I just finished The Stranger Beside Me a half an hour ago, and I have to say I’m a bit shaken. I chose to read this partially because it’s a buddy read and also because Ted Bundy was/is a disturbing and interesting subject.

The book is written by Ann Rule who worked with Ted Bundy at a crisis clinic and knew him for years before she found out about the crimes he had committed. Like most of the people who knew Bundy, she could not believe all that he was accused off and it seems she never really did until towards the end. To her there were two Teds. Her friend Ted, who reminded her of her younger brother, who opened up to her about not knowing his father. And the mystery Ted, one who was more than capable of committing horrific crimes. For some reason she seemed to overly sympathize with him much to my chagrin.

I won’t lie, I had to stop reading a few times because the book got to me. It’s hard to imagine that there are people who exist who are like this; smooth, charismatic, handsome, manipulative, narcissistic, prevaricators, and more, who are able to compartmentalize so much to be to live semi normal lives. And yet they do exist. The Stranger Beside Me gives you a glimpse into Ted Bundy’s life and it’s a scary one. The book is written in alternating viewpoints by Ann Rule, Ted Bundy, and various police departments. We learn of Ted’s past, his meeting with Ann, the multiple women who loved him, his escalating and vicious crime sprees, and how he finally got apprehended and his time in court.

If you’re a fan of true crime books, I’d definitely recommend giving this a try.