The Stranger Beside Me

My obsession with true crime continues!  I was so excited to get my hands on Ann Rule's classic The Stranger Beside Me from my local library.

Holy crap, y'all. It's so good. As someone who listens to true crime podcasts and watches true crime documentaries a lot, I thought I had a good grasp of Ted Bundy and his evil ways, but I was wrong. This book is so packed with information that I had no idea about. I think I drove my husband nuts the whole time I was reading it with all my little bits of information I just had to randomly pass along. For instance, here's a conversation we recently had:

Husband: Hon? What are we having for dinner tonight?
Me: I don't know yet. Did you know that Ted Bundy got married literally during one of his murder trials? Like he and his fiance figured out this archaic Florida law and just did it in front of everyone. Isn't that crazy? Who does that? Ugh. He was such a psycho.
Husband: Um, that's nice? Seriously, are we not eating tonight?
Me: I'm getting to it! And did you know he used to walk Ann Rule to her car after late night shifts at this crisis center place they worked at because "there are a lot of bad guys out there?!?!?!" Seriously, can you even imagine?
Husband: sigh

I couldn't help it though, it's one of those books you just want to talk about with everyone. And I did eventually make dinner.

Anyone interested in the genre needs to pick this book up. Told from Rule's unique perspective as a friend and former co-worker of Bundy's, it's just an amazing, chilling read. I recommend making sure you're getting the newest edition so you don't miss out on all the forwards and afterwards Rule added over the years after Bundy's conviction and execution.