Customer Reviews

Dead by Sunset: "Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer?"

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ann Rule's characters usually fall into three categories: (1) victim-saints; (2) virtuous, persevering law enforcement officials; (3) heartless, wicked sociopaths. But in "Dead by Sunset" the author fooled me. The last section of the book concerns the murderer's trial which Rule actually attended, and it's got the spit and sparkle of real life. The dialogue between the defendant, who was acting as his own lawyer (he had not gone to law school or passed the bar) and the rather acerbic judge, is priceless. The old saw about 'the lawyer who tries his own case has a fool for a defendant' is proven to be doubly true in the case of Brad Cunningham, who tended to ramble tediously on about the state of his finances even though he was on trial for murder. When Cunningham decided to take to the witness stand and cross-examine himself, he made himself fair game for the prosecution and a legal dilemma for the judge. Here is a sample of the defendant versus judge dialogue, after Judge Alexander repeatedly warns Cunningham about asking improper questions:

"'I'm walking just on the edge,' Brad countered defiantly.

"'And you're stumbling over...'

"Brad had always argued with anyone who did not agree with him. Stubbornly he was arguing now with Judge Alexander.

"'This is why we go to law school, Mr. Cunningham,' the judge said. 'It's a sophisticated concept.'"

The first 464 pages of this book are standard Ann Rule. A beautiful, brilliant attorney marries a psychopath and suffers dreadfully for her choice of mate. She bears him three beautiful, brilliant little boys while Brad runs through her money, accumulates girlfriends, and is never home when she and the boys need him (I definitely thought that was a plus, considering what he did when he was home). Finally, Cheryl can't bear his abuse any longer. She files for a divorce, and starts collecting evidence about his financial misdealing. She also wants full custody of the boys.

Oops. Cheryl is beaten to death in the first ten pages.

The next 454 pages don't dwell on the mystery of who killed her. Everyone knows who did her in, but there is very little physical evidence. Instead, the author dissects Brad's various marriages and affairs, with emphasis on his brutality toward Cheryl and his children. We learn everyone's life story. We are told over and over again how slender, frail, and beautiful Cheryl was, what a good mother she was, and how her brilliance as an attorney was beginning to be recognized by one and all. In the midst of all these repetitive eulogies, I couldn't help remembering poor Eliza's deathbed scene in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Ann Rule spends so much time cranking Cheryl up to heaven, that I was almost glad when she died. At least she was out of her misery.

By now, you might be asking yourself why I kept slogging through this book.

In spite of her long, relentless beatification of her victim, Ann Rule writes about a riveting case. Plus, the more I read about Brad's loathsome habits and personality in "Dead by Sunset," the more I wanted to see the s.o.b. get his just reward, even if it did take 528 pages and two trials.

Ann Rule's coverage of this story is out-standing!! My best friend is Cheryl's step sister and she suggested that I read this book. I couldn't believe that this monster grew up and went to school across the street from my grandmothers house. My own father remembers knowing this guy and it's truely shocking when you realize that this is someone who is somehow connected to you in a round about way. The book is so enticing! It makes you sad,angry,curious,terrified and so much more. I appreciate the people who would not let this man get away with what he did. Kudo's to our legal system and the men and women who fought for justice. Ann Rule is a wonderful Author who's books capture the truth and feeling in the stories that she writes about. Any book by her is worth reading over and over and over again.

This book was one of the first true-crime novels I ever read. I picked it up at an airport (another reviewer mentioned the same thing - must be the thing to do) because it took place in Oregon. I was fascinated (and horrified) by the fact that these crimes took place in locales I drove by every day. It was like a car accident - I couldn't look away, hideous as it was, knowing that this man lived and killed in my beloved city.

Ann Rule has a way with criminal stories - making them accessible to the average reader but including all the details fit to lure in those more familiar with the genre. She includes plenty of backstory and it's obvious she has spent countless hours interviewing and observing key players. I've added more of her books to my wish list.

[An aside: Does Ms. Rule do a lot more writing of true-crime in the Pacific Northwest than in other areas or is it just location-bias on my part? If so, why? Does she like the area or does the PNW have a lot more murders and serial killings? Just a simple observation...]

Brad Cunningham was truly a killer Casanova. Married several times and the father of several children, he finally got caught when he married Cheryl Keeton.

Brilliant and a successful lawyer, Cheryl was beguiled by the intelligent man of natual charm and quick wit. Three sons were born of their union, each one described as being highly intelligent like their mother.

Cheryl adored the boys and would do anything and everything for them. She also accepted Brad's older children wholeheartedly. Unfortuately for all, Cheryl's sons never really got to know this because she was killed when they were quite small.

Cheryl's dream of a happy life as Brad's wife ended with her death. Brad's dream of continuing to maintain a certain lifestyle at the expense of others would soon become a dream deferred.

Cocky and confident that he had pulled off the untraceable murder, Brad set to work finding yet another willing wife. That cockiness was to prove his undoing when he served as his own counsel during his 1994 trial.

Brad got what he deserved which is life behind bars. As for his hapless children and former wives, one can only hope and pray that their lives have worked out despite their many hardships caused by this killer Casanova.

Ann Rule portrays Bradley Cunningham as a man of humble origins who, in becoming self-made and prosperous, creates a charming persona behind which a criminally irresponsible, mendacious, and violent man resides. As Cunningham lives more and more by the lie of this persona, in his private life, especially with his girlfriends, wives, and children, he becomes incrementally more and more autocratic. Rule diligently chroncicles the descent of Bradley Cunningham into hell, a hell where fair is foul and foul is fair, and chroncles the lives of the women he seduces into his nightmare. The book climaxes when Cunningham is put on trial for murdering Cheryl Keeton, and we see that when as fine a vision as the American Dream goes beserk in the imagination of Bradley Cunningham, he won't be satisfied until he brings down American Justice along with it. It's a compelling and very disturbing true crime story.

Ann Rule, the American true crime diva, has published plenty of books over the past 20+ years. Unfortunately the quality of this material has varied, largely depending on the personal (emotional) interest she has on the subject matter. Fortunately in Dead by Sunset, a story about a handsome and charming monster named Brad Cunningham, the author is clearly caught up in all aspects of a horrific crime (a wife/mother/attorney is bashed to a pulp). She in fact dedicates the book to the victim and all abused women.

Dead by Sunset's strengths are not in the unravelling of the crime (..we know early on who does it) or in the analysis of the criminal trials (..actually this is the weak part of the book). It is Ann Rule's in-depth analysis of the women who completely fall for an intelligent, sex-on-legs Romeo who really seems to hate women. Brad Cunningham is truly a vile person. But upon reading the book one has to wonder how is that several wives and mistresses could be fooled into loving him? Ann Rule never attempts at answering this question. Yet we certainly see the repurcussions of loving Mr Wrong.

Bottom line: while the momentum sputters slightly towards the end, one has to be impressed with Ann Rule's attention to detail and writing talents. Strongly recommended.

I have read a lot of true crime books, and I'm a big fan of Ann Rule. What sets this book apart from your run-of-the-mill true crime book is the way the author makes you feel that you really know Cheryl and Sara and even the other wives. She really did her research on these women, as well as on Mr. Cunningham, the man to whom they were both married and who killed one of them. I've read this book several times, and each time I wonder, "How did this sicko manage to attract such intelligent, successful women?" That's the real mystery . . .

I have an addiction - I pick up true crime paperbacks in airports (they make great plane reads.) Ann Rule's DEAD BY SUNSET is one of the most fascinating I've ever read...and among her very best. The profile of sociopath and "malignant narcissist", Brad Cunningham is so searing that it's chilling to think that there are others like him walking around...hiding their evil behind charm and intelligence. It's also a great tale of "justice will out". Excellent work, Ann.

One of, if not the best in the True Crime genre, Ann Rule weaves the unbelievable, (if it weren't all true) tale of Brad Cunningham, left a widower when his wife's body was discovered in an abandoned car. The car was discovered in the fast lane of traffic with Cheryl Keeton's battered bodt behind the wheel, already dead. But all is not as it seems. Ann Rule is able to piece together the facts behind the case, especuially when family and police begin to believe that Brad is not just the grieving widower. With exhaustive research, Rule fills out the story, the marriage between Brad and Cheryl that started with such promise, and the children that became pawns in Brad's quest to get away from a crumbling marriage. Piecing together facts about his childhood , Rule draws a portrait of a ruthless killer who would sacrifice anything that could no longer help him, or threatened to get in his way. Detailing his financial manuverings, legal wranglings and multiple marraiges it is soon clear the "great catch" Brad Cunningham is not at all wht he appears. So if you are newly on the dating scene, take my advice, either give up reading Ann Rule, or get a good PI!

Well written, well organized, well researched and the characters are well defined. This tragic story of a woman who is ridiculed, humiliated, abused, embarrassed, etc. by her husband until he finally kills her. His 2nd wife doesn't believe he could be the snake he is until he turns into a snake with her. In reading this true account, I am thankful Dr. Gordon came into the picture when she did for the children. This is a worse case scenario when you allow the wrong people into your life. I was sad for Cheryl, Sarah, and the other women in Brad's life and sad for his children too. I have read all of Ann Rule's books and have to say this is one of her very best. Highly recommended reading.