Dead by Sunset

Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer?

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 20 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The shocking tale from true crime queen Ann Rule.

Who is Brad Cunningham? How could five beautiful, intelligent, and successful women believe he was their dream come true? Ask any women who ever longed for "the perfect man".

Loni Ann, Cynthia, Lauren, Cheryl, and Sara seemed to have it all - beauty, wealth, children, and a husband who they believed to be this perfect man - Brad Cunningham. He was handsome, charismatic, and mysterious. They adored him and tried to give him all he wanted. But he wanted everything: sex, money, and it seemed, their very lives. How long would it take before he finally got what he deserved?

This question haunts Dead by Sunset, Ann Rule's riveting and impeccably researched study of the destructive relationships, multiple marriages, financial manipulations, and monstrous acts of harassment and revenge that surrounded Brad Cunningham and his wives. It is also a penetrating - and ultimately shocking - recreation of Cheryl's murder and the eight years it took to bring her killer to justice.

Dead by Sunset is a chilling look at the evil that lurks behind the most charming of facades and a fascinating homage to the kind of courage and brilliance it takes to combat it.

©2008 Ann Rule (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Rule provides a perceptive character analysis of a malignant, self-centered, charismatic con artist. It's a chilling, haunting portrait." ( Publishers Weekly)

"The similarities with the O.J. case are compelling." ( The Spokesman-Review)

"Fascinating material.... Ms. Rule admirably recounts this labyrinthine tale. ( The New York Times Book Review)

A Sad Yet Compelling Story of Betrayal

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes if you want to know the details surrounding this case.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The depths in which one person full of hatred would go to strike back at another. Pure narcissist behavior unveiled.

What about Richard Ferrone’s performance did you like?

I truly enjoyed the fact that his voice captured the essence of the characters and kept me interested through a very lengthy storyline. I enjoyed hm so much so that I searched for all the books he had narrated and will be listening to more from him.

If you could give Dead by Sunset a new subtitle, what would it be?

A Case of Sheer Betrayal

Any additional comments?

Although the book is long....I was captivated by the story and I was saddened by the fact that the police seemingly could not do anything to stop him.

Riviting

Although I was already familiar with this story. Ann Rule is so exacting and thorough in educating herself on the subject matter that it is as if you lived it yourself. a harrowing tale and yet it still baffles me how these otherwise smart intelligent women were sucked into this man's manipulations. So glad he is no longer a threat.

Ann Rule NEVER disappoints! Pleasant reader

nn Rule NEVER disappoints! She is my favorite author because she takes time to go back 2-3 generations on each side of both victim and perpetrator which I always find fascinating!
Pleasant reader as well!

A Monster Among Us

Would you listen to Dead by Sunset again? Why?

I will and I have. I've also watched the movie several times. It amazes me the type of people that walk among us and I never get tired of seeing a hearing how far Brad Cunningham went before he was finally stopped.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dead by Sunset?

Geez, to narrow it down.... I can't think of ONE moment, it was just the culmination of little things he did daily that when added together showed how evil this man was.

What does Richard Ferrone bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know if he brought anything to the story, but he didn't detract from it...which is more important. I drives me crazy when the narrator takes you out of the story.

Unless you live in the area, you wouldn't know that he was mispronouncing some names. That was the only thing I would change...make sure you say the names correctly. It's Will-AM-ette...not Will-uh -met, etc...

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Makes me angry that monsters like that live when beautiful souls suffer.

Any additional comments?

If you like true crime, you will like this.

DBS Review

The book was good enough to make me truly hate Bradley Cunningham so great job!

Emotionally draining, gripping story.

It’s very difficult not to feel rage listening to this story. But at the end, I feel relieved of the justice- long overdue, but deserving.

Excellent job!

The reader did an excellent job. I'll need to look for another books he works on. The book was good. Lots of information. Brad was a piece of work! I can't believe he believed his own BS!!! ugh...then tried to discredit Ann Rule! seriously?! Laughable!!

Excellent

Excellent in all areas and I’ve never said that about an audiobook before. Here’s your two more words.

great book, terrible narrator

almost had to stop several times because I couldn't bear the sounds the narrator made. Heavy breathing, swallowing, sighing and these gulping noises and long pauses obviously to drink. His voice was pleasant enough although it reminded me of film noir. I will not listen to another book narrated by him.

Another great one by Ann Rule though!

A biased review

I live in Oregon, so I apologize for what might seem a picky complaint. I'm a fan of Ann Rule, have been for years. I'm used to her writing style and this book doesn't disappoint. It was made into a Lifetime movie that was also well-done. Having said all of that, as Chris stated in his review, the narrator's voice had that creepy/sinister edge to it. If that wasn't bad enough (here comes the picky part), he kept mispronouncing "Willamette," which, for Oregonians, is a big thing. Every time he said it, I cringed. So I'd have to say read the book, watch the movie, but this audiobook? Meh.