The Stranger Beside Me

The Shocking True Story of Serial Killer Ted Bundy

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Ann Rule was working on the biggest story of her career, tracking the trail of victims left by a brutal serial killer. Little did this future best-selling author know that the savage slayer she was hunting was the young man she counted among her closest friends.

Everyone's picture of a natural winner, Ted Bundy was a bright, charming, and handsome man with a promising future as an attorney. But on January 24, 1989 Bundy was executed for the murders of three young women - and had confessed to taking the lives of at least thirty-five more women from coast to coast. Ann Rule, who kept in constant contact with Bundy throughout the investigation, tells his story as no other person can, capturing the essence of his magnetic power, unholy compulsion, and demonic double life.

Available for the first time on audio, this shocking true story is an unforgettable listening experience. In an emotional reading, Rule tells us about Ted Bundy - the man she thought she really knew...the stranger beside her.

©2008 Ann Rule (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"As dramatic and chilling as a bedroom window shattering at midnight." ( The New York Times)

May I introduce you to Ted Bundy?

What did you love best about The Stranger Beside Me?

I felt that I met Ted Bundy. That I could have liked the person that he showed the world. As for his evil side I would only meet him armed with an AK47 and forty US Marines!

What did you like best about this story?

Ann Rule, having known Ted, had a fondness for the 'good Ted'. Ted was younger than Ann and perhaps he let her see the vulnerable side that made her want to 'Mother' him. He in turn was tall, well built and protective towards Ann. I think that made him show her his 'Big Brother' side.
It must have seemed so eerie when Ann was reporting on a serial killer only to find that it was her friend of several years. A man who knew where she lived and knew that she was a single Mother with teenage daughters who wore their hair long dark hair with a center part. A very fashion forward look of the '70s plus a favored look of Ted Bundy's.

Which character – as performed by Lorelei King – was your favorite?

Had to be Ted Bundy because of his two personalities.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The updated version over the original and Ann's feelings about the outcome. I was just surprised that Ann Rule did not visit Ted towards the end of his life.

Any additional comments?

Even if you have read the original volume this updated version is GOLDEN. Treat yourself to a good read as this is the quintessential true crime serial killer classic.

Amazing book and authorship. Absurd voices.

The story was amazing, and the writing was beautiful. My only complaint -- and it isn't about this book in particular, but about ALL (or almost all) audiobooks -- is the voices the actor/narrator is compelled or directed to do. It's the equivalent of a record scratch sound for me, when the narrator suddenly changes the pitch or accent of his/her voice to indicate a character speaking (the worst and weirdest is women "doing" male voices). I know what different humans sound like when they speak...I don't need or want it spoon-fed to me. It takes me out of the story and the narrative. PLEASE stop this as an industry practice.
The book itself is fantastic.

Good book, need a better narrator

I didn't care for her mispronouncing most of the cities in Washington, not to mention several other common words. That distracted from the book, but the story was really well written.

Great writer, Amazing story!

This was my first time finishing a book on audible. I work out of my car and also have a long commute. This booka was amazing and I can't wait to finish many more books.

Well told by Anne Rule

Andruul with meant to write the story of serial killer Ted Bundy. In fact she was contracted to write the book about the and identified serial killer without knowing that her close acquaintance when end up being the suspect. In so many ways Ann Rule and Ted Bundy's paths crossed over each other. Only this author's perspectives could truly make me believe that Ted Bundy could fool anybody. I completely believe her when she says I just didn't know.

Classic True Crime

This book is fascinating! Ted Bundy is such a studied serial killer and, while I thought I knew a lot about him before I read this, this book was super eye opening and creepy. This book documents Bundy's crimes in detail without being overly garish, has awesome accounts of the (very few) victims who survived, and left me wanting to research more about Bundy once I finished the book. I recommend this book to all of my true crime loving friends who mostly listen to podcasts or watch forensic shows - it's a great introductory crime book, particularly because the author knew Bundy. Definitely worth a credit!

P.S. I recommend this book all the time but rated it four stars because, as awesome as this book is, sometimes it gets a little sluggish / bogged down with Rule's introspection. She's an incredible true crime writer but is occasionally a little off putting. That could have been the narrator, though!

A staple for any true crime fan

I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, and I’m glad I finally got the opportunity to listen to it. Any true crime “fan” will enjoy this. This story is told with such unique perspective it’s absolutely chilling.

Learned a lot!

This was an excellent book and a great way to learn more about Ted Bundy. I knew quite a bit but there was so much more I did not know. I appreciated the several epilogues to get caught up completely. Glad I bought this one!

If Ted killed, I also know he that he saved

I originally became interested in Ted Bundy after watching the Netflix special on him. If I found the Ted Bundy Tapes interesting, then this book is fascinating. Highly recommend .

Enthralling!

This book sucked me in and I couldn't stop listening until I finished. I breezed through this book in only 5 days. Narration is wonderful, and the story was captivating. While the subject matter was horrifying at many points, the writers unique perspective makes this book hard to put down. Loved it!