• 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 (10,517 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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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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Good book!

I thought it was a bit sketchy that the author threw herself into the story line but as I kept listening I realized she really did know Ted and it was important to share that relationship in order to get the story across, especially since most true crime thrillers are written by people who don't know the criminal personally. It's definitely dark and I had to watch kitten videos on you tube in order to brighten up my mood afterwards but this is definitely an in depth look at the life and crimes of Ted Bundy. If you are into true crime this is a must read/listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Skeptical at first but relieved

I had heard great things about this book but I was afraid it would be a book talking about Bundy in a way that glorifies him in some weird manner. I’m so over hearing about how “handsome ted was” by random people on the internet so I avoided this one. However I was so pleasantly relieved when I realized this book didn’t do that. It’s great and a great view into the real man/monster not the myth. Rule’s perspective is invaluable and she does a great job writing their story. I would highly recommend this. Her writing and how she tells this story is perfection. I’m glad she was around to tell it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding

Stunning and unforgettable! Couldn't put it down. Excellent narration as well! Must Read, for sure!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing story!

Great inside look into the life of Ted Bundy! Great detail and insight into the life and times of Bundy.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Unexpectedly Fascinating

Not my typical read at all. So well written. So fascinating. Makes you realize that even monsters have a human side. Truly sad as well.

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creepy. well told. well written.

learn how to say Volkswagon please. Everything else was amazing. sad, TRAGIC story. Thank God this monster is no longer on the earth.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not Bad

Great story, very interesting. The author knew him. Although, the author likes to use big unusual words when it’s not really necessary. Also, I feel she as if she admires him. Which is disgusting.

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Wow

I can’t stand Ted, I think he deserves to be forgotten, he should hold no space. But this is a harrowing story of a strong woman battling the lies told to her by a friend she trusted and the compassion she holds for human life while learning of these lies.

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Encompassing

I enjoyed “The Stranger Beside Me”, the title itself tells a person how little we really know the people next to us, no matter how well we think we know them. The story of Ted Bundy and his manipulative, deceitful, personality also talks about his kindness, but even now through the many stories I’ve read, his kindness doesn’t come without strings. Ann Rule did a marvelous job writing this book, and really tried to keep an open mind I think.

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Genuine True Crime

This is my first Ann Rule, but it was excellent. Lorelei King narrated beautifully a detailed account not only of Theodore Bundy, but also Rule's personal entanglement with his life and crimes.
Throughout, Rule manages to offer her genuine experiences, feelings, and analysis without coming across as biased, slanderous, or exploiting an incredibly unique point of view.
I look forward to reading more of her explorations into true crime knowing the fascinating connection she has had with it.

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