Run at Destruction: A True Fatal Love Triangle

Run at Destruction - Provocative and insightful!

Readers beware - you will not be able to put this book down. Lynda Drews' first attempt as a novelist is both captivating and thought-provoking as she gives the reader the opportunity to look over her shoulder while she re-lives the events of 25 years ago that would subsequently leave a lasting impression on her life. Run at Destruction is a skillfully crafted account of a true story that shook the city of Green Bay as seen through the eyes of the author, an avid runner who, along with her husband (a former All-American distance runner), was part of tight social community centered on a passion for distance running. The story is a familiar one - handsome and respected husband Bob Bulik strays from his adoring wife Pam (both avid members of Lynda's running group) and initiates a chain of events that will ultimately lead to Pam's death. What is unique and fascinating about this novel, however, is that the reader is given a close-up and personal account of these events through the recollections and probing insights of one of Pam's best friends - Lynda Drews. Lynda's attention to detail and deliberate pace draws the reader deeper and deeper into the story, painting a picture of a close-knit group of friends shocked by Pam's death while prompting the reader to form an opinion for themselves as to what really happened - was Pam's death a homicide or a terrible accident? Through Lynda's first-hand account, we see and feel Pam's pain as she deals with her husband's unfaithfulness and we see, and sympathize with, an emotionally torn Lynda as she struggles to assist her friend, only to be devastated by her death and subsequently drawn into the ensuing investigation and trial. Blending her love of running and a story that will intrigue all those who read it, Lynda's first novel is a resounding success - again, be prepared to carve out some extended 'me' time - once you start this book, you will not be able to put it aside until you reach the provocative ending.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

True Crime at its best!

Truth is stranger than fiction." Those famous words from Mark Twain have been a driving force in my reading life for at least the last decade. Somewhere along the line, I discovered Ann Rule, a widely-known true crime author, and never looked back. I became addicted to these types of stories...the personality disorders, the trail of evidence, the deceptions, the trials, the victims. I literally have read hundreds of these stories. I think somewhere deep down in my psyche, I thought that if I learned the signs of sociopathic personality, I might have a better chance of avoiding them! Where am I going with all of this? Well, recently I was offered the chance to review this book and I jumped at it. While I have diversified my reading selections since I started blogging, this is one of my favorite genres.

The author, Lynda Drews, has an interesting tale to tell. Her and her husband, Green Bay, WI natives, have been avid runners and marathoners most of their adult lives. The running community in Green Bay is a tight-knit bunch...they run together, they party together, they are each others' support systems and are all good friends. On April 7, 1984, however, this world imploded for Lynda. Her best friend, Pam Bulik, was found drowned in her bathtub, presumably of suicide. Soon, after the facts begin to emerge, Lynda, the rest of her group, and the police know this was no suicide. They all believe Pam was murdered by her husband Bob.

The Buliks' lives are unspooled before us. From Lynda's own knowledge, police interviews and crime scene details, we learn about the deterioration of the Bulik marriage. Of Bob's long-term affair with a fellow school-teacher, which becomes the primary motive. Of a mysterious attack on Pam nine months earlier, which was never solved. Of Pam's fear that Bob was drugging her, her depression, and fight to lift herself out of the quagmire. Of Bob's convoluted and lame explanation for what happened on April 7th. Lynda provides the history, the evidence, the trial, the verdict, the aftermath, and Lynda's involvement in process, from a point of view that is as street-level as it gets.

Throughout the book, you get such a sense of Lynda's raw devastation from the loss of her friend and the senselessness of the crime. This book is truly a labor of love, and a tribute to Pam's memory. But most impressive is her ability to also step away from her emotion and present the facts, and look at the case from different angles. I suppose time allows her a bit of this control, but from where I sat, I was ENRAGED. At one point, while my husband was playing with his iPhone and I was in my chair reading, I caused him to start when I exploded "ARGH, damn I hope they fry this guy!". I was highly disturbed that the legal system prevented the inclusion of certain, very important facts in the trial. I was disturbed by Bob's cocksure attitude and pathological lying. All of this adds up to a phenomenal true crime story, matching up nicely against anything else out there.

So how does it all end? Is Bob found guilty or innocent? Where is Bob now? Well, it is public record of course, but you aren't going to hear it from me. You need to read this book for the goods.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Run At Destruction - Fantastic Book!!

A great book that is based on true events. The author, Lynda Drews, does an amazing job of putting together all of the details surrounding the murder trial. She really did her homework on this and it shows. I live in Green Bay and also run which brought this book really close to home. The personal accounts from Lynda and her friends draw you in emotionally. Bonus: if you are not a runner, then you might just find yourself wanting to go out and buy a pair of running shoes and join your local running club after reading this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow! Good - intriguing - solid - captivating... waiting for Ms. Drews next one!

This book drew me into the world of academia, athletes, family
BarBQues and ... the steamy underside of affairs in the community.

I couldn't put it down.
Waiting for her next work!

Genie

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very good

Very, very, good book.

I couldn't stop reading!!

I felt drawn in from the beginning. If you enjoy "true crime " stories , here is one that really intrigues and leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Do not waste your money

This is an awful book, terribly written. A lot of useless information that you really don't need to know. I'm half way through the book and just don't want to read anymore.. I don't know if the husband did it or not and really don't care at this point. I have never read a book and I didn't want to know what happens, but there is a first for everything.

A Story I won't soon forget

Posted November 23, 2009, 11:30 AM EST: Years ago I read a True Crime /Memoir called My Dark Places by James Ellroy. It is one of my favorites within the genre. Run at Destruction is written in a similar fashion and is just as fascinating. Like Ellroy's book, it alternates between first person and third. Lynda Drews provides an intimate view into her thoughts and feelings surrounding her best friend, Pam Bulik's death. The detailed investigation and trial are then relayed primarily through the detectives, attorneys, psychiatrists, and judge's eyes. But, after Drews takes the stand in Pam's husband's trial, she's able to once again share personal insight. Throughout the entire defense testimony and closing statements, you feel like you could be sitting right beside her. I'm not a runner, but the group that both the Drewses and Buliks belonged to certainly brought the story alive. This is an excellent true crime memoir. It is a book I won't soon forget.

A Unique True Crime Memoir

Yes - Run at Destruction is categorized as True Crime, but it is also slotted as Running. Quite often books about the sport talk about training, diet, and particular races meshed within clever anecdotes. I found Run at Destruction to be quite different - a very unique, tragic, and personal memoir. I was drawn into this story's family-like running subculture. I also totally related to Lynda's tumultuous relationship with her best friend and running buddy, Pam, before her confusing death. During my life, I've had similar friends. Even though you do your best to support them, it never seems to be enough. The investigation into Pam's death and the trial of her husband, Bob, were extremely interesting. It certainly was a tale of two stories. As the attorneys presented their sides, my opinion about Bob's guilt kept fluctuating. Lynda did an admirable job having to don two hats. To be truthful in the telling, she had to reveal her own emotions and beliefs that she experienced at the time. Yet, in the last chapter, she was also able to provide a very fair evaluation of some new facts, providing some alternatives that I continue to ponder. This book was a page-turner and fast read. I highly recommend it to both runners and readers of true crime.

A Story I won't soon forget...

Years ago I read a True Crime /Memoir called My Dark Places by James Ellroy. It is one of my favorites within the genre. Run at Destruction is written in a similar fashion and is just as fascinating. Like Ellroy's book, it alternates between first person and third. Lynda Drews provides an intimate view into her thoughts and feelings surrounding her best friend, Pam Bulik's death. The detailed investigation and trial are then relayed primarily through the detectives, attorneys, psychiatrists, and judge's eyes. But, after Drews takes the stand in Pam's husband's trial, she's able to once again share personal insight. Throughout the entire defense testimony and closing statements, you feel like you could be sitting right beside her. I'm not a runner, but the group that both the Drewses and Buliks belonged to certainly brought the story alive. This is an excellent true crime memoir. It is a book I won't soon forget.

An Inside Look at Murder

I have read many true crime stories but this is the first where a person close to the victim has written the book. Author Lynda Drews shares her first hand experience, memories, and information of the death of close friend Pam Bulik in Run At Destruction.

Lynda Drews was a close friend to Pam Bulik and they shared a love running-along with their husbands and friends. In 1984 when Pam failed to show up for a race, many begin to worry about her absence. It was later found that she was killed the very morning of the race she missed.

Run At Destruction goes through the days, weeks, and months after Bulik's death as seen through the eyes of a close friend. Drews gives a close look into the past of the Bulik marriage that was marred by infidelity, lies, and deceit. This is a no holds barred look into a marriage that was falling apart, the murder of a friend, and the suspicion aimed at her husband, Bob Bulik.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was so different from other true crime books in that you are reading in through the eyes of someone who knew the victim. Knew of their struggles and their highs. Lynda Drews paints a clear picture of the turmoil not only in her own family but in the runner's group both her and Pam Bulik belonged to as well as the entire town.

She paints a picture of what going through a trial feels like for all involved. Drews shows how the court system we all trust may be a bit flawed.

If you like true crime books, I highly recommend this book. You will find yourself becoming attached to the author and the people of this book. This is a great read!

Captivating - a "must" for lovers of true crime!

I am a slow runner and an even slower reader. Lynda Drews' book inspired me to run more and to read faster - much faster! Although book reviewers frequently say, "this is a book that I couldn't put down," I have rarely had that experience, but Run at Destruction provided it for me. The book is not about running or even about runners, really. It is about a group of people who share a passion: their weekly meetings soon become more about fellowship, and eventually friendship, than about running. They share triumphs and failures, joys and sorrows. Then scandal, followed by a suspicious death, rocks the group, and several members are called to testify against one of their own. Drews presents the reader with four alternative scenarios of her friend's death, and she refuses to reveal which one she herself accepts. Her objectivity is so rare among authors of true crime, and readers are left to decide for themselves which scenario is most plausible. This story could truly have been written with four endings, but this is a real case with a real jury, so there is only one outcome, and most readers will be surprised by its verdict. At once heartbreaking and heartwarming, this book is a sure winner.

The book: "Run at Destruction"

I usually read for an hour or so, but I began this book at 7:30 PM and read it striaght through, finishing at 1:45 PM. I couldn't put it down. Alfred Hitchcock would be impressed with the surprise ending!!!

Fantastic!

This book was impossible to put down! It is wonderfully researched and extremely well written. Moreover, a beautiful tribute to a lost friend.

Couldn't put Run at Destruction down!

When I picked up this book and saw that Ann Rule, the best-selling True Crime author endorsed it, saying that Run at Destruction was "Wonderfully written. A must read for true crime readers," that the book had blurbs from notable people in the running community like the Boston Marathon Race Director and a correspondent for Track & Field News, that it was about three teachers in a love triangle, and finally that it had a reader's guide and actual photos inside, I knew I had to buy it. I definitely wasn't disappointed! I started on a Saturday afternoon and finished the nearly 400 pages by 2 in the morning. It was impossible to put down. I liked how the author, Lynda Drews, was part of the actual events surrounding her best friend, Pam Bulik's, bizarre death and her husband, Bob's involvement. Drews provided a first person, intimate view into both Pam's turmoil and the supportive running group that both woman and their husbands belonged to. Then I appreciated the detailed research she did to describe the police investigation and the week-long trial. Because Drews testified, I got a unique perspective - putting myself in the courtroom. When I finished I recommended the book to my reader's group. I'm anxious to discuss it next month with others since Drews provides so many scenarios to consider, to determine whether Pam's death was a suicide, accident, negligence, or homicide. I know what I believe. I wonder what others might think?

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