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A review by corinnekeener
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
4.0
First, this is a review of the ABRIDGED audiobook read by Ann Rule, herself. I would not normally bother with an abridged book at all, but Hoopla had it and the unabridged version is checked out until eternity thanks to every true crime podcast recommending it to everyone. So I gave it a shot.
I'm sure the full book is even better, but I haven't been able to find a version of it read by the author, and I have to tell you, Ann Rule's reading is very worth it. She sounds like your mom's friend. Her reading isn't as disturbingly even as many audiobook narrators, which for me, was great. I didn't find myself getting to the point where I was able to turn her voice into background noise (something I struggle to not do with most audiobooks). And it's just such a personal story! She knew Ted Bundy! She was his friend, she worked with him at a crisis phone line, being a last hope for people struggling the most in their lives.
I know Ted Bundy's story. I've read the wikipedia pages, I've read write ups, I've listened to 15 podcasts, I've seen countless true crime documentaries from the 90's and beyond. But there was something very overwhelming about hearing it in this format that really impressed how absolutely devastating this man was.
A true classic. And even if you've read the book before, I suggest seeking this version out just to hear Ann herself read it to you.
I'm sure the full book is even better, but I haven't been able to find a version of it read by the author, and I have to tell you, Ann Rule's reading is very worth it. She sounds like your mom's friend. Her reading isn't as disturbingly even as many audiobook narrators, which for me, was great. I didn't find myself getting to the point where I was able to turn her voice into background noise (something I struggle to not do with most audiobooks). And it's just such a personal story! She knew Ted Bundy! She was his friend, she worked with him at a crisis phone line, being a last hope for people struggling the most in their lives.
I know Ted Bundy's story. I've read the wikipedia pages, I've read write ups, I've listened to 15 podcasts, I've seen countless true crime documentaries from the 90's and beyond. But there was something very overwhelming about hearing it in this format that really impressed how absolutely devastating this man was.
A true classic. And even if you've read the book before, I suggest seeking this version out just to hear Ann herself read it to you.