I've been intrigued by the Ted Bundy case after seeing a documentary about it. I also read a very good book about this serial killer written by Ann Rule. This offering is unique in that it is the first memoir written by a Bundy relative- his cousin Edna with whom he lived for a time during his youth.

Edna was impacted greatly because she was attending college in Seattle, literally in the heart of one of Bundy's murder sprees- and he did visit her often during this time. As with all the friends and family Ted interacted with, they just couldn't believe he was capable of committing these murders...until something finally flipped the switch for them where it all clicked. The realization of this horror was a heavy and private weight, a secret that they kept close to the vest out of fear and shame.

I'm a bit guilty to say that I was a tad bored reading about Edna's life, since of course the main focus of interest is on the famous criminal. She did share letters back and forth between her and Ted while he was imprisoned, but they were far from riveting. Much of the book endlessly decried the hidden torment of being related to a serial killer, how to process and deal with that kind of PTSD, and the agonizing situations where she, her husband, and daughter decided to share that revelation. This is a good book to read if you've read a lot of the major books about Ted Bundy and are looking for another new kernel of information on the subject. If you want to read in great detail about the crimes themselves and how the trials progressed, I would suggest reading one of the major true crime books published over the decades.

Thank you to the publisher Post Hill Press / Permuted Press for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Intimate and personal view of the man who after more than 30 years is still a "celebrity" and whose name is synonymous with "serial killer". Ted would love that, the attention. We are still fascinated with him, the boy next door with looks, charm, brains, friends, ambition - with a dark side that blindsided those that knew him. Could have had more depth, but definitely worthwhile.

A family bond is the strongest thing but what happens when your family member is a monster? This book is basically all about that exact thing. Since this is a true crime memoir it is all about our author Edna Martin as she comes out to describe her life and her own interactions with her cousin, non other than the notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy. I really liked how you could tell she struggled when his crimes came to light since she only saw him as her kind cousin not someone who should be feared or be locked up, however putting his crimes into focus really changed everything in her mind. It was very interesting to read about Ted as a child and to see him as an actual human instead of the monster he really was. It wasn't until after reading this book that I came to realise how charming that he was and how a lot of women were fooled by his charm, since even his own family was shocked at the realisation of who he was underneath. This book was written with all of the private perspectives that only family can have and also having the bonus footage of actual letters written by Ted Bundy himself was just the cherry on top that made this book shine. If you like true crime books but don't like all of the gore then this is the book for you because it focuses on Edna's relationship with Ted more than the crimes however they talked about in passing. It was a different twist on what I'm used to reading and it was very sad to see how the lives of families change after a loved on is convicted of a terrible crime and the aftermath that they face. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read this book. Very good job and not a single thing I would change or take away.

Ted Bundy, more than any other American serial killer, has always been able to hold space in the world of pop culture. There is media about Ted where he’s portrayed as an absolutely horrifying maniac and media where’s he’s shown as charming and intelligent. It’s a relief to hear from someone who can speak with authority on the topic- Ted’s (second-ish?) cousin.

Edna takes us through the story of her own life and her interactions with Ted. Aside from a handful of strange incidents with Ted, she truly seemed to have no idea what he was capable of. The six pages where Edna sees Ted after he meets bail are by far the most shocking in the book. I’ll let you read it for yourself.

This book is definitely written for people who already have a good working knowledge of Ted Bundy and his crimes. The author doesn’t (and shouldn’t have to) engage in any gory descriptions. The crimes themselves are in the background.

Another day, another Bundy book. This one had the benefit of being written by an actual member of his family. That’s something I’ve always wondered about, the serial killer’s families and how they dealt with the aftermath.

There’s no right answer, everyone deals with things differently and I really liked this one. This book showed me that building a happy life with the shadows over your head is still possible and family members can still thrive. The tales of Edna’s and Ted’s relationship being mixed in with Edna’s daily life is a breath of fresh air in a Bundy book. I felt that her life and all its adventures gives one of the most unbiased looks at this story. I’m glad she wrote it.

She portrays the good side of her cousin as well as the bad. There were signs occasionally that showed a glimpse that something was wrong with Ted, but they were fleeting enough that it’s easy to see why no one really knows another person.

This was well written and informative about things other than Ted and I recommend it highly.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

An important book, to add to the many already published. Very interesting, because it is written from a personal and family perspective. It must have been very difficult for the author to step out of the shadows and write this book. I am glad she did. As it turns out, she was no wiser to Bundy’s true character, even though she was family. He managed to deceive everyone around him.

Just when you think you know every angle of the Ted Bundy Story, here comes another side.

I think Edna did a great job sharing her conflict of emotions. It would be hard to grapple with the anger and love in your heart when you learn someone you love is a monster.

The book includes photos and letters from Ted while in prison. It’s not just about Ted though. Edna shares how her life was shaped as well.

True crime fans will enjoy the book but don’t expect any more glorification to be added to Ted’s name. Thank you to NetGalley, Edna Cowell-Martin, Megan Atkinson, Permuted Press and Post Hill Press. I have written this review voluntarily.

Dark Tide is Martin’s account of growing up with Bundy as a cousin. It was well-written and more personal (naturally) than any other memoir I’ve read involving him. To say I enjoyed reading an account of the horrors he carried out and the effect it had on his family feels incorrect. It was enlightening, and I hope the author has found some healing in writing this.

This book was fascinating. I am a huge fan of biographies and although we don't find a lot out about Bundy that we didn't already know, it was interesting to find out the family history from a different perspective. His cousin Edna grew up with him and initially couldn't believe the accusations against him but when it becomes clear he is guilty she is terrified about the repercussions which will affect her family. Edna tries to distance herself from her cousin and in the days before social media she is able to confide in only who she is comfortable with.
If the Bundy crimes had happened today, there would be no privacy for the family. Very interesting to read behind the lurid headlines.

"Dark Tide" offers an interesting perspective and a chilling look into the mind of Ted Bundy. The book includes jailhouse letters and photos that provide insight into Bundy's mindset, and is indeed a haunting and fascinating read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Permuted Press for the opportunity to read and review "Dark Tide" prior to its publication date.

If you are into true crime and serial killers, especially watching documentaries.. this book is for you! I feel like I've watched literally every single piece of information over the years on Ted Bundy since there are so many different shows which tell his story. This book gave more information and it was interesting to be able to see pictures and actual letters. It was also pretty interesting to read from the point of view of a family member who was close to him and basically grew up with him. This was a good read and right up my alley in terms of being a true crime junkie. A must read for anyone who is into this kind of thing as well.

Thank you to the Author/Publisher and GoodReads for giving me an ARC for this book. It was worth it!

Dark Tide is a True Crime book with a difference. It tells the effect of notorious criminals' crimes and the after-effects on their loved ones,in this case Ted Bundy. Author Edna Cowell was Bundy's cousin and worse than finding out that a much-loved relative was an evil and callous killer is the realisation that even as they were enjoying fun times he was on his murderous spree in the background. This is an involving tale that tells of the guilt,sometimes the misplaced loyalty...... Edna's Dad wrote to authorities in an attempt to get Bundy freed...... and the worry that unsuspecting family members might have inadvertently provided information useful to the monster.

A fascinating book of good,and totally unsuspecting , people having their lives suddenly turned upside down when a family member is exposed and becomes a household name as an evil murderer . From the shock and sense of denial ,"it can't be Ted",when they first find out,coming to terms with it ,feelings of guilt and shame,the book tells of the aftermath of crime for those struggling to relate the headline monster to "Cousin Ted", the lovable cousin.

I began reading this book for a more intimate understanding of how Ted Bundy was as a child and growing teenager. I was hoping for family memories and tales of Ted that only a family would know. However, this was more a memoir of Edna and her life than of Ted Bundy. Everything about him were things already provided by newspaper accounts and reported interviews. This is not at all a story of Ted Bundy. Only of a family who supported him and were sure he was innocent...until they weren't.

This adds a lot to the already significant amount of material available about Ted Bundy, but from a very different perspective. Instead of focusing on the criminal and his victims, it covers the ripple effect which his crimes had, including the inter generational impact. It’s very interesting and shows how someone living a life of what appears to be great privilege can be so detrimentally impacted by the accident of nature which makes them a relative of a notorious serial killer.

Written by a cousin of Ted Bundy’s, this is an excellent footnote to his story. I’m glad that the author decided to share her story after so many decades of staying quiet about it. She shares her private letters and photos, giving a unique perspective that’s been missing. Couldn’t put it down.

This is an interesting perspective on the life and crimes of serial killer Ted Bundy, focusing on the insights provided by his cousin Edna.

Edna was very close to Bundy, and viewed him more like a sibling than a cousin. So she was devastated when accusations about him began to emerge wrt murders committed in her hometown, Seattle.

Initially disbelieving, Edna was forced to examine her own experiences and interactions with Bundy more closely, and what she discovered about this man she loved was chilling...

An unusual take on a household name in the worst possible sense of the phrase, this book will appeal to those interested in psychology, and true crime enthusiasts in particular.