Green River, Running Red

This is one of the better true crime books I have ever encountered. Ann Rule succeeds in chronicling nearly every step of the two decade investigation, yet it is never tedious. At different times during the story suspects are named, questioned and dismissed. The book is more like a suspense/thriller than a typical true crime novel. The frustration and anger of the numerous investigators, and the author, is evident. This very frustration led to a high rate of illness and death among those who worked on the GRK task force. I will not tell you which suspect is the actual killer, but it is so chilling to realize how "normal?" he appeared. It is important to understand he worked for decades to appear normal. The killer was really twisted. Caruso narrates perfectly, putting the listener within the ranks of the task force searching for this monster. I put this audiobook in the few dozen of the over 1300 I own as a "can't stop listening" category.

Anne Rule tells the stories of several of the young women who were removed from this world by the Green river monster before they had a chance to better their circumstances. Young people believe they're invincible and prositutes are no different. Gary Ridgeway deprived them of the opportunity to grow up and find other ways to make a living. I would like to say that I hope he can/does read the book, but I'm not sure it would matter at all. How could it matter to someone with no soul?

As a side, I'll look for more books narrated by Barbara Caruso.Great vocal pitch and intonation that doesn't need exaggeration to elicit our sympathy.

Yes, as I feel it is a fascinating story and also I lived in the Seattle area.

Yes, as it does not give you a real clue until well into the story about Gary Ridgeway and it gives focus as to how eluding he was to police.

She did a good job.

can't think of one. Think the title is good as it is.

It would have been nice to have some of the places be correctly announced.

She's done it again.
Beginning with 'Stranger Beside Me', her story of her once good friend, Ted Bundy, and his hellacious killing spree, then moving onto Washington States most notorious serial killer, Ann Rule out does herself in this horrifying tale of a man gone mad.
The Green River Killer put himself on the map by inspiring use of the term, Serial Killer. Mass Murderer just wouldn't cut it.
Ann takes us behind the scenes with the detectives who worked for years on this case. They devoted their lives to catching one man; A journey that would last much longer than anyone had anticipated.
She dives into the lives of the prostitutes Ridgway chose as his prey. By telling their stories, she presents them as the wonderful women they were. Though their profession was anything but glamorous, she portrayed them as women with dreams, hopes, families, kids, and friends. The vicious cycle these girls were caught up in was pointed out and explained the way it should be, with an open mind and an open heart.
One of her best works, Ann has truly outdone herself in this tale of psychosis, murder, tragedy, and success.
I would recommend this read to anyone, especially in the state of Washington, as a reminder that the monster that can hold you in a grip of fear can be the last person you would ever expect.

The book is very well written and documented. It only feels long because the narrator speaks as if she cannot breathe properly and is breathing through her mouth all the time.

I had to make an effort to ignore the constant sound of the narrator pulling air through her mouth at the beginning of each sentence, as if she had a cold and was congested during the reading of the book.

I was intrigued by this subject and thought this book would be great. Unfortunately, I didn't even finish it -- the narrator is really excellent (one of the best I've ever heard), but the writing is too detailed and tedious. The first 20 chapters spend most of their time with biographies of each girl who was murdered; certainly I feel sorry for each girl and their murders were horrific, but i don't need to know what they were like in high school or other mundane details.

Wish i could recommend this, but i can't.

This is Ann Rule's most detailed and specific book to date...almost too much so! We kind of lost track of which girl was which!!

Caruso tells it as if you were in her living room and she wanted you to know everything that happened. Pretend she's your favorite aunt and you can forgive her the mispronunciations and slight lisp. She really put her all into the telling.

Anne Rule wants you to know these girls intimately before you meet the Green River Killer and she does a thorough job honoring their memories. The frustration of the law enforcement teams becomes our own and what great satisfaction to finally nab the real GRK.

What a sicko.

I primarily enjoyed the writing of this true account about Gary Ridgeway. Barbara Caruso's voice got a little annoying at times and I'd agree with another reviewer that it sounded like she had marbles in her mouth. There was also some editing issues which made her pauses extra long and awkward. Some of the accounts regarding the victims were a little too long for my liking; it would appear that Rule had more information on some than others. The parts that really made me scared at night were tales of "The ones who got away". There were many women it seemed who encountered GRK, but due to luck or some other circumstance,were able to escape. Crazy! In all, I would recommend this book, but just know there are some very long and drawn out parts and at times I lost track of what year Rule was currently recounting.

The amount of research that went into truely getting to know the victims and thier families. The pacing of the story. The retelling of the crime scene discoveries. The background work on Gary Ridgeway. The man was clearly one of the lowest, most pathetic human beings in history and when I finished the book, I hated him more than I imagined I would. I listened to this whole unabridged program in a matter of a few days. It was that captivating.

Opal Mills. She just seemed to have so much promise.

As with other narrators, her style grew on me as the book went on. Now I don't want to listen to Ann Rule without Barbara Caruso doing the narrating. She sounds so official.

All the horrible details you could ever need to be creeped out for weeks.

If you are interested in serial killers, I'd be surprised if there were a book that could top this one. Despite its length, it firmly kept my attention right to the last minute.