Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer?

by Ann Rule Narrated by Sharon Gless

Overview

The shocking tale from true crime queen Ann Rule.

Who is Brad Cunningham?

How could five beautiful, intelligent, and successful women believe he was their dream come true? Ask any women who ever longed for "the perfect man."

Loni Ann, Cynthia, Lauren, Cheryl, and Sara seemed to have it all -- beauty, wealth, children, and a husband who they believed to be this perfect man -- Brad Cunningham. He was handsome, charismatic, and mysterious -- they adored him and tried to give him all he wanted. But he wanted everything -- sex, money, and it seemed, their very lives. How long would it take before he finally got what he deserved?

This question haunts Dead by Sunset -- Ann Rule's riveting and impeccably researched study of the destructive relationships, multiple marriages, financial manipulations, and monstrous acts of harassment and revenge that surrounded Brad Cunningham and his wives. It is also a penetrating -- and ultimately shocking -- recreation of Cheryl's murder and the eight years it took to bring her killer to justice.

Dead by Sunset is a chilling look at the evil that lurks behind the most charming of facades, and a fascinating homage to the kind of courage and brilliance it takes to combat it.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Brad Cunningham was handsome, brilliant, a high-school hero in his native Seattle, a football star at the University of Washington. His family background was unusual, with a Native American mother of whom he was ashamed and an Anglo father who was contemptuous of women. As an adolescent, Brad was violent with his sisters and his mother. This pattern continued in his first, second and third marriages but reached its apogee with his fourth wife, Cheryl Keeton, a highly successful lawyer by whom he fathered three sons. When their marriage collapsed and she sought custody of their children, Brad, a bank executive, threatened her; in September 1986, she was found bludgeoned to death in her car on an Oregon highway. The case remained unresolved until Cheryl Keeton's estate filed a civil suit for damages against Brad in 1991. A criminal trial followed in 1993, in which Brad was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years. Rule (Small Sacrifices) provides a perceptive character analysis of a malignant, self-centered, charismatic con artist. It's a chilling, haunting portrait. Photos not seen by PW. 125,000 first printing; True Crime Book Club main selection; Doubleday Book Club, Literary Guild and Mystery Guild featured alternates; Reader's Digest Nonfiction Condensed Book Club selection; Tri-Star/NBC-TV miniseries to air in November. (Oct.)

Library Journal

Bradley Cunningham was, to all appearances, a handsome, charming, and loving father, and caring husband. In reality, he considered his wives and children to be nothing more than disposable possessions. Rule proves herself once again to be the master of the true-crime genre in this account of abuse and murder. The narrative follows Cunningham's childhood, business dealings, affairs, and marriages and includes a look at his relationships with his parents, friends, and co-workers. Rule's writing is crisp and well paced, full of details that give the reader clear insight into circumstances and surroundings, as well as motive. Not only is Cunningham revealed as a master of manipulation and, ultimately, murder, but with the added dimension of sociopath-one who is absolutely unfazed by his crimes. Rule, if possible, has outdone herself. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/95.]-Christine Moesch, Buffalo & Erie Cty. P.L., N.Y.

From the Publisher

Walter Walker The New York Times Book Review ...fascinating material....Ms. Rule admirably recounts this labyrintine tale....

Publishers Weekly Rule provides a perceptive character analysis of a malignant, self-centered, charismatic con artist. It's a chilling, haunting portrait.

Dan Webster The Spokesman-Review (ID) The similarities with the O.J. case are compelling.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171178765
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	10/01/1995
Edition description:	Abridged

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