Practice to Deceive Audiobook

From “America’s best true-crime writer” (Kirkus Reviews) Ann Rule comes the New York Times bestselling mystery novel of drama, greed, sex, scandal, and murder on an eerie island in the Pacific Northwest.

Nestled in Puget Sound and accessible only by ferry, Whidbey Island is a gem off the coast of Washington State where life is insular and the island’s year-round residents tend to know one another’s business. But when the blood-drenched body of Russel Douglas is discovered the day after Christmas in his SUV, the whole island is shocked. No one can imagine who among them could plot such a cold-blooded crime. And like a cast of characters from a mystery novel, a host of Whidbey residents fall under suspicion.

Brenna Douglas was Russel’s estranged and soon-to-be-ex wife, who allowed him to come home for a Christmas visit with their children. Brenna often complained to her good friend Peggy Sue that Russel was physically and emotionally abusive. Married three times, Peggy Sue’s own life has been one of extremes: hers is a rags-to-riches-and-back-again tale. 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, the newest heart pounding true-crime tour de force from Ann Rule.

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"Russel Douglas was discovered the day after Christmas in his car in a hidden driveway near Whidbey Island's most exclusive mansions. He had been shot - a single shot between his eyes. No one could imagine who among them could commit such a devious, cold-blooded crime. Police first suspected suicide - it was the holiday season, after all... But when they failed to locate a gun in or near the SUV, Russel’s manner of death was then determined to be a homicide. A number of residents fell under the cloud of suspicion. Brenna Douglas was Russel’s estranged and soon-to-be-ex wife, and had allowed him to come home for a Christmas visit with their kids. Brenna had complained for years that Russel had been physically and emotionally abusive to her. Brenna's friend Peggy Sue had a confusing life, too - married three times, and the star of her own rags-to-riches-and-back-again tale in which she’s played many roles... But in 2003, her love affair with married guitarist Jim Huden led the two Island natives to pursue their ultimate dreams of wealth and privilege—even at the expense of human life. This is a great read for the true crime enthusiast."

— JM (5 out of 5 stars)