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)

My house is clean, my dogs are exhausted!

What made the experience of listening to Dead by Sunset the most enjoyable?

This book was so engrossing! I got a lot done during the many hours I listened to the book; scrubbing, weeding and long dog-walks were my excuse to keep listening until it was done!

Ann Rule's books have been my guilty pleasure for years. I don't really go for true crime books EXCEPT for hers. The level of detail is so fine that I wonder HOW she is able to get so close to the participants in the stories she tells. And she tells the stories with great respect and regard for the victims. She must be a remarkably compassionate and sincere woman.

The story itself is almost unbelievable! If it were fiction, I’d probably toss it aside, thinking it was too far-fetched. How could so many smart, attractive women fall for the likes of Brad Cunningham?!

I’ve read that Ann Rule is not so interested in the “big” stories like Casey Anthony or OJ Simpson; instead she likes to find stories that might not otherwise be told. Thank goodness for that! Casey and OJ stories are ubiquitous; this story, like all of Ann Rule’s stories, is well told, fascinating and might not have been told had Ann Rule not been interested in the case.

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

I think outrage, fury and frustration would better describe the reactions I had while listening to the book. I wonder, if someone observed me during my dog walks, if it would look as if I were mad at my dogs!

Took My Breath Away.

I knew nothing about this case and actually managed to refrain from doing any research either before or during listening to this really enjoyable book.

I consider the late Anne Rule one of the 'Greats' when it comes to the "True Crime' genre as her research cannot be faulted. However this being said I am not a fan of her compendium volumes. I am pretty sure that these 'five murders in a book' idea must be her publisher's idea as I run in the other direction when I see them coming. So when I saw this volume I just had to read it.

So many books of this genre seem to take a chapter or two to 'get going'. Not this one! Had me at the first page. I read another reviewer who said that she had a really clean house and that all of of laundry and ironing was done because she could not stop listening. Well I too have turned into quite the Martha Stewart for the very same reason. Totally compelling!

If you want to read/listen to a story about a skilled manipulator who always appears to be level headed, caring, responsible and kind who can chose intelligent women and slowly chip away not only at their self esteem but at their very being then this is the book for you. But be aware as this justice does prevail and as the old saying goes 'Revenge is a dish best served cold'.

I am looking forward to a few months to pass by so that I can listen to it again.

Wow, this was well done

I cannot add much to all the great reviews, well done book with no dull spots. Spend that credit and you will be happy you did.

triumph of true crime writing

This book has it all - plot, characters, surprises, suspense, rollercoaster of emotions - sadness, horror, sympathy, amazement, incredulity, frustration, anger. In short, the book has everything you could want to keep you interested. I took every opportunity to do something during which I could keep listening. I was a bit taken aback for the first few minutes by Richard Ferrone's narration but after a very short time I loved his voice and his presentation. He's just right for this book.

Another gem by Ann Rule

I love Ann Rule, so I'm biased. But she was a master researcher, gathering just enough details about the lives of the victims and perpetrators to paint a truly complete picture of the crime. This is the story of a true sociopath and his master manipulation of the many, many women in his life (including his own daughter). Hilariously, the perpetrator self published a rebuttal to this book. I haven't read it but the online reviews suggest it's more a run down of his sexual conquests than proof of his claimed innocence.

The performance is great; he has an awesome voice and it kept me totally engaged.

Longer isn't always better

I'm a fan of Anne Rule's books and especially true crime. However the depth and research she went into regarding this story at times left me very bored and fast forwarding. At least 5-8 chapters could have been cut and others tended to drag on. The story itself was very interesting but felt it could have been better formatted.

dead before sunset

I am not sure about the quality of the writing as the male narrator's voice was so distracting. He sounded as though he was trying to be sinister at times, and it came accross as boring with little appropriate inflection. Listening to the narrator spoiled the whole recording. I love Ann Rule's works, both written and audio. In past audio editions of other stories it has been the voice of a woman, who I can only describe as mesmorising, and soothing. I will certainly listen before I purchase any more of Ann's works, to avoid the male narrator.

I have never listen to a book where I thought they were talking about me.

I can’t say no I appreciate the fact that he is in prison for the rest of his life. I too went through the same exact thing except for my monster never went to prison !! No he still roaming Northwest here in Oregon Yamhill county to be exact! I didn’t know her but I felt like I knew her strong woman actually all of them are! Are used to feel like a victim now I feel like a warrior ! I just wanna say thank you to everybody I feel like my monster got convicted to even know he’s roaming!

Wasn't crazy about narration, Story terrific tho

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

I absolutely would recommend this book. If you're a fan of true crime, you will enjoy it.

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

Over and over being bewildered at what an )@&*(# Brad Cunningham was to just about everyone around him, PARTICULARLY his wives and children. A classic psychopath.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Get a new voice? Seriously, the reading was well done, but I tired of his voice very quickly, which is a problem when you have to spend that amount of time listening to someone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You do NOT want to marry this man!

Any additional comments?

Overall, I liked this book, finished it quickly, and was satisfied with the outcome.

Story is nearly unbelievable.

Plot:
This book is not for those who want a quick listen. However, if you want a thorough and detailed account of a case that you likely haven’t heard of- this book is for you. Story is absolutely insane and has every facet of a dramatic true-crime story that makes this genre appealing to its readers.
Narration: At first the author’s feminine voice annoyed me and the somewhat factual nature of the man’s voice made it so I found myself rewinding or fast forwarding several times. But as the storyline thickened, I found myself enjoying his female voice as it lightened the darker side of the story and gave an interesting dynamic- when he says the word nymphomaniac I nearly spit out my drink from laughing.
Execution: There we’re several chapters I found could have been eliminated or less detailed, but then it wouldn’t be an Ann Rule novel without such detail.
Overall this book was well written- with good narration, likable and un-likable characters, and extraordinarily detailed. Gave it 4/5 stars because it was, at times, a little too detailed. I would still recommend this if you like Ann Rule.

Fan of Author, Fan of Reader

Dead by Sunset
Like all of “Ann Rule’s” true crime books, this is unput downable
Nothing skipped or left out. For those of us that like to know all the characters and we can look them up on the Web now, it is sheer joy
A full study of a controlling psychopath, one can find this personality in any good psychological pathology book. Are they born? Or are they made so by the parent (in this case Bradley Cunningham’s father)
One of the best narrators around “Richard Ferrone” really brings this book to life

excellent!

I downloaded this onto my i pod and it had me hooked from the start - fantastic, fascinating and so detailed you could just picture each of the characters in this. Brad Morris Cunningham, had all the charm, good looks and gift of being such a master manipulator that the most educated and strongest women fell under his spell. He was such an unpleasant man - his hatred of women showed in every aspect of his behavour, his denial of his Native American heritage, only ever acknowledging it when it suited him (money), his dismissive arrogance with regards to the law was breathtaking and I felt so, so sorry for all of his children to have been burdened with a father like that, but as far as he was concerned that was the normal way to treat women and children were just a commodity he learned that behaviour from his own father and grandfather. Thank goodness for the support of his ex-wife Sara who never stopped loving Cheryl's sons and being there for them and Cheryl's family, friends and colleagues who relentlessly never stopped until justice was done for her and her children also the strength that the ex-wives and partners managed to find to finally stand up to him - Brad Cunningham was evil to the core and is probably still denying to this day that he murdered his wife because he so believes his lies. Prison is too good a place for him.

Loved it, loved it, loved it - Ann Rule does it again but I would really like to know how the Cunningham children are doing now away and free from his tyranny.

first rate yarn

This excellent story never loses it's capacity to grip from the first page to the last..At first, I felt vaguely uneasy enjoying a true crime story so much, but it is so well-written and well-read. The research is thorough, but not so much that it becomes boring or tedious. It's definitely worth revisiting. The writer should be very proud of such a thoroughly good book.

Exceptional listen!

I have listened to this twice now & both times found it absolutely riveting! The attention to detail & what can only be described as superb investigative story telling makes this a MUST READ for all lovers of True Crime. Loved it from start to finish.

Excellent narrator and ann rule is a great writer

I enjoy true crime especially those you can research further after reading.
Great content as always, thoroughly investigated.
The narration was just to my liking and kept me enthralled.
What an evil man and totally delusional! I hope Cheryl's children continue to remember their mother and their family continue to support them.
I hope he rots.
I'm now an official ann rule fan.

Dead By Sunset

This is by far one of the best books i have listened to by far,its gripping,unbelievable,disturbing,i could go on i could not stop listening to this story.
I love true crime,but i do not remember this case,you will find yourself wanting to rip Brad Cunningham's head off,He was a total control freak,the court case is fascinating,its funny and sad i found myself crying,i will google this case now,if you like true crime then please listen to this book.

If you value your sleep, don't buy this book!

If you could sum up Dead by Sunset in three words, what would they be?

Could not stop listening!

What other book might you compare Dead by Sunset to, and why?

'Son' by Jack Olsen

What about Richard Ferrone’s performance did you like?

although the american accent took a bit of getting used to - it wasn't grating

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Can't say as will be a spoiler if you haven't read it yet

Any additional comments?

If you have had to deal with a narcissist or just find the subject fascinating, get this book. You will not be disappointed.

Absolutely riveting

Any additional comments?

I am a big fan of Richard Ferrone and his narration of the Lucas Davenport series. So to jump from fiction to non-fiction with Mr Ferrone as the narrator was not hard. At 20 hours long you might think its going to be a long winded account of an evil twisted sadistic narcissistic man who preyed on intelligent, beautiful but rather naive women. But do not be swayed, this is a terrific audio book. I listened to it whenever I had the chance completely enthralled by the narrative and extraordinary tale which unfolds. It is hard to believe its based on fact and many times during this audio I wanted to get these women and shake them to make them see sense. But hindsight is a powerful weapon and perhaps if you were on the receiving end of such a person, you may have acted differently. Excellent book.

Standard

Just the usual Ann Rule but the first I’ve listened to rather than read. I don’t know if it’s her writing style or simply that all narcissistic, psychopaths are just the same as it could have been Bundy they were talking about.

Always great books with Ann

Another wonderful book from Ann rule. She writes true crime like no other. Dead by sunset is captivating. If it was a physical book I wouldn't have been able to put it down. I couldn't stop listening. I wish audible had a bigger selection of her work especially the stranger beside me.