoy. Its a shame that her stories are true, its terribly sad to read of the deaths and heartbreak that come with the murders she writes about. I bought this kindle book not realizing that I had read it years ago in paperback. They have rehashed the cover page and I did not recognize it. But, still its a very well told true story. Well done Ann!

I read this after finishing Small Sacrifices. Had I read this first, I might have given a more enthusiastic review. In comparison, this book was just OK. I recognize that the author can create material in a true crime story to make it more entertaining, however, the telling was not as engaging. I was prepared to plow through all of AR's books, but this one caused me to take a break. Still an interesting read, but definitely not her best work.

This is a book about one of the most repulsive murderers ever. Ann Rule does another great job in describing the cunning and evil bent of one of the nation's most dangerous people of the 20th century. The tragic results of this man's evil on the families and friends cannot be measured. I have given most of Ms.Rule's books a 5-star rating and gave this book a little lower rating because of some information being repeated two or three times. Still, it is a good book and worth the time.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ann Rule. I know she precedes fellow true-crime authoress Kathryn Casey, but I find them comparable in many ways. Actually I found Ann by way of reading Kathryn’s books. Both women clearly deep-dive research gruesome but fascinating tales of murder, debauchery, and human beings devoid of conscience. I can’t find any flaws in Ann’s writing style or storytelling. If you can handle the shocking details of a real-life boogeyman’s habitual and ritualistic murders and assaults on numerous innocent women, read this book. I now plan to read more, if not all of Ann’s novels.

I have been reading Ann Rule's books for years. In fact, I have read every book she has ever published and I believe I read The Want Ad Killer for the first time in 1983 and read it again just now on my new Kindle. She is my favorite author. I absolutely love the way she weaves a story. She is the best True Crime AUTHOR! My dearest true friend, Delores and I just can't wait for any of her "next" books and we have said for years how much talent she has for the written word. Each time I read a book, I say "this is my favorite" and then she comes up with another one... Everyone should read "A Rose for her Grave" by Ann Rule. Keep writing Ann you are the best and we love you! Sue A. Sayles author of For Better, For Worse.

Ann Rule has a set structure for her books and this one is no different. However, I really appreciate the style and the clarity of her writing. The way she is able to construct a compelling and engaging text from some of the worst excesses of human cruelty and depravity is remarkable. The reader feels that they are witnessing the crimes outlined, but in such a way that the victims remain the heart and centre of the occurrences. The victims are always the most important part of her work, not the criminal.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was written very well.

Ann rule is/was amazing! Never read a book of hers that I didn’t like

Drawn instantly into the story, compelling throughout

You can tell that this was one of Ann Rule's first books as not as detailed as her newer ones. Still a very good read. Can't believe he escaped for so long. I think the justice system needs changing in certain parts of America and life should mean life. Ann Rule is still the best true crime writer around.