This was an interesting True Crime story, a little different than the serial killer books that I’ve read by Ann Rule before. If You Really Loved Me is the story of a family. The family is a bit unconventional consisting of David Brown, his 23-year old wife Linda, Linda’s 17-year old sister Patti and David’s 14-year old daughter Cinnamon. David and Linda also have a baby together.
Linda is killed one night in 1985 in her California home. When the police come to investigate they find all of the evidence, including David and Patti’s accounts, pointing towards Cinnamon. Cinnamon is found curled up in the doghouse in the backyard, in a pool of her own vomit, with a suicide note after overdosing.
The investigation takes place at Cinnamon is found guilty and goes to a youth prison. However the investigator and others involved in the case feel like the pieces just don’t fall into place so they keep watching David Brown. They watch as he moves into a much larger home and buys new cars all of the time. They learn he collected $800,000 in life insurance from his wives death. And they watch as Linda’s younger sister moves right into her place, wearing her clothing, taking care of Linda’s baby, and staying right by David’s side.
Years later it comes out through Cinnamon, and later Patti, that David had manipulated them into killing Linda. He had told Cinnamon that Linda would kill him first if she didn’t do something about it, and kept telling Cinnamon, “If you really loved me…” you would do this. Both Patti and David go to trial.
It was an interesting (and horrifying) story to read and it had me interested enough that I was looking up the people to find out what happened to them and where they are now.
No Comments on "If You Really Loved Me by Ann Rule"