The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History

A REAL Monster

I have read many books and articles on Ted Bundy but in this work learned so much more about the man. He was just pure evil~absolutely NO redeeming qualities. We will never know for sure how many women he murdered or how many barely escaped his depravity. Very interesting listen, great narration, and highly recommended for those interested in true crime.

Audiobook provided for an honest review.

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

best read on Ted Bundy

loved it, very interesting listen. love the tone and speed the narrator has used. He brought real depth to this book on this infamous serial killer.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

A Different Perspective

Over twenty five years have past since that unforgettable January morning when I first emigrated to the USA from the UK. I was listening to the radio driving on the way to work with the windows down. It was early, warm as I watched the ocean's waves gently splashing as I was traveling on Florida's Highway A1A. I thought that I would listen to the news so I turned the dial to NPR. It was about 7:30 am EST and all I remember hearing was that Ted Bundy was declared dead at Raiford Prison in Starke, Florida. It was January 24, 1989. At that moment I had to stop the car and park. I did not know who this man was. I was clueless of his crime. However I kept thinking that only a month ago it had been Christmas Eve. Only a moment ago this man had a beating heart. I felt sick. The UK took the death penalty 'off the books' before I was born so this was my first exposure. In retrospect I now know that I was in shock.

Being in the medical field I decided to deal with this 'head on' and subsequently have become very interested in Bundy and others like him.

I, like many of us avid readers have watched every documentary and movie, read every book, article and thesus on Bundy. I am none the wiser. Many people call us "obsessed" because we keep researching these demented personalities whilst searching for 'the' answer which sadly so far has alluded many of us.

Kevin Sullivan has definitely done his homework however I did not learn anything new HOWEVER his perspective is less 'heart and emotion' BUT more facts and good old fashioned 'in your face'. When reading the superb 'A Stranger Beside Me, (Do not miss the updates that Ann Rule has added. She keeps it fresh and adds any new information that she finds) Ann has a more poignant view of the man. Why? Because she was acquainted with the small part of Ted that was still human.

Kevin Pierce's performance is nothing short of superb. I actually listened to this book twice before writing my review as I was not too sure whether I was enjoying the performance more than the content but in retrospect I found it to be 50% of both writing and vocal talent.

If you enjoy a good listen, go ahead and treat yourself to this 'new' perspective on the unexplainable part of a man that is nothing short of pure evil.

19 of 20 people found this review helpful

An Unparalleled Beast

The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History is aptly titled, because it is very comprehensive, detailing crimes that I knew very little about. Throughout the book the author is respectful to the victim's memories; and describes them as three dimensional human beings with hopes, dreams, aspirations and loving families, and that makes their fates at Bundy's hands all the more repugnant. As horrific as Bundy's predations on his victims were, the author also describes the devastating impact of these crimes on the victim's families. In this context, Bundy is revealed to be the unparalleled beast that he was. I believe this book has a clearer and more complete account of the Utah/Colorado murders than what I had read before. Particularly the details surrounding the murder of Debbie Kent, where Bundy stalked victims in a crowded theater auditorium. The author describes Bundy's mind-set and psychopathic descent extremely well, and the gradual decay of his ability to control the beast within behind a mask of normalcy, a mask that ultimately crumbled. Kevin Pierce's excellent narration puts me right there, and brings the horror vividly to life. And with a special sensitivity, he captures the anguish of the families left behind. It is a brilliant true crime book.

27 of 29 people found this review helpful

Sad, Creepy, & Very Interesting

I didn't know anything about Ted Bundy beyond the fact he was a serial killer, and I'm very glad this was the book that taught me the story.
The writing is great, but the narrator really made it shine for me. The narration is sympathetic, conversational and just . . . right.
Highly recommended listen.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

By far the best audiobook on Ted Bundy

Would you consider the audio edition of The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously not my favorite person, but the most interesting character is the subject of the book - Ted Bundy.

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

Kevin Pierce can make most any story great. He is my favorite narrator, so I'm biased. (But a lot of other reviewers agree with me.) In this book, he sounds like what I would expect of a detective -- his voice finds just the right tone of irony as he relays Bundy's 'thought processes' and actions. I liked his performance much more than the narrator in the Ann Rule book, 'The Stranger Beside Me'.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I would say the descriptions of Ted Bundy's peculiar relationship with his girlfriend, particularly his violent episodes. Also when a casual friend brings to light an incident on how he mistreated his girlfriend. He was able to 'contain himself' but certain situations brought out his violent personality, even among those he knew personally. One of his professors was suspicious of him and reported him to the police as a possible suspect.

Any additional comments?

Fascinating account of the life and crimes of Ted Bundy. Perfect narration draws you in and sets just the right mood. This is a story where every day lives, small town America, college students, and hitch hikers meet unspeakable evil. Bundy unravels psychologically and physically from the handsome and saavy budding politician and law student as his true self -- a monster who lives to kill and hides body parts in lush forests -- creeps out from behind his mask. Yes, it's graphic, but no more than it has to be to convey this true horror story. I listened to this more than once.

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

Best Bundy Book by Far

Excellent narrator! I couldn't stop listening. I especially like the psychological aspects and how the author explains the personality disorders of this disturbed individual.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Disturbing but well-done

Loved the narration. Such a disturbing recounting of the crimes of this deranged killer. Well done, but hard to shake from the mind after hearing.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Comprehensive but Heartbreaking

This is quite an interesting and comprehensive look at Ted Bundy and his life. It’s good because along with the content of the story being told, it’s also being read in an appropriate manner. There is nothing, and I mean nothing good about Ted Bundy. He was a sicko with a “fractured” personality.

As much as I don’t want to give Ted Bundy a five-star review, I do have to give the story a well-deserved five-stars. The stories of the women whose lives he took need to be told. Who would they be today? What would they be doing? We can never know because of this man, an emotionless serial killer without a conscious who took away their futures. Because of this, the story does bear its weight of sadness.

This was a good story that I listened to by Kevin M. Sullivan. This wasn’t a story that I was able to listen to all in one sitting though. It does do a good job in telling the listener who Ted Bundy was and what he did without being overly detailed about the gruesome acts he committed.

About the narrator: Kevin Pierce did a nice job narrating this biography. He did so in a somber way and that was the only way it could or should be read. He made it sound story-like along with a good amount of reporting style narration. He gave it a good balance.

Audiobook gifted in exchange for review

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Gruesome

Was The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History worth the listening time?

This book is somewhat different from other books written about Bundy.. It seems as the years pass the story becomes more complete and less censored and this author does a great job of putting it all together.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful