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Reviews
The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy, Updated and Expanded Edition by Elizabeth Kendall
martydubz's review against another edition
4.0
TBH I knew virtually nothing about Ted Bundy (oops) before reading this. This book was both terrifying and heartbreaking to read. I feel so deeply for Elizabeth, her daughter, and the years of emotional and physical abuse that they endured. I truly cannot imagine what they went through. I suggest reading this during the day.
anjasbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
A very interesting but gut wrenching book. It's a page turner for sure. The book doesn't directly focus on Bundy's horrific crimes but on the years his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall and her daughter Molly spent together with Bundy. I find it hard to write a review about someone's life story, so I'm not going to go into detail about my thoughts on this memoir, but I admire Elizabeth and Molly Kendall for having the courage and bravery to publish their stories for everyone to read.
kaleymph's review against another edition
5.0
This book did something to me emotionally, I wish I could give both Molly and Liz the greatest hug and take away all their grief.
shelfexplanatory's review against another edition
3.0
I am not sure how I would rate this book. I do not think I would recommend it if it weren't for the Afterword that was added for the second edition, which points out how much denial Kendall still had when she authored the original manuscript.
If you are looking for a detailed account of Bundy's crimes, how he was apprehended, and his conviction and escape attempts, look elsewhere because this book doesn't go into much detail on the true crime aspect. If you want a personal look at how and why someone would stay in an incredibly toxic relationship despite suspecting that their partner is a murderer.... well, this is for you.
If you are looking for a detailed account of Bundy's crimes, how he was apprehended, and his conviction and escape attempts, look elsewhere because this book doesn't go into much detail on the true crime aspect. If you want a personal look at how and why someone would stay in an incredibly toxic relationship despite suspecting that their partner is a murderer.... well, this is for you.
swiftlyreviews's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This is a reread! Overall, I had a good time reading this. It was fast paced and we saw Lizs’ side of the story and how her relationship with Ted evolved. It was interesting to see Mollys side at the end as well. It’s scary how someone can manipulate other people and be very subtle about it.
khigz19's review
3.5
You can really feel Liz’s pain in this, especially the pain of loving someone even after knowing they’re evil. You can also feel her turmoil at the initial realization that Ted might be evil.
I wish this book had focused more on Liz. Her afterword was wonderful, and I almost wish she’d rewrite this whole memoir with more focus on herself and the many years since its initial publication.
I wish this book had focused more on Liz. Her afterword was wonderful, and I almost wish she’d rewrite this whole memoir with more focus on herself and the many years since its initial publication.
rachaelwinterling's review against another edition
*I don’t rate memoirs*
I’ve seen so many documentaries and movies about Ted Bundy. I knew he had a girlfriend, and I always wondered what it was like from her perspective. I worried, “would I be able to tell if I dated someone for six years who was actively kidnapping, raping, and murdering woman across multiple states?” This book was reassuring because she went to the police multiple times with her concerns and they kept shutting her down. It was well written, thoughtful, and insightful. It’s a side of Ted Bundy that nobody but her got to see. Endlessly fascinating and beautifully told.
I’ve seen so many documentaries and movies about Ted Bundy. I knew he had a girlfriend, and I always wondered what it was like from her perspective. I worried, “would I be able to tell if I dated someone for six years who was actively kidnapping, raping, and murdering woman across multiple states?” This book was reassuring because she went to the police multiple times with her concerns and they kept shutting her down. It was well written, thoughtful, and insightful. It’s a side of Ted Bundy that nobody but her got to see. Endlessly fascinating and beautifully told.