Practice to Deceive

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

This New York Times bestsellerfrom Americas best true-crime writer (Kirkus Reviews) and the author of The Stranger Beside Meis a shocking tale of greed, sex, scandal, and murder on an isolated and eerie island in the Pacific Northwest. The basis for the Lifetime movie event Circle of Deception.

With more than 50 million copies of her books in printfrom her chilling personal account of knowing Ted Bundy to sixteen collections in her #1 bestselling Crime Files seriesAnn Rule is a legendary true crime writer. Here, in Practice to Deceive, Rule unravels a shattering case of Christmastime murder off the coast of Washington Statepresented with the clarity, authority, and emotional depth that Rules readers expect.

Nestled in Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is a gem of the Pacific Northwest. Accessible only by ferry, it is known for its artistic communities and stunning natural beauty. Life there is low-key, and the islands year-round residents tend to know one anothers business. But when the blood-drenched body of Russel Douglas was discovered the day after Christmas in his SUV in a hidden driveway near Whidbeys most exclusive mansiona single bullet between his eyesthe whole island was shocked. 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, Russels manner of death became homicide.

Brenna Douglas, Russels estranged and soon-to-be-ex wife, allowed him to come home for a Christmas visit with their children. The couple owned the popular Just Bs salon. Brennas good friend Peggy Sue Thomas worked there, and Brenna complained often to her that Russel was physically and emotionally abusive. Peggy Sues own life has been one of extremes. Married three times, hers is a rags-to-riches-and-back-again tale in which shes played many roles, from aircraft mechanic to drop-dead gorgeous beauty queen as a former Ms. Washington. 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 privilegeeven at the expense of human life.

Unravel the tangled web woven by Russel Douglass murder in Practice to Deceive, a heart pounding true-crime tour de force.

Author Bio

Ann Rule wrote thirty-fiveNew York Timesbestsellers, all of them still in print. Her first bestseller wasThe Stranger Beside Me, about her personal relationship with infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. A former Seattle police officer, she used her firsthand expertise in all her books. For more than three decades, she was a powerful advocate for victims of violent crime. She lived near Seattle and died in 2015.