debznfozbooks 's review for:

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

2.0

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I was firstly a bit bemused by the line ‘if, as many people believe today, Ted Bundy took lives’

People don’t just believe it. It’s a fact isn’t it? That’s an odd thing to say unless you don’t believe he did kill people.

So at this point I start to think Is this a book about someone who just doesn’t believe someone they know is a serial killer?

Is this an apology book for actual serial killer Ted Bundy (he was actually a really nice guy honest) ?

Also, and I’ll go out in a limb in this, the use of the phrase ‘working with retarded youngsters’ is really un PC. I was like wow, you can’t just say that??? And then she just keeps saying it over and over again.

Ok and another thing that bugged me. One of the victims had come from seeing her boyfriend. Then a few pages later Ann states that every victim had been single.

Well.... apart from that one, or am I just a bit confused.

And next up. Comes the word handicapped. Seriously. Retarded... handicapped? it’s like talking to an OAP who has no clue what is or isn’t PC these days.

If only someone had said to her Anne, this is good stuff but you need to replace the constant use of the term ‘retarded children’ with ‘special needs children. People really are going to wince at that.

More gripes continue. Why is it important that I know that one detective is built like a ‘basketball player’ and another is handsome. ‘Chapman has a voice like warm maple syrup’ another is a ‘lumbering, ruggedly good looking man.’ Whaaaaa? Is this Mills and Boon? It means nothing to the story. I just don’t understand why she’s constantly telling me romantic physical attributes of people for seemingly no reason.

Also..... homosexual bar??? Who says that????? When was this written?

Clearly I have a real issue with the writing in this book. I read it because it is an interesting subject and Ann is actually herself quite a character.

Ann goes on to further irritate me by banging on about how Ted wants her to feel guilty about having a nice life. And then sends an equally childish letter saying at least you have two girlfriends, I’ve not got anyone.

Oh please Ann. Seriously, considering your writing to a possible serial killer that’s a pretty dumb thing to say.

I also have another minor issue with the photos. Lots of photos of ‘handsome Ted’ (we are told often that he is handsome) and then a photo of one of his ‘victims’ on the same page. I’m fairly sure if I was related to someone who had been raped and murdered. I would not want their photo alongside a photo of their killer in a book. It’s pretty gross.

So overall, Ted, he. He comes across as what he is. A pathetic man who acts like a monster. But then feels sorry for himself when he gets caught. It’s truly horrifying and upsetting. And the connection between Ann and Ted is also really creepy. It’s Ann herself that’s actually the person to analyse in this story. All the signs are there in big shiny flashing letter right in front of her and she just doesn’t get it. He’s playing two girls off who clearly have issues and she just lets it go. If I, for example knew a guy who was possibly a serial killer and definitely was manipulating 2 girls. Who then sent me a letter saying ‘touching her gives me a belief in miracles’ I’d be ending that pen pal relationship there and then. Ewwww. Stop sending him money you ...... daft women. How many times can one person get caught for murdering young women’s Will in take to stop sending him pocket money.

This certainly is an interesting read from many different angles. It’s also overly long and quite tedious in places. (Just like this review)