Small Sacrifices

Last year I watched a 20/20 episode that had me spellbound. It was called My Mother's Sins, and is the story of Diane Downs, the mom that was accused of trying to murder her children in the early 1980's. One of her daughter's names was Christie (mine is Christi), and being a child of the 80's myself, I latched onto this story immediately. While still watching the episode I was on Amazon downloading a copy of Small Sacrifices, and instantly attempted to devour this horrific yet mystifying story.

It took me months to get through, thanks to moving and building a house, but I have to say that I preferred to take this novel slow. There is so much information, and the story itself so unimaginable and heartbreaking, that I needed to take in the show more information in doses. How could a woman attempt to murder her children for a man?? This is the question that plagued me the entire time I read.

In saying that, learning about Diane Downs was fascinating. I've never known anyone that could be so selfish, making herself the victim despite her children really being the ones who truly suffered, and showing the most inappropriate emotions at the most inopportune times. Not showing emotion about her dying children, and twisting everything to be about herself, Diane is the textbook definition of a narcissist and a severe one at that. I've truly never seeing anything like it!

Though I am a true crime buff, this is the first novel I've had the opportunity to read by the late Ann Rule, and all I can say is wow! The attention to detail is unparalleled, giving every nugget of information, showing every side of a multifaceted story, leaving no stone unturned, and no questions remaining.

The entire novel is captivating, but what really left me spellbound was during Diane's trial, when Christie, Diane's only surviving daughter, took the stand as an eyewitness. The bravery that sweet little girl showed was unmatched. I also couldn't wait to read the account of Diane Downs taking the stand in her own defense, and it did not disappoint.

Astonishingly detailed, and written in the most professional manner, you can feel the respect that Ann had for the victims, those precious children, and her passion to tell the truth of this heinous act to the world. Small Sacrifices gives you the full account of one of the most unthinkable acts done to innocent children by one of the most evil killers, Diane Downs. show less

Ann Rule's shocking and powerful account of the destructive forces that drove Diane Downs, a beautiful young mother, to shoot her three young children in cold blood.
Possible Triggers: The true account of a mother that shoots her own young children. The book also has some very graphic pictures.
I vividly remember how interested my cop husband and his partner at that time, was in the movie about this crime when it first came out and I remember watching it with them. At that time, I didn't really think much about it being based on a true crime. When I discovered this book, I had to see how the two venues did on "the truth and nothing but the truth" level. I was surprised that both venues remarkably agreed in the portrayal of this monster, show more who dared to call herself a loving mother.

I read a lot of books about strange, and sometimes horrible things that human beings are capable of...so I'm hard to be surprised by reality...but I believe this story just about tops anything fiction could ever have dreamed of coming up with. It was one of the most harrowing, yet, in its own way, fascinating, books I've ever read. Diane Downs is a mother who is so self-obsessed and pleasure loving that she actually drove her three young children to a dark country road and shoots them in cold blood. She then shoots herself in the arm to support her fabricated story of a random attack from a "bushy haired stranger". The two cops in my living room had a "field day" with this info.

Diane Downs was obsessed with regaining the affections of the married man that she had been having a relationship with, but who didn't want the "hassle and inconvenience"...her word to the police, of children. She then makes the decision to "eliminate" her two daughters and her son while concocting a false story about hers and the children's injuries. She sealed her own fate with her lies and inappropriate behavior during police questioning and court appearances. It all showed her to be a scheming and totally amoral narcissist.

One of her daughters died from her injuries, the other two children survived and were adopted by the DA and his wife. All I could think of was "bless those two people".

Be aware that this is a hugely, almost unimaginable, upsetting true story that is so unbelievable, that it's hard for any mother or father to imagine that it's actually true. Ann Rule has come up with yet another masterpiece. Take my advice and by-pass on the movie. reading about it is one thing...seeing it is a whole new ballgame. show less

Aside from the horrific crime, this was a very engaging read. Diane Downs is an absolute narcissistic, cold-hearted, selfish, psychotic sociopath. I felt complete disgust for Diane and utter sympathy for her children, and all children who must suffer at the hands of others - especially a parent(s). Ann Rule does a fantastic job relating the true story of the tragedy of these children (and others who had the misfortune of crossing paths with Diane). She leaves no stone unturned and tells an unbiased account of the events leading up to the horror, the aftermath, and the trial. She even includes how irate Diane was at this book. This is a must read for any true-crime reader, but be prepared for your emotions to run wild.

What could possibly motivate a mother of three to shoot her own children? This very question is posed and answered in Ann Rule's best seller, Small Sacrifices. Diane Downs is a sociopath and complex character. Her story, Small Sacrifices,will break your heart.

The story begins with Diane Downs driving to the hospital and reporting her children have been shot by an unknown man who stopped them on the road. Through flashbacks we get to know Diane, her early life and her experiences. We follow the police investigation as they start to tie her to the horrible act. We then move on to the court case which plays out with so much drama you don't realize you're reading about an actual event.

I originally read this book when it was first show more published and recently watched the late 80's made-for-TV movie starring Farrah Fawcett. Probably because of that, when I had a reading challenge that called for rereading a book, I immediately thought of this one. No matter how many times you read it you will still be horrified by what Diane Downs did. Horrified or not, you'll be gripped by this fascinating true crime story. show less

Piccoli sacrifici è un libro agghiacciante, sia per il crimine in esso descritto (una donna che spara ai propri figli per un uomo), sia perché ci ricorda che i sociopatici non sono solo famosi serial killer (e, aggiungerei io, non sono solo americani).

La ricerca dietro il libro è puntigliosa, anche se a volte lo stile Ann Rule tende un po' a cadere nel patetico.

This is the horrific, true story of Diane Downs, a divorced mother of three young children. One night, she is on the way home from a friend’s house when a man stopped her car, leaned into it, and shot her kids. He then shot her in her arm. She manages to get the kids to the ER and then an investigation starts into the shooting. It is quickly determined that Diane is the prime suspect.
It’s difficult to rate this book. I really liked it because of the way the book was written and I liked the postscript and updates from 1988; however, I did not like the reason behind why the book was written – the crime Diane committed.

his is the horrific, true story of Diane Downs, a divorced mother of three young children. One night, she is on the way home from a friend’s house when a man stopped her car, leaned into it, and shot her kids. He then shot her in her arm. She manages to get the kids to the ER and then an investigation starts into the shooting. It is quickly determined that Diane is the prime suspect.
It’s difficult to rate this book. I really liked it because of the way the book was written and I liked the postscript and updates from 1988; however, I did not like the reason behind why the book was written – the crime Diane committed.