2.32k reviews for:

The Stranger Beside Me

Ann Rule

4.01 AVERAGE

dark medium-paced

What the fuck 
This rat was the defendant, his own defense attorney and also the witness??! AND he got so many privileges and access to law libraries cause he has to build his case ??!? Which ultimately gave him the opportunity to escape -_- 
Amazing retelling from the author. It really details how confused she feels having been his friend - in denial of his atrocities - to then ultimately have to come to the conclusion that, yes, the person beside you was a stranger and America's most notorious killer. It is scary how we will never completely know someone. 


This book was so good but also took me forever to finish because the court proceedings weren’t captivating. Still, this is the most in depth account of Ted Bundy’s crimes that I’ve ever read and it definitely made me scared to be alone at night! It’s terrifying that these things actually happened. This is so much scarier than any Stephen King book!

Abridged version - very ok
dark emotional sad medium-paced
dark emotional sad slow-paced

This is such an interesting view of Bundy and a serial killer in general with it being from someone who knew him as a friend. I particularly like the fact that the author was already set to write a book about the “Ted” killer before she even realized her connection to the killer. 

But, this book is incredibly long and because of the subject matter it’s exhausting. It’s just under 600 pages of Bundy and that’s a bit much.
challenging dark medium-paced

Finally! I finished this book! This was a tough book to get through--not for a lack of interest, but because of the heftiness of both subject matter and detail. You can definitely sense the 'gotcha journalism' throughout the book with statements such as "and that's the last time ______ ever ______" or "I guess we'll never know ________..." Overall, fascinating read...definitely a must-read for those titillated by serial killers!!
dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Damnnnnnn reading this made me so paranoid. I really enjoyed listening to this book. Rule goes very in depth and I appreciated her admitting her bias' and perspective and his friend and as a crime reporter. Very well researched

Really well written. I only wish we could have more answers. Her style could be a little grating at times, but her dedication to the facts as best she can tell is really nice. highly recommend!