Possession: A Novel

by Ann Rule, Brian Stivale (Reading)

In this number-one New York Times best seller, Ann Rule, the undisputed master of true crime, brings her formidable talents to her only novel, a riveting tale of psychological suspense. When Danny and Joanne Lindstrom's camping trip in the Cascade mountains goes terribly awry, beautiful young Joanne is left alone and stranded in the savage wilderness. Her last hope is to rely on another camper, a tall stranger who seems to know the forest and the dangers there all too well. Without him, she will surely die; with him, her future is as unpredictable as the lowering clouds that envelop the mountain. He asks only that she trust him....

Genres: True Crime, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Ann Rule was a popular American true crime writer. Raised in a law enforcement and criminal justice system environment, she grew up wanting to work in law enforcement herself. She was a former Seattle Policewoman and was well educated in psychology and criminology.

She came to prominence with her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, about the Ted Bundy murders. At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington Crisis Clinic, giving her a unique distinction among true crime writers.

Rule won two Anthony Awards from Bouchercon, the mystery fans' organization. She was nominated three times for the Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America. She is highly regarded for creating the true crime genre as it exists today.

Ann Rule also wrote under the name Andy Stack . Her daughter is Goodreads author Leslie Rule.

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I have read many of Ann Rule's true-crime books. Possession was the first novel she wrote and it is powerfully riveting. Her writing style in this novel is very different than her nonfiction books. The character development is robust and the dialogue is rich and nuanced.

The story is based on a couple, Danny and Joanne, who go on a remote camping trip in the Cascade mountains and encounter a stranger. Things go terribly wrong from there.

Highly recommend!

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It played out like a true crime story, but right now it is Ann Rules only fiction novel. The story was very emotional and sad, and definitely had some horror in it. The beginning was slow and wordy, but it still deserves 5 stars!

[Corrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it takes place where I'm from and she mentions many people who I know. One being my grandfather Ernie Gibson.

[Ruth Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sitting on the fence with this book. I didn't particularly like it but I couldn't put it down.

The story line was excellent but I think that the Stockholm Syndrome came on a bit too quickly.

Some good characters. I liked Sam, but I didn't like Joanna at all. I thought she was painful. If I was lost in the woods with her I would have thrown her over the first cliff we came to.

[Terry Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't quite bring myself to rate this a four, so I give it a three and a half. I've read many of Ann Rule's true crime books, and I believe this is her only work of fiction. Great character development--almost too much because it bogged down the beginning somewhat. As the story develops though the reader understands why this was necessary. The basic plot is much like the Life Time movies my wife watches on occasion, but there are some unexpected events. I'm sure Rule's experiences as a police officer and crime reporter in the Pacific Northwest contributed to her work of fiction. Unlike some other books I've read recently, this does have a nice and tidy ending. However if this was the world of movies, it would be perfectly set-up for a sequel. The book has plenty of heartbreak, a little humor in places, and perhaps is a little heavy on the sex scenes

[Laura Leilani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Characters are well developed and believable but are missing something I can't put my finger on. The story grinds along, dull and dry:

Woman with bad life gives birth to child.
Woman gives bad life to child.
Child becomes serial rapist/ killer.
Serial rapist / killer stalks new victim.

Should be exciting on some level. There are plenty of graphic sex scenes to try to spice up the story, which if well written, shouldn't need sex to spice it up. As it is, the sex doesn't spice up the dull book; the dull book makes the graphic sex stupid and dull.

Great job on getting into the rapist/ killers head and the details of stalking someone. Can't put my finger on why it's so dull.

[TheAngelicWitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 her first and only fictional novel. Characters are really well developed and the story is thrilling but quite sad at same time. The only reason why I didn't give a solid 4 is because of the really slow pace beginning otherwise it's a good story 👌

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up from the library. I happened to walk by a shelf of books, and there it was. I saw "Ann Rule" and thought "hey, I love her books, I'll grab this too" and added it to my pile of 3 or 4 books I already planned on checking out.

It wasn't until I was a few chapters in that I actually looked at the cover and saw where it says "A NOVEL". lol I was slightly confused at the beginning, thinking this was another true crime story.

Once I figured out it was fiction things started to make more sense.

I thought it started out very slowly, too slowly actually, but it being an Ann Rule book, I gave it more of a shot than I would some unknown author. I'm glad I did, but I'm still not happy with the length of time it took for the story to really get going.

I can't honestly say I buy the whole Stockholm Syndrome thing either. I thought that part of the story came on way too fast.

I guess I'd say overall, I liked it. The idea of the story is great, but I can't say the style of writing was great.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't really bad, but it was pretty predictable (until nearer the end). This is really more like 3.5 stars, IMO.

I will say Rule was so ruthless in her descriptions that there were a few parts I had a hard time getting through... and it's more explicit than I expected, judging from her non-fiction works.

It'd make a pretty good movie!

[Robi A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book

I really liked this great paved story of murder, Stockholm Syndrome and kidnapping. Throw in the Pacific Northwest and the fact that this fiction novel is written by Ann Rule, and you have a truly Great Book!

[Cherrybomb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Huge disappointment. I assumed this was a true crime book. When I started reading it, I really thought I had the wrong book and there had been some kind of file mix-up. I got about 30% through it before doing some checking and realized this is a novel, not true crime.

Even as a novel, it's lame. Too much meaningless drivel and not enough actual story. I can't believe Ann Rule wrote this. Just awful!

[Ciara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had a hard time getting into fiction books lately so I thought I was playing it safe picking up an Anne Rule book - and somehow picked her only (?) fiction book.

It was a slow beginning, difficult to read at times, and often felt like true crime. There were even times when I yelled at the book.
I am curious how realistic the memory loss and stockholm syndrome was. I might read more on the subject to better judge.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rule does a pretty chilling job of spinning a fictional tale of obsession, abduction, and victimization. It gives an uncomfortable (so uncomfortable because the reader can see and witness the ongoing steps) and detailed look at a woman who develops Stockholm Syndrome toward her sexually abusive abductor. As such stories always seem to end, it ends badly, with death and delusions.

[Barbara Huskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know Ann Rule wrote fictional novels. So I was surprised to see that on the cover. I liked the book though. It was the kind of book I needed to read at this time. Engaging, fast-paced and easy to follow.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know she wrote novels

I didn’t know Anne Rule wrote novels. This book held me from the get-go. It didn’t get bogged down in repetitiveness of crimes which the true crime books sometimes do.
She is an excellent author. I hope she writes more novels!

[Ms BooksAholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Rule is a really good writer. I had read some reviews before picking this book up. Well the reviews did not impress me at all. But after reading this book, I loved it and Ann rule!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disapointed to find out this book was not true. It was hard to put this book down. Very graffic though.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok story, but certainly not her best writing. In general, I think Ann does a better job with fact, instead of fiction. Her character development was lacking a bit in this one.

[MeWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Rule is well know for her meticulous research and fluid ability to keep you engrossed in her stories. Her writing is impeccable and unimpeachable. Highly recommend!

[Rachel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a typical reel you in by Ann Rule. She builds each character early on and you want to know their story and to want to know how they develop. It was a page turner early on. Great read!

[Melissa Mae martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

I really loved this book. I'm truly a ann rule fan. I have read 15 of her books this was the best one yet.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In case you didn’t already know, I am a HUGE fan of Ann Rule. Her attention to detail, ability to research and to interview involved parties of true crimes is always outstanding and above and beyond. When I first started reading this book, I thought that her attention to detail was exceptionally over the top and I kept asking myself how she could know different small and minute details. I started to look in the middle of the book for photos of all parties involved in the crime and was disappointed there weren’t any. It was at this point that I realized I wasn’t reading one of her true crime books but one of her novels!! Despite being a huge fan I didn’t realize she had written some novels.

Possession is a story of Danny and Joanne Lindstrom. Danny is a cop and Joanne is a homemaker, though she longs to be a mother more than anything in the world. The two have known each other for many years as they were high school sweethearts. After many years of marriage they aren’t getting along so well and getting pregnant is an area of contention for them. She wants him to get tested for any abnormalities and he, as a matter of pride, doesn’t want to. They are pushed by Danny’s partner Sam to get out of town for a long weekend and work on their marriage. Danny and Joanne go up to a remote mountain area where they will be alone camping, and have ample opportunity to talk and reconnect. When someone interjects him self into their idyllic weekend getaway the trip goes terribly awry. Joanne is suddenly very alone and stranded hours from civilization. The one person that can help her is the person she is terrified of. Will he help her? Will he mislead her? Will she survive? The strange man asks only that Joanne trust him, implicitly.

This was a suspenseful crazy ride and a deep dive into the psychology of captives and their captors. Ann Rule never disappoints and I look forward to discovering more of her fiction novels.

#bookstagram
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[Rebecca Jones-Howe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Ann Rules true crime books, so upon reading the synopsis for her only fiction novel, I had high hopes that she'd have some insight to write an interesting villain. I can't tell if this book just aged very poorly of if she's just an awful fiction writer.

I hated this book.

I was hoping it'd be more of an insightful back and forth, delving into the psyche of criminal and victim. I thought Duane's backstory was decently painted, but when the actual crime happens, it all just felt like a Lifetime movie. Joanne was literally just a husk of a character, a person upon which to twist sympathy onto, but she wasn't even written well enough to garner any of that.

It felt like Ann had more passion for Sam's character, a plot that I didn't at all care about. The book isn't the introspective look at a psycho like the cover promised. It's literally just a generic police procedural about some 80's cop who gets to live the hero fantasy when he plays a father figure to a Mary-Sure with a rape-baby.

This book was published in the early 80s, so I can forgive some of the misogyny and locker room talk a little, but damn, it was written by a prolific true crime writer. I expected at least some semblance of respect and understanding of the nuances of the subject matter, and got the worst trope-ridden dark romance novel of all time.

I wanted to throw it against the wall after skimming the last third of it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about a woman named Joanne who is married to a police officer. Their best friend, Sam, is also a police officer. Joanne and her husband are trying to have a child when they suddenly decide to go on a camping trip for a long weekend. But when the weekend is over, neither Joanne nor her husband have been heard from. Sam, the best friend police officer leads other officers on a mission to find them, and what they find is horrifying.

This is Ann Rule's only work of fiction, at least that I am aware of. I was worried that reading this book would be a challenge since almost everything else she's written has been true crime. I need not have worried. She is as adept at writing fiction as she is at nonfiction. The first 100 pages of the book does drag a bit as she spends a lot of time developing her characters. The story felt as "real" as a nonfiction story. Joanne as the victim at the center of this story is completely believable and realistic. The setting is Washington state, in 1981, which took some adjusting to the 1980's lifestyle, at least for me. I liked this story a lot more than I thought I was going to. There is some alcohol, some sex scenes, and one or two scenes of violence. This is not a book for kids or teenagers. I found this to be an enjoyable read.

[Merilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really 2.5 stars rounded up. I found the prologue about Duane’s mom superfluous. We could have guessed that she had an unhealthy and unhappy upbringing after the first paragraph. Then we skip ahead until she’s dead and Duane is a serial killer with a mommy complex. Then the interesting part, where we meet the victims Joanne and Danny, and Danny’s partner Sam. It was interesting reading about how Duane was tracking them down and how they fell into his trap.

Once Duane has Joanne, it’s hard to read. That’s not the author’s fault; this is the book I chose and rape is part of the story. What I couldn’t fathom is rapid onset of Stockholm syndrome. I assume Rule, who has written nonfiction about serial killers, knows more than I, but in this book it seemed Joanne became loyal to her captor out of fear and lust. She couldn’t climax with her (killed by Duane) husband, but now she can. And, he’ll keep her safe (not knowing he already planned to kill her)! The whole saga disgusted me. Maybe it’s realistic, what do I know? But I didn’t buy it.

The last section after her rescue by Sam is rushed, and also hard to believe. At least Joanne sort of recognizes who attacked her. I’m just glad the book is over.

[Murielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was nervous as I opened this book. I knew Ann Rule as a true crime writer and this was a novel. Intrigued by the description I was full of anticipation, but also more than a little worried. What if I didn't like it? What if it wasn't good? What if the characters were wooden, one dimensional?
And then I started to read, and relax, and enjoy as any reader does in the hands of a good writer.
The straightforward tale-telling Rule is known for, the clean writing, and ability to engage her audience even through some pretty horrible details rang as true as ever but it was married with beautiful descriptions, and wonderfully fleshed-out and complex characters.
I am left with only one regret after reading this novel and that is that she published no other works of fiction because after reading Possession, I would have read any and all others with complete confidence.

[Countrygirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do enjoy A. Rule books, but this one went off the rails. Danny seemed a bit selfish over the tests to have kids. It also seemed he wasn't 100% with wife emotionally. Joanne was also a selfish brat and used Danny as a doormat at times. Sam was so cool. He lived his life his way. As far as the vacation Danny and Joanne took, was when it got so farfetched. Joanne suddenly trusted the stranger once Danny was killed (by stranger) and let him lead her. She gave no fight, in fact she fell in love with him and forgot who Danny was?. She acted like she was on a couple hits of acid once stranger took her from the tree and didn't come down from them. Stranger was well, quite strange. I think Joanne was a bit unstable to begin with and got worse once stranger took her. At the end, she never quite recovered from her acid trip. My opinion so you'll have to read it yourself to form yours.

[Shari Klase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I hadn't realized Ann Rule had written a novel. I was a trifle disappointed reading this book as I was expecting a true crime book but realized shortly into it that this was not a true crime story. Honestly I found this an interesting read. It certainly kept my attention but I can't say I liked it. There was a great deal of rape and violence and I didn't like the idea of the main character becoming so quickly attached to the man who raped her. I'm sure these things happen through gas lighting and brain washing and making the victim dependent on her assailant but I still didn't enjoy the whole scenario. I have to say I much prefer her true crime books.

[Author Jenn]

Ann Rule is most known for her true crime novels that everyone loves. She is my #1 true crime author. For 2025 I set myself a goal to read ALL of her books including Possession. Even though Possession isn't like many of her true crime novels, this is based on true events. I was captivated by the 1st 2 chapters. Then I got kinda bored til about page 100 and then the heat really picked up and then it was harder to put down. I just wanted to know what happened next. The story was nicely written but not my normal cup of tea, especially Ann Rule tea. I'm a huge Ann Rule fan, it was difficult for me to give this one only 3 stars. Due to the boredom in the beginning is the reason for the 3 stars.

[Shsh Ym · Rating 1 out of 5]

The pedophilia is disgustingly written and completely unnecessary. Say what you want but this is one of the things that should never be tolerated. As a writer myself, I could think of many ways to insert the scene without it becoming this needlessly gratifying. The impact can be made be immense nonetheless.

My stomach churned upon reading the scene just a few pages in and I was gripped by an intense desire to burn the book, to stand for the cleansing of my mind from what I’d just read.

If you plan to read this, don’t. I don’t understand why this is a popular book and why nobody is talking about the sexualization of a minor. I will never pick up an Ann Rule book ever again.