I am rating it a 3, though, as a have no intention of owning this book. Jul 28, Aalabamadill rated it really liked it Shelves: I found this fascinating, not least because I knew Ronda. I worked with her for a short time and when she was killed all of us who had been her co-workers knew it was not what the police called it-suicide.
Rule for speaking for her and not allowing it to be forgotten! The story is a grim one, but well told. The seperate threads are discussed, and many facts I was not aware of are brought to light. Justice may never be reached here on this earth, but the scales will be balanced even I found this fascinating, not least because I knew Ronda. Justice may never be reached here on this earth, but the scales will be balanced eventually. And this book helps to hold up to the light of day the ugliness that would have otherwise been buried.
Jan 19, Indra rated it liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ann Rule is a longtime guilty pleasure of mine, and this book was good--not her best, but still good. It was frustrating on a number of levels that this crime remains unsolved, but publishing the book regardless can be argued as an effective illustration of the long, frustrating, and discouraging process the pursuit of justice can be When I hear o Ann Rule is a longtime guilty pleasure of mine, and this book was good--not her best, but still good.
When I hear of any tragedy, my thoughts always go to those left behind--but in this book, the compassion I felt for them was especially vivid. One of Rule's strengths is bringing victims to life for her readers, and she succeeded in doing that with Ronda Reynolds--and with Ronda's mother as well. Shortly after this book was released in paperback, I read the case was being re-opened.
I hope very much that it will be solved. I'm afraid that this book was written as a duty by a lady who may just be tired of writing. It was so disjointed and unfocused and the writing so poor that it didn't even resemble Ann Rule's typical writing. I had the feeling that she made an attempt to pull together reams of information and research, and the attempt, while noble, failed her usual standards.
Mar 31, Debra Mayhew rated it it was ok. Bought this at a thrift store thinking it was fiction and not true crime. It was depressing as all get-out and I didn't like it at all. Worst of all, it doesn't have a satisfying ending. Jun 16, Carol rated it it was amazing. A disturbing, chilling, and unforgettable true crime drama from the master of this genre.
Bright, beautiful, talented, hard worker, yet a failure at choosing men. This is another example of my not wanting to complain about my boring life. Before picking this up, I'd only ever come across Ann Rule as a talking head on some of the many crime and investigation shows that I seem to be addicted to, and I'd never come across the strange death of Ronda Reynolds. The case is a fascinating one, the writing only so-so. Set to divorce her 2nd husband of little under a year and to fly back to her family for Christmas, instead of stepping off a plane, Ronda was discovered in a closet in her home, underneath an electric blanket, dead of a gun s Before picking this up, I'd only ever come across Ann Rule as a talking head on some of the many crime and investigation shows that I seem to be addicted to, and I'd never come across the strange death of Ronda Reynolds.
Set to divorce her 2nd husband of little under a year and to fly back to her family for Christmas, instead of stepping off a plane, Ronda was discovered in a closet in her home, underneath an electric blanket, dead of a gun shot wound to the head. Her not-so-grieving hubby, Ron, had apparently slept through the gun shot happening mere feet away from him, despite being a light sleeper, and happily told the police - who'd already screwed up the crime scene by moving evidence and letting important witnesses Ron's three sons leave without even trying to question them - that she'd committed suicide.
And, despite the fact that people who knew her rubbished the idea that she was suicidal, and despite the fact that the circumstances and evidence didn't fit his story, he was believed. And so started her mother's long fight to get the facts straight - it's this fight that is documented here. While Ronda's mother, Barb, and her few allies eventually succeeded in having Ronda's death ruled as a homicide, the fight to solve her murder is ongoing - and not helped one bit by the fact that a large part of the evidence collected as part of the police 'investigation' had since been destroyed much to the horror of one of the only detectives actually trying to do his job, who was eventually hounded out of the force.
It should be apparent to anyone with a working brain that Ronda's deceitful and grasping hubby he was already cheating on her with his ex-wife, and was more concerned about collecting her life insurance than by her death and his creepy and probably animal killing eldest son should have at least been investigated, but it seems that's far too much to ask for from the authorities. While the case itself is fascinating, Ann Rule's writing is less so. Simple and pedestrian, Rule is no Capote as a former detective, I expect there wasn't much call for flair in Rule's crime reports, which has carried over into this book , and there's also a lot of emphasis too much, for me put on the friendship she struck up with the grieving Barb, which no doubt coloured her opinions on the personalities involved and therefore how she wrote about them.
And, while this is no fault of Rule's, the lack of any sort of resolution even through my disappearing down an internet rabbit-hole in search of updates also bugged. So, in all, this was an interesting case somewhat let down by uninteresting writing. Oct 03, Lori rated it liked it Shelves: I am an avid reader of Ann Rule's books and eagerly await each of her new releases.
Because I am such a fan of Ms. Rule I can always find positives even if those books that are not my favorites of hers. In the Still of the Night was no different.
From a novice writer In the Still of the Night would be a passably good true crime selection. For o I am an avid reader of Ann Rule's books and eagerly await each of her new releases. For one, I felt that the story was simply not strong enough to be a stand alone book and would have been better served being the central, title story of a True Crime Files volume.
The sheer number of pages from being a stand alone book over pages made the story feel a bit slow paced and slightly bogged down; compared to being an entry in a True Crime Files volume, where it would clock in at least half the number of pages. My biggest letdown with In the Still of the Night was the unresolved conclusion. When I read true crime, and I invest my time and energy reading the story and getting to know the victim s , I want to have closure in my mind that the victim s and families have justice. There is no such resolution in this book.
It is through no fault of Ms. Rule's and she does lay out a substantial list of possible suspects at the conclusion of the book, as well as a reward for further information on Ronda Reynolds' death, but the unfinished business surrounding Ronda Reynolds' death makes me feel that perhaps this particular crime, or alleged crime, may not have been the best subject for a book.
On the upside, Ms. Rule became personally acquainted and involved with Ronda Reynolds' family and it shows in the pages of the book. I felt as though I grew to know her tenacious mother, Barb Thompson, as I flipped the pages and this admirable woman is to be admired. She does the memory of her daughter proud and I felt her heartache and pain as strongly as if they were my own.
Most Shared Posts
I also believed that Ms. Rule did well in writing former police officer turned private investigator Jerry Berry, expert Marty Hughes and longtime friend to Ronda Reynolds David Bell. These were all people to be admired and they were more than just names in the book. I do hope that In the Still of the Night creates a very belated proper investigation into what I too consider to be a questionable death, giving Ronda Reynolds justice and her family and friends the peace and closure they deserve.
Jul 12, Ariel rated it it was ok Shelves: This is not my favorite Ann Rule book, that would be Small Sacrifices. This book was rather strange for me because this is the first one that she wrote that I can remember where the killer is not in jail when the book is written. In fact no killer is identified at all though several suspects are explored. The true story revolves around a young former state trooper named Ronda Reynolds who is rather unlucky in love. When she is thirty three and newly married to and on the verge of divorce with hu This is not my favorite Ann Rule book, that would be Small Sacrifices.
When she is thirty three and newly married to and on the verge of divorce with husband number two, she is found dead of a bullet wound to the head in her closet. She was planning on leaving her two timing husband who was sleeping with his ex, for good the next day. Ronda's death was initially ruled a suicide and the book is about her mother's effort to get the ruling changed to homicide. Along the way Barb, Ronda's mother picks up many supporters, one of whom is the author Ann Rule. After ten long years Barb is finally able to get a jury to rule Ronda's death a homicide but who is the murderer?
Is it soon to be ex husband number two Ron Reynolds, one of his awful teenage male children, or Ron's ex wife who he was still sleeping with Katie? We don't know but Ann Rule explorers all of these possible suspects. Ann Rule asks for tips in this case on her website and Ronda's mother maintains a website as well.
My main complaint about the book is that it feels like it was written before the story was finished and in actuality it may never be. Ann Rule is not just telling the story, she is trying to make it at the same time.
I missed all of psychological dissection of the killer that is present in all of her other full length books. I would still recommend this book and I hope Ronda's killer is one day found and brought to justice. Another interesting case from Ann Rule and one I'd not heard of till I picked this book up. I am staggered at the mistakes made and the way everyone took a husband's word for it that his wife had killed herself and thereafter pretty much refused to make a proper investigation!!
The fact one of the sheriff's investigators moved the gun involved before photographing it in situ is one of the biggest schoolboy errors I've ever read in true crime stories. Just shocking he would do that. Also letting Another interesting case from Ann Rule and one I'd not heard of till I picked this book up. Also letting three people who were in the house that night just leave without questioning them I found hard to imagine. It was never really mentioned as to whether the boys WERE interviewed or not!!
I personally would guess it was Jonathan Reynolds along with one or more of his stoned pals that killed Ronda. So many clues were there, so many clues were ignored in favour of ruling her a suicide and pretty much making it an easy case for all involved. The true perpetrator s must be delighted at that. I did spot mistakes in the book which I don't expect so dropped one star for those.
Friend used when it should have been friends, some apostrophe errors, eye when it should have read eyes, weary instead of wearing. Pretty careless, I think. Overall, a comprehensive look into this case. You have to salute Ronda's mum Barbara, too and the guys who have helped her investigate while not charging her. That's so very kind of them all. Ronda had served 8 years as a Washington state trooper before resigning from the force.
She soon met up with several misfortunes in life and after her disappointing resignation from the Patrol she started working in a store security for Wal-Mart. Her first marriage had ended in divorce, and now her second marriage, that had lasted less than Ronda had served 8 years as a Washington state trooper before resigning from the force.
Her first marriage had ended in divorce, and now her second marriage, that had lasted less than a year, was about to end. But Ronda always managed to bounce back, never feeling bitter or sorry for herself.
We apologize for the inconvenience...
On a December morning in Ronda was found dead in her home and her death was declared undetermined, and then suicide. She would dedicate the next several years of her life trying to prove that her daughter was murdered. Ann Rule has written a very fascinating, but haunting story with multiple sides, a disturbing story with so many possibilities, and unfortunately a story with no resolution. I was completely absorbed in this story throughout.
- Navigation menu.
- Works of William Wines Phelps.
- The Five Satins - In The Still Of The Night Lyrics | MetroLyrics!
My only complaint was the poor editing, with several grammatical errors throughout. My rating — 4 stars. Nov 30, Laren rated it it was ok Shelves: I love Ann Rule's true crime books.
The Still Of The Night | Definition of The Still Of The Night by Merriam-Webster
She writes about crimes which have been solved, often taking the journey with law enforcement and prosecutors as they handle the case. She delves into the backgrounds and psyches of everyone involved in the story, telling stories in a more neutral way than many true crime books do. Because of that, her books are always on my must read list. Sadly, this book didn't deserve such a spot. Rule decided to tell the story anyway presumably to get the word out about the crime in case someone out there might be able to help convict the suspect.
The problem is that the author befriended the victim's mother during her research phase, and they really hit it off. So the story felt more biased that any other book she has written through the use of complimentary adjectives which simply are not normally included in her work. I am happy she found a new close friend, but I would have been happier if the story had been marketed as their story rather than an unresolved crime.
I love Ann Rule and I eagerly await each new book she puts out. She never disappoints me!! This book is a jewel, it's very personally written, it seems to me from her heart.
E-mail Newsletter
Honestly, I don't believe that will ever happen, but it's clear that the bungling of this case by law enforement calls for heads to roll!! She pulls no punches on placing the blame for I love Ann Rule and I eagerly await each new book she puts out. She pulls no punches on placing the blame for that and my hope is that someone somewhere will step in and say "Let's take this case on.. I hope this book brings that to her.
View all 4 comments. Mar 15, Gina rated it really liked it. In many ways, this seemed less polished than other books by Ann Rule. This is probably because the case was different for her in many ways. There has been no criminal conviction, and a lot of evidence could never be analyzed due to neglect at the original crime scene. With that being said, I could hardly put the book down. It was a quick read both because it was so interesting and also probably because it was less thick and technical than, for example, "Dead by Sunset".
I went to see the author s In many ways, this seemed less polished than other books by Ann Rule. I went to see the author speak about this book a few months ago, and she talked about how this was a departure for her--it has always been her rule to not write about an incomplete case, and now she has broken it, but she felt like the book needed to be written. I can see that maybe the book was needed to help get some wheels turning, and that maybe the killer can finally be brought to justice.
Mar 28, Linda Stock rated it liked it. This was probably my least favorite of all the Ann Rule books I've read. She chose to write about a murder that still has not been solved. I felt frustrated and upset when I finished it, since basically I feel I know who killed Ronda Reynolds - I think anyone who reads it will know who killed Ronda Reynolds - but it still hasn't been proven.
In the Still of the Night
This murder happened in an "old boy network" type of community, in which incompetence of a coroner was covered up year, after year, after year - and when th This was probably my least favorite of all the Ann Rule books I've read. This murder happened in an "old boy network" type of community, in which incompetence of a coroner was covered up year, after year, after year - and when the book was finished, finally it seems to have been acknowledged that the coroner did mess up, badly - but that's where it ended I guess I just wish Ann Rule had waited to write about this case until it was really resolved.
Feb 15, Teresa rated it really liked it. This book is a departure from the norm for Ann Rule - the tragic heroine was a lovely young woman whom many believed to have taken her own life. The court battle was not to convict the bad guy but to get a beloved daughter's cause of death changed.
And the book actually ends before the story was fully played out. Once again, Ann Rule presents us with a compelling story of true crime. She gives the reader a true sense of the grief Ronda' s mother felt after losing her daughter The only letdown I feel in this book is I know it ended before the story fully played out.
- Recently Played?
- Retinal Detachment: Priniciples and Practice: 1 (American Academy of Ophthalmology Monograph Series);
- Nei sogni cominciano le responsabilità (Bloom) (Italian Edition).
- Listen on the Go.
I would love to see Ms. Rule update this time with the progress and twists the case has seen in the past couple years. This is still worth reading! This is, I think, one of the only books of Ann Rule's where the crime remains unsolved. I found this to be a great, if hard to believe, read. It is appalling to me that the justice system has so far failed Ronda Reynolds and her family. This is the story of Ronda Reynold's strange death, that spent so long being classified as a "suicide" that it seems the detectives and the crime scene investigators forgot that they were supposed to be doing a proper investigation.
Ann Rule lays out the crime sc This is, I think, one of the only books of Ann Rule's where the crime remains unsolved. Ann Rule lays out the crime scene details and the strange behaviors of certain individuals so that even though the crime is not yet resolved, you get a pretty good idea of who is responsible for it. I feel badly for the Reynolds family and fervently hope that this crime is solved soon. Jun 14, J. Moncrieff rated it liked it. Impressive investigation of a very in-depth case.
It's frustrating that no one was ever charged with Reynolds' murder unless that has changed in subsequent years. While very readable, this book was much longer than it had to be, and I could have done without all the gushing about how gorgeous the victim and her mother are. Are only beautiful murder victims worthy? To hear Rule tell it, you would think Diane Downs is a supermodel. Not that it matters. I would say it doesn't. I love Ann Rule's books. This story wasn't quite as exciting as others she's covered - sad to say it like that - but there wasn't a lot of drama to it. Rhonda Reynold's is found dead of a gunshot to the head in her closet.
Many suspected her husband of 11 months, but there was no evidence to arrest him. The murder remains unresolved, which many reviewers said ruined the book for them, but it is what it is! That's not Ann Rule's fault. I thought she did an excellent job with the information she h I love Ann Rule's books. How we chose 'justice'. And is one way more correct than the others? How to use a word that literally drives some people nuts.
The awkward case of 'his or her'. Identify the word pairs with a common ancestor. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Definition of the still of the night. Learn More about the still of the night. Share the still of the night. Resources for the still of the night Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared. Dictionary Entries near the still of the night the status quo the statute book the sticks the still of the night the Stone Age the story the story goes. Statistics for the still of the night Look-up Popularity.
Comments on the still of the night What made you want to look up the still of the night?