A review by obsidian_blue
Dead by Sunset by Ann Rule

5.0

I recall reading an anthology of true crime stories by Ann Rule a few years ago. I recall being terribly disturbed by what fellow human beings can do to one another. After being snowed in again (seriously Mother Nature...knock it off) I decided to download this Kindle edition of her book, Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? since I recall this case being on American Justice a few years back.

Ann Rule starts with the scene of the crime in Oregon in 1986 where a passerby finds Cheryl Keeton beaten to death inside her vehicle in Oregon. Then it transitions to Doctor Sara Gordon and her new boyfriend Brad Cunningham. Readers quickly find out that Brad is the ex husband of Cheryl Keeton and is a prime suspect in her death. Then Ann Rule works backwards and explores Brad's parents, his childhood, and his previous marriages and relationships with others. It is a fascinating read. We also have Ann compare Cheryl's past and what led her to meet and marry Brad in the first place.

What always gets me about Ann Rule novels is that you just hope for things to turn out differently. You read about the victims and you they remind you of someone that you now know or used to know and you wish that they were still alive somewhere enjoying their lives.

I thought this was a very complex True Crime novel and though it dragged in bits (I really didn't care that much about Brad's parents and uncle and aunts background at all) all in all it was a good read. It really picks up when you get to the trial and the aftermath.

I would definitely recommend to other true crime readers out there!