Practice to Deceive

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Anne Twomey

This New York Times bestseller—from “America’s best true-crime writer” (Kirkus Reviews) and the author of The Stranger Beside Me—is 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 print—from her chilling personal account of knowing Ted Bundy to sixteen collections in her #1 bestselling Crime Files series—Ann 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 State—presented with the clarity, authority, and emotional depth that Rule’s 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 island’s year-round residents tend to know one another’s business. But when the blood-drenched body of Russel Douglas was discovered the day after Christmas in his SUV in a hidden driveway near Whidbey’s most exclusive mansion—a single bullet between his eyes—the 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, Russel’s manner of death became homicide.

Brenna Douglas, Russel’s 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 B’s salon. Brenna’s good friend Peggy Sue Thomas worked there, and Brenna complained often to her that Russel was physically and emotionally abusive. Peggy Sue’s own life has been one of extremes. Married three times, hers is a rags-to-riches-and-back-again tale in which she’s 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 privilege—even at the expense of human life.

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

story told very well.

story told very well. interesting read
however there were lots of characters
love anne rule

a little scattered and hard to follow

It felt like a slow start and then with all the different interconnected family relations and love relations it was really hard to keep everyone straight. I think it was more to do with how chaotic the story was rather than bad writing but I was also disappointed that there wasn't a trial for the main suspect and there was no clear motive. all this made it tough to get interested.

Good book I enjoyed it.

Story was good. Maybe not as compelling as some of hers. Didn’t care for the narrator although she didn’t try to “perform” as most of them do. It’s a book, just read. It’s not a play, don’t perform. I wish Rule herself had recorded some of her books before she passed.

Not the best Ann Rule book

Thought there was a lot of the backstory just being used as filler. But just my opinion.

I love all Ann's books

Loves this book so much. this story keeps you guessing from the beginning until the end.