Bundy: The Deliberate Stranger

by Richard W. Larsen

THE TRUE CRIME CLASSIC THAT STARTED IT ALL. NOW REISSUED.

Richard W. Larsen’s expose, based on first-hand conversations with the killer himself, remains the granddaddy Bundy book of them all – even inspiring a hit miniseries, starring Mark Harmon, that riveted America for weeks.

Now THE DELIBERATE STRANGER returns to mark the 30th anniversary of the execution of America’s most famous serial killer.

Between 1974 and 1978 a series of brutal sex slayings claimed the lives of nearly forty innocent young women and left a trail of blood that stretched from Seattle, Washington to Tallahassee, Florida...a trail that seemed to lead to Ted Bundy.

But Theodore Robert Bundy is an unlikely looking murderer. A handsome, articulate former law student, Bundy looks more like a candidate for public office than for Death Row. But in July 1979, 32-year-old Bundy was sentenced to the electric chair for bludgeoning to death two Florida coeds. And Bundy is suspected by police of being responsible for as many as 36 murders, spanning four years and four states.

Larsen, who knew Ted Bundy well before he ever fell under suspicion for murder – when Bundy was a rising star in Washington State politics helping to re-elect Governor Daniel Evans – interviewed Bundy extensively in writing the definitive account of his story.

In 1975, when Bundy was released on bail after his first arrest – a kidnapping charge in Utah – it was Larsen who met him at the door of the police headquarters and spend the day with him, and Larsen who lent Bundy his car after dinner so he could go out on the town that night, catching himself on the verge of parting joke – “Ted, I’d just as soon not read in the morning paper that some girl mysteriously disappeared in a Gremlin”

In THE DELIBERATE STRANGER, Larsen brings his masterful reporting and writing skills to bear on one of the most chilling, true crime stories in U.S. history. From the moment the first young woman disappears under mysterious circumstances, you are caught up in a cumulatively tense and gripping drama. Larsen has captured it the anguish of the parents, the frustration of the police, the horror of discovery, the growing suspicions and mounting evidence pointing to “all-American” Ted, the drama of his arrest, his incredible escapes – one from prison, one from a courthouse – his recaptures and the sensational, televised Florida murder trial at which Bundy conducted his own defense. And through it all, the enigmatic figure of Ted Bundy – the deliberate stranger – known by the author as well as he will ever be known by any person.

At once an exciting, fast-paced thriller, and a dazzling, unsentimental dissection of a cold-blooded killer, A DELIBERATE STRANGER is a true crime classic

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography, Serial Killer, Audiobook, Law

Paperback

First published July 1, 1980

Reviews

[Merel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, a lot of (to me) new information, worth a read

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d heard of this book, but I had no idea that, like Ann Rule, Richard Larsen was also a reporter with a coincidental pre-existing relationship with Ted Bundy.

At times, this book is hard to follow, as there aren’t as many dates given, but it’s rich with insider information from everyone involved. Larsen’s journalism background was really evident to me; there isn’t too much introspection on his personal connections or his own views. He built relationships with people involved in all aspects of the case, from police to victims’ families to Bundy himself. There were times I thought he was too kind to Bundy, but he ultimately lets the case speak for itself as the book progresses.

Larsen heavily focuses on the various police investigations into Bundy’s crimes, especially in Utah and Colorado. Some of the lead investigators are his closest sources, which results in a book rich with firsthand insight into the methods and exhaustive manpower used to find physical evidence that could definitively link Bundy to the murders. To me, it was more similar to All the President’s Men than The Stranger Beside Me—lots of focus on the tedious hours of work it takes to definitively prove something like this.

[Unsolved ☕︎ Mystery · Rating 4 out of 5]

- My Description -
This book recites Ted Bundy's life and crimes authored by his news reporter friend Richard Larsen.

- My Review -
Yay! Another book to add to my 2011 book challenge. =)

I quite enjoyed this book.

Con: The book didn't have photos, of which I was disappointed.

Double Con: There was one time in the book the author had said that I considered EXTREMELY inappropriate. He refereed to one of the murdered girls as to having a "cute fanny". That bothered me. She died a horrible death. She didn't need to be violated again, this time by the author.

Anyway, This book offers more detailed accounts on his crimes. It's grisly, but it needs to be told.

It was a pretty cool read. It did bounce the events in the book too much for my taste, but it was easy to understand what was going on anyway.

And onto, the next read....

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new. It was definitely a book.

[Tiffany Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Richard Larsen, this book depicts the story of Ted Bundy and the brutal murders he committed. It has the conversations that Bundy and Larsen had when he was first arrested and throughout all of the trials and convictions he faced. It goes into details on the searches for the women he murdered and how they were found. Ted Bundy believed his innocence all throughout the trials, no matter how much circumstantial evidence pointed to him. Juries continued to convict him for every crime he was accused of and Bundy kept appealing, trying to evade the inevitable. Due to the gruesome and graphic details included in this book, I would recommend it to older, mature readers who are fans of true crime like I am. I found this book interesting and intriguing. This book does not have a place within an academic setting due to the tragic events detailed, but older students should feel free to read if they are interested.

[Ava Loucks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Bundy The Deliberate Stranger published in 1980 is a great read. This book is about Ted Bundy back in the 1970s. While it does show all of his victims and how he had killed them all it also shows what happens to ted and how he gets caught. The events in this book are true and accurate according to history. While I've heard and watched many movies about Ted Bundy, this book truly shows all the little interesting details you may be waiting to hear. Although, this book can have some gorey details and violent descriptions. I would give this true crime book 5 stars and I think all the true crime readers out there would thoroughly enjoy it.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The story of Bundy is insane, and I loved reading about it from the POV of someone who knew him. I did not like how many unnecessary details there were. This book, while super informative, was infuriating. Between the police incompetence and the many, many, many details that I didn’t need to know, I would have thrown my book if it had been physical and not on my phone. I have soooooo many highlights. Lol
Would I tell someone to read this book if they wanted to learn about Ted Bundy’s case? Probably. It’s insane. But I would absolutely warn them that it will make them want to flip tables.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a someone that is a little too obsessed with serial killers, reading about Bundy was fascinating. I actually learned a few things about Ted that I previously didn't know about some of his crimes.

HOWEVER this book was loaded down with un-needed and sometimes completely useless details that drove me up a wall. And the authors extreme detailed description of a little girl was extremely concerning and un-needed. I'm not one that focuses on editing of books but this book could've used a editor.....badly.

And a side note: The police incompetency in the 70's was staggering, how the managed to catch and solve any crimes baffles me lol

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, after reading so many books on Bundy, I learned a lot I did not know. The perspective of someone who knew Bundy before the world did was definitely interesting. However, I did not rate it five stars because of the feeling the author gave with regards to the Florida residents. His attempt to capture the “slang” felt insulting as if he viewed Southerners as ignorant. As a Southerner, I felt it was completely unnecessary to the integrity of the story. Other than that, it was a great, well written book.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Anne Rule, Richard W. Larsen also personally knew Ted Bundy. It’s not as well-written as The Stranger Beside Me, but it filled in some of the missing details from Rule’s book. Specifically, I thought Deliberate Stranger really focused on the victims, digging into their history and personalities, which made the story all the more heartbreaking. Deliberate Stranger also does a better job of covering the court hearings, delving into Ted’s issues with his defense team and the issues Ted created through his arrogance.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling and eerie, very good details and writing. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to get scared. Also, for anyone writing their own thesis on the criminal psychopathic mind.

Chilling and eerie, very good details and writing. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to get scared. Also, for anyone writing their own thesis on the criminal psychopathic mind.

[Christopher Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that everyone who writes novels for reviews is interesting. They write these reviews as if they are paid or as if their life depends on their words. Some are so passionate about their views, and I am here writing that this book was interesting and laid out a good timeline of events. I am not an expert by any means, but from what is known in Pop culture, and from basic documentaries this seems to be an accurate account of events.

[Mrs. Christine Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST OF ALL THE BUNDY BOOKS IVE READ

I have read extensively on Ted Bundy. The more I learn about him the more I despise him. It’s his victims that draws my attention. This book is the first of several I’ve read that gives a in depth overview of each victim and their families and friends. Each victims death impacts so many love one that his victims are limitless. It’s for them I mourn.

[Robert Miller]

Excellent, detailed story

This is the most detailed book about Ted Bundy. The book delves into his actions, his reactions and perhaps most revealing, his manipulations and compartmentalizing of the gruesome crimes he committed. In the few instances where Bundy alludes to his crimes, he does so by distancing himself, ie, speaking in third person, speaking hypothetically.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about Ted Bundy

Richard Larsen was a well respected reporter who knew Ted Bundy personally, years before anyone suspected he was a killer. The memoir is thorough, balanced and very interesting. It is on a par with Ann Rule's book. Highly recommended.

[Joyousmn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Information not in other books

I've read a lot of books on serial killers in general and Ted Bundy in particular oh, and I've watched a number of documentaries. But this book had information I'd never read or heard before. Highly recommend

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough timeline, but the details in this book are sad, the way that he stole innocent women from their families and extinguished their lives. The audio version is terrible, read by a computer voice.

[Amanda Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good book but it was really long and some parts continued on forever.
But overall very informative and explains a lot

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same

Nothing special in this account of Bundy's crimes and convictions. Although the author knew Bundy personally in Seattle, he offers no unique insights.

[Amber Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Written well and tells a different perspective. There were certain areas that felt as though it trailed off but I would recommend to anyone interested in the reading genre

[Christine Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

I have read several books about Ted Bundy and this is ok. It’s not the best one out there but it’s good.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but incomplete: stops before Bundy starts all his appeals. A better & more thorough book about Bundy is Ann Rule's "The Stranger Beside Me".

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some new info when I thought I knew it all 👀

[Michael Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon Douglas’ book was more readable. This book, has details that we did not study in profiling class.

[Pegeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reissue of older book,, worthwhile.m

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted Bundy told his attorney he killed over one hundred people.He was only convicted of 3 and is credited with 30.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in depth telling of Bundy's crimes.

[James Cullender · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after getting it from a used book store shortly after I saw the made for TV movie it was based on. I was living in The Pacific Northwest at the time and preparing to start taking college courses in Criminal Justice and was devouring everything True Crime that I could get and Bundy was still in the public consciousness in that part of the U.S. then. The film that was based on this book remains The Definitive on screen version of Ted Bundy's story, and it is cited by virtually every person who has written about him since for good or for ill. I wouldn't exactly say the same thing about this book, but as source material for this excellent film, I give it credit where credit is due as accurate source material. Mark Harmon, who played Bundy in this film version, however, deserves much of the credit for how much better the adaptation of this book was than the book itself and especially for how much better his version was than ANY other film adaptation or screenplay since based on Bundy's crimes including the one Ann Rule produced based on her book about the subject. Harmon was perfectly cast-being good looking, young-at the time, and smart-to play the one serial killer whose main "claim to fame" was REALLY BEING all those things! In the book that IS the definitive written work on Bundy, "The Stranger Beside Me," by Rule, she even complains that the young women who fell in love with Bundy after he was caught were falling in love with Harmon not Bundy. I won't even try to get into why young women would have fallen for a convicted serial killer on death row here but I will say I believe it was unfair to Harmon and the filmmakers to blame them for Bundy' s appeal. Bundy, by all accounts, WAS indeed charming and likeable to even many of the male, presumably Straight, investigators on the case. It seems to me, more likely, that Harmon just did a great job of portraying Bundy as he really appeared. The fact that Harmon has since played one of TV's best known "good guy cops" on NCIS is evidence of just how underrated of an actor he really is. As far as this book goes, however, it pretty much does what any True Crime book published immediately after the events does: it catalogues them-as another reviewer on here said. That said, because of it's connection to the excellent film version of Bundy' s story, I would still recommend it as one of The Three Books You Should Read about Bundy along with Rule's book and "The Only Living Witness," which provides more of a psychological, post conviction examination of Bundy. All three books are chilling and Must Reads for anyone considering writing about crime, getting into working in the criminal justice system or just readers who like True Crime stories

[Ruth Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the recent Kindle updated version - though I'm not sure how much updating has been done, but it's full of little things that other books I've read about Bundy didn't include - like scripts from interviews with detectives that sort of thing. All they had was circumstances, to link Bundy to any of the murders to which he was accredited, but they gave him all those death sentences - makes you wonder, if he hadn't had his 11th hour confession (of course, they could have just DNA link him now, but what if he were more forensically aware than that?), could one of the most infamous serial killers of our time have been innocent!?!
Well, this is a fascinating, chronological read, with no attempt to analyse or diagnose the man, it shows the twists of the houdini story, the whole Florida debacle, the names changed and the link between writer and Bundy unashamedly displayed as with all the books that came out. This is an interesting book, with access to some obviously sensitive information, probably later access, it makes for an interesting and informative read.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure why the author is down as Jodie Larsen when it was written by Richard Larsen. Anyway, this is the book that the TV mini-series featuring Mark Harmon was based on, and if you haven't watched 'The Deliberate Stranger' then do it because it was brilliant. Richard Larsen was a journalist and a friend of Ted Bundy so nobody was more shocked than him to discover that the killer he was reporting on was the young man that he knew and liked so much. This book features the details from the case how Bundy was finally caught.

It is a good book if you are interested in reading about Bundy. It is lighter in scary content than a few other books I've read on the subject. If you want a really terrifying read that shows you exactly what was going on in Bundy's head, read The Only Living Witness which I've reviewed on these shelves. That scared the crap out of me.