True crime icon Ann Rule presents a “must-read” (People) New York Times bestseller—and inspiration behind the Lifetime movie A House on Fire—following a woman whose apparent perfect life hides a harrowing and deadly madness.
Debora Green, a doctor and mother in a picturesque and exclusive Kansas town, seems to have the perfect life with her own medical practice, a handsome physician husband, and three lovely children. It seems like a horribly tragic accident when a raging fire destroys her home and takes two lives. But a trail of clues leads investigators to an unthinkable conclusion.
In this “tour de force from America’s best true crime writer” (Kirkus Reviews), Ann Rule reveals the disturbing secrets—including infidelity, suicide, revenge, and murder—hiding beneath a façade of paradise in the American heartland.
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"I found this to be one of Rule's stronger books, but I agree with other reviewers that it is colored by not truly understanding Deb Green (at least until the last chapter). I think she was fair and not overly biased towards Michael Ferrar however it was clear that she spoke to him extensively so that this is really his story despite the subtitle."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
“An unnerving book…Rule offers some interesting theories.”
— New York Times Book Review“The case of Debora Green—a woman whose promise seemed boundless—is intriguing.”
— Washington Post“A must-read story of the ’90s American dream turned, tragically, to self-absorbed ashes.”
— People“Tension filled, page-turning.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Impossible to put down…A tour de force from America's best true-crime writer.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I read this book really quick and found it a very interesting read. It wasn't as "thrilling" as some other of Anne Rule's books but I still really enjoyed reading it. I found alot of the stuff repetitive which turned me off, but at the same time found it intriguing for the most part. "
— Erica, 12/23/2013" True crime is pretty scary. I don't think I could do a regular diet of it. It is fascinating in a morbid way to read about people who are capable of such evil. I remember reading and hearing about this story when I was in college as it only happend an hour from my home town. Ann Rule does a great job of showing all aspects of the case. "
— Carrie, 11/28/2013" Ann Rule really puts time and effort into researching and getting her facts straight. I always feel like I know these people by the time I'm done reading. This was a very disturbing case involving a mother who ends up killing two of her children. "
— Kim, 11/27/2013" One reason I wanted to read this book was because I enjoy true crime, but the other is because I used to live in Prairie Village. I moved there a few years after the trial, so there was not much news about itby then, but I wonder if the doctor worked at the hospital where I worked? Makes me wonder who my neighbors really are! "
— Renee, 10/28/2013" This about the doctor in Prairie Village that poisoned her husband then set fire to her house...killing two of her children... "
— Jillain, 10/15/2013" Another killer Ann Rule killer book. I love her stuff. It's candy and so fun!! "
— Rob, 10/5/2013" This was a crazy story. Good, but a messed up crazy story. "
— Janet, 10/1/2013" The true story about a Dr. from Kansas City that tries to kill her husband. "
— Kay, 9/26/2013" I loved this book! Found it in the True Crime section of my library. I couldn't put it down! Although this book is of actual events it read like a fictional mystery with twists and turns! I recommend this book highly. "
— Shanin, 9/26/2013" A sad and tragic story of a family torn apart and destroyed by the murder of two of the children by their own mother. A good read, however, slow moving in parts. My first book from Ann Rule. Hoping that if I read more, they are more captivating and more fast paced. "
— Angie, 9/21/2013" Since this was a local family and several friends of mine knew them, this book was an anticipated follow-up of all the drama that was well-publicized in our papers. Ann Rule is spectacular with her well-researched account of this tragedy. "
— Diana, 3/13/2013" Ann Rule has done it again.!!!!! "
— Suzie, 12/13/2012" OK. So the book was written well. I just could not stomach the death of children and thinking about it still leaves me sad and bitter. The psychopathology of this woman was interesting though. "
— Leisha, 9/3/2012" A mind candy type book. "
— Christina, 7/7/2012" Scary book. This woman is crazy. "
— Rick, 2/25/2012" This book was interesting. I could not put it down until the very end. Crazy story! "
— Ashley, 1/29/2012" Ann Rule is the master of True Crime, find it hard to put her books down. Always so sad and shocking. "
— Natalie, 12/3/2011" Interesting read, I didnt live in KC when this all went down, but i continue to hear about the case to this day. "
— Jules, 10/21/2011" This is the true story of how Dr. Debora Green set fire to her Kansas City home and intentionally killed her children. It is written well, true Ann Rule style. Debora was angry at her husband. "
— Vikki, 10/3/2011" this one was really good if you like this sort of thing... "
— Jenn, 8/16/2011" Shows how kooks can really be out there functioning in society - pretty scary stuff "
— Abbey, 6/25/2011" This was one book i could not put down. It chilled me from beginning to end. It is definitely upsetting, so have some kleenex with you when you read it. "
— Elizabeth, 6/8/2011" I don't recall everything about this book because it's been years since I've read it, but, as I say with all of Ann's books, I couldn't put it down. It is a long read, but well worth it. "
— Kimberly, 6/6/2011" This was a crazy story. Good, but a messed up crazy story. "
— Janet, 2/24/2011" True story , good, fire investigtion, poison with Castor beans "
— Mary, 2/13/2011" This was a difficult book to read. My total dislike for the accused just made me uncomfortable (I do think she did it). I usually plow through books in one or two sittings, but this one took a while. It had to be digested in chunks. Very depressing material. "
— Sara, 6/30/2010" Good, but not as good as other Ann Rule books I've read. "
— Mariah, 5/1/2010" Good book. It is too bad that the children died because their mom wanted to get revenged on their father. "
— Kristen, 4/12/2010" THIS WAS A VERY DISTURBING BOOK ABOUT A SICK WOMAN. <br/>IT WAS HARD TO READ AT TIMES AND TO UNDERSTAND THE <br/>WOMAN'S REASONING AT THE TIME. "
— JUDY, 2/25/2010" See review for Small Sacrifices, although I found this one a little slow. That insane woman behind closed doors was once again detailed in all her charm, and that kept me going. "
— Bunny, 1/7/2010Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.
Mary Beth Hurt is an award-winning Broadway actor as well as an acclaimed performer in film and television. Her theater work includes A Delicate Balance, The Secret Rapture, Benefactors, Crimes of the Heart, The Misanthrope, and Trelawney of the Wells. Her film credits include Affliction, Autumn in New York, Family Man, Six Degrees of Separation, The Age of Innocence, The World According to Garp, and Interiors.