The Stranger Beside Me Audiobook By Ann Rule cover art

The Stranger Beside Me

The Shocking True Story of Serial Killer Ted Bundy

 Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible Premium Plus.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Stranger Beside Me

By: Ann Rule
Narrated by: Lorelei King
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offers ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.46

Buy for $22.46

Get 3 months for $0.99 a month
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Rule, “America’s best true-crime writer” (Kirkus Reviews), her unforgettable classic account of the horrifying murders in the Pacific Northwest and her shock when she discovered her friend—Ted Bundy—was not only a suspect but also one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.

Meeting in 1971 at a Seattle crisis clinic, Ann Rule and Ted Bundy developed a friendship and correspondence that would span the rest of his life. Rule had no idea that when they went their separate ways, their paths would cross again under shocking circumstances.

The Stranger Beside Me is Rule’s compelling firsthand account of not just her relationship with Bundy, but also his life—from his complicated childhood to the media circus of his trials. Astonishing in its intimacy and with Rule’s clear-eyed prose, you can’t help but share in her growing horror at discovering that her friend was one of the most notorious American serial killers.

An unforgettable and haunting work of research, journalism, and personal memories, The Stranger Beside Me is “as dramatic and chilling as a bedroom window shattering at midnight” (The New York Times). Biographies & Memoirs Murder Serial Killers True Crime Scary Crime Funny Serial Killers True Crime

Featured Article: The Best True Crime Audiobooks for Your Inner Detective


The best true crime audiobooks will have you on the edge of your seat—whether the story divulges details about well-known serial killers or unidentified villains of unsolved crimes. You won’t be able to stop listening as each mystery unravels, especially when these fascinating, gripping tales are read by some of the most captivating voices in audio. Here are the best true crime audiobooks to get your heart racing.

Featured Article The Best True Crime Audiobooks for Your Inner Detective
Unique Insider Perspective • Compelling Narrative Structure • Psychological Depth • Respectful Victim Portrayal

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
The story was amazing, and the writing was beautiful. My only complaint -- and it isn't about this book in particular, but about ALL (or almost all) audiobooks -- is the voices the actor/narrator is compelled or directed to do. It's the equivalent of a record scratch sound for me, when the narrator suddenly changes the pitch or accent of his/her voice to indicate a character speaking (the worst and weirdest is women "doing" male voices). I know what different humans sound like when they speak...I don't need or want it spoon-fed to me. It takes me out of the story and the narrative. PLEASE stop this as an industry practice.
The book itself is fantastic.

Amazing book and authorship. Absurd voices.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

What did you love best about The Stranger Beside Me?

I felt that I met Ted Bundy. That I could have liked the person that he showed the world. As for his evil side I would only meet him armed with an AK47 and forty US Marines!

What did you like best about this story?

Ann Rule, having known Ted, had a fondness for the 'good Ted'. Ted was younger than Ann and perhaps he let her see the vulnerable side that made her want to 'Mother' him. He in turn was tall, well built and protective towards Ann. I think that made him show her his 'Big Brother' side.
It must have seemed so eerie when Ann was reporting on a serial killer only to find that it was her friend of several years. A man who knew where she lived and knew that she was a single Mother with teenage daughters who wore their hair long dark hair with a center part. A very fashion forward look of the '70s plus a favored look of Ted Bundy's.

Which character – as performed by Lorelei King – was your favorite?

Had to be Ted Bundy because of his two personalities.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The updated version over the original and Ann's feelings about the outcome. I was just surprised that Ann Rule did not visit Ted towards the end of his life.

Any additional comments?

Even if you have read the original volume this updated version is GOLDEN. Treat yourself to a good read as this is the quintessential true crime serial killer classic.

May I introduce you to Ted Bundy?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I didn't care for her mispronouncing most of the cities in Washington, not to mention several other common words. That distracted from the book, but the story was really well written.

Good book, need a better narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wow, what an in-depth look at how close Ted was to some of the characters including the author. It’s insane to think there are ppl that F-ed up in the head.

Fantastic book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I feel like this could have been edited down JUST. smidgen to save like an hour or two of reading but still a classic.

A little bit long winded but still really good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews