titanic's review against another edition
4.0
there’s something about ann rule books that just keep me coming back for more
duderun's review
2.0
The book was fine. I really appreciate how much time she spent talking about the victims and how their lives. These stories are not entertainment, these are real lives. I really liked that Ann Rule took the time to humanize the victims because others have not.
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
3.0
Rating 3.5/5
I find I don't have nearly as much to say about Green River, Running Red as I did with The Stranger Beside Me. This is for two reasons:
I don't find Gary Ridgeway particularly compelling. He was a sad little man who had the same cliche story as others convincted of killing women or prostitutes: He hated women because of past injustices and could only satiate that rage by killing them. And, as is the case for many serial killers, Gary Ridgeway was extraordinarily ordinary. From his appearance, to his mannerisms, to his work, to his life, he was just an average man. So much so, that, even though he was a suspect of the killings back in the eighties, he was never officially arrested or charged.
It is unquestionable that Gary Ridgeway was an extremely proflific killer. Possibly even more so then Ted Bundy, although, we will never truly know how many Bundy killed. If I had to guess, I would still say his body count was higher. But to me, I found the stories of his victims far more compelling than Ridgeway's own.
Many complaints I have seen about this particular telling of Ridgeway's life and crimes, is that Rule spends a great deal of time and detail discussing the victims. She talks about their history, their lives, and what led them to be exactly where they were when they stumbled into Ridgeway's web. And while I agree that it was almost impossible to keep all of the names straightand it was easy to get sidetracked by all of the minutae presented, their stories mattered and I am glad they were told.
The second reason, is that this lacked the truly personal aspect that The Stranger Beside Me did. Ann Rule did not have a personal connection to Ridgeway like she did with Bundy. The telling of Ridgeway's story was far more clinical and removed. That is what you would like expect from a true crime narrative; however, I enjoyed the personal anecdotes thrown into The Stranger Beside Me. It made Ted Bundy accessible and understandable in some macabre way. It made you feel pity for him, almost as much as you wanted to see him dead.
Ann Rule was, undoubtedly, a truly talented narrator of true crime. I enjoy her voice and the way she weaves the tale. This one just didn't connect with me as much as her debut. Oddly enough, I think Green River Running Red might have been the last novel she was able to finish before she passed away, meaning I have now consumed her first and last novel. I definitely hope to read more of her work in the future.
I find I don't have nearly as much to say about Green River, Running Red as I did with The Stranger Beside Me. This is for two reasons:
I don't find Gary Ridgeway particularly compelling. He was a sad little man who had the same cliche story as others convincted of killing women or prostitutes: He hated women because of past injustices and could only satiate that rage by killing them. And, as is the case for many serial killers, Gary Ridgeway was extraordinarily ordinary. From his appearance, to his mannerisms, to his work, to his life, he was just an average man. So much so, that, even though he was a suspect of the killings back in the eighties, he was never officially arrested or charged.
It is unquestionable that Gary Ridgeway was an extremely proflific killer. Possibly even more so then Ted Bundy, although, we will never truly know how many Bundy killed. If I had to guess, I would still say his body count was higher. But to me, I found the stories of his victims far more compelling than Ridgeway's own.
Many complaints I have seen about this particular telling of Ridgeway's life and crimes, is that Rule spends a great deal of time and detail discussing the victims. She talks about their history, their lives, and what led them to be exactly where they were when they stumbled into Ridgeway's web. And while I agree that it was almost impossible to keep all of the names straightand it was easy to get sidetracked by all of the minutae presented, their stories mattered and I am glad they were told.
The second reason, is that this lacked the truly personal aspect that The Stranger Beside Me did. Ann Rule did not have a personal connection to Ridgeway like she did with Bundy. The telling of Ridgeway's story was far more clinical and removed. That is what you would like expect from a true crime narrative; however, I enjoyed the personal anecdotes thrown into The Stranger Beside Me. It made Ted Bundy accessible and understandable in some macabre way. It made you feel pity for him, almost as much as you wanted to see him dead.
Ann Rule was, undoubtedly, a truly talented narrator of true crime. I enjoy her voice and the way she weaves the tale. This one just didn't connect with me as much as her debut. Oddly enough, I think Green River Running Red might have been the last novel she was able to finish before she passed away, meaning I have now consumed her first and last novel. I definitely hope to read more of her work in the future.
rattybluestocking's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first thing by Anne Rule I have ever read. I can't wait to read to the other book I picked up. Her writing really sucked me in and kept me wanting me.
This retelling of the Green River Killer was captivating. All those poor women; my heart aches for their families. I really love how Anne Rule treated the women this guy killed with respect and dignity.
I can't wait to read more of her books.
This retelling of the Green River Killer was captivating. All those poor women; my heart aches for their families. I really love how Anne Rule treated the women this guy killed with respect and dignity.
I can't wait to read more of her books.
riiiclark's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sadly disappointed with this one. I loved the I-5 killer, but this one seemed very long winded in comparison even when accounting for just how long the investigation took place.
jackie_shimkus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
lawren83's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0