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A review by kellylittlehansen
Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer - America's Deadliest Serial Murderer by Ann Rule
4.0
What sets Ann Rule apart from other true crime authors is the level of detail and dignity she gives victims. In the Green River Killer cases, the majority of the 70+ victims were sex workers and as such went ignored by the media. Once the lurid spectacle of another PNW serial killer drew reporters in, the victims often faced harsh reporting due to their work. Rule takes the time to share as much of each woman's story and life as possible taking the time to interview parents, call up old childhood friends, and elaborate on the circumstances that brought each woman into this line of work.
Her coverage of Ridgeway is fair, enough to shed light on his psyche, without overemphasizing the villain in the story. When Ridgeway does make appearances, it's mostly in the context of his arrest and sentencing, not a book wholly dedicated to his existence. True crime isn't for everyone, but if you're going to pick up a book, it's helpful to have such a thoughtful and respectful author. It's also wild that the killers in her two biggest books, Green River, Running Red and The Stranger Beside Me, have personal friendships with Rule (Bundy) and many interactions with Rule as a neighbor.
Her coverage of Ridgeway is fair, enough to shed light on his psyche, without overemphasizing the villain in the story. When Ridgeway does make appearances, it's mostly in the context of his arrest and sentencing, not a book wholly dedicated to his existence. True crime isn't for everyone, but if you're going to pick up a book, it's helpful to have such a thoughtful and respectful author. It's also wild that the killers in her two biggest books, Green River, Running Red and The Stranger Beside Me, have personal friendships with Rule (Bundy) and many interactions with Rule as a neighbor.