• 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
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (10,508 ratings)

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The Stranger Beside Me  By  cover art

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)

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.

What listeners say about The Stranger Beside Me

Average customer ratings
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  • KJ
  • 04-24-19

Interesting storyline. Not overly dramatic

I enjoyed this story because it was factually based and not prone to added dramatic recounts for shock value or to hook reader. The story was told in a sequential fashion which was easy follow. The author’s perspective is unique due to her relationship with the subject.

The performance was well done. At first she spoke softly and I thought she would make me fall asleep but in actuality she did well with annotation and her pace was helpful to digest information.

Overall, a professional job all around and worth a read/ listen.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deadly delightful.

This is a very balanced and concise perspective on the case and life of Ted Bundy.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good read

I really liked this book. I was surprised to learn something new about Bundy. I enjoy true crime that is worth reading or hearing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Still an Interesting Read

Despite this story being written years ago, it remains an interesting read. Some of the verbiage and situations are outdated, but it just takes the reader back in time and allows you to relate to the period.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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listened to every minute

longest, yet most interesting book so far. would recommend this to everyone. great job Ann

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well told story

Story was very well written and told. My only complaint is that there were some very obvious recording flubs that distracted from the story.

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Truly an inside story

The author knew the killer. This book gives riveting in site into the two lives of Ted: "the smart, kind and compassionate" Ted and the extremely evil, soulless, animalistic Ted

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  • JT
  • 09-07-16

Loved this book! Could not put it down

Where does The Stranger Beside Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I LOVED the way the story was told. Ann Rule did a fantastic job of mixing the story, timeline and emotions in this book.

Can't wait to read the next!

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and very creepy!

If you could sum up The Stranger Beside Me in three words, what would they be?

Addicting
Creepy
Enthralling

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The narrative of the 15 years that Bundy evolved from a regular guy to a notorious and infamous killer

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

ANN RULE IS THE BEST TRUE CRIME WRITER

WOW - this was such an amazing story, I locked my doors & windows before going to bed. Couldn't put it down!! Her 1st and BEST

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