My Second Reading, Better than the First

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	• The Stranger Beside Me (Revised and Updated): 20th Anniversary Ann Rule Signet, 2001 - 560 pages average customer review:based on 175 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Eerie

As a fiction, the story would seem a bit far-fetched, so possibly the most amazing thing about it all, is that every word of this is truth. The author's angle on the case, having been a close friend of the seemingly benevolent Bundy, tremendously enhances the book. Bundy's unspeakable acts are chilling enough in themselves, but his dual-nature, expertly portrayed by Mrs. Rule, is equally as eerie. Mrs. is extremely objective in her portrait of Bundy and manages to capture both sides of his personality, the facade and the real man (and the places where the line between these two sides seems to blur). Mrs. Rule's masterpiece unquestionably ranks, along with such extraordinary works as the incomparable and never to be topped In Cold Blood and the recent masterpiece Devil in the White City, within the top 10 true crime books ever written.

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Incredible inside story

Overall, it is my opinion that this book is very well written. And, although Ms. Rule had published articles before, this book was a tremendous first effort.

While I was reading the book, I kept thinking about what it would be like for me if a long-time friend of mine had been charged with multiple murders. How would I react? It definitely would not be easy to write a book about it. That considered, I feel that Ann did an outstanding job writing a balanced book and telling about the victims as individuals.

I first heard of Ted Bundy when I saw the movie about him when I was in high school. I have always thought of him as the epitome of evil. This book helped shed some light on him as a person rather than just another murderer.

I know quite well one of the first psychologists who evaluated him when he was arrested in Utah. He has believed that Bundy had a split-personality.

I also once had a co-worker who still has the handcuffs that he used when he transported Bundy to USP. He had nothing good to say about the man.

As for the book itself, there was one inconsistency that I noticed. In one subsequent chapter, she wrote that it was Julia Burr who'd had her arm in a cast. In the next, she wrote that it was Mary Burr who did.

The book is quite well written. However, it seems as though she either really loves commas or overused them in an all-out effort to avoid using the conjoining word, "and." That became a tad annoying after the first couple of chapters.

Another annoying factor was that she continouously referred The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the "Mormon Church." Also, she referred to Utah as "The Mormon State" rather than by its official nickname, "The Beehive State." I'm not even from Utah and I know that.

Other than those few things, I feel that the book was very good. I did find it interesting about the "Ted Groupies" being in love with Mark Harmon. The first time I saw the actor in anything was when he portrayed Ted Bundy. I had a very hard time seeing his characters on any show since then as a "good guy." I always related him to Ted Bundy. The poor guy.

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WHAT A THRILLER!!

ANOTHER MUST FOR THE SERIAL KILLER BUFF. NOT ONLY IS ANN RULE ABLE TO PROVIDE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF EACH KILLING, BUT DUE TO HER INSIDE SCOOP OF BEING HIS UNKNOWN FRIEND, SHE PROVIDES INSIGHT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS COMPLICATED MONSTER. HOW INTERESTING TO SEE THE FRIENDSHIP THIS PERSON HAD WHILE COMMITTING THE UNIMAGINABLE. ALSO, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOUT HIS SELECTION & OF HOW HE SECURED THE TRUST OF THE VICTIMS IS INVALUABLE IN POSSIBLY PROTECTING YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE. A NEVER WANT TO PUT DOWN BOOK!!

My Second Reading, Better than the First

I read this book years ago and just reread it while on vacation. I enjoyed it so much more than the first time, although I loved it then. It really is a true crime classic, and as an avid TC reader, this one has my vote for all time favorite, right behind "In Cold Blood," and "Blood and Money." If you've read it before, read it again. This one stands the test of time!

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Chilling, Engrossing. Fascinating.

The Stranger Beside Me, is told with infinite attention to detail and answers some of the questions that linger in our heads about the mysterious Ted Bundy, making this the most personal book about him. An unsettling, intensely personal inside look at one of the nation's most infamous serial killers, it gives an intriguing observation that will keep you spellbound as you hear much of Anne Rule's relationship with him. She recounts how she was an unsuspecting coworker (Seattle Crisis Center hotline operators) and a close friend whose suspicions multiply during his killing spree. He often sat beside her and shared thoughts, discussions and laughs with her. She is supportive and unsure of his guilt at first, but by the end she realizes he really is the wicked person committing these crimes. It's not surprising that Ms. Rule had no idea since he was one very clever individual. The adjectives to describe this book are too numerous to mention and once you read it, you will know why.

Ted Bundy was many things: charming, witty, amiable, charismatic and polite. Most of all, however, he was a sociopath who killed with such rage and deliberation, this story will make you think twice about strangers who approach you in parking lots. I know he wasn't wired right, but I keep asking myself why? What REALLY made him tick? The account of Ted Bundy's killing spree at the sorority house gave me chills for awhile after reading it. He was, however, not the genius that some people make out to be: he couldn't finish law school and he chose to take his killing spree to Florida, of all places. The book also doesn't concentrate on his victims as statistics but gives them the respect and dignity they deserve in a culture that seems more fascinated with the killer than the victim.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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