Dead by Sunset

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!

27 of 28 people found this review helpful

Great true crime, Great narration.

Really enjoyed this true crime book. This was my first Ann Rule novel and I was impressed. Ann uses her story telling skills along with her well researched facts to tell a great tale. The narrator was great. On Audible after the initial review, reviews often follow that are similar in content, and I wonder if this is what has happened with reviews regarding the narrator because he does a fabulous job here. Do not be disuaded.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Such an interesting case!!! Must listen

What did you love best about Dead by Sunset?

I think I enjoyed the cumulative efforts on the part of the defense attorneys and prosecutor who didn't give up on this case!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The history of his failed marriages, the insidious way in which Brad manipulated everyone around him including his own children.

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

Brad, he conveyed just how devious Brad Cunningham was and his evil intent.

If you could give Dead by Sunset a new subtitle, what would it be?

A TRUE SOCIOPATH

Any additional comments?

Great book by Ann Rule, one of my top three writers on true crime. Expertly done Ms. Rule.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gripping Tale

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

Ann Rule does a tremendous amount of research before writing any true crime novel. I wish these novels weren't true crime because they would be easier to stomach.The gullibility of the victims was quite infuriating. How a woman can marry a man with a string of wives before her is a mystery to me, no matter how charming he is. I kept thinking "I just don't get it." As with most of her novels, she writes about serial killers and psychopaths. The pathology can't be understood by any reasonable person.

What did you like best about this story?

Justice at the end.

What does Richard Ferrone bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Terrific narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing to unfold

Ann Rule does a lovely job in unpacking the history and personality of both the victims and convicted murderer. With interviewing friends, family, and the professionals working on this case, you get a multi-viewed perspective of what might have otherwise been a 2 dimensional figure. Nicely read and enjoyable even when the subject matter was grizzly. Highly recommended for true crime lovers.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful