Stranger Beside Me

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Ann Rule

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).

An intimate look Into the life and motivation.

Ann provides an in depth look at Ted, an man without conscience, who's scorn from the past pushed his fragile psyche over the edge. We will never know if he just snapped one day, or if he started his murders earlier in his life. This portrait of Bundy shows us that a man of such promise and possibility could fall down the darkest of holes, turning to rape, murder, necrophilia, overcome by compulsions of demented brutality, and constantly maintaining his innocence. The side most people knew is explored, and how it seemed almost impossible that he became the monster he was.

Get rid of the narrator!

She may have been the writer or the one who experienced this but she sounds like she’s having lunch while she’s narrating!
I also felt this author was sort of a name dropper and it seemed more important that she knew Ted Bundy than the horrific things. Yes, she’s using a comparison, but the she pushes the fact that she knew him was a bit much.

Really great book!!!

I really loved that Anne narrated the book. She was thorough in her explanations and story and it was really interesting to hear things about Ted Bundy I never knew! Great easy read!

Refreshing

It's refreshing to heard the story told from the point of view of someone who knew him. And hearing it read by the author is a treat!

Wish I had bought the unabridged version

Where does Stranger Beside Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was pretty decent

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely, Ann rule never ceases to amaze me

What does Ann Rule bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A much more personal account

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Ted Bundy's story is pretty intense