In the most extraordinary journey Ann Rule has ever undertaken, America's master of true crime has spent more than two decades researching the story of the Green River Killer, who murdered more than 49 young women.
Green River, Running Red is a harrowing account of a modern monster, a killer who walked among us undetected. It is also the story of his quarry - of who these young women were and who they might have become. A chilling look at the darkest side of human nature, this is the most important and most personal audiobook of Ann Rule's long career.
©2011 Simon & Schuster Audio (P)2004 Ann Rule
"[C]onveys the emotional truth of the Green River case." (Los Angeles Times)
"Riveting." (People)
"Perhaps Rule's finest work." (Statesman Journal)
Loyal member since 1998
"Suspenseful and chilling"
This is one of the better true crime books I have ever encountered. Ann Rule succeeds in chronicling nearly every step of the two decade investigation, yet it is never tedious. At different times during the story suspects are named, questioned and dismissed. The book is more like a suspense/thriller than a typical true crime novel. The frustration and anger of the numerous investigators, and the author, is evident. This very frustration led to a high rate of illness and death among those who worked on the GRK task force. I will not tell you which suspect is the actual killer, but it is so chilling to realize how "normal?" he appeared. It is important to understand he worked for decades to appear normal. The killer was really twisted. Caruso narrates perfectly, putting the listener within the ranks of the task force searching for this monster. I put this audiobook in the few dozen of the over 1300 I own as a "can't stop listening" category.
Typical cat lady: lazy, sings off-key, craves spicy bloody marys.
"Detailed account--worth the listen!"
Caruso tells it as if you were in her living room and she wanted you to know everything that happened. Pretend she's your favorite aunt and you can forgive her the mispronunciations and slight lisp. She really put her all into the telling.
Anne Rule wants you to know these girls intimately before you meet the Green River Killer and she does a thorough job honoring their memories. The frustration of the law enforcement teams becomes our own and what great satisfaction to finally nab the real GRK.
What a sicko.
"listening to GRK"
Yes, as I feel it is a fascinating story and also I lived in the Seattle area.
Yes, as it does not give you a real clue until well into the story about Gary Ridgeway and it gives focus as to how eluding he was to police.
She did a good job.
can't think of one. Think the title is good as it is.
It would have been nice to have some of the places be correctly announced.
Photowine
"Excellent story and narration"
Anne Rule tells the stories of several of the young women who were removed from this world by the Green river monster before they had a chance to better their circumstances. Young people believe they're invincible and prositutes are no different. Gary Ridgeway deprived them of the opportunity to grow up and find other ways to make a living. I would like to say that I hope he can/does read the book, but I'm not sure it would matter at all. How could it matter to someone with no soul?
As a side, I'll look for more books narrated by Barbara Caruso.Great vocal pitch and intonation that doesn't need exaggeration to elicit our sympathy.
"Well written story, faulty narrator."
The book is very well written and documented. It only feels long because the narrator speaks as if she cannot breathe properly and is breathing through her mouth all the time.
I had to make an effort to ignore the constant sound of the narrator pulling air through her mouth at the beginning of each sentence, as if she had a cold and was congested during the reading of the book.
"A Chilling Nightmare Come True"
She's done it again.
Beginning with 'Stranger Beside Me', her story of her once good friend, Ted Bundy, and his hellacious killing spree, then moving onto Washington States most notorious serial killer, Ann Rule out does herself in this horrifying tale of a man gone mad.
The Green River Killer put himself on the map by inspiring use of the term, Serial Killer. Mass Murderer just wouldn't cut it.
Ann takes us behind the scenes with the detectives who worked for years on this case. They devoted their lives to catching one man; A journey that would last much longer than anyone had anticipated.
She dives into the lives of the prostitutes Ridgway chose as his prey. By telling their stories, she presents them as the wonderful women they were. Though their profession was anything but glamorous, she portrayed them as women with dreams, hopes, families, kids, and friends. The vicious cycle these girls were caught up in was pointed out and explained the way it should be, with an open mind and an open heart.
One of her best works, Ann has truly outdone herself in this tale of psychosis, murder, tragedy, and success.
I would recommend this read to anyone, especially in the state of Washington, as a reminder that the monster that can hold you in a grip of fear can be the last person you would ever expect.
"Very, VERY detailed!!!"
This is Ann Rule's most detailed and specific book to date...almost too much so! We kind of lost track of which girl was which!!
Avid reader of history, biography, and true crime.
"Ann Rule's usual high standard"
Anyone who enjoys true crime and/or Ann Rule will enjoy this typically Ann Rule re-telling of a series of ghastly murders. The only difficulty for me was that there are so many young victims their lives and deaths tend to blurr, despite the fact that Ann Rule deals with each of them separately and with sensitivity and respect. So many sad lives, so many tragic endings, and one man who got away with it for so long. A gripping story well told and well read.
"Tedious content, excellent narrator"
I was intrigued by this subject and thought this book would be great. Unfortunately, I didn't even finish it -- the narrator is really excellent (one of the best I've ever heard), but the writing is too detailed and tedious. The first 20 chapters spend most of their time with biographies of each girl who was murdered; certainly I feel sorry for each girl and their murders were horrific, but i don't need to know what they were like in high school or other mundane details.
Wish i could recommend this, but i can't.
British ex-pat living in NC. Have more personalities than Sybil which is reflected in my choice of books! Frustrated writer at heart.
"Disturbingly Brilliant."
Although this accurate accounting of one of history's most calculating and non repentant serial killers may well seem slow to start there is definitely 'method' to Ms. Rule's 'madness'! As with all good stories they are recalled in 'layers' and this is what Ann Rule does with excellence. Unlike so many authors in this genre we get the 'cake' before we get the 'frosting'! This makes a most welcome change.
We learn so much about the victims and what a relief as how many times do we learn all about the perpetrators rather than the victims who somehow get 'lost'. In this particular case it was so dreadfully sad as I remember hearing people say, "Well these women were asking for trouble weren’t they?" I look back and literally seeth when I think that I should have spoken up but it was the 1980's and 'ladies of the night' (Prostitutes) were deemed somewhere down there with roaches and rats where it came to priorities in some people's hearts. Now after reading Green River Running Red I know more about the victims and couldn’t care less about ‘what’s his name’s notoriety!’
Of course, as ever Barbara Caruso gives a simply BILLIANT performance. However do we think that she could do anything less? I think not.
Great book.
"Green River Running Red Ann Rule"
Ann Rule delivers again,what a fantastic story,just like Dead Before Sunset a gripping true story of a man that committed so many crimes and got away with it for so long,the crime task force worked so hard but left so many holes in the case Ann explains everything to detail this is my third book by this author and i have enjoyed everyone,Highly recommended.
"Nightmare Narration"
Great book but the very perculiar narration was a major irritation to the point where it distracted from the story for me far too often.
"Excellent listen"
Hats off to Ann Rule for the respect and time spent on the important people surrounding the life of Gary Ridgeway, the victims. It's easy to focus on the killer in these books but you reminded us all that the real story is in the victims and devastation caused to their families. They are often forgotten and lost as the focus naturally falls on the heinous acts themselves, but you gave them a voice. Respect to you ma'am.
"Great Book"
Very detailed and gripping. This is my first book by the author, ignore other review narration is clear and concise and a pleasure to listen to.