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Stranger Beside Me
Stranger Beside Me
Stranger Beside Me
Audiobook (abridged)2 hours

Stranger Beside Me

Written by Ann Rule

Narrated by Ann Rule

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Rule, “America’s best true-crime writer” (Kirkus Reviews), her unforgettable classic account of the horrifying murders in the Pacific Northwest and her shock when she discovered her friend—Ted Bundy—was not only a suspect but also one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.

Meeting in 1971 at a Seattle crisis clinic, Ann Rule and Ted Bundy developed a friendship and correspondence that would span the rest of his life. Rule had no idea that when they went their separate ways, their paths would cross again under shocking circumstances.

The Stranger Beside Me is Rule’s compelling firsthand account of not just her relationship with Bundy, but also his life—from his complicated childhood to the media circus of his trials. Astonishing in its intimacy and with Rule’s clear-eyed prose, you can’t help but share in her growing horror at discovering that her friend was one of the most notorious American serial killers.

An unforgettable and haunting work of research, journalism, and personal memories, The Stranger Beside Me is “as dramatic and chilling as a bedroom window shattering at midnight” (The New York Times).
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 1, 1992
ISBN9780743546836
Stranger Beside Me
Author

Ann Rule

Ann Rule wrote thirty-five New York Times bestsellers, all of them still in print. Her first bestseller was The Stranger Beside Me, about her personal relationship with infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. A former Seattle police officer, she used her firsthand expertise in all her books. For more than three decades, she was a powerful advocate for victims of violent crime. She lived near Seattle and died in 2015.

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Reviews for Stranger Beside Me

Rating: 4.317919075144508 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

173 ratings24 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I think Ann's insight into Bundy's psyche was masterful for several reasons. Being a coworker and personal friend of Ted Bundy at a crisis center where they dealt regularly with life and death issues afforded Ann a unique perspective that Ted's lovers or friends could not possibly have shared. Additionally, both Ann's education and career geared toward law enforcement gave her a discernment into Bundy's essential nature, albeit more truly focused and realized as the events unfolded over the years. As she herself stated, she continued to hold out hope, however fleeting, that the police might have it wrong and that the press was just fanning the flames. Excellent job all around...factual, riveting, emotional, and absolutely true!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Although I read this book when it was first published, I am still haunted by it. Ann Rule is the standard by which true crime writing is measured, and she did a spectacular job of describing Ted Bundy, who touched her life. This is a fascinating account of this horrific, psycopathic killer and the people he knew who had no idea of the depths of his depravity.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This nonfiction look at the strange case of Ted Bundy is chilly to say the least. The author knew him well and was researching the killings without realizing she knew the killer. At times it dips into her personal life, which I could have done without, but to be fair, her real life was intertwined with his so it was relevant.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Ann Rule seems to lack the psychological insight required to fully examine her friendship with the most charismatic serial killer of our time. The discovery that her friend Ted Bundy was responsible for a series of murders which she was investigating must have been chilling and had a profound effect on her, but she really doesn't convey that very well to the reader. A wasted opportunity (if you can call it that), both for us readers and for Ann Rule as an author.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It was well written. The narrator was a little monotone but still interesting listen.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I think this is my favorite Ann Rule book, hands down. Not only because it's well-written, but because she knew Ted Bundy personally (she worked along side him at the Crisis Center in the late 60's, never knowing her good friend and co-worker was a cold-blooded serial killer). Ted Bundy is one of the most fascinating serial killers to me in the fact that he looked nothing like a killer--he was handsome, charismatic, and well-liked by everyone...yet, he brutally kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of young women. He was not only a sexual deviant, but a necrophiliac as well (straddling two types of serial killers, which is rare). This book is told from a person who knew him well and it definitely shows. 'The Stranger Beside Me' is not to be missed (especially if you're a fan of true crime novels!)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Stranger Beside Me had a huge influence on me when I first read it years ago. Ann Rule was my first true crime book that I read and started me on a true crime obsession. I have read almost all of Ann's books and they where all 4 to 5 star ratings in my opinion. Ann will be truly missed. RIP Ann Rule.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a required book for anyone who is a Ann Rule fan, wants to know how she became involved in writing in this area. Book deals with herdual relationship with Bundy, friend and reporter. The book demonstrates how a successful serial killer, a person who murders undetected for many years, must be an expert in humanpsychology, must be extraordinarily skilled in presentation of self, in manipulation of others.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    a great narrative, i love it...Thank you Ann Rule for giving us a picture of who Ted was.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    WOW! Ms. Rule’s reading of her experience as a person who knew one of the most infamous murderers of our time is made more chilling by her calm and matter of fact delivery . Even if you know someone….you never REALLY know them.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    One scary individual.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ann Rule is one of the best true crime writers around, but the added insights from her personal relationship with Ted Bundy made this a truly exceptional and fascinating read. The fact that Bundy could so easily hide the horrific parts of his personality from so many, including Ms. Rule who clearly was experienced with criminals and disturbed personalities from her work with the police and in crime writing, was astonishing and frightening. It makes one realize that we could all be fooled by such a person, a terrifying thought. Bundy's brutality juxtaposed with his thoughtfulness and kindness in his dealings with friends was chilling. A very rare and unusual glimpse into one of America's most prolific serial killers.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I read horror novels like they're going out of style, I devour twisted psychological suspense stories, and yet I have the strongest reactions to true crime accounts. I guess that's not surprising, since these events actually happened, but The Stranger Beside Me scared the living daylights out of me.Ann Rule's account of her relationship with Ted Bundy, before and after he was charged with murder, is straightforward but still manages to delve into the emotional aspects of the case, both in terms of her friendship with Bundy and in terms of his many female victims. The writing is not spectacular, but in this case, it really doesn't have to be. The facts speak for themselves. (Some readers don't respond well to this type of writing, but it seems to be more of a preference thing than a comment on the writing talent. I personally think this type of straightforward writing is extremely effective.)The crime scenes are stomach-turning and graphic, which juxtaposes horrifically with Bundy's suave, charismatic demeanor. Simply put, this book is terrifying and still gives me chills when I think about it. Bonus chapters, epilogues, and forewords show just how far Ted Bundy's infamy has spread through American culture...25 years after his execution, we're still talking about him.Readalikes:Green River Running Red - Ann Rule. If you liked how this serial killer account unfolded, from the murders to official investigations, to the trial, GRRR is another must-read. This time, the murderer is the Green River Killer, who was finally caught at the end of a 20+ year reign of terror in the Pacific Northwest.My Life Among the Serial Killers - Helen Morrison. A forensic psychologist interviews several infamous serial killers in the hopes of learning what makes these murderers tick, and how they became serial killers.The Good Nurse - Charles Graeber. Although this book isn't written from an insider's perspective, it evokes many of the same powerful and visceral reactions as TSBM. The Good Nurse covers the crimes of Charlie Cullen, a male nurse on the East Coast who killed as many as 300 patients in his 16+ years of hospital experience.Defending Gary - Mark Prothero. An insider's perspective into an infamous serial murder case - in this instance, written by the lead defense attorney for Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer.John Wayne Gacy - Sam L. Amirante. See above. This book, however, covers the trial and crimes of John Wayne Gacy, the Chicago serial killer who dressed like a clown for his victims.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Absolutely fascinating how this true crime writer, of all things, worked alongside and was friends with, Ted Bundy. Rule does a fantastic job detailing their relationship and his heinous crimes, and remaining objective throughout.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of the best true crime books ever written (up there with Helter Skelter and Doc: the Rape of the town of Lovell). The crime descriptions are too painful for me to read (now that I am a parent) but the story of the relationship between Rule and Bundy, and her growing awareness that he is a monster, is just as gripping as ever.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of my best friends used to have Ted Bundy babysit for their kid. I was shocked to find his name in the book years later.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ann Rule, a struggling single mother writing stories for detective magazines, lands a book contract for the yet-unsolved "Ted" murders that are occurring in her town. In a twist that I'd call unbelievable and unrealistic in a novel, the "Ted" behind these murders is her friend, Ted Bundy. Rule discusses Ted's crimes, which culminate in a shocking murder spree in Florida. She also talks about her own life, and her feelings about Ted. You can see her opinion on Ted Bundy evolve as she writes numerous "final chapters" and updates in the book - one in 1986 (once Ted Bundy had been on Florida's death row for years), another in 1989 (after his execution), another in 2000, and a final one in 2008. Part memoir and part true crime book, Rule isn't the best writer I've read, but the book was very engrossing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Very interesting read. The only reason I gave it four instead of five stars is because I often felt bugged that the author, who had been an old friend of Bundy's, spoke of sending him money (totalling several hundred dollars over the years) and stamps while he was in jail and continuing her communications with him for years and years and years. There seems to be an underlying sympathy toward Bundy that is hard to understand much less accept. I don't think Rule intended that, but it is there. With that said, this is not in any way a pro-Bundy book; the author simply grapples with her feelings over finding out her good friend and man she trusted was a horrific serial killer. She was trying to come to terms with such a shocking, shocking discovery. I just have trouble understanding how she would want to maintain correspondence with a man accused of cold-blooded, pre-meditated murder, among other horrors. If I had a friend accused of murder, I would stop all communication IMMEDIATELY upon the first accusation.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Story of Ted Bundy. Scary, makes we wary. Can't read too many of her books without getting spooked.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Ann Rule's initial true crime book, sparked off by her friendship with Ted Bundy, possibly the USA's most notorious serial killer, is a milestone in the true crime genre.The events of this book are so unlikely that a fiction writer trying on a similar storyline would be laughed out of the publishing houses. Rule worked side by side with Bundy on a suicide prevention hotline, then maintained contact with him in person, and via letter and telephone calls though his continuing campaign of grotesque killing, eventual capture and escape, and ultimately his conviction and execution. The Stranger Beside Me is therefore just as much about Rule's own growing realization of the truth about Bundy as it is the story of his sick life. In ordinary circumstances, this would be insufferable in a true crime writer, but the circumstances here are so far from ordinary that a very large measure of indulgence to Rule's moral equivocating is due. This is a long, complicated book, but it needs to be. It's highly recommended for all true crime fans.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really fascinating. Creepy.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I was very excited to read a book written to some one that has known the criminal and with a background related with crime and investigation. She was specialized to write about ??people, who often wear a perfect mask..? It seems my expectation did not match the other readers...At least it is what you expect when you see all these five stars evaluation. The book looks more a report of the writer with a very superficial analysis of Ted Bundy. In fact, most of the book is a about good cop nice justice and many?many description about supposed victims. The last chapter (named as that) you really gets lost in among many people (lawyers, news report, girl friends, etc..) that wanted to get any money from the situation. In fact, this scenario give me the reason to give the three stars: one sociopath looking to be famous at any expenses, and, in the other hand, people (lawyers, reports, girls, etc..) taking the chance to be part of it to become famous.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The next book I read was The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule. Since I was reminded of the Zodiac book I read a long time ago I thought I'd read about another serial kill. I picked up this book about Ted Bundy. The author, Ann Rule, worked along side him at a telephone hotline where she heard him do work that saved people's lives. Ms. Rule appeared to have a crush on Bundy with his handsome looks, good verbal ability, and clean-cut appearance back in the 60's and 70's. I appeared to me that she was torn whether or not to believe his innocence. This book goes through a biography of Ted's life, the troubled youth, his schooling, the crimes, and legal aspects of his cases. It was interesting that he quickly was liked by people and was a young republican name as he was growing up. I did not think the book went too deep into the gore of the crimes and did not talk about all of the seventy six or so murders that he committed. It was interesting how it chronicled where he lived and how he went through towns particularly in Utah. To me, he did not appear to be a person that handles refusal well. I know that is not much about that book but I'd be happy to talk to anybody that wants to talk about it. Just let me know.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Ann Rule is the James Patterson of True Crime writers. In other words, prolific, ubiquitous, practically rules her genre--but essentially an empty writer of boiler plate. But this book, such as it is, is definitely a fascinating read for two reasons: one, Ted Bundy is among that rara avis, a serial killer, and a high-functioning sociopath who kept a mask of sanity so skin tight and smooth that Ann Rule, who knew him and volunteered beside him on a suicide hotline had not a clue he was the killer so many were looking for--and that she was writing about as a crime reporter. And there you have the other reason: she did know him. She did think of him as a friend. So the inherent fascination of content triumphs somewhat over the clumsy hack writing.