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22nd out of 314 books
—
437 voters
Dead By Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer?
by
Ann Rule
The author of eight New York Times bestsellers, Ann Rule first won nationwide acclaim with The Stranger Beside Me, about serial killer Ted Bundy. Her Crime Files volumes, based on fascinating case histories, have assured her reputation as our premier chronicler of crime. Now the former Seattle policewoman brings us the horrific account of a charismatic man adored by beauti...more
Paperback, 544 pages
Published
April 1st 1996
by Pocket Books
(first published October 1st 1995)
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In "Dead by Sunset," author Ann Rule once again plunges her readers into a world full of human pathos, drama, rage, and - in the case of Cheryl Keeton - a mother's love that transcended the grave.
A compelling read that introduces you to all the key players and their own biographies in the context of this modern day Greek tragedy, Ann Rule tells the story of a narcissistic sociopath, Brad Cunningham, who was used to using his charm, wit, intelligence, and - when needed - abuse and violence to alw...more
A compelling read that introduces you to all the key players and their own biographies in the context of this modern day Greek tragedy, Ann Rule tells the story of a narcissistic sociopath, Brad Cunningham, who was used to using his charm, wit, intelligence, and - when needed - abuse and violence to alw...more
Dead By Sunset is an interesting true crime book (yeah, I know that's a horrid thing to say about true crime books) about a man being convicted for the death of ex-wife number four.
I'll never understand women who fall for men like this. I really, truly don't. This'll sound horrible, but number four had a perfect demonstration of the way he truly was before they married.
You see, when they met, he was married to ex-wife number three. He'd only been married to her for a short time. Now, ex three an...more
I'll never understand women who fall for men like this. I really, truly don't. This'll sound horrible, but number four had a perfect demonstration of the way he truly was before they married.
You see, when they met, he was married to ex-wife number three. He'd only been married to her for a short time. Now, ex three an...more
Rule, Ann. Dead By Sunset (1995)****
Superior true crime by one of the best
Brad Cunningham bludgeons his estranged wife to death and then pushes the van onto the Sunset Freeway in Oregon hoping cars will pile into the vehicle and the murder will look like a traffic accident. Cunningham is a classic psychopath in the mode of Jeffrey McDonald, but even more predatory. He had five or six wives, seven or so kids, made and lost millions, a complete control freak, charming, macho, handsome, athletic,...more
Superior true crime by one of the best
Brad Cunningham bludgeons his estranged wife to death and then pushes the van onto the Sunset Freeway in Oregon hoping cars will pile into the vehicle and the murder will look like a traffic accident. Cunningham is a classic psychopath in the mode of Jeffrey McDonald, but even more predatory. He had five or six wives, seven or so kids, made and lost millions, a complete control freak, charming, macho, handsome, athletic,...more
This book was very detailed in all aspects of the case. It was a great book put together in wonderful context by the author. I have always loved Ann Rules writing and this was just another great piece to showcase her abilitites to perfectly depict all details of a case.
The story itself is tragic and you have to wonder just how the defendant was actually able to "pull the wool" over so many peoples eyes. Knowing how his children were used and treated as pawns in his life was equally sad.
The only...more
The story itself is tragic and you have to wonder just how the defendant was actually able to "pull the wool" over so many peoples eyes. Knowing how his children were used and treated as pawns in his life was equally sad.
The only...more
From back cover:
"...the horrific account of a charismatic man adored by beautiful and brilliant women who always gave him what he wanted...sex, money, their very lives...
When attorney Cheryl Keeton's brutually bludgeoned body was found in her van in the fast lane of an Oregon freeway, her husband, Brad Cummingham, was the likely suspect. But there was no solid evidence linking him to the crime. He married again, for the fifth time, and his stunning new wife, a physician named Sara, adopted is th...more
"...the horrific account of a charismatic man adored by beautiful and brilliant women who always gave him what he wanted...sex, money, their very lives...
When attorney Cheryl Keeton's brutually bludgeoned body was found in her van in the fast lane of an Oregon freeway, her husband, Brad Cummingham, was the likely suspect. But there was no solid evidence linking him to the crime. He married again, for the fifth time, and his stunning new wife, a physician named Sara, adopted is th...more
This was much like Ann Rule's other work -- well researched and meticulous. Too much detail -- do we really have to go into everyone's background? But it was compelling and the portrait of the narcissistic Brad is spot on. What constantly astounded me, however, is that all these bright women kept falling for this jerk and then found themselves entangled with him like flies in a web. The fact that this guy married a lawyer and a doctor, both of whom he sucked dry financially (and emotionally) spe...more
Every once in awhile I take a break from historical fiction and dip into an old favorite, true crime. This book had me rivited, but cringing at the same time. This husband, Brad, was a sociopath of the first order, and the women he charmed excused his behavior when they should have ran screaming into the night to get away from him. They finally did, but it took the proverbial huge smack-or several smacks-upside the head.
I did pity them, especially the one who was murdered. But here is a tip, whe...more
I did pity them, especially the one who was murdered. But here is a tip, whe...more
Wow, what a page turner! I love Ann Rule. There's many characters in this murder tale of an oft-married man who seems to charm women out of any vestige of common sense. He begins a relationship as Mr. Right and Mr. Perfect. And women are drawn to the perfect man who lives well and has many fabulous ideas. They want to help him when he's down. Unfortunately he changes after marriage. So sad. Maybe he'll change back. Unfortunately he murdered one of his wives. I am fascinated by how crazy a seemin...more
There I was, in Hawaii, having finished three books in a week (!) and purusing the shelf at the condo. It has been a while since I've read one of the Rule's books. I had forgotten the detail she uses, her usual inclusion of photos, and quite elaborate telling of "what happened."
This is just another of her well told true crime tales. Not disappointed, engaged in the over 500 page read, and cetainly entertained. I would say despite all of that and knowing that the killer would be snagged it still...more
This is just another of her well told true crime tales. Not disappointed, engaged in the over 500 page read, and cetainly entertained. I would say despite all of that and knowing that the killer would be snagged it still...more
This was another great written story by Ann Rule. What was so eerie about this story is that the woman who was murdered by her husband, knew he was going to do it, and sought out Ann's help for if something were to happen to her, she wanted Ann to tell her story, and tell it she did. The movie was pretty good too, but that husband was a real trip. From raping his wife, to mentally abusing her, and no sooner had she got the courage to get out of the marriage and take her boys with her, he murders...more
Based on real events. I picked this book b/c I enjoy true crime novels. I remember seeing the movie some yrs ago. Brad Cunningham bludgeons his estranged wife Cheryl to death and then pushes van onto the Sunset Freeway in Oregon hoping cars will pile into the vehicle, making the murder look like a traffic accident. Cunningham is a classic psychopath - he is predatory and extremely dangerous and has no remorse or welfare for human life. He had married and re-married multiple times, had seven or s...more
Jul 05, 2009
Helen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes true life, well written suspense stories
Recommended to Helen by:
Pam Cahoon
I don't know if I could ever read this book again but I certainly will never forget the story. Well written and compelling. I could not put it down. I got up in the middle of the night to read more of it and when my husband (who had gotten up to see where I had gone) walked in on me I screamed and threw the book at him. It is that suspenseful.
It has been made into a movie (several times I think) and the movies are good but nothing like the book.
I had a house guest who picked up this book and was...more
It has been made into a movie (several times I think) and the movies are good but nothing like the book.
I had a house guest who picked up this book and was...more
Oct 04, 2009
Ashleigh
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone.
Recommended to Ashleigh by:
Mother.
Shelves:
owned,
two-books-a-week-2009
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Ann Rule is known for writing true crime books. I sometimes find her to be too meticulous and detailed. I find myself completely bogged down in details at the moment and hope that some action begins soon.
I'm glad that Brad was finally given justice for all the heart ache he had caused. He was one of those men that was able to find lonely, successful women that he could manipulate into doing whatever he wanted them to do.
I'm glad that Brad was finally given justice for all the heart ache he had caused. He was one of those men that was able to find lonely, successful women that he could manipulate into doing whatever he wanted them to do.
Best true crime writer around. This case is especially interesting, as it occurred here in Portland. If you were here in the mid 80s, you might remember a news story about a minivan which mysteriously shot from a side street onto Sunset Highway, crossing all lanes of traffic and coming to rest at the guardrail. Nice try, but no one hit it. So how did the person inside die? It is truly scary.
suspenseful. sad. and all too true. this book should be required reading for Match dot com.
most people don't know much about personality disorders, but if they did, boy, would they date with caution. this guy had a bad case of narcissism and destroyed so many people's lives. once you experience this type of personality, you can spot it a mile away.
ladies, read this book. bravo, ann rule!!
most people don't know much about personality disorders, but if they did, boy, would they date with caution. this guy had a bad case of narcissism and destroyed so many people's lives. once you experience this type of personality, you can spot it a mile away.
ladies, read this book. bravo, ann rule!!
This was my first true crime book. I cannot believe that this guy thought he was going to get away with it. It goes to show you that looks mean absolutely nothing. A handsome man can be a cold-blooded killer as well as a giant a-hole. The incredible thing was that he was brought to court for a civil case since they didn't have enough for a criminal one.
Ann Rule does it again. She so thoroughly helps us get into the mind of the killer and the family members that you get caught up in the story even though you know the ending. Also, many of her books take place in the Pacific Northwest and help me learn my geography, since I'm not from this area originally.
Another chilling and creepy book from the queen of true-crime, Ann Rule. A female lawyer in a vehicle is pushed out on the Sunset Highway in Oregon at sunset. She is already dead and the killer hopes to cause a multi-car accident to mask that fact. Truth is always stranger than fiction.
why or why do i keep reading books about antisocial personalities. The husband in this true crime story is a real monster and it is frightening how many intelligent successful women fall for him before he is finally sent to jail. Antoher good Ann Rule true crime.
As compelling and disturbing as any scripted show, but unfortunately it falls apart at the end. I don't know if it's the fault of the loony husband or the repetition, but the end of was very anticlimactic. I couldn't help but think, after all these years, that's it?
Dead By Sunset is the extraordinary true story of a charismatic man adored by beautiful and brilliant women who always gave him what he wanted. But he wanted everything--sex, money, and their lives. How long would it take before he finally got what he deserved?com/review
Although I am a big Ann Rule fan, I somehow missed this book until I saw it in paperback at the pharmacy recently. I really liked it. The author goes
into such detail, there are no unanswered questions at the end of the book. It's very enjoyable.
into such detail, there are no unanswered questions at the end of the book. It's very enjoyable.
This book is my favorite of Ann Rule's. I'm not sure why, it just has an element to it that makes it very memorable (not that her other books aren't, just that it is that good). Anyone who reads this or any of Ann Rule's books will not be disappointed.
It took me a while to finish this book, not because it wasn't interesting, but due to lots of other things going on. This is the 3rd Ann Rule book I've read and she has once again shown her talents in true crime storytelling. This dude was a real jerk and I'm glad got what he deserved.
This was an interesting book but too detailed for me. I thought it was more fiction than non-fiction. My mother absolutely loves Ann Rule and assures me that her other books are more intriguing. I'll read another one.
Great book if you love the whole killer thing. It was almost more disgusting than someone who kills a bunch of people. This man only killed one person but the things he did to so many people were almost more disturbing. Ann Rule definitely did her homework - I feel like I know everyone described in the book!
Another great Ann Rule book....they are always captivating. It's amazing to me how people Bradley Cunningham had fooled. I found myself reading this book and just willing the women in his life to walk away...
This book was well researched but was written like a 500-odd page newspaper article. The truth never did come all the way to the surface because the murderer/master manipulator was not going to admit to what he was accused of. Very sad for all of the people involved.
***Cynthia's book club choice for March 2011.***
***Cynthia's book club choice for March 2011.***
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Ann Rule is a popular American true crime writer. She came to prominence with her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, about the Ted Bundy murders.
At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington Crisis...more
More about Ann Rule...
At the time she started researching the book, the murders were still unsolved. In the course of time, it became clear that the killer was Bundy, her friend and her colleague as a trained volunteer on the suicide hotline at the Seattle, Washington Crisis...more
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11. April, 11:43 Uhr