The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up and Other True Cases

Ann Rule's Crime Files, Book 5

By: Ann Rule

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

An explosive account of lethal greed and twisted desire from the files of America's number-one true-crime writer, Ann Rule.

They were best friends, four talented and charismatic young men who lived charmed lives among the evergreens of Washington state: Kevin, the artist; Steve, the sculptor; Scott, the nature lover and unabashed ladies' man; and Mark, the musician and poet. With their stunning good looks, whip-sharp minds, athletic bodies - and no lack of women who adored them - none of them seemed slated for disaster.

But few knew the reality behind the leafy screen that surrounded Seven Cedars, Scott's woodland dream home - a tree house equipped with every luxury. From this idyllic enclave, some of these trusted friends would become the quarry for a vigilant Seattle police detective and an FBI special agent, who unmasked clues to disturbing secrets that spawned murder, suicide, million-dollar bank robberies, drug-dealing, and heartbreaking betrayal. When the end came in a violent standoff, the ringleader of the foursome - the fugitive dubbed "Hollywood" for his ingenious disguises and flawless getaways; the persuasive talker who turned his friends into accomplices - faced a final chapter no one could have predicted. In a blast of automatic gunfire, the highest and lowest motives of the human heart were, at last, revealed.

Along with four other true-crime tales, The End of the Dream is a masterful and compelling tour of the criminal mind from Ann Rule.

©1998 Ann Rule (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great Story, couldn't put it down

Would you consider the audio edition of The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up and Other True Cases to be better than the print version?

I would indeed! I bore myself and reading puts me to sleep.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up and Other True Cases?

I found myself hoping he would save some of the money, I also thought of ways I would use the money. How stupid can you be to think you would never get caught?

Any additional comments?

Good book

Very Entertaining!

If you could sum up The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up and Other True Cases in three words, what would they be?

Eventually your bad behavior does catch up with you, no matter how below the radar one tries to be.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. Ann Rule keep you hooked by keeping the cold hard facts front and center...

What about Laural Merlington’s performance did you like?

Easy to listen to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The bank robberies and how they progressed getting bolder each time.

The End Of Ann

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Laural Merlington drives me crazy, she has ruined the listening experience of Ann Rule.

If you’ve listened to books by Ann Rule before, how does this one compare?

All of her new short story cheapies she is throwing together, ahhhhhhhh.

What three words best describe Laural Merlington’s voice?

Make me cringe

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe the bank robber story but that is only because I watched the 20/20 episode on these guys years ago, sad story.

Any additional comments?

I am over Ann Rules hastily done garbage. If Merlington is narrating I am not buying.

Excellent narrator

Narrator made the stories come alive.
Not one of Rules best but kept my interest.

BORING for Ann Rule

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The other reviews were spot on!. this is one boring case that she chose to write about. Good boy with good looks and no brain making idiotic decisions about his life. End of story. No murder or mystery.

Has The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up and Other True Cases turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

How could the performance have been better?

pick a more interesting case.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

waiting for more the entire time

Any additional comments?

Don't buy

pretty good for the most part.

a little slower than some of her other books and the reader sounded robotic at times, but pretty good overall.

Not all murder

This was a little different for Ann Rule. This story was split into one large section and several small stories. The first story goes into great detail of studying the lives, history and past of a group of young men who eventually become notorious bank robbers. For many of us, the are still the most memorable no matter what side of the country you live on. She delves into how these boys turned me lived seemingly normal lives but failed to connect to the lives around them. She looks for the "why"
There are several short stories that are honestly not as impressive and run together. One is about a peeping Tom who rapes and murders. There is limited history given as to motivation. What is given feels rushed. There are a few other short stories but they all ran together and 12 hours after reading, I cannot remember them distinctly enough to write a summary.

VERY HAPPY LISTENER

Where does The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up and Other True Cases rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

VERY GOOD READER GOOD VOICE

What did you like best about this story?

EASY TO LISTEN TO

Which scene was your favorite?

THE WHOLE BOOK

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES WISH I COULD HAVE

Any additional comments?

I AM JUST AN ANN RULE FAN I READ OR LISTEN TO ALL HER BOOKS

Great character development.

From the beginning , The author introduces the people involved . You get to know the characters and become intrigued by their role. Interesting all the way through.

Excellent As All Rule Books Are

Great stories, well told. Excellent narration. Anne Rule is a favorite and this book does not disappoint.