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The Pursued
The terrifying true story of a woman at war with a violent stalker who eluded the police for years—until they found the truth in the last place anyone would have dared to look.
From 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley, an ordinary wife and mother from Kansas, was tormented by an elusive maniac known as the Poet. The police, already on edge from BTK’s reign of terror, spent years searching for the stalker. Meanwhile, his cryptic letters in rhymed verse grew more disturbing and violent, spilling into deeds like stabbing and kidnapping.
In this propulsive nonfiction account, as Ruth is surveilled from all sides, her nightmare takes a chilling The stalker is no stranger at all. It’s someone the police have been close to for years, someone nearer to home than Ruth dared to admit. The revelation recasts what seemed like a cruel twist of fate as something far more disturbing.
The Pursued is not just a gripping true-crime story. It’s also a darkly textured portrait of the deceptions that drive us and the explosive reckonings that occur when they finally tumble down.
From 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley, an ordinary wife and mother from Kansas, was tormented by an elusive maniac known as the Poet. The police, already on edge from BTK’s reign of terror, spent years searching for the stalker. Meanwhile, his cryptic letters in rhymed verse grew more disturbing and violent, spilling into deeds like stabbing and kidnapping.
In this propulsive nonfiction account, as Ruth is surveilled from all sides, her nightmare takes a chilling The stalker is no stranger at all. It’s someone the police have been close to for years, someone nearer to home than Ruth dared to admit. The revelation recasts what seemed like a cruel twist of fate as something far more disturbing.
The Pursued is not just a gripping true-crime story. It’s also a darkly textured portrait of the deceptions that drive us and the explosive reckonings that occur when they finally tumble down.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2025
1983 people are currently reading
4593 people want to read
About the author
Corey Mead
6 books29 followersCorey Mead is an Associate Professor of English at Baruch College, City University of New York. He is the author of Angelic Music: The Story of Benjamin Franklin’s Glass Armonica and War Play: Video Games and the Future of Armed Conflict. His work has appeared in Time, Salon, The Daily Beast, and numerous literary journals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
December 6, 2025
3.5 Stars
December 12, 2025
THE PURSUED
by Corey Mead
Narrated by Nikki Zakocs
3.5 stars (rounded down)
The Pursued follows “The Poet,” a stalker who terrorized Ruth Finley from 1977 to 1981, in a slow-paced true-crime police procedural that often reads like fiction. There are some disturbing twists and a few genuinely interesting moments.
Despite being only about 300 pages, it felt a bit dragged out at times. I also struggled with the audiobook narration — it came across flat, with little emotional depth, which made it harder to stay fully engaged. The book does, however, highlight how trauma impacts not just physical safety but mental and emotional wellbeing.
The most surprising element for me was how long it took—three years—for police to piece everything together.
Themes of stalking, memory and perception, mental health, and vulnerability all play significant roles throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook.
by Corey Mead
Narrated by Nikki Zakocs
3.5 stars (rounded down)
The Pursued follows “The Poet,” a stalker who terrorized Ruth Finley from 1977 to 1981, in a slow-paced true-crime police procedural that often reads like fiction. There are some disturbing twists and a few genuinely interesting moments.
Despite being only about 300 pages, it felt a bit dragged out at times. I also struggled with the audiobook narration — it came across flat, with little emotional depth, which made it harder to stay fully engaged. The book does, however, highlight how trauma impacts not just physical safety but mental and emotional wellbeing.
The most surprising element for me was how long it took—three years—for police to piece everything together.
Themes of stalking, memory and perception, mental health, and vulnerability all play significant roles throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook.
November 10, 2025
Truth is stranger...
Man what a story. Its strange, heartbreaking, awful, weird, and seems like fiction.
The human mind is a scary thing and what happens to some people is so sad. This story has some weird twists and you can't say too much without spoiling it.
It is worth a read if you know nothing about the story.
Man what a story. Its strange, heartbreaking, awful, weird, and seems like fiction.
The human mind is a scary thing and what happens to some people is so sad. This story has some weird twists and you can't say too much without spoiling it.
It is worth a read if you know nothing about the story.
December 28, 2025
I can't believe this isn't fiction... this story is pure madness. I have read and watched many things about BTK and didn't realize this happened around the same time frame.... I am still just awestruck that this took place and went on for as long as it did!
November 12, 2025
This book started off strong, lagged greatly and ending rapidly. Really enjoyed the ending and taught some extremes about the incredible human brain and psyche to protect itself. I didn’t necessarily like the writing style but was intrigued by the actual story.
November 3, 2025
A solid story, mostly well-told
The story is incredibly thorough and there are plenty of details. It reads like a piece of fiction, with lots of insights into thought processes and some internal monologue. I didn't know anything about the story, so I was in suspense for a decent amount of the book before the truth started to become more apparent. While the ending wraps everything up, it still leaves you wondering a bit about if everything really is as it says it is. I would have liked it a bit shorter, and the writing is a little lacking in energy, but it was a good read.
The story is incredibly thorough and there are plenty of details. It reads like a piece of fiction, with lots of insights into thought processes and some internal monologue. I didn't know anything about the story, so I was in suspense for a decent amount of the book before the truth started to become more apparent. While the ending wraps everything up, it still leaves you wondering a bit about if everything really is as it says it is. I would have liked it a bit shorter, and the writing is a little lacking in energy, but it was a good read.
November 5, 2025
overall it was interesting but the choppiness made it hard to push through
This story definitely had my attention from the start, and I found myself pushing through because I needed to know who the “poet” was. However, the writing felt a little scattered and hard to follow in some places, which made the pacing feel choppy at times. I was also hoping for more closure when it came to the past—there were moments that felt like they could have had more emotional impact if they were developed further.
Overall, the plot had strong potential and the tension held me, but with a bit more clarity and elaboration in certain areas, this could have hit even harder.
This story definitely had my attention from the start, and I found myself pushing through because I needed to know who the “poet” was. However, the writing felt a little scattered and hard to follow in some places, which made the pacing feel choppy at times. I was also hoping for more closure when it came to the past—there were moments that felt like they could have had more emotional impact if they were developed further.
Overall, the plot had strong potential and the tension held me, but with a bit more clarity and elaboration in certain areas, this could have hit even harder.
December 12, 2025
Nonfiction is always tricky to rate—beyond evaluating the strength of the prose, who am I to judge whether someone’s lived experience is “worthy” of being written about? I went back and forth on giving this five stars because I was fully engaged the entire time, but I think the audio format played a big role in that.
The case itself is devastating, and the writing has the pacing and tension of a thriller. You almost forget you’re in the realm of reality—especially when you hit some of the baffling decisions made by law enforcement. It’s a fascinating, unsettling look at what the human mind is capable of and how internal distortions can completely warp someone’s actions. Would a deeper psychological analysis have made this even more compelling? Absolutely. But even taken as a narrative-driven true crime account, I found myself “enjoying” the journey—largely because of the narration.
Nikki Zakocs delivers the material with a steady, gripping presence that kept me locked in. I’m not convinced I would’ve had the same experience with the print version, especially since the middle section drags a bit.
In the end, this is a niche true-crime story that likely would’ve faded into obscurity if the author hadn’t revisited it. I’m glad I picked it up—there’s always something to learn or be reminded of, even for those of us in the psych field, about just how powerful and unpredictable the human mind can be.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Brilliance Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
The case itself is devastating, and the writing has the pacing and tension of a thriller. You almost forget you’re in the realm of reality—especially when you hit some of the baffling decisions made by law enforcement. It’s a fascinating, unsettling look at what the human mind is capable of and how internal distortions can completely warp someone’s actions. Would a deeper psychological analysis have made this even more compelling? Absolutely. But even taken as a narrative-driven true crime account, I found myself “enjoying” the journey—largely because of the narration.
Nikki Zakocs delivers the material with a steady, gripping presence that kept me locked in. I’m not convinced I would’ve had the same experience with the print version, especially since the middle section drags a bit.
In the end, this is a niche true-crime story that likely would’ve faded into obscurity if the author hadn’t revisited it. I’m glad I picked it up—there’s always something to learn or be reminded of, even for those of us in the psych field, about just how powerful and unpredictable the human mind can be.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Brilliance Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
December 30, 2025
Wild and creepy true crime story that I’ve never heard before, despite growing up in the general region.
November 2, 2025
Shocking
Heart breaking ,shocking true story detailing th he horrific abuse suffered by Ruth and the terrifying affect on her life.
Heart breaking ,shocking true story detailing th he horrific abuse suffered by Ruth and the terrifying affect on her life.
November 13, 2025
Read this as an Amazon first reads. it was a decent book it was just a little too detailed at points and it took a while for anything to actually happen. I figured out the " twist" fairly early and I spent the rest of the book waiting for the police to figure it out and too find out the " why". The ending was the glue that held it all together..I needed that initial thing and boom 💥.
November 25, 2025
Wow, what a ride! I was truly horrified at what was being described, leaving me unable to sleep at the thought of how stalking could happen to anyone at anytime, and then the big twist came. Whilst that doesn’t take away from how horrific Stalking is, this book then made me think about how our minds work and the lack of control we have at times over how we think, feel, process events and emotions.
This lady has had some horrific experiences in her life and I hope that after her horrible ordeals, she has gone on to live some sort of normality.
This lady has had some horrific experiences in her life and I hope that after her horrible ordeals, she has gone on to live some sort of normality.
December 20, 2025
fascinating but long
Obviously I understand as a true story that this book is as long as it is because it it keeping with the facts, but at times I wished the author had elaborated less. I’m glad I didn’t know of the case before reading because the ending was astonishing and very sad.
Obviously I understand as a true story that this book is as long as it is because it it keeping with the facts, but at times I wished the author had elaborated less. I’m glad I didn’t know of the case before reading because the ending was astonishing and very sad.
December 24, 2025
This should have been a long magazine article. I’d not heard of this case previously, so I was intrigued. The book would have been much better if the author had delved more into the psyche of Ruth Finley instead of the monotonous details of the crime leading to the discovery of the (pseudo) stalker.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2025
I enjoyed the build-up and meticulous detail. The last chapter broke my heart and will trigger some readers.
November 5, 2025
I didn’t see that coming
A riveting look at a strange and terrifying stalking case with an insane and brutal ending. Trigger warning for child SA. This book gave me nightmares and I imagine it will remain for me a haunting examination of madness, obsession and the sick places unresolved trauma can lead a person.
A riveting look at a strange and terrifying stalking case with an insane and brutal ending. Trigger warning for child SA. This book gave me nightmares and I imagine it will remain for me a haunting examination of madness, obsession and the sick places unresolved trauma can lead a person.
November 26, 2025
2.75/5 stars
This was an Amazon First Reads selection. I hadn’t heard of this case before. It’s pretty wild and yet it dragged on for me. Jumped around quite a bit too. All in all, I struggled to finish, but the end was definitely a bit of a shock.
CA | Contains some strong profanity.
This was an Amazon First Reads selection. I hadn’t heard of this case before. It’s pretty wild and yet it dragged on for me. Jumped around quite a bit too. All in all, I struggled to finish, but the end was definitely a bit of a shock.
CA | Contains some strong profanity.
December 11, 2025
I didn’t finish it. The story dragged on and on at a very slow pace. It was a high interest topic and I ended up asking ChatGPT to give me summary of the details. 5 minutes later, I knew what went down. Interesting story but was bored with the pace and writing.
December 9, 2025
definitely check for trigger warnings. this had a twist I absolutely was not expecting!
December 1, 2025
THE PURSUED: A True Story of Stalking, Memory, and Madness in America's Heartland by Corey Mead is a chilling non-fiction narrative that chronicles the harrowing true story of Ruth Finley, a seemingly ordinary woman from Kansas whose life is turned into a living nightmare by a relentless stalker known ominously as "The Poet."
Set against the unsettling backdrop of the BTK killer's terror in Wichita during the late 1970s, the book unfurls a tale of escalating psychological torment and physical violence that captures the reader's attention and heart.
About...
In Wichita, Kansas, from 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley, a 48-year-old devoted wife to her husband Ed and mother of two grown sons, Brent and Bruce, finds herself plunged into fear and dread. As an empty nester, Ruth’s life takes a dark turn when she is targeted by an anonymous individual, who identifies himself as "The Poet."
The stalker’s sinister communications consist of cryptic letters, hauntingly penned in rhyming verse, which begin innocuously but soon spiral into increasingly violent and unsettling threats. As his audacious actions progress from mere words to horrific physical acts, including stabbing and kidnapping attempts, Ruth's world shrinks further into the shadows of terror.
Law enforcement becomes deeply entwined in the search for The Poet, but their efforts are complicated by the chilling reality of the active BTK serial killer terrorizing the same region. The eerie overlap of these two terrifying narratives creates a palpable tension, as the elusive stalker continues to evade capture for years.
The Revelation: The heart-stopping twist of the story comes when the stalker’s identity is finally uncovered. In a shocking turn of events, it is revealed that the perpetrator is someone intimately connected to Ruth's life—someone who has been lurking in the shadows, existing close to her home and her sense of safety all along.
My Thoughts...
THE PURSUED is not a light read; it bears the weight of trauma and unsettling truths that may trigger deep emotions. Corey Mead crafts the narrative with exquisite skill, painting vivid images and emotions with his prose. The exploration of deception and the scars of trauma is profound, raising questions about why such horrors can remain hidden even when they are right before our eyes.
The narrative delves deeply into the psychological turmoil of both the victim and the perpetrator, providing a nuanced character study that is both moving and unsettling. As the story unfolds to its disturbing conclusion, the reader is left grappling with the heavy themes of mental illness, obsession, and the fragility of human memory.
Rich in psychological complexity, the writing immerses the reader in an atmosphere that is both absorbing and intense, maintaining an almost thriller-like quality that leaves you questioning the boundaries between reality and fiction. Mead’s meticulous research lends authenticity to this powerful true-crime account, culminating in a shocking revelation for those unfamiliar with the events before diving into the pages. A story that will remain with you long after the book ends.
The Author...
Corey Mead is an Associate Professor of English at Baruch College, City University of New York. He is the author of Angelic Music: The Story of Benjamin Franklin’s Glass Armonica and War Play: Video Games and the Future of Armed Conflict. His work has appeared in Time, Salon, The Daily Beast, and numerous literary journals.
Recommendations...
THE PURSUED is an essential read for true crime enthusiasts. Once you start this gripping account, you may find yourself drawn into a profound examination of the nature of fear and crime, especially when drawing comparisons between the BTK murders—perpetrated by Dennis Rader, a man living a duplicitous life as a family man and church leader—and the ominous figure of The Poet in the Ruth Finley case.
This gripping true story has not only been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show but is also depicted in the 2024 Lifetime movie, The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story, a cinematic exploration of Ruth Finley’s life during this terrifying chapter, featuring Teri Hatcher in the role of Ruth.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Dec 1, 2025
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Dec 2025 Must-Read Books
Dec Newsletter
Set against the unsettling backdrop of the BTK killer's terror in Wichita during the late 1970s, the book unfurls a tale of escalating psychological torment and physical violence that captures the reader's attention and heart.
About...
In Wichita, Kansas, from 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley, a 48-year-old devoted wife to her husband Ed and mother of two grown sons, Brent and Bruce, finds herself plunged into fear and dread. As an empty nester, Ruth’s life takes a dark turn when she is targeted by an anonymous individual, who identifies himself as "The Poet."
The stalker’s sinister communications consist of cryptic letters, hauntingly penned in rhyming verse, which begin innocuously but soon spiral into increasingly violent and unsettling threats. As his audacious actions progress from mere words to horrific physical acts, including stabbing and kidnapping attempts, Ruth's world shrinks further into the shadows of terror.
Law enforcement becomes deeply entwined in the search for The Poet, but their efforts are complicated by the chilling reality of the active BTK serial killer terrorizing the same region. The eerie overlap of these two terrifying narratives creates a palpable tension, as the elusive stalker continues to evade capture for years.
The Revelation: The heart-stopping twist of the story comes when the stalker’s identity is finally uncovered. In a shocking turn of events, it is revealed that the perpetrator is someone intimately connected to Ruth's life—someone who has been lurking in the shadows, existing close to her home and her sense of safety all along.
My Thoughts...
THE PURSUED is not a light read; it bears the weight of trauma and unsettling truths that may trigger deep emotions. Corey Mead crafts the narrative with exquisite skill, painting vivid images and emotions with his prose. The exploration of deception and the scars of trauma is profound, raising questions about why such horrors can remain hidden even when they are right before our eyes.
The narrative delves deeply into the psychological turmoil of both the victim and the perpetrator, providing a nuanced character study that is both moving and unsettling. As the story unfolds to its disturbing conclusion, the reader is left grappling with the heavy themes of mental illness, obsession, and the fragility of human memory.
Rich in psychological complexity, the writing immerses the reader in an atmosphere that is both absorbing and intense, maintaining an almost thriller-like quality that leaves you questioning the boundaries between reality and fiction. Mead’s meticulous research lends authenticity to this powerful true-crime account, culminating in a shocking revelation for those unfamiliar with the events before diving into the pages. A story that will remain with you long after the book ends.
The Author...
Corey Mead is an Associate Professor of English at Baruch College, City University of New York. He is the author of Angelic Music: The Story of Benjamin Franklin’s Glass Armonica and War Play: Video Games and the Future of Armed Conflict. His work has appeared in Time, Salon, The Daily Beast, and numerous literary journals.
Recommendations...
THE PURSUED is an essential read for true crime enthusiasts. Once you start this gripping account, you may find yourself drawn into a profound examination of the nature of fear and crime, especially when drawing comparisons between the BTK murders—perpetrated by Dennis Rader, a man living a duplicitous life as a family man and church leader—and the ominous figure of The Poet in the Ruth Finley case.
This gripping true story has not only been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show but is also depicted in the 2024 Lifetime movie, The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story, a cinematic exploration of Ruth Finley’s life during this terrifying chapter, featuring Teri Hatcher in the role of Ruth.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Dec 1, 2025
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Dec 2025 Must-Read Books
Dec Newsletter
December 13, 2025
I believe that what makes a great true crime novel is allowing the reader to get into the mind of the victim and/or perpetrator (depending on the POV), while also providing necessary context and details of the case. Not making it sound too much like a police report is one of the toughest parts. For me, a good true crime novel is detailed but succinct, immersive but still grounded in reality. Corey Mead has successfully hit all of my notes (preferences).
The Pursued tells the story of Ruth Finley, a local, previously traumatized woman, who is being aggressively stalked. She starts by receiving unsettling phone calls and poems posted by mail, which eventually evolve into violent encounters. The stalker, dubbed The Poet, manages to evade law enforcement for years to continue with his constant torment.
I'm not usually someone who believes in the concept of spoilers when dealing with nonfiction, but this is the sort of book that is better to read with no context. I had not heard of her case before, and I was shocked by the resolution (and still mildly in disbelief).
This book is a masterpiece in describing and evoking feelings of anxiety and paranoia. I have a very tough stomach and will read pretty much anything, but there was something deeply unsettling about everything. While some events are a bit graphic (it is a very dark subject matter), it is clear that they were not written that way for shock value, only to represent their severity. The choice excerpts of the poems were disturbing, of course, but I feel like they were curated enough to portray the their topics and writing styles and not be too graphic.
I cannot properly express how immersive this novel is. Oftentimes, I found myself anxious to solve the mystery, forgetting that this was a real story that affected real people. Not only Ruth and her husband Ed, but also countless police officers and the residents of Wichita, who are already running scared because of BTK.
I definitely recommend it to any true crime fans out there. It is a very good write-up of an interesting but tragic story, as well as an interesting psychological case study of sorts. The psychologist in me is very pleased.
Thank you to NetGalley, Corey Mead, and Little A for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
The Pursued tells the story of Ruth Finley, a local, previously traumatized woman, who is being aggressively stalked. She starts by receiving unsettling phone calls and poems posted by mail, which eventually evolve into violent encounters. The stalker, dubbed The Poet, manages to evade law enforcement for years to continue with his constant torment.
I'm not usually someone who believes in the concept of spoilers when dealing with nonfiction, but this is the sort of book that is better to read with no context. I had not heard of her case before, and I was shocked by the resolution (and still mildly in disbelief).
This book is a masterpiece in describing and evoking feelings of anxiety and paranoia. I have a very tough stomach and will read pretty much anything, but there was something deeply unsettling about everything. While some events are a bit graphic (it is a very dark subject matter), it is clear that they were not written that way for shock value, only to represent their severity. The choice excerpts of the poems were disturbing, of course, but I feel like they were curated enough to portray the their topics and writing styles and not be too graphic.
I cannot properly express how immersive this novel is. Oftentimes, I found myself anxious to solve the mystery, forgetting that this was a real story that affected real people. Not only Ruth and her husband Ed, but also countless police officers and the residents of Wichita, who are already running scared because of BTK.
I definitely recommend it to any true crime fans out there. It is a very good write-up of an interesting but tragic story, as well as an interesting psychological case study of sorts. The psychologist in me is very pleased.
Thank you to NetGalley, Corey Mead, and Little A for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
December 23, 2025
I don't know... (Major Spoilers)
I was almost halfway through this book when I accidentally ran across information about Ruth Finley. Then I remembered I'd seen a Lifetime Movie about her, so I then knew who "The Poet" in this book was. The book was much much better than the movie I saw, which I had dismissed as silly. I chose this book because I am originally from Kansas, and I had lived in Wichita and gone to the University there in the late 70's.
So once I realized what was what, I began watching for how she managed it. Some of those things seemed like a real stretch! Run to a pay phone, call herself and talk awhile, leave evidence, then race back to work and.call the police from her desk. Yes, that could happen...but nobody noticed? For awhile I doubted the police had it right. I suppose that is to the author's credit.
I was highly irritated that it wasn't clear just how aware she was at the time she was being The Poet. She confessed immediately. She answered Yes to specific questions, saying she knew she did it, but didn't know why. It sounded as though she knew the entire time. Even the psychiatrists statement to the press sounded like she was fully aware, and I found that dissonant and.disappointing. It isn't until the epilogue, when we find that while in hospital she still had moments believing The Poet was real and out to kill her, that I felt sure she had done everything in a fugue state.
My heart goes out to that little girl and the woman she became! My memory is familiar with the beliefs about well behaved children at that time, or a little later. Ruth was about my parents' age. I think most adults back then tended to believe other adults over children back then. But the scene where her parents found their 4y/o child tied to the bed, knew who put her there, then told the child he was "just playing" is either not the full story or shows that her parents do not represent how most parents of that era would have responded! It's despicable. And so, so heartbreaking! I'm glad she grew up to have a husband who loved her so unconditionally, and that her family stood beside her through the aftermath.
This is a fascinating true story. I just feel it could have been told better. It was unbalanced...so drawn out, with the really interesting parts told as an afterthought.
I was almost halfway through this book when I accidentally ran across information about Ruth Finley. Then I remembered I'd seen a Lifetime Movie about her, so I then knew who "The Poet" in this book was. The book was much much better than the movie I saw, which I had dismissed as silly. I chose this book because I am originally from Kansas, and I had lived in Wichita and gone to the University there in the late 70's.
So once I realized what was what, I began watching for how she managed it. Some of those things seemed like a real stretch! Run to a pay phone, call herself and talk awhile, leave evidence, then race back to work and.call the police from her desk. Yes, that could happen...but nobody noticed? For awhile I doubted the police had it right. I suppose that is to the author's credit.
I was highly irritated that it wasn't clear just how aware she was at the time she was being The Poet. She confessed immediately. She answered Yes to specific questions, saying she knew she did it, but didn't know why. It sounded as though she knew the entire time. Even the psychiatrists statement to the press sounded like she was fully aware, and I found that dissonant and.disappointing. It isn't until the epilogue, when we find that while in hospital she still had moments believing The Poet was real and out to kill her, that I felt sure she had done everything in a fugue state.
My heart goes out to that little girl and the woman she became! My memory is familiar with the beliefs about well behaved children at that time, or a little later. Ruth was about my parents' age. I think most adults back then tended to believe other adults over children back then. But the scene where her parents found their 4y/o child tied to the bed, knew who put her there, then told the child he was "just playing" is either not the full story or shows that her parents do not represent how most parents of that era would have responded! It's despicable. And so, so heartbreaking! I'm glad she grew up to have a husband who loved her so unconditionally, and that her family stood beside her through the aftermath.
This is a fascinating true story. I just feel it could have been told better. It was unbalanced...so drawn out, with the really interesting parts told as an afterthought.
August 3, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers of this book for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Heartbreaking, sinister and mirroring of our society and how we damage those we love most.
This book was eye opening, interesting and it fueled a great sadness, rage and hope within me.
I do not want to spoil the book so I might make this a short review, but wow what a twist, what an ending. This book is a true story centering around the stalking, harassment and assault of a poor woman who has had a hard and cruel hand handed to her in life.
As the story progresses and the threats and vandalism becomes more and more unsettling, a kind of sadness and helpless rage builds in the reader.
We can all imagine ourselves with rage, with sadness and that is why this book is so outstanding and unnerving. At first we feel sad for the victim, but as time progresses and she doesn't show much emotion we find ourselves identifying more with her husband and his fathomable rage, but when the main character finally breaks down one can do nothing but feel sorry for her and the trauma she had to live through.
This book highlights the incompetence's and also the triumphs and perseverance of the police force making one love and hate them at the same time. When the culprit is finally revealed, the reader cant help but feel sorry and feel the rage dissipating as the recesses of a troubled mind is released and layed bare before us.
This book also holds up a mirror to our society and the damage that stigma can do. How secrets, pride and shame can often lead to us hurting those we love and how we can never really know what those around us have endured.
This book also provides hope in the ending and shows that love can conquer all pain. It shows us that we are all human and that we make mistakes, mistakes that can make the head spin, mistakes that affect not only us but those around us and those we don't know.
Very well done and written! A great read, well worthwhile.
Characters 5/5
Setting 4/5
Story 5/5
Overall 4.75/5
Heartbreaking, sinister and mirroring of our society and how we damage those we love most.
This book was eye opening, interesting and it fueled a great sadness, rage and hope within me.
I do not want to spoil the book so I might make this a short review, but wow what a twist, what an ending. This book is a true story centering around the stalking, harassment and assault of a poor woman who has had a hard and cruel hand handed to her in life.
As the story progresses and the threats and vandalism becomes more and more unsettling, a kind of sadness and helpless rage builds in the reader.
We can all imagine ourselves with rage, with sadness and that is why this book is so outstanding and unnerving. At first we feel sad for the victim, but as time progresses and she doesn't show much emotion we find ourselves identifying more with her husband and his fathomable rage, but when the main character finally breaks down one can do nothing but feel sorry for her and the trauma she had to live through.
This book highlights the incompetence's and also the triumphs and perseverance of the police force making one love and hate them at the same time. When the culprit is finally revealed, the reader cant help but feel sorry and feel the rage dissipating as the recesses of a troubled mind is released and layed bare before us.
This book also holds up a mirror to our society and the damage that stigma can do. How secrets, pride and shame can often lead to us hurting those we love and how we can never really know what those around us have endured.
This book also provides hope in the ending and shows that love can conquer all pain. It shows us that we are all human and that we make mistakes, mistakes that can make the head spin, mistakes that affect not only us but those around us and those we don't know.
Very well done and written! A great read, well worthwhile.
Characters 5/5
Setting 4/5
Story 5/5
Overall 4.75/5
July 29, 2025
Out December 1, 2025
The Pursued by Corey Mead is a chilling descent into the fractured psyche of Ruth Finley, a Kansas wife and mother whose life was hijacked by a stalker known only as The Poet. From 1977 to 1981, Ruth was hunted—her every move shadowed, her mailbox poisoned with cryptic rhymed threats, her body marked by escalating violence. The police, already rattled by the BTK killer’s reign, were desperate for answers. But the deeper they dug, the more surreal the case became. The Poet wasn’t just a phantom lurking in alleyways—he was someone far closer than anyone dared to imagine.
Mead’s narrative pulses with dread, each chapter peeling back layers of deception and psychological torment. Ruth’s story is not merely one of survival, but of unraveling—of memory twisted into myth, and reality warped by trauma. The Poet’s verses are grotesque lullabies, echoing through Ruth’s mind and the pages like a curse. As the investigation tightens, the revelation hits like a thunderclap: the monster was never outside the house. It was stitched into the fabric of Ruth’s life, a truth so grotesque it defies logic.
What makes The Pursued truly haunting is its refusal to offer easy catharsis. Mead doesn’t just chronicle a crime—he excavates the fault lines of identity, madness, and the terrifying power of the mind to protect itself through illusion. This is true crime as psychological horror, where the most frightening revelations aren’t found in alleyways or autopsy reports, but in the mirror. Ruth Finley’s story lingers long after the final page, whispering a question no reader can ignore: what if the person you fear most is already inside you?
Thank you NetGalley and Little A for this haunting ARC!
The Pursued by Corey Mead is a chilling descent into the fractured psyche of Ruth Finley, a Kansas wife and mother whose life was hijacked by a stalker known only as The Poet. From 1977 to 1981, Ruth was hunted—her every move shadowed, her mailbox poisoned with cryptic rhymed threats, her body marked by escalating violence. The police, already rattled by the BTK killer’s reign, were desperate for answers. But the deeper they dug, the more surreal the case became. The Poet wasn’t just a phantom lurking in alleyways—he was someone far closer than anyone dared to imagine.
Mead’s narrative pulses with dread, each chapter peeling back layers of deception and psychological torment. Ruth’s story is not merely one of survival, but of unraveling—of memory twisted into myth, and reality warped by trauma. The Poet’s verses are grotesque lullabies, echoing through Ruth’s mind and the pages like a curse. As the investigation tightens, the revelation hits like a thunderclap: the monster was never outside the house. It was stitched into the fabric of Ruth’s life, a truth so grotesque it defies logic.
What makes The Pursued truly haunting is its refusal to offer easy catharsis. Mead doesn’t just chronicle a crime—he excavates the fault lines of identity, madness, and the terrifying power of the mind to protect itself through illusion. This is true crime as psychological horror, where the most frightening revelations aren’t found in alleyways or autopsy reports, but in the mirror. Ruth Finley’s story lingers long after the final page, whispering a question no reader can ignore: what if the person you fear most is already inside you?
Thank you NetGalley and Little A for this haunting ARC!
November 4, 2025
📖✨ True Crime Book Review: The Pursued by Corey Mead
Genre: True Crime | Mood: Chilling, Psychological, Unforgettable
You think you know your own mind… until the truth turns against you.
From 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley—a quiet Kansas wife and mother—was terrorized by an anonymous stalker who called himself the Poet. He sent cryptic, rhyming letters that grew darker and more violent with every verse. The police were desperate, especially with BTK already haunting Wichita. But nothing could prepare them—or Ruth—for the shocking truth hiding in plain sight.
Corey Mead’s The Pursued reads like a thriller, but every horrifying word is true. It’s an exploration of fear, trauma, and the dangerous places the human mind can go to protect itself. The twists left me reeling, the empathy it stirred was unexpected, and the ending? I’m still thinking about it.
If you love I’ll Be Gone in the Dark or The Stranger Beside Me, this one deserves a top spot on your #NonfictionNovember TBR.
🔪 Rating: ★★★★★
💌 Trigger Warning: stalking, violence, psychological trauma
📚 Perfect for: true crime addicts, psychology lovers, readers who crave real-life mysteries that chill to the bone
#TrueCrimeBooks #ThePursued #CoreyMead #NonfictionNovember #Bookstagram #TrueCrimeReads #BookReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookAddict #BasedOnTrueStory
Genre: True Crime | Mood: Chilling, Psychological, Unforgettable
You think you know your own mind… until the truth turns against you.
From 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley—a quiet Kansas wife and mother—was terrorized by an anonymous stalker who called himself the Poet. He sent cryptic, rhyming letters that grew darker and more violent with every verse. The police were desperate, especially with BTK already haunting Wichita. But nothing could prepare them—or Ruth—for the shocking truth hiding in plain sight.
Corey Mead’s The Pursued reads like a thriller, but every horrifying word is true. It’s an exploration of fear, trauma, and the dangerous places the human mind can go to protect itself. The twists left me reeling, the empathy it stirred was unexpected, and the ending? I’m still thinking about it.
If you love I’ll Be Gone in the Dark or The Stranger Beside Me, this one deserves a top spot on your #NonfictionNovember TBR.
🔪 Rating: ★★★★★
💌 Trigger Warning: stalking, violence, psychological trauma
📚 Perfect for: true crime addicts, psychology lovers, readers who crave real-life mysteries that chill to the bone
#TrueCrimeBooks #ThePursued #CoreyMead #NonfictionNovember #Bookstagram #TrueCrimeReads #BookReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookAddict #BasedOnTrueStory
November 10, 2025
I'd never heard of this case and was delighted to see a true-crime offering in the kindle First deal. However, I'd read enough by 58% and jacked it in. There were SO many police involved wasting their time, it seemed to me, when nothing of much import appeared to be happening. I shudder to think how much this investigation charged local taxpayers !!
I had my doubts too as to whether the truth was being told and I just got fed up waiting for something to happen, in all honesty.
I looked up Halsey-Tevis out of interest where Ed worked to see what they did and happened upon a trial regarding the IRS and taxes and it sounds like he was heavily involved in that dishonesty which gave me pause....
I found it very peculiar, too, how The Poet managed to spell words like journalistic and executioners correctly but his supposed grasp on basic English was atrocious !! No wonder the police were also suspicious !!
As an aside, I had no idea they played croquet in America !! That surprised me. Then he wrote Bronson when even this Brit knows it is Branson !! I got to where "Chrome Stallion will be my view" was written and I had no idea what that was supposed to mean and I realised I really didn't care any longer and I packed it in.
The author's clearly done a lot of research but to my way of thinking it's a non-story, really, and in the end bored me senseless.
I had my doubts too as to whether the truth was being told and I just got fed up waiting for something to happen, in all honesty.
I looked up Halsey-Tevis out of interest where Ed worked to see what they did and happened upon a trial regarding the IRS and taxes and it sounds like he was heavily involved in that dishonesty which gave me pause....
I found it very peculiar, too, how The Poet managed to spell words like journalistic and executioners correctly but his supposed grasp on basic English was atrocious !! No wonder the police were also suspicious !!
As an aside, I had no idea they played croquet in America !! That surprised me. Then he wrote Bronson when even this Brit knows it is Branson !! I got to where "Chrome Stallion will be my view" was written and I had no idea what that was supposed to mean and I realised I really didn't care any longer and I packed it in.
The author's clearly done a lot of research but to my way of thinking it's a non-story, really, and in the end bored me senseless.
November 12, 2025
This was so sad…
This non-fiction book is about a woman named Ruth, who believes she is being stalked. She believes she has been kidnapped and also stabbed. She receives phone calls and letters in the mail. And this has been happening for years.
By the time Ruth is finally uncovered, she’s in her forties, if I remember this correctly. She’s been suppressing her childhood trauma for all those years, but when she feels unsafe, her behavior changes and she begins to imagine that things are happening to her.
The journey that Ruth and her husband, Ed, along with the police, take is just ultimately very sad. Her feelings of helplessness and fear must have been overwhelming. I felt so sad for her; she felt so much shame that she literally wanted to die.
Charlaine Harris wrote a series featuring Lily Bard, who cleaned houses for a living. One of the books is Shakespeare’s Counselor, and the woman in question has a stalker that followed her every time she and her husband moved. A lot of the actions that happened in this book are also written into that novel. It’s actually terrifying to think that someone really did these in their own life.
And Lily’s book is why I chose this to read, because it reminded me of her story…
This non-fiction book is about a woman named Ruth, who believes she is being stalked. She believes she has been kidnapped and also stabbed. She receives phone calls and letters in the mail. And this has been happening for years.
By the time Ruth is finally uncovered, she’s in her forties, if I remember this correctly. She’s been suppressing her childhood trauma for all those years, but when she feels unsafe, her behavior changes and she begins to imagine that things are happening to her.
The journey that Ruth and her husband, Ed, along with the police, take is just ultimately very sad. Her feelings of helplessness and fear must have been overwhelming. I felt so sad for her; she felt so much shame that she literally wanted to die.
Charlaine Harris wrote a series featuring Lily Bard, who cleaned houses for a living. One of the books is Shakespeare’s Counselor, and the woman in question has a stalker that followed her every time she and her husband moved. A lot of the actions that happened in this book are also written into that novel. It’s actually terrifying to think that someone really did these in their own life.
And Lily’s book is why I chose this to read, because it reminded me of her story…
December 6, 2025
This book made me understand the appeal of true crime podcasts...right until it got to the end. Ruth Finley has a stalker. A man, presumably from all the sexually predatory messages, who goes by, 'the Poet.' This book follows the whole police investigation that took place in order to solve the case and revealed how the real criminal lived at the home all along.
It's a true crime that reads like fiction, despite it being slow and mainly in the form of the police deciphering letters all the time, the book had me hooked. I waited with bated breath to see who the stalker would turn out to be. I legitimately read it in one day!
I won't spoil it, but despite Corey Mead being a fantastic writer, I had to deduct two points for the final chapters. The graphic child abuse was not needed. Knowing the excruciating detail in which he describes a three-year-old Ruth being assaulted by a neighbor felt gratuitous and deeply exploitative. Furthermore, openly calling into question the separate story of what happened to Ruth when she was 16 feels like unneeded ammo in the current climate, which is so horrifically anti-woman
Thank you NetGalley and Little A publishing for the chance to read this book!
It's a true crime that reads like fiction, despite it being slow and mainly in the form of the police deciphering letters all the time, the book had me hooked. I waited with bated breath to see who the stalker would turn out to be. I legitimately read it in one day!
I won't spoil it, but despite Corey Mead being a fantastic writer, I had to deduct two points for the final chapters. The graphic child abuse was not needed. Knowing the excruciating detail in which he describes a three-year-old Ruth being assaulted by a neighbor felt gratuitous and deeply exploitative. Furthermore, openly calling into question the separate story of what happened to Ruth when she was 16 feels like unneeded ammo in the current climate, which is so horrifically anti-woman
Thank you NetGalley and Little A publishing for the chance to read this book!
December 23, 2025
Thank you to Amazon Prime First Reads for the ARC.
The Pursued is an unsettling and deeply disturbing true-crime account that immediately draws you in with its premise and sustained sense of tension. Corey Mead does a strong job capturing the fear and psychological toll of prolonged stalking, and the backdrop of the BTK era adds an extra layer of dread that enhances the atmosphere throughout.
While the story itself is undeniably compelling, the execution felt uneven at times. The pacing occasionally drags, and some sections felt repetitive, lingering on details without offering new insight. I also found the narrative focus somewhat scattered, which diluted the emotional impact and made it harder to fully connect with the individuals at the center of the story.
The revelations are chilling and disturbing, but they didn’t quite land with the force I expected given the buildup. Still, this will appeal to true-crime readers who enjoy psychological depth and a slow-burn approach, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of the genre’s most gripping works.
Overall, a haunting and disturbing story with a strong atmosphere, but one that could have benefited from tighter structure and sharper focus.
The Pursued is an unsettling and deeply disturbing true-crime account that immediately draws you in with its premise and sustained sense of tension. Corey Mead does a strong job capturing the fear and psychological toll of prolonged stalking, and the backdrop of the BTK era adds an extra layer of dread that enhances the atmosphere throughout.
While the story itself is undeniably compelling, the execution felt uneven at times. The pacing occasionally drags, and some sections felt repetitive, lingering on details without offering new insight. I also found the narrative focus somewhat scattered, which diluted the emotional impact and made it harder to fully connect with the individuals at the center of the story.
The revelations are chilling and disturbing, but they didn’t quite land with the force I expected given the buildup. Still, this will appeal to true-crime readers who enjoy psychological depth and a slow-burn approach, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of the genre’s most gripping works.
Overall, a haunting and disturbing story with a strong atmosphere, but one that could have benefited from tighter structure and sharper focus.
December 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC!
Sooo… I didn’t know anything about this case, which made the experience quite shocking. This was definitely one of those "let me keep a light on" stories, especially since I listened to the audiobook at night (which is usually my fave thing ever). But this one? It was really in the creepy territory. The stalker vibes? Disturbing. The cryptic poems and threats? Oof.
At one point, I thought I maybe had it figured out… but then the stabbings happened and I was like okay, nevermind. I even suspected someone else after that — but when the real reveal dropped and the full truth came out? Yeah. Chills. And not the fun kind.
It’s actually heartbreaking, to be honest. Because when everything’s laid out, it’s such a heavy example of how far the human mind can go to protect itself from trauma and pain. It’s layered and tragic and absolutely wild. I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a long time.
If you’re a fan of dark, twisty true crime with psychological depth, this one’s for you.
Rating: 4.5* — disturbing, emotional, and unforgettable.
Sooo… I didn’t know anything about this case, which made the experience quite shocking. This was definitely one of those "let me keep a light on" stories, especially since I listened to the audiobook at night (which is usually my fave thing ever). But this one? It was really in the creepy territory. The stalker vibes? Disturbing. The cryptic poems and threats? Oof.
At one point, I thought I maybe had it figured out… but then the stabbings happened and I was like okay, nevermind. I even suspected someone else after that — but when the real reveal dropped and the full truth came out? Yeah. Chills. And not the fun kind.
It’s actually heartbreaking, to be honest. Because when everything’s laid out, it’s such a heavy example of how far the human mind can go to protect itself from trauma and pain. It’s layered and tragic and absolutely wild. I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a long time.
If you’re a fan of dark, twisty true crime with psychological depth, this one’s for you.
Rating: 4.5* — disturbing, emotional, and unforgettable.
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