The Rule of Crime and Me: An Intimate View of Ann Rule Shared By Her Friend of Thirty Years

by Anne Jaeger

A must read for true crime enthusiasts and Ann Rule fans. This is the first ever biography of Ann Rule, bestselling author of thirty-five books still in print. Seventeen are television movies. It’s a between the pages look at the megastar author and the cases she shared with her friend of more than thirty years, Anne Jaeger.

"Ann Rule was my friend and mentor for decades, and I so enjoyed Anne Jaeger's very personal account of her friendship with ‘The Queen of True Crime.’ An exceptional author and one of the best people I have ever known, Ann Rule deserved this loving portrayal." -Bestselling True Crime author Kathryn Casey

“In The Rule of Crime and Me, investigative reporter Anne Jaeger shares a unique perspective of Ann Rule, ‘The Queen of True Crime.’ A lasting friendship between the two writers formed over three decades ago when both covered one of Oregon's most shocking crime cases. Jaeger, renowned for her stunning interview with the notorious killer, not only shares insights about the Diane Downs case, she reveals details about the fascinating life of one of America's most beloved authors."- Leslie Rule, bestselling author/daughter of Ann Rule

“Not only is Anne Jaeger one of the Pacific Northwest's legendary local T.V. news journalists, she's also a top-notch crime writer. The Rule of Crime and Me is a fascinating, brisk biography about Ann Rule, and Jaeger, who covered the Diane Downs murder case alongside Rule herself. Part breezy television news memoir, part epic investigation, part biography, The Rule of Crime and Me belongs alongside Rule on the bookshelf of any crime buff.” - Jack Ohman, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

From her small-town Michigan roots to becoming a New York Times bestselling author, Ann Rule’s life journey is as fascinating as the cases she covered. Discover how she revolutionized crime writing, influenced FBI profiling, and Rule's fateful encounter with a murderer at just nine years old.

Go behind the scenes of Rule’s most infamous cases—including Ted Bundy (The Stranger Beside Me), Randy Woodfield (The I-5 Killer), and Diane Downs (Small Sacrifices)—and explore her personal insights into the murderers Rule and Jaeger both studied.

Featuring never-before-revealed true crime cases, jaw-dropping interviews, and the little known story of Rule’s time as a sex decoy for the Seattle Vice Squad, this book also delves into the extraordinary three-decade friendship between Rule and Jaeger. With exclusive letters from notorious killers and an inside look at Diane Downs' chilling correspondence with Manson murderer Susan Atkins and I-5 Killer Randy Woodfield, this book is unlike any other.

About The
Anne Jaeger spent four decades as a journalist, a career that paralleled her 30-year friendship with true crime author Ann Rule. The two shared extraordinary adventures, covering some of the same notorious killers and reflecting on chilling childhood encounters with sociopaths.

Their lifelong bond began at the 1984 trial of Diane Downs, an Oregon woman who shocked the nation by shooting her own children, killing one. Rule described Jaeger's groundbreaking half hour television documentary on Downs as “the seminal personality profile” of a murderous mother.

Genres: True Crime

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2025

Reviews

[Don Dupay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after my wife read it. Good, straightforward book. Full of interesting and surprising stories. The writing is crisp and sometimes amusing, from Anne Jaeger, who everyone in Portland knows. An important contribution to local Portland history.

[Lori Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Rule

I loved that she knew and was true friends with the lady. I suspect many a great time was had between the stories and research. I can imagine these ladies hanging out for coffee or whatever discussing whatever came to mind. I wish I could have joined them! I would have loved listening, chatting and sometimes laughing with them. Such a wonderful read about an amazing friendship!!!

[Cheryl Smejkal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I read this book in 2 days. I just kept turning the page for more details about Ann Rule and her close friend Anne Jaeger. Reading how eventful Ann Rule's childhood was, it's not surprising she had the bug early on, to understand people what makes them tick or more precisely, what makes them kill. Best quote from infamous Diane Downs is "They hate me because I'm famous." I'm sure it couldn't have anything to do with Diane shooting her 3 children, killing one and injuring the other 2. I've read so many of Ann's true crime books, and Anne Jaeger's rivals them. At the core of this book is their love for each other and a special friendship.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well meaning; I’m sure the author and Ann Rule were good friends, but this book is in desperate need of good editing for grammar, use of apostrophes, syntax and style.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some great stories and a chatty tone but it just cries out for proofreading and a more professional looking print job. Distracting. Still glad I read it.

[Logan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Rule of Crime and Me: An Intimate View of Ann Rule Shared By Her Friend of Thirty Years, Jaeger transmorphs her many talents as a journalist into her compelling craft as a writer! The cleverly-penned chapters in The Rule of Crime and Me compiles beautifully into so much more than just an absorbing Ann Rule biography—it wondrously illustrates the essence of a friendship so many of us can only dream of having in our lifetime! In construction of this charming biographical opus, Jaeger’s composition takes her across the country to gather the most fascinating details of Ann Rule’s family history, her birth, as well as her ascension from rural Michigan all the way up through Ann Rule's senior years. The Rule of Crime and Me is a very personal, moving tribute to Jaeger's decades-long friendship with Ann Rule, where, chapter-by-chapter, Jaeger retraces her friend’s lifespan development, philanthropy, and the most defining moments of the famed best-selling author’s life that would embody the forces that nurtured her in becoming the greatest true crime writer in history. We also get to read in-depth about Jaeger’s proliferous career, being cast as herself in the movie, Small Sacrifices—as well as Jaeger’s companionship with actress Farrah Fawcett! The Rule of Crime and Me is proof of Jaeger’s many talents—highlighting especially her firm competence as an author. Jaeger’s wording and sentence structure is polished, articulate, and skillfully-composed. The syntax and phonology of The Rule and Crime and Me never weakens. It’s a book that is sure to keep readers engaged, even if you think you know all-things Ann Rule, this book encapsulates never-before publicized Ann Rule memories that Jaeger holds dear to heart. Jaeger brilliantly captures her many life adventures into this biography that intersects Ann Rule’s enduring path including her impact on the criminal justice system. Jaeger takes readers on an illustrious journey through lifetime recollections and readers are sure to relate to the genuine nature of Jaeger’s friendship with Ann Rule. The Rule of Crime and Me is a monumental tribute to the spirit of friendship and how Ann Rule would change the genre of true crime forever, ultimately, leaving readers enlightened and reflecting on our own friendships that transcend time—a friendship that perpetually, truly, never ends.

[Gabriela Kandziora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Jaeger’s book on Ann Rule is outstanding! A very captivating story of their intimate friendship and the parallels of their lives… and mine right alongside theirs! I read it in one sitting! I did not know who Ann Rule was until reading this book. (I was not a true crime reader but now I am) I grew up in Eugene where I first watched Anne Jaeger on TV as a popular newscaster and then again later when I moved to Portland, Oregon. Anne was my favorite newscaster. I was excited to read her book. I had absolutely no idea that Rule and Jaeger had such a long friendship. When I learned who Ann Rule was, the story became even more interesting. I found the weaving together, from an inside view, of their friendship, of Ted Bundy, Diane Downs, and even Charles Manson utterly fascinating. This story is so real and so close to me because I am close to Jäger’s age, lived in the same cities at the same time as Jaeger….living through these same events! This story gripped me right from the first page. It also makes you think how close we all are to danger at any given time! Anne Jaeger’s clever unfolding of this story revived a lot of history for me. This walk through history with the added vantage point of the friendship between Rule and Jäger evoked a freshness to the remembering of these events….a most unique feeling of once again living through these historical events from my youth but now from a completely different viewpoint! This new emotion overtook me. I loved this book. Thank you Anne Jaeger! Waiting for your next book.

[Koren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see this book about one of my favorite true crime authors that I bought it on the spot. But I was a little disappointed that this was not so much about Ann Rule as it is about the author. Granted, the beginning of the book is about Ann's younger years and the end of the book focuses on her last several years and her health issues, but in-between there is a long story about Diane Downs, the lady who shot her 3 children, murdering one, with only a mention here and there of Ann Rule. Ann wrote, I believe, somewhere in the neighborhood of 37 books, but this is the only case the author focused on, mostly because she could insert herself in the story. The story about meeting Charles Manson when she was a child seemed totally disconnected to the subject of the book, other than the author said that Ann knew Ted Bundy and she also had met a killer, but that story went on way too long. At the end of the book, the author states that Ann Rule's daughter is also working on a biography of her mother. Maybe that one be more about Ann.

[Karen]

What makes this book unique isn’t just the crime stories (although those are excellent), it’s the relationship between Jaeger and Rule. Their connection runs through every page and turns this biography into something personal and memorable.

That said, I did find some parts slightly repetitive, especially the middle section where letters and interviews stack up, but overall, it didn’t take away from the impact. The exclusive content (like Diane Downs' correspondence with Susan Atkins) is gold for anyone fascinated by the dark psychology of criminals.

Jaeger writes with clarity and affection, and by the end, I felt like I understood Ann Rule on a human level,h Uer fears, her instincts, her brilliance. It made me want to reread all her books.

[Theresa Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read. I enjoyed learning about Ann Rule, on a personal level and getting to know her history, and what she was like as a personal friend. This is a great book and remembrance of a really important part of the crime writing family. Ann Rule was such a pioneer for women crime writers and really led the way. All of the inside stories, presented in the book, such as the Diane Downs situation, when she shot her children, are so interesting to read and learn about. This was a great read all in all and I have to say, the writing is really solid. The perspective and scene sharing is great. Clearly written by a journalist with excellent writing skills. Highly recommended.

[Carlene R Fitzmorris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography about the famous true crime author, Ann Rule. Anne Rule and the author, investigative reporter, Anne Jaeger met during the Diane Downs murder trial.
I live in the Pacific Northwest, and the Diane Down’s case was front page news here. Anne Jaeger was a local reporter, while Ann Rule (living in Seattle) was a famous true crime writer.
Even though I knew a lot about the Diane Down’s case, hearing Anne tell the inside story of it, along with more of Ann’s Rule’s life was very interesting. I have read Ann’s true crime books for years. I thoroughly enjoyed the inside story of Ann’s life.
It’s a mystery read book!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the very first page. I’ve read a lot of true crime, especially Ann Rule’s work, but what Anne Jaeger has done here is truly remarkable. It’s not just a biography, it’s an intimate portrait of a legendary author told by someone who knew her deeply. The behind-the-scenes look at cases like Diane Downs and Ted Bundy gave me chills, but what really stayed with me was the humanity, the friendship, and the raw honesty Jaeger poured into these pages.

[Clara Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t just another true crime book, it’s part biography, part memoir, and part love letter to Ann Rule. I felt like I was sitting in the newsroom with Anne Jaeger, living through those moments as she covered these notorious cases. The writing is brisk, emotional, and deeply personal. The Diane Downs coverage in particular hit me hard; I could almost feel the weight of those interviews and court scenes.

[Chloe A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Jaeger did an incredible job capturing Ann Rule’s brilliance and compassion. I was fascinated by the way she connected Rule’s childhood experiences with her later crime writing. The book also humanizes Rule beyond her “Queen of True Crime” title. You see her as a mentor, a friend, and a real person. The parts about Bundy and Woodfield were chilling, but the friendship woven throughout the book gave it such warmth.

[Cyndie Malone-Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a good read. Make sure you are somewhere when you start to read this book where you won’t be disturbed because you just can’t put it down. I have read all Ann Rule’s books and I found each one fascinating. I love the insights that Anne brings to her friendship with Ann Rule. I highly recommend this book.

[Loveth Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Ann Rule, this is a must-read. I loved how Jaeger blended personal memories with investigative storytelling. Reading about Rule’s beginnings in Michigan, her groundbreaking career, and even her time as a decoy for the Seattle Vice Squad made me respect her legacy even more. I actually had goosebumps when reading about the letters from killers, such chilling and rare insights.

[Benedict Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to feel so many emotions reading this. One moment I was horrified by the crimes, the next I was touched by the friendship between two remarkable women. The interviews with killers were jaw-dropping, I had to put the book down a couple of times to process what I’d just read. And the detail about Susan Atkins and Diane Downs communicating? Absolutely haunting.

[Elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was both heartbreaking and uplifting. I appreciated the honesty with which Jaeger shared her memories, it felt authentic and unfiltered. I especially loved the rare glimpses into Ann Rule’s private life, something fans have never really had access to before. A solid 4.5 stars, rounded to 5 for how it moved me.

[David Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews, but I had to for this one. The way Jaeger describes her first meeting with Ann Rule during the Diane Downs trial gave me goosebumps. From there, the book takes you through decades of crime stories, personal revelations, and a friendship that feels timeless. I laughed at moments, I cried at others, and I couldn’t put it down.

[Carolyn Meeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rule of Crime and Me is a delightful read. Learning about Ann Rule through the eyes of her friend is fascinating. It's clear why they both like spinning stories and crime-solving! Hard to put down, I finished this book in just a couple of days. Highly recommend!

[Jennifer Langan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Very well written! I highly recommend this great read!! Such a wonderful read on an amazing 30 year friendship! Wonderful tribute to Ann Rule.