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  • The Stranger Beside Me

  • The Shocking True Story of Serial Killer Ted Bundy
  • By: Ann Rule
  • Narrated by: Lorelei King
  • Length: 18 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (220 ratings)

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The Stranger Beside Me

By: Ann Rule
Narrated by: Lorelei King
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Publisher's Summary

Ann Rule was working on the biggest story of her career, tracking the trail of victims left by a brutal serial killer. Little did this future best-selling author know that the savage slayer she was hunting was the young man she counted among her closest friends.

Everyone's picture of a natural winner, Ted Bundy was a bright, charming, and handsome man with a promising future as an attorney. But on January 24, 1989 Bundy was executed for the murders of three young women - and had confessed to taking the lives of at least thirty-five more women from coast to coast. Ann Rule, who kept in constant contact with Bundy throughout the investigation, tells his story as no other person can, capturing the essence of his magnetic power, unholy compulsion, and demonic double life.

Available for the first time on audio, this shocking true story is an unforgettable listening experience. In an emotional reading, Rule tells us about Ted Bundy - the man she thought she really knew...the stranger beside her.

©2008 Ann Rule (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"As dramatic and chilling as a bedroom window shattering at midnight." ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about The Stranger Beside Me

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good book, odd narration

The voices the narrator put on when qhptimg other people were sometimes a bit cringe, with the ones for females always sounding dumb and ditzy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping!

So well written and performed, I wanted to listen to something that would take my mind off the boring daily treadmill exercise and this exceeded my hopes! Didn’t want it to end, a really measured but gripping story. Highly recommended.
(One tiny tiny criticism: narrators don’t need to do every female vocalisation in a higher pitched, babyish, vulnerable pitch. That just becomes embarrassing, especially when it’s a female with a strong voice narrating.)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping insight

I’ve always had a fascination with true crime, but this book has highlighted how much podcasts and Netflix specials skim the surface. Don’t get me wrong, they are great for an hour, but this book was such incredible insight into the personal experience of Ann Rule and the internal monologue that followed her as the case against her friend Ted escalated.

This is wonderfully written, and the narrator is clear, timeless and easy to listen to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

This is one of the best books I have ever listened to. I noticed some people were put off by the different voices the narrator used but I didn’t have an issue with it.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book written by someone who called Ted a friend. I think the book perfectly covers the Ted as a friend and Ted as a killer aspect and I think the way Ann tells the story is very well done. I went into the book assuming maybe Ted was more of an acquaintance and Ann was using his name to sell a book but I was mistaken. Clearly her and Ted had a genuine friendship and it was interesting to hear about the calls and letters between them even after he was arrested and then subsequently found guilty.

I don’t think this is the book for you if you want an in depth breakdown of each individual crime Ted has committed. I believe Ann has done heavy research, but this book is clearly written from a unique perspective and Ann’s relationship with Ted does drive the direction of the book. I believe the crimes are covered in as much detail as I would have expected and I think Ann did a great job respecting the victims in the way she told their stories.

The most hard hitting part of this book for me was how Ann was so open with her feelings and emotions through the whole thing. Obviously serial killers blend into society. They have friends and family. They go to the supermarket and they have their hair cut. They have to blend in to be able to get away with their crimes for so long. To find out someone you know so well has committed such horrific crimes must be difficult and I appreciate Ann for sharing her true feelings so openly, especially sharing how she did think Ted was innocent for such a long time.

I’m disappointed it took me so long to get this book, it had been on my wish list for so long and it absolutely did not let me down.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration

Compelling story, well researched, detailed and excellently narrated. Composed in a way that keeps the story flowing without stagnating.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I appreciate the updates added at the end, since the original publishing.

skips on occasion, sometimes feels like a decent chunk is missing. not sure if that can be fixed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So gripping and interesting!

I found this a fantastic listen and I didn't want to stop. A lot of people have commented on the narrators voice, but I don't have a problem with it - its fitting for a story like this!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Insights into a serial killer - hard to stop listening

The behind the scenes story was fascinating as you get a glimpse into the ordinary life of a serial killer. The narration was at times irritating due to the accents used, which seemed at odds with seriousness of the situation,

There was little acknowledgement of the victims they ended up just being a rolling credit of names by the end. However, it was a riveting podcast well worth the purchase price.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating account of a difficult relationship

Such an honest, thoughtful and open account of the relationship between Ann and Ted as it unfolded over so many years. What a strange and challenging experience for Ann. I like that Ann told the story with compassion for the victims and their families.

I think this book would be interesting to anyone interested in true crime, law, and psychology.

The narration is terrific.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good book but not a favourite

it was a good book but not the best one on the subject of Ted. I have a collection of Ted books and found this to be the least insightful. interesting enough to not be bland but not right up there with my favourites, or be on my re-runs (meaning a second or third listen). Narration was good but nothing more.

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