Utterly unique in its astonishing intimacy, as jarringly frightening as when it first appeared, Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me defies our expectation that we would surely know if a monster lived among us, worked alongside of us, appeared as one of us. With a slow chill that intensifies with each heart-pounding page, Rule describes her dawning awareness that Ted Bundy, her sensitive coworker on … on a crisis hotline, was one of the most prolific serial killers in America. He would confess to killing at least thirty-six young women from coast to coast, and was eventually executed for three of those cases. Drawing from their correspondence that endured until shortly before Bundy’s death, and striking a seamless balance between her deeply personal perspective and her role as a crime reporter on the hunt for a savage serial killer — the brilliant and charismatic Bundy, the man she thought she knew — Rule changed the course of true-crime literature with this unforgettable chronicle.
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This was one of the first Ann Rule books that I read. Upon finishing the book I actually slept with a baseball bat in my room even though I slept with my husband. It was a haunting book. To think that Ann had volunteered alongside of this monster and got to know him was chilling. I became a huge fan of Ann’s and have read every book that she wrote including “Green River Running Red”. She left us way too soon as I know she had many more tales to tell.
Anything by Ann is off the hook to begin with, but she shares every shiver, discovery, and feeling/emotion like it was yesterday so you feel you are living it through her eyes. Iread her stuff over and over. Truly can’t get enough!
This is about her working at a suicide call center next to Ted Bundy and it’s very true.it happened. she’s lucky that he didn’t want her and she lived to write more horror stories that actually are true.
mostly about serial killers but about other killers.
it’s a very good book. Worth reading if you are curious about what makes serial killers tick.
The first Ann Rule book that I read. Excellent.
I have read a lot of books about Ted Bundy, but this is definitely the best.
Still the most original, insightful Ted Bundy book written. The late Ann Rule showed everyone how to tell the story about a serial killer.
Ann Rule was the best true crime writer ever and this was one of her greatest. Amazing book and every woman should read it – don’t be fooled by good looking smooth talking men.
If you are into true crime, this is a classic. You meet Ted Bundy through the eyes of a friend (who learns the truth). It is especially tragic when you go back to read about the writer’s life as she aged.
Ted Bundy as no one else could tell this story as well as Ann Rule
Scary to think that one really never knows the people in their lives! Fascinating and scary book about Ted Bundy from the perspective of a woman who knew him personally!
The true story of Ted Bundy as written by somone who knew him personally. Very interesting read. The book that started my personal interest in true crime.
Great look into the mind and actions of a notorious serial killer. If the author is Anne Rule, read the book! I’ve read (as far as I know) every book she has written.
Love anything Ann Rule wrote
Classic true crime story of the author and her friend, Ted Bundy.
Great true crime book. I love when Ann Rule wrote (she’s passed on) complete books about one case only. This was about Ted Bundy and it was chilling because she actually knew him and worked alongside him and considered him a friend.
Though published in 1980 this book still stands the test of time. I believe this was also the first book written and published about Ted Bundy. Ann Rule walked a fine line between facts and disbelief (her own) and that showed clearly how conflicted she was in the book. I read this book in the late 80’s first and with the Netflix movie about Ted Bundy decided to read it again. It was just as terrifying and good as it was the first time I read it.
I know this is one of Ann Rule’ s first books and I think it’s her best. She knew Ted Bundy and wanted to believe he couldn’t possibly have committed these heinous crimes. Very informative and realistic book.
Loved it!
Just a real reminder that those who commit these crimes walk among us and look very ordinary until they are caught. good book to learn what tricks were used to abduct and murder women, and how it escalated.
Many of Rules books are great reads. This 1 happened to interest me most as I lived in Seattle area t time. Personally I think 1 of her best,as she knew him
Not the full story on Ted Bundy, but a good place to start.