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)

good

Like the story it was sad but good.
Enjoy the voice. Of the reader. Good work

Once in motion...I couldn't stop listening

Overall, this was quite a story and for the last several hours, I simply couldn't turn it off. This is a worthwhile and fascinating listen; the details of the many lives that intersect within this true story were so insane that I frequently found myself shaking my head in disbelief and bewilderment.

A real page-turner. The narrator is excellent.

No one does it as well as Ann Rule did. Sorry she won’t be around to write about other interesting cases. Are there other authors out there who have taken her place?

Good book

Interesting story, what I expect of Anne Rule. Narrator voice is a little too. Soothing but I got used to it.

enjoyed

Very interesting story. I felt it was a little drawn out and dragged at times. But would listen to another like it.

Fantastic

Ann Rule is always a winner!! I have enjoyed so many of her books and will continue to read her stories.

Amazing Read; Wonderfully Written & Read

Would you listen to Dead by Sunset again? Why?

Yes, this was a great book. It was engrossing, kept me wanting to hear more. It was such a tragic story that kept you needing to hear the outcome of the man accused of the atrocious murder.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot definitely kept me on the edge of my seat; the accused seems to be quite crafty in regards to getting away with everything.

Have you listened to any of Richard Ferrone’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not but I look forward to such.

Amazing narration! Couldn't stop listening!

Where does Dead by Sunset rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely at the top. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to, I found it hard to stop listening and when I wasn't listening, I was thinking about when I could turn it on again!

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

I don't know if I could pick just one! I would say that the one thing that stuck out for me was when the sons we talked about...it made me sad that they were being raised by a complete monster.

Which character – as performed by Richard Ferrone – was your favorite?

Sarah, she seemed to be such a strong character and then she would do something that left me thinking..."why would she DO that????". And then the responsibility she took at the end, amazing.

Possibly my favorite Rule book yet

It's longer than many of her books and more detailed with many intricacies to the story. Thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed it

Another Great Ann Rule Book

Another fascinating read by Ann Rule. Dense with details but, as usual, written without a dry moment.