Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer?

It was both fascinating and profoundly disturbing to read about this serial abuser and the lives he ruined. Even though this was my second time reading, I'd forgotten the horror of it all. I appreciate the author's ability to draw the reader in so it feels like we're right there immersed in the lives of the individuals involved. While it's clear that Brad instinctively recognized a women's vulnerabilities and knew how to exploit them, I would have liked to see something of an analysis of Brad Cunninghams victims, especially Cheryl who married Brad knowing he'd callously abandoned a pregnant wife. Many women would have run a million miles away from this smooth-talking creep but too many were drawn to him.I've read many of Ann Rule's book, my favorite is The Stranger Beside Me, the book about Ted Bundy.

It's difficult to pick out any winners in this story because the "winners" had to do a lot of suffering physically, emotionally, and financially to achieve a so-called win. Brad Cunningham proved himself to be a "loser" in so many ways by blaming whoever had the misfortune to come into his life for his troubles. He possessed the suavity and looks to fool several women into coming into his life much to their later regret, one of whom paid with her life. Wife Cheryl Cunningham bore Brad three boys and ultimately was the victim of murder by her husband. If there is an angel in this story I would say it would be Sara Gordon who adopted the three boys, suffered years of separation from them, paid countless bills that her shiftless husband rang up, and reunited with her adopted sons in addition to an earlier son of Brad's.Brad Cunningham would project his own insecurities onto others to excuse his own failures throughout life. Clearly this is a man who never, but never, should ever have married anyone. Whatever women suffered the misfortune to come into his life paid a dear price with one, Cheryl Cunningham, paying with her life. This is a depressing book to say the least but, in the end, Brad finally got his just desserts by being sent to prison where he can't hurt anyone else.

I've read two Ann Rule books: "Small Sacrifices" about Diane Downs, and this one about Brad Cunningham. "Small Sacrifices" is great. This one is just good. The main reason is the book is too long. At the 300 page mark, I thought "I still have 200 pages to go?" At 400 pages, I thought "I still have 100 pages to go?" There is such a thing as being too thorough, and this book proves it.The other reason, and I'm sorry to say this, but Cheryl Keeton is not the most sympathetic victim in the world. Here is a woman who was having a affair with her best friend's husband while she herself was married. Worse yet, her friend was pregnant with Brad Cunningham's baby. Then to rub her nose in it, Cheryl hands her friend the divorce papers while Brad smugly looks on. Of course though, this doesn't mean she deserved the gruesome way she was murdered.Rule goes into great detail about the main character Brad Cunningham. Cunningham is a truly repulsive human being who treated women horribly. The trail of female (and male) victims he left behind is a mile long. At least he's where he belongs now.Overall, while this is a good read I'd get "Small Sacrifices" or "The Stranger Beside Me" before this one.

This is facts presented in the format of a novel, based on a true story. The characters were very believable, and I found myself to be very sympathetic to their situation. Brad was handsome, and charming but had an underlining mean streak. He was abusive to every one of his wives ( he had 5) all were intelligent good looking and petite, but their husband turned out to be a control freak that could release a lot of rage. He was incapable of really loving or relating to women, and for the most part even his children, they were possessions or bargaining chips to maintain control. I found it frustrating to see these women who were afraid of their husband, yet could not bring themselves to leave him, until they feared for their own safety. For Cheryl ( 4th wife) it was too late, even though she had expressed her fears to others that she felt sure he was going to kill her. It took years for her family to get justice, and during the long struggle I found myself as frustrated as her family. I wanted justice as much as they did. If you like true stories, this is a good read.

The late Ann Rule has become my favorite true crime author, and Dead by Sunset did not disappoint. This book was so well researched, and it documents the perspectives of so many people who were connected to a narcissistic murderer. This book, along with some of her other books related to the topic of domestic abuse, helped me understand the victim's mentality and experience and why it is not just as simple as leaving and filing a restraining order.

It was very detailed and gave a true description of the people involved. The court and some of the day to day of the main character tended to be restated. The reader gets it. This man was true evil and I give credit to the people who stood up for the deceased and her family. I don't understand how those boys were in and out of school and Brad wasn't served w / truancy and child abuse to land him into court. Sad he manipulated so many lives. I hope he meets a tuff time in jail.

This is the best Ann Rule true crime I have read, perhaps together with "The Stranger beside Me".Love makes blind, but it's still hard to believe how several beautiful, intelligent and successful women let themselves be manipulated by the charming, charismatic and above all deadly dangerous Brad Cunningham. Handsome and articulate he is using his women emotionally and economically. Some of them manage to escape, but still continue to live in fright. The mother of two of his children is, however, not that lucky...Cunningham is a misogynistic sociopath, but his complete disregard for the law and lack of feelings for other people is still astonishing. The way he uses his children is particularly heartbreaking. I went back and looked at the pictures of "loving" father Brad with his children again and again, mesmerized by the idyllic relationship they were supposed to be showing.A chilling and completely unputdownable read from the master of true crime!

Fantastic book!...story so utterly compelling!!!It has put me off dating men for life!!😅

A story of selfishness , narcissistic and control . And eventually justice was served . A read I could not put down .

Great read and this company have brilliant customer service,a must for crime lovers

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