Some killers disguise themselves as regular folks. True crime writer Ann Rule has made a career out of taking off the monster’s mask. Rule has published over 28 books and 1400 articles, and holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington with minors in psychology, criminology and penology, the study of punishment and the treatment of prisoners.

Of those 28 books, 26 made the The New York Times Bestseller’s List, and several of her books have been turned into movies for television. Her new book, Too Late To Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal , is yet another example of how good she is at writing about people who have done bad deeds.

Rule got her start writing for detective magazines in the early seventies under the name Andy Stack. Years later, she learned that Ted Bundy, her friend and co-worker at a suicide hotline in Seattle was accused of being a serial killer. She began her first book about those homicides, The Stranger Besides Me, while the crimes were still unsolved.

Considered a pioneer in the true crime genre, Rule has been perfecting her craft for over 30 years. She has worked as a police officer, and caseworker and her interest in criminal justice goes way back. Rule’s fascination with the criminal mind began as a child when she would spend summers at her grandparents’ Michigan home, which had a jail attached. Her grandfather was the local Sheriff and she was allowed to visit the women in lock-up. She also helped her grandmother prepare meals for the inmates, always wondering what led these normal looking people to a life of crime.

Rule visits the accused killers or convicts in prison, trying to unlock the keys to their twisted psyche. Getting to know your worst nightmare is not the work of sissies, but Rule likes to think that by telling these sad and horrible stories she is giving a voice to the victims and their families. In her Newsletter she says that she hopes to put herself out of business by promoting recognition of the profoundly disturbed personality types that commit these heinous crimes.

Rule is proud of the fact that as a result of the red flags she raised, some of her readers were able to flee abusive situations in order to avoid becoming material for her next book.

A champion of those most harmed, Rule has twice testified before the Senate Judiciary Sub-committee on victim’s rights.  She has a particularly soft spot for children whose lives have been irrevocably damaged by crimes and abuse, and she contributes to the support groups Childhelp and Childhaven.