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!

48 people found this 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.

18 people found this 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.

12 people found this 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.

10 people found this 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.

9 people found this 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.

7 people found this helpful

dead before sunset

I am not sure about the quality of the writing as the male narrator's voice was so distracting. He sounded as though he was trying to be sinister at times, and it came accross as boring with little appropriate inflection. Listening to the narrator spoiled the whole recording. I love Ann Rule's works, both written and audio. In past audio editions of other stories it has been the voice of a woman, who I can only describe as mesmorising, and soothing. I will certainly listen before I purchase any more of Ann's works, to avoid the male narrator.

7 people found this helpful

I have never listen to a book where I thought they were talking about me.

I can’t say no I appreciate the fact that he is in prison for the rest of his life. I too went through the same exact thing except for my monster never went to prison !! No he still roaming Northwest here in Oregon Yamhill county to be exact! I didn’t know her but I felt like I knew her strong woman actually all of them are! Are used to feel like a victim now I feel like a warrior ! I just wanna say thank you to everybody I feel like my monster got convicted to even know he’s roaming!

4 people found this helpful

Wasn't crazy about narration, Story terrific tho

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

I absolutely would recommend this book. If you're a fan of true crime, you will enjoy it.

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

Over and over being bewildered at what an )@&*(# Brad Cunningham was to just about everyone around him, PARTICULARLY his wives and children. A classic psychopath.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Get a new voice? Seriously, the reading was well done, but I tired of his voice very quickly, which is a problem when you have to spend that amount of time listening to someone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You do NOT want to marry this man!

Any additional comments?

Overall, I liked this book, finished it quickly, and was satisfied with the outcome.

4 people found this helpful

Story is nearly unbelievable.

Plot:
This book is not for those who want a quick listen. However, if you want a thorough and detailed account of a case that you likely haven’t heard of- this book is for you. Story is absolutely insane and has every facet of a dramatic true-crime story that makes this genre appealing to its readers.
Narration: At first the author’s feminine voice annoyed me and the somewhat factual nature of the man’s voice made it so I found myself rewinding or fast forwarding several times. But as the storyline thickened, I found myself enjoying his female voice as it lightened the darker side of the story and gave an interesting dynamic- when he says the word nymphomaniac I nearly spit out my drink from laughing.
Execution: There we’re several chapters I found could have been eliminated or less detailed, but then it wouldn’t be an Ann Rule novel without such detail.
Overall this book was well written- with good narration, likable and un-likable characters, and extraordinarily detailed. Gave it 4/5 stars because it was, at times, a little too detailed. I would still recommend this if you like Ann Rule.

2 people found this helpful