DEAD BY SUNSET : DEAD BY SUNSET

Media:	Paperback
Author:	Ann Rule
Publisher:	Pocket
Release date:	01 April, 1996
Our price:	$7.99

DEAD BY SUNSET : DEAD BY SUNSET

Average rating: Stars

The long beatification

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.

DEAD BY SUNSET : DEAD BY SUNSET - Ann Rule

Engaging Narrative

In this gripping story by crime narrator Ann Rule, authorities find Cheryl Keeton beaten to death in her car and left in the middle of a highway where an impending accident might cover up the evidence. The obvious suspect was her estranged husband, but proving his guilt would be no easy matter. As the author shows, Brad Cunningham was exceptionally bright and calculating. Since his youth he'd used his strength, looks, magnetism, and lack of scruples to bully his way, with women, in business, everywhere. Each of his ex-wives (plus his mother and sisters) all feared him as a control freak and unscrupulous misogynist. Some rightly indict Cheryl for having slept with Brad while he was married to her friend, but in time that betrayed friend came to sympathize with the beleaguered victim. This narrative covers the lengthy investigation, Brad's troubled relationships, and his calculated attempts to outwit the law and intimidate witnesses and government prosecutors. We also learn of the civil lawsuit that helped eventually bring this killer to justice.

This probably isn't Ann Rule's top narrative. I would clearly rate "And Never Let Her Go" plus "The Stranger Beside Me" as superior. Still, Rule keeps the reader engaged, and that's a key to good writing.

Ann Rule - DEAD BY SUNSET : DEAD BY SUNSET

not her best

I love reading true crime by Ann Rule and I have several of her books. This was not my favorite.. I've had a hard time staying interested in this one. Normally I cant put the book down and read it within a few days, but this one I am halfway through and cant seem to stay with it. Her stuff is usually very enthralling but I wouldnt rate this as her best.

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