The Stranger Beside Me

BONE CHILLING!

Every woman or parent should read this book! This book had to be an emotionally difficult one for the author to write because of her friendship with the killer, Ted Bundy! I was tense and on the edge of my seat all the way through this. We each have that weak, vulnerable spot, that we can be taken in. This was bone chilling!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Ann Rule Worth Re-reading!

When The Stranger Beside Me was first published, I bought a copy to read on vacation in Florida. I had to take it with me to the beach, because I couldn't put it down. Ms. Rule had me hooked from the beginning, and she can't write fast enough for me. I've read every one of her books, and she never fails to fascinate with her telling of true crime stories. Her style of writing is so easy to read, and she treats the victims with great compassion. For my birthday this month, I received a copy of the new 2008 reprinted version of The Stranger Beside Me, and look forward to re-reading the book that got me hooked on Ann Rule!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

RULE AT HER VERY BEST

I am a advid reader of Rules's bookand this one takes the cake. Ted Bundy was a remarkable seriel killer and she captures eveything about him so that it seems almost like you know him yourself. If you are going to read a book by Rule, read this one.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

intense-kept me reading

The Stranger Beside Me is an intense book to read. Ted Bundy was a typical good looking man, who started out with a normal promising life. But then he turned on the world and murdered a mass amount of women who were all alike. They had long hair parted in the middle and were all successful and smart. Ted traveled around the United States committing these crimes, and even though he got put in prison multiple times, he escaped. Ann Rule wrote this book showing that you cannot trust people. Ted Bundy would act crippled and get a girl to help him to his car. The thing I liked about this book is that it kept me thinking, and turning back pages to try and figure things out before the story told the reader. There was never a dull part in this investigating book. There's not really anything I disliked about it, it was very good and would give it five out of five stars. People should read this because it makes you want to keep reading. Rule is very descriptive and tells you exactly how it happened. I have read Rule's other books such as "The Want-Ad Killer" and "Lust Killer". I loved them just as much. Ann Rule is famous for writing these killing, mystery books.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Nightmares

This is the scariest book I have ever read. After page 80, I could not read it alone at night in my own house. I lived in Tacoma, Washington (Bundy's hometown) and I went to UPS (like he did briefly). Every place Rule wrote about in Washington I am familiar with which is why I think it has extra creep factor for me. I was constantly amazed throughout the entire book how Bundy could lure females to him. This guy was a sicko and literally the stuff of nightmares. One of the top must reads if you are a true crime buff.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Impossible to put down

I am an Anne Rule fan and have read this book at least four times. Every time I read it, it is just as compelling as the time before. it is an absolute must read in the true crime genre. You will never forget this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Shivers.......

The scariest book I have ever read. Ann Rule is a great writer.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent

One of the best Ted Bundy stories I have read. This book keeps you very interested and I read it in one day because I could not put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Who Could Imagine..

... that someone you think you know so well is a serial killer. You just cannot make this stuff up. Ann Rule engages with this book. It has been, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. Very well written and captivating. It is a page turner!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book will change your life

One of the reasons I read the book was because it was recommended to me through a friend. At first I didn't think I would get much out of it;but, I think it really did change my life. And for the better! Ted Bundy was a charismatic, smart, and easy for someone to trust...until he killed them. This book is a case in point for showing that the face of a serial killer has the face of both me and you. I am much more alert of my surroundings at night. And no way will I stop and walk with someone to their car. The problem is so many women are too trusting of anybody. That's too bad. I stayed up with this book until 4am for about three nights in a row. It is really hard to put down. Ted Bundy has been dead for quite some time. But he is still very alive as an American crime icon. You will learn a substantial amount of facts and information in this book regarding both his life and that of Ann Rule's. Its a great view point coming from the Author, because she knew Ted Bundy as a friend! Before he was a murderer. It's unbelieveable. Did you know Ted Bundy had a wife and a daughter? Or that he escaped prison twice? It's a good book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A true monster

This book was extremely compelling and sets into motion the security changes that would take place in colleges and schools across our nation. Ann Rule is superb in relaying the life and background in one of the countries most notorious serial killers. For Ann Rule to have actually worked beside and being a confidanat to Ted makes the book all the more terrifying. I could not put this book down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ted Bundy was a Very Smooth Man

If Ann Rule can be taken in by a man like Ted Bundy, anyone can. As usual Ann Rule's book did not disappoint me. If anyone wants to know the real story of Ted Bundy they should read this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Probably Ann Rules' Best Book

This is the definitive book by someone who actually knew Ted Bundy. This isn't just a great book about a notorious serial killer, it's just a great book, period.
I really appreciate the insider's view point on a Jekyll and Hyde killer. Also, the periodic updates to the book are fascinating. One of the things I like most about The Stranger Beside Me is the author's portrayal of the victims as human beings who didn't deserve what happened to them. Not all true crime authors are that considerate of the victims and their families.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well-Written

Ann Rule is an excellent true-crime writer. She does a great job of covering the killer, his crimes, and talking with many of the people involved. This is an excellent and informative book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Creepy, Creepy, Creepy!

This is the first Ann Rule book I read, and it kept me coming back for more. I would stay up until 3am reading this book because I was afraid to turn out the lights! Her attention to detail is stunning, but she never loses compassion for the victims and their families.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Title says it all

This was a very good read from a classic true crime writer because she, Ann Rule, actually was friends w/ Ted Bundy. It is an interesting story about how she knew Bundy during the killing years and how their relationship changed as the truth about Bundy was exposed. Rule comes off as being somewhat sympathetic toward Bundy, but it is expected as she thought she knew him as a charming, good looking, normal guy. It got a little long winded during the trial and I think could have discussed the crimes a little more but overall this was a very good book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Made Me Scared of anybody asking for help

I have read this book at least 3 times and each time it amazes me how he could steal all of those womens lives in what seemed a moment --- Ann Rules writes the info & puts you where it happens. You feel the fear thru her writing

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Bone chilling - highly recommended - check it out!!!!!

This is the best book about Ted Bundy I have ever read. I bought the book thinking it would be good because it was written by Ann Rule. I was surprised to find out that she actually knew Ted Bundy personally. This book gives insight into the mind of a horrific killer and lets everyone who reads it know how a person looks does not determine what type of person they really are. Ted Bundy was handsome, charming, etc., but at the same time a serial killer who seems to have actually taken pleasure in killing. I loaned this book to a co-worker, and she had the same response to the book. We both loved it!!!

Very Highly Recommended!

The first book by Ann Rule that I read and I read it twice. She knew Ted Bundy and was a shocked as everyone else when she realized it was he who killed all those women. The investigation she did into the crimes must have been exhausting to her, but she wrote an awesome book and I think came to terms with who Ted Bundy really was.

Simply amazing!

This book was so amazing I read it all in two days. I could not put it down. Ann Rule is an amazing True Crime writer and this book was very well written. if you're a true crime fan, you will love this book. very well worth it.