The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy
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- Create Date：2021-08-14 08:50:58
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Elizabeth Kendall
- ISBN：1419744860
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Summary
The inspiration for the five-part Amazon Original docuseries Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer
Now in paperback， this updated， expanded edition of The Phantom Prince， Elizabeth Kendall’s 1981 memoir detailing her six-year relationship with serial killer Ted Bundy， includes a new introduction and a new afterword by the author， never-before-seen photos， and a startling new chapter from the author’s daughter， Molly， who has not previously shared her story。 Bundy is one of the most notorious serial killers in American history and one of the most publicized to this day。 However， very rarely do we hear from the women he left behind—the ones forgotten as mere footnotes in this tragedy。 The Phantom Prince chronicles Elizabeth Kendall’s intimate relationship with Ted Bundy and its eventual unraveling。 As much as has been written about Bundy， it’s remarkable to hear the perspective of people who shared their daily lives with him for years。 This gripping account presents a remarkable examination of a charismatic personality that masked unimaginable darkness。
Now in paperback， this updated， expanded edition of The Phantom Prince， Elizabeth Kendall’s 1981 memoir detailing her six-year relationship with serial killer Ted Bundy， includes a new introduction and a new afterword by the author， never-before-seen photos， and a startling new chapter from the author’s daughter， Molly， who has not previously shared her story。 Bundy is one of the most notorious serial killers in American history and one of the most publicized to this day。 However， very rarely do we hear from the women he left behind—the ones forgotten as mere footnotes in this tragedy。 The Phantom Prince chronicles Elizabeth Kendall’s intimate relationship with Ted Bundy and its eventual unraveling。 As much as has been written about Bundy， it’s remarkable to hear the perspective of people who shared their daily lives with him for years。 This gripping account presents a remarkable examination of a charismatic personality that masked unimaginable darkness。
Reviews
Nicole Williams
，
“I felt the horror of the victims， the anguish of their families， the sickness of the murderers， the disbelief of the criminals’ families and friends。 I despaired at what human beings do to other human beings。”I cannot say I’m someone who held much interest towards Ted Bundy。 His crimes are disgusting and vile， and I never had much of the stomach to be interested in serial killers。 I know that people find a lot of interest in them， but I was never one of them。But I still felt that I would be doi “I felt the horror of the victims， the anguish of their families， the sickness of the murderers， the disbelief of the criminals’ families and friends。 I despaired at what human beings do to other human beings。”I cannot say I’m someone who held much interest towards Ted Bundy。 His crimes are disgusting and vile， and I never had much of the stomach to be interested in serial killers。 I know that people find a lot of interest in them， but I was never one of them。But I still felt that I would be doing a disservice to myself to not read this book。 Liz Kendall， while still alive， was a victim。 As was her daughter。 And while I cannot pretend to understand many of the decisions that she made in desperation， I still sympathize for her。I think the Afterword in which Liz explains how she does not love Ted anymore was extremely important。 The final line was misplaced， which she admitted， that he was not a gentle and kind man。 And seeing Molly’s perspective， the inappropriate things he would do to her… It was disgusting。 He was disgusting， and it breaks my heart that he took so many lives before he was finally indicted。 Though I think it was important to read， I don’t know if I would suggest it to anyone。 I think it will haunt me forever。 。。。more
Brooke Napier
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Elizabeth’s writing is very immersing and you can really feel her point of view。
Amy Beth
，
Exceptional insight， fabulous read
Anji
，
I read this for a book club， and it should be interesting to discuss。 An insider look at living with a serial killer and finding out about it slowly。 At times I felt very bad for the author， and at other times， not so much。 A very real and vulnerable story。
Elizabeth
，
I wasn't sure whether or not I should write a review for this book， it always makes me a little uncomfortable writing reviews for books of this nature。 How do you begin to critique a person's attempt at sharing one of the most horrifying experiences one can live through？I picked up this book after watching Joe Berlinger's adaptation of Liz's story。 While I did appreciate the movie I was left shocked at all the discrepancies between its storyline and Liz's memoir。 I ended up wishing they had stay I wasn't sure whether or not I should write a review for this book， it always makes me a little uncomfortable writing reviews for books of this nature。 How do you begin to critique a person's attempt at sharing one of the most horrifying experiences one can live through？I picked up this book after watching Joe Berlinger's adaptation of Liz's story。 While I did appreciate the movie I was left shocked at all the discrepancies between its storyline and Liz's memoir。 I ended up wishing they had stayed a little truer to her recollection。Elizabeth Kendall's retelling of her relationship with Ted Bundy in this memoir is one of the most powerful stories I have ever read。 She had stated in the preface that she is not writing this book to make others feel sorry for her or to victimize herself， but to share her story。 Through sharing the good， the great and terrible aspects of her relationship in a brutally honest and brave way she depicts the complexities of emotionally abusive relationships。 The difficulties of leaving abusive relationships and the guilt that comes along with staying。 As I read through her memoir with the updated sections you can see how far Liz and her daughter have come through their recovery processes。 Each chapter of the book read with a very genuine tone。 There was no sugar-coating as she recalled the red flags she chose to ignore as well as the mistakes she made and the love she had for Ted。 It is a book that has left a long-lasting impression on me and I can only hope brought her some peace through her recovery process。 。。。more
Michela
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Review coming soon
Coralie
，
Mind boggling。
Sal Deaver
，
Gotta admit， I was pretty bored reading this book because the information wasn't anything I hadn't already read in Ann Rule's "The Stranger Beside me" and Liz just angered me so much with her romanticizing Bundy that I almost didn't finish it。 It wasn't until I came to "Molly's Story" that I wasn't able to put it down。 Honestly， her short fifteen pages made trudging through this worth it。 I hope one day， Molly comes out with her own book。 Gotta admit， I was pretty bored reading this book because the information wasn't anything I hadn't already read in Ann Rule's "The Stranger Beside me" and Liz just angered me so much with her romanticizing Bundy that I almost didn't finish it。 It wasn't until I came to "Molly's Story" that I wasn't able to put it down。 Honestly， her short fifteen pages made trudging through this worth it。 I hope one day， Molly comes out with her own book。 。。。more
TraceyL
，
Elizabeth Kendall got a lot of crap over her relationship with Ted Bundy and people blamed her for somehow allowing the murders to happen。 She had called the police multiple times about him， trying to turn him in， and was told over and over that he couldn't have been responsible for the crimes。 When he was finally arrested she had doubts based on what she was told before， and because he was a master manipulator。This is an updated version of the book， with a foreward and afterward talking about h Elizabeth Kendall got a lot of crap over her relationship with Ted Bundy and people blamed her for somehow allowing the murders to happen。 She had called the police multiple times about him， trying to turn him in， and was told over and over that he couldn't have been responsible for the crimes。 When he was finally arrested she had doubts based on what she was told before， and because he was a master manipulator。This is an updated version of the book， with a foreward and afterward talking about how she has gained more clarity over the years。 When she first wrote the book she admits that she was still in love with him， but as years have passed and as she was able get therapy， she now sees him for the terrible person he was。If you are interested in true crime I think this is a great read。 。。。more
Arthur
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I highly recommend reading re-released edition
Anna
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3。5*
Erica Cantelmi
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Another one from a unique perspective。 It was nice also to hear from Molly because I think one thing we all wondered is how can he do this but treated her so great？ Turns out， he couldn’t。 Liz was very clearly in love with Ted and it seemed they did have a great beginning to their story。 Would’ve liked more detail and it did at times feel a little whiney but I also understand where she was coming from。
Denise Fletcher
，
Very interesting storyIntriguing to get an inside look， as it were on what must've been a traumatic experience that in some ways will never end fornthe people involved。 I wish I could say to Liz 'don't beat yourself up so much。 You went through an extraordinary experience so its no wonder it made you feel as if you were going mad" Very interesting storyIntriguing to get an inside look， as it were on what must've been a traumatic experience that in some ways will never end fornthe people involved。 I wish I could say to Liz 'don't beat yourself up so much。 You went through an extraordinary experience so its no wonder it made you feel as if you were going mad" 。。。more
Amy
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Upon finishing this book， I am not sure how to feel， maybe I am stunned！ It’s hard to understand how Liz stuck around for so long。 It seems that in the addition at the end of the book， she finally was able to heal。 Molly’s story at the very end was the hardest part to read。
Caitlin Johnson
，
a really well-written narrative about a harrowing life with a horrible man
Kendra Ames
，
It was wonderful and eye-opening （if not completely gut-wrenching and sickening） to read Liz and Molly's accounts。 Not only was it interesting to hear about how easily Ted Bundy was able to conceal his true self， but it made this gruesome case more personal and heart-breaking。 It was wonderful and eye-opening （if not completely gut-wrenching and sickening） to read Liz and Molly's accounts。 Not only was it interesting to hear about how easily Ted Bundy was able to conceal his true self， but it made this gruesome case more personal and heart-breaking。 。。。more
Jacquelyn
，
Brave， healing account of being involvedwith a killer。 Gave a little insight into Bundy。 Scary and illustrates just how little you can know a person。 It was confusing and repetitive at times。 This book and Ann Rule's book pair well together but they both need an illustrative timeline of events to reference。 Brave， healing account of being involvedwith a killer。 Gave a little insight into Bundy。 Scary and illustrates just how little you can know a person。 It was confusing and repetitive at times。 This book and Ann Rule's book pair well together but they both need an illustrative timeline of events to reference。 。。。more
Savannah Faraci
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Shocking and amazing
Gaynor Shermer
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 This is the first time I've read anything like this and wow。 these people are 2 of the strongest individuals I've ever had the pleasure of reading about。 This story made it so easy to understand how he got away with it for so long and why she had stuck with him for so long。 Beautifully written and I'm so glad they added recent additions that I could hear that both of them are healing well to present day。 This is the first time I've read anything like this and wow。 these people are 2 of the strongest individuals I've ever had the pleasure of reading about。 This story made it so easy to understand how he got away with it for so long and why she had stuck with him for so long。 Beautifully written and I'm so glad they added recent additions that I could hear that both of them are healing well to present day。 。。。more
Alexandra Delorme
，
This book was everything I wanted it to be ！ I wanted to have a different perspective on Ted Bundy。 And what could be better than to read the story of the girl who shared his life for years ？ I wanted to know what caused Liz to suspect Ted and call the police in the first place 。 What was the trigger ？ I got all the answers to my questions in this book ！ I found it mind-blowing at times to see how Ted really was charming and how it seemed easy for him to hide his true nature。 He was so good at p This book was everything I wanted it to be ！ I wanted to have a different perspective on Ted Bundy。 And what could be better than to read the story of the girl who shared his life for years ？ I wanted to know what caused Liz to suspect Ted and call the police in the first place 。 What was the trigger ？ I got all the answers to my questions in this book ！ I found it mind-blowing at times to see how Ted really was charming and how it seemed easy for him to hide his true nature。 He was so good at playing to be a good man with a normal life that you can’t help but wonder if you’d have been one of those many people who knew him and got fooled by his charisma。 Elizabeth wrote this book back in 1981 and in the afterword， she revisits her relationship with Ted all these years later， in 2020。 It was interesting to know that her vision of things has changed with time because she was finally able to associate the monster who did all these horrifying things to women with the man she once loved。 。。。more
Laura Lee Thomas
，
I have a hard time trying to rate a book that dives into the life of Ted Bundy。 I enjoyed getting the perspective of someone so close to him。 I also enjoyed some of the content added later in life to show Elizabeth Kendall's growth throughout her life。 I have a hard time trying to rate a book that dives into the life of Ted Bundy。 I enjoyed getting the perspective of someone so close to him。 I also enjoyed some of the content added later in life to show Elizabeth Kendall's growth throughout her life。 。。。more
Jean
，
I think the additional information presented in this edition probably contributes to my giving this book four stars。 There isn’t that much added， but it was enough to make the book end on a happier， healthier note， in that for Liz and Molly there has been healing。 If you have read the first book， I don’t recommend reading the new edition…find a library and just read the new parts。
Valerie O。
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3。5/5
Erin
，
I read the latest version of this memoir， with new afterwards from Liz and her daughter Molly。 It is really good to see their growth and healing between when the book was first released and this recent updated version。 I've always wondered how people didn't suspect Ted Bundy。 How he got away with his crimes for so long when he had such a rich social life。 Liz's story of her life with Ted readily answers my questions。 Yes， he was charming， he could be kind and thoughtful。 He also chose his relati I read the latest version of this memoir， with new afterwards from Liz and her daughter Molly。 It is really good to see their growth and healing between when the book was first released and this recent updated version。 I've always wondered how people didn't suspect Ted Bundy。 How he got away with his crimes for so long when he had such a rich social life。 Liz's story of her life with Ted readily answers my questions。 Yes， he was charming， he could be kind and thoughtful。 He also chose his relationships carefully， choosing damaged people he could easily con and manipulate。 I think it is amazing that Liz survived the relationship， and that may yet point to Ted having real feelings for her， as far as he was capable。 Liz and Molly both write vividly about times they saw the monster in Ted， and both accounts are nearly identical。 I was also very disheartened to learn how Liz was treated by the police in Washington and Utah。 It's terrible the way she was treated， disbelieved， lied to， and manipulated。 The police made her a victim a second time over。 If they had given her a little more thought， a little more consideration， she may have been able to save many of Ted's victims from being raped and murdered。 I know that there are a ton of books， TV shows ， and movies on Ted Bundy。 But if you want to know what it was really like to be around him， to live with him， to love him even， this is the book you should read。 。。。more
Anna Rocca
，
You get the feeling I read this so fast。 I wanted to hear what liz had to say after watching so many bundy documentaries。 You feel her pain and guilt and obsesssuom and hopes of it not being Ted。
Mel
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Geez。 Just wanted to ask this woman how in the world she missed all the signs。？！
ErikaShmerika Wine
，
I used to date a guy who was really not that great to me， but was really good at making me feel like he actually cared about me。 Every time I’d try to end things， he’d end up sweet talking his way back into my life。 I finally broke that habit and spent years trying to figure out how he kept me under his spell for so long。 More than 20 years later， I can’t recall a single thing about him that I liked。 I could not stop thinking of him when I read this book。 Not that I think he was a violent murder I used to date a guy who was really not that great to me， but was really good at making me feel like he actually cared about me。 Every time I’d try to end things， he’d end up sweet talking his way back into my life。 I finally broke that habit and spent years trying to figure out how he kept me under his spell for so long。 More than 20 years later， I can’t recall a single thing about him that I liked。 I could not stop thinking of him when I read this book。 Not that I think he was a violent murderer of women and children， but I get how someone could become enmeshed in a relationship like hers。 I understand how charm and guile can undermine your higher brain function。 I can’t imagine for a second what she went through when she realized the man she thought she loved might be responsible for such atrocities， or what she had to go through to recover from what their relationship did to her。 I definitely think she and her daughter should be numbered as one of his victims。 I’m sure there’s a lot of emotional detoxing that went on that isn’t catalogued in this account。 。。。more
Shannon Hill
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Brave。
Susan
，
Chilling。 I met Ted Bundy in Washington and was lucky enough to not accept his plan for the evening。 I have read everything I can about him， and still cant believe I made a wise decision when it really counted！
Ashley
，