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Beyond Cruel

The Chilling True Story of America's Most Sadistic Killer

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Beyond Cruel

By: Stephen G. Michaud
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
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About this listen

Authorities opened the door on one man's hidden life...

Mike DeBardeleben was known as the Mall Passer for the way he passed off fake money at local shopping centers. But when US Secret Service agents finally arrested him, they were met with more than just phony bills. They found that their counterfeiter led a shocking double life....

...only to discover a house of horrors.

DeBardeleben's home was littered with drugs, bondage gear, and a collection of audio tapes in which he recorded the abuse of his countless victims. As the evidence mounted, a terrifying profile emerged of a man who forced women to be his accomplices, practiced sadism, even dressed up in women's clothes - a serial killer whose depraved fantasies led to a spree of violence that would last as long as 18 years...and would end in a sentence of almost 400 years in prison. As terrifying as it is true, this is the story of a man who proved to be, beyond the shadow of a doubt, beyond cruel.

©1994 Stephen G. Michaud (P)2020 Tantor Murder True Crime Exciting Scary Nonfiction True Crime

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All stars
Most relevant
I thought this would be an interesting listen as I’m doing my degree in Criminology & Sociology. It was fascinating as it was disturbing. Love the narrator too.

Beyond Cruel.

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Very interesting case in huge and disturbing detail. Caught in at every minute. Very interesting and informative

Super interesting read/listen

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Good book on a lesser known serial killer who is as sadistic as any in history. In fact it might be the only book on audible about debardelaben.

4 stars

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the story was very interesting. the narration in my opinion was boring at times making a good story to look bad. definitely worth your time though

Interesting story

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Well narrated and laid out story with one criticism, that being that in places there was an overwhelming amount of frankly superfluous minute detail which detracted from the overall narrative.
A good listen.

Well told account of a lesser known criminal

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