Run at Destruction: A True Fatal Love Triangle

by Lynda Drews

Run at Destruction explores the true-life love triangle between three teachers/runners in small-town America, and the eventual death of the wife in her own bathtub. Drews unfolds the drama brilliantly, right through to the sentencing of the husband to a life in prison and even an afterword from the mistress apologizing years later. Sent to prison, the husband and mistress still can't let go and she becomes a prison bride.Readers are left to decide for themselves if it was murder, suicide, or manslaughter by neglect. Run at Destruction is lust, murder, and obsession delivered with the beat of a runner's heart, as the theme of running is woven throughout. The book grabs at a large cross-section of readers because everyone can relate to the desire and often disaster that comes with affairs.This is true-crime court drama and author Drews exposes the characters to such a depth that readers will feel like they are reading a novel, only, this really happened.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

370 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2009

About the author

Lynda Drews, a Wisconsin native and dedicated runner, gave the commencement speech at her college Alma mater. One lesson she shared was “to journal your life.” That’s what Lynda did after she made the decision to retire from her global marketing career. Her first book: RUN AT DESTRUCTION (Lynda’s True Crime Memoir, published in 2009, about the mysterious death of her running partner) was the outcome. Ann Rule, the best-selling true crime author, endorsed RUN AT DESTRUCTION saying it was “Wonderfully written… a must for True Crime readers.” Publisher’s Weekly said: “the author and victim’s shared moments… are remarkable.” In 2013, the Investigation Discovery Channel produced a “Deadly Affairs” episode based on the book.

Lynda’s second book, CIRCLE OF INNOCENCE, is a Mystery/Suspense novel that takes place in Door County, Wisconsin. Best-selling author Brian Freeman says, “Every shocking twist [...] lands on the reader like waves on a Door County beach…” Midwest Book Review says “Circle of Innocence excels in psychological depth and detail.”

Lynda and her husband, Jim, spend nearly every weekend in Door County, Wisconsin, but they still call Green Bay “home.” It’s where they’ve lived since the mid-seventies while raising their two sons.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze]

WOW! This book was good! it is a true-crime story that has a billion twists and turns. Also, it is written in the city that I live in. I would LOVE for someone to read this book so I can discuss it with them. I am dying to have someone to talk to!

"Run at Destruction explores the true-life love triangle between three teachers/runners in small-town America, and the eventual death of the wife in her own bathtub. Drews unfolds the drama brilliantly, right through to the sentencing of the husband to a life in prison and even an afterword from the mistress apologizing years later. Sent to prison, the husband and mistress still can't let go and she becomes a prison bride.Readers are left to decide for themselves if it was murder, suicide, or manslaughter by neglect. Run at Destruction is lust, murder, and obsession delivered with the beat of a runner's heart, as the theme of running is woven throughout. The book grabs at a large cross-section of readers because everyone can relate to the desire and often disaster that comes with affairs.This is true-crime court drama and author Drews exposes the characters to such a depth that readers will feel like they are reading a novel, only, this really happened."

[Mary]

I lived in Green Bay at the time this happened and knew several of the people mentioned in the running club and the book in general.
It was well organized and developed.

[Lauren Revers]

Interesting book and well-written! I am from the east side of Green Bay so reading about this true crime unraveling in the city that’s so familiar to me was unreal. My old high school and one of my teachers was even part of the story and there were other aspects that touched close to home for me. The story was such a puzzle and was certainly not a clear cut murder case, and I thought the author presented the whole story well. The description of the trial felt too drawn out, unnecessarily detailed, and almost redundant to me in some places, which was the only thing about this book I did not like.

[Stephanie]

this woman can run but she cannot write. OK I got it, you were fast. Your husband was faster. The killer was a creep. His wife had lost weight but you liked her anyway even if she had been fat. Whatever. The ending was just strange, where she said she thought she would have liked the mistress of the killer if they had met in another way. Huh?

[Jennifer Englebert]

can't believe this happened in GB

[David Crosby]

Well, what a read that was, very powerful and emotive. This isn't a genre I have dabbled in before - True Crime - or a subject I have much interest in - running. But that is what reading is for me, new experiences, people, emotions.
I found this to be a book of two parts or styles. The first being the author's very personal recollections of life at the time and her interactions with the main characters, and the second the incredibly detailed trial descriptions. The level of detail tells of what must have been an awesome research project, you are given insight upon insight into every aspect of the trial and its participants. I truly felt involved at every stage.
We are not only led through introductions, actions, and the trial itself, but an excellent post story review - revisiting participants for opinions with hindsight - very clever.
Oh, the author totally threw me with the sentencing details tease, very clever and well written too.
Did I agree with the verdict? Reluctantly, yes, even with the knowledge that wasn't available to the jury. I have sat on a jury in the UK for a trial of a similar duration and complexity and did not envy this jury their task.
Lynda, you have done Pam proud, thank you for sharing her with us.

[Petra]

This story is a touching retelling of a difficult time in the author's life. The author finds a way to understanding and acceptance of a dear friend's death. Murder or accident?....how can one tell?
There are two stories happening here:
One that tells of the Running Community in Green Bay, complete with the good friendships forged, the togetherness of the group and their interactions with each other. It's a wonderful story of friendship through Life, within a very close group of people.
The other is a retelling of the death of one of this Group, a close friend to many of them. Since the prime suspect is also known to the group, it also tells the story of confusion of beliefs and of torn loyalties and a need to come to a closure and understanding.
At times a bit jumpy in the time-frame as there are moments from the Past interspersed in the Present telling of the story but this doesn't take away from the attempt to find a way to the truth. All in all, a compelling, touching, warm and loving story of a friendship that doesn't end with death.
This book is a wonderful tribute to a good friend and companion.

[Barbara Wilson]

Excellent true crime mystery. It takes so much time to research a true crime and then write about it. Lynda has done a fabulous job writing about a murder that not only happen, but happened to a friend. Written with facts and emotion it's sad that this had to happen and change the lives of so many people and that it doesn't have a happy ending. Recommended for those who are in the running world and like to read investigative stories.

[Tania]

I love true crime books and this one took place in Green Bay. The main characters are teachers, something else for me to connect with. I saw the author and her husband at the Literacy Councils Scrabble tournament one week prior to reading this book. Good Book! 367 pages read in a week, even though the week was crazy busy.

[Jenny]

I don't usually read true crime but had read The Maid & The Socialite due to it being a local story. This story was incredibly frustrating because it seemed to be hard to prove either way. But very well written with fantastic attn to detail and timeline.

[Ann]

Excellent book by a good friend! Knew how hard it was for her to write this and the years she put into this book. Green Bay is a special place with special people.

[Vicky]

I could barely put down this true crime account of a killer who was sure he was going to get away with murder.

[Lee]

This is my second book by this author and our Green Bay book club picked it because of where it took place (duh!). Although I moved to Green Bay 20 years after this took place, I am a runner so since the running community is central to this true crime book, that added an additional element of interest.

Drews had a very personal connection to this book and the characters; Pam Bulik, the woman who died was one of her best friends. Drews follows the investigation and the trial where it was to be decided if Pam died by suicide, accident, or murder. I thought this would be a quick read but although I like a true crime story, I did get bogged down in the drawn-out details of the investigation and trial and resisted the temptation to google the defendant before finishing the book to see what fate awaited her husband, who was accused of murdering his wife. It was difficult to feel sympathy for him whether he was guilty of murder or not simply because he was such a dick to his wife.

What I found most interesting is that Drews discovered additional information when researching this book (long after the trial) that might have presented a different side of the story.

With the exception of how detailed the description of the trial was, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading true crime, whether you are from Green Bay or not.

[Rae Wetzel]

Run at Destruction turned out to be a page-turner for me. Way to go, Lynda Drews! When this tragic story unfolded, I worked in local government in the Green Bay area and am therefore familiar with the names of the attorneys and detectives involved, as well as some of the runners. I ran my only 10K race -the Bellin Run- in the early ’80s when I dabbled in running for a brief time. Once was enough for me but it was a cool experience.

Since I didn’t remember how the Bulik trial turned out and resisted the urge to look online, I became captivated by the storytelling. I shared many of the same questions and emotions the author had, and liked how she included a follow-up with some key people.

In the end, this is a sad, devastating story. May you rest in peace Pamela Bulik.

I recently read another of Lynda Drews’ books - the Maid and the Socialite and heard her give a talk on it. I reviewed it on Goodreads and highly recommend it.

[Jenni E]

I live in the area where the story in this book takes place. It was fascinating enough just with knowing the setting of all the places that were written about. It was particularly interesting because the author was a part of the case and testified at trial and was best friends with the victim. It was incredibly sad for me to think both about the victim's children and the victim herself. My heart really went out to those kids...who are much older than I am now, but I digress. It was SO SENSELESS for the kids to have to go through everything they did. Anyway, the writing isn't the best, but I think it may have been her first book and it's excellent for a first book. The hardest part is that she jumps back and forth between timelines with no warnings or explanations or transitions or segways...so I was briefly confused a few times. I enjoyed it. I'm a true crime fan. Not a fan of actual crime, mind you...a fan of watching/reading about true crime.

[Dawn Leitheuser]

Wow!! Well written. Completely tragic. The loss of a woman who was so loved by her family and friends, just not her husband, is and was devastating to all of them. I feel justice had not been served and hopefully some day the complete truth comes to life.

[Suzy Pfeifer]

entertaining regional murder

Well researched and thoughtful. Evidence presented in a way which enabled the reader to opine about verdict. Thanks for capturing an interesting story.

[Mariah Jensen]

This true crime story was set in Green Bay, which I thought was very cool to read about. However, the organization of the book was a bit confusing to me, and the writing style wasn't my favorite. Worth a read for the proximity!

[Sandra Hupfer]

Quite good. I live in the Green Bay Area and am familiar with some names and places, so I found it quite interesting. I thought the author handled the subject matter well.

[Lisa Byron]

This book was very interesting as a fellow runner and as a fellow Wisconsinite. I wish I could run into the writer and see if there are any updates or more information since she wrote the book.

[Therese]

Per Facebook book club

[Gary Taylor]

Imagine yourself as a suburban yuppie, enjoying the high drama of PTA debates over the best date for next year’s spring carnival or the nail-biting election of a new secretary at the little league. Votes tallied, you all gather for a barbecue on someone’s brick patio, share some stories about the challenges of the local park landscaping project and then drift away to make plans for church on Sunday. Now imagine you’ve heard some whispers about infidelity among your ranks. Juicy for gossip, eh? Suddenly, the cheater’s wife dies under mysterious circumstances and the cheater is questioned by police. Now comes the reality of serious crime invading your perfect life.

If you can imagine all that, you’ll be right at home in suburbia with Run at Destruction, the true crime memoir and maiden literary effort from retired Wisconsin marketing executive Lynda Drews. Hard-core veterans of the true crime genre will likely find the book a bit naïve and tedious, with Drews recounting the 1984 Green Bay murder case of best friend Pam Bulik like an ingénue attending her first debutante ball. She agonizes in suspense, for example, while waiting for the trial judge to consider the defense attorney’s standard motion to dismiss—an exercise made for the record in every trial after the prosecution rests and routinely rejected by the judge in all but the most unusual of cases. She likely delivers the book’s own epitaph for some of the true-crime faithful when she compares its events with a story arc from the 1980s prime time soap opera, Knot’s Landing.

But I enjoyed Knot’s Landing, myself, and considered it a guilty pleasure. I also understand the differences between hard-core true-crime investigative reporting and a woman’s memoir of something that certainly had to rank as a life-changing event. In Run at Destruction, those genres blend to produce a memoir that is more dramatic than most and a true-crime narrative more personal than the norm. Once potential readers know those parameters, only one question remains: Is the crime and its resolution interesting enough to suffer through the soap? The verdict in my court is: Yes. For memoir enthusiasts, the author's wild-eyed wonderment over discovery and exploration of the judicial process may actually add some charm.

About sixty percent of Run at Destruction involves coverage of the 1984 trial of Pam Bulik's husband, Bob Bulik, where the mystery centers on the question of whether Pam's death was murder, accident or suicide. Bob had discovered her body drowned in a bathtub the morning after he had unexpectedly returned home early from what had been planned as a Marine Corps reserve training weekend. But police found evidence that Pam had spent part of the night in the couple's van and had suffered some degree of carbon monoxide poisoning as well. Once they added evidence of Bob's lingering extra-marital affair with a family acquaintance, prosecutors had a case that became a mixture of scientific conjecture, psychological profiling and, as Drews admits, a Knot's Landing-style scandal.

The major characters were all teachers who participated in competitive running events. They enjoyed Neil Diamond, drank Old Fashioneds and considered peeks at Playgirl magazine a real walk on the wild side. Through the death of a close friend and the trial of her husband, however, they discovered another world that had been hidden beneath that façade.

As a work of literature, Run at Destruction offers an intriguing question on its own about the validity of the so-called true crime memoir emerging more and more as a nonfiction sub-genre. True crime memoirists enjoy the power of first-person reporting that shares ringside observations of a crime and creates an instant bond with the reader. But true crime memoirists also carry the burden of providing the reader with an objective account of all facts. Drews appears to be a true crime memoirist who has accepted the responsibility of providing a first-person perspective without the unsavory first-person bitterness that can strain the credibility of an otherwise interesting tale.

[Lynda Drews]

Ann Rule, New York Times Best-Selling True Crime Author of The Stranger Beside Me, Small Sacrifices, and Mortal Danger wrote:
"Run at Destruction is a tragic--yet fascinating--true story of an unfathomable death in the Heartland of America. It happened in a wholesome community of runners and educators, perhaps the last group you would expect to be involved, however tangentially, in secret affairs, deception, and infidelity. Except for the bond between mothers and their children, there may be nothing stronger than women friends who are there to pick up the pieces when the world explodes, and to listen with true concern. Author Lynda Drews writes of her lost friend, and of her own efforts to find justice for Pam Bulik. Readers will find themselves walking along with Drews as she describes an enviable friendship, her grief when it ended suddenly, and the layers she peeled away to find the truth. Wonderfully written. A must for true-crime readers."

"Run at Destruction is a riveting and compelling read! Drews takes us on a jog back to the 1980's running boom, layering intriguing portrayals of a running community's friendship within a baffling murder mystery. This is the 2009 runner's read."
- Sean Hartnett, correspondent for Track & Field News

"Run at Destruction captures the family-like culture of a running group, showing how its members support one another especially in times of crisis."
- Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon

"Reader groups everywhere will find Run At Destruction intriguing and thought-provoking. The characters struck a familiar chord inspiring endless discussion." - Lora Stemke, Titletown Teachers Reader's Group

"Run At Destruction is written with the beat of a runner's heart: steady intensity racing toward an inevitable finish. Drews is the John Grisham of the running world, pulling readers into a unique subculture where the drama unfolds." - Sean Ryan, Race Director, Cellcom Green Bay Marathon

[Sarah]

True crime isn't really a genre I normally delve into, but I was interested in the running scene in Green Bay in the early '80s. The story got a little bogged down with excessive details early on, but picked up when it got to the trial, when the details became so very important. I also had some trouble following some of the memory/flashback scenes in the first half, which normally isn't a problem for me.

The story itself, though, was fascinating. I still can't decide what I think really happened!

[Cindy]

Real life murder mystery that takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Written by the victims best friend. If you are a runner, you may enjoy this.

However, it is written by the friend of the victim....not a professional author, so there are times where the story is hard to follow. She repeats herself a bit. But, as a whole it was a fascinating story with roots back here in Rapids! The victim was a grad of LHS!

[Kaye]

This book is a true crime book about a murder case my dad worked on in the 80's when he was the Assistant DA in Green Bay! He's mentioned a lot throughout the book because the author interviewed him during her writing process. There's another book about one of his trials when he was a defense attorney in the works!

[Rita]

I was disappointed with this TC book because the way this author told the story was confusing. Detail about trial witnesses was available but nothing much on the victim herself, her family or even friends. She did a follow-up on everyone involved to the present day but it just didn't hold my interest. 2 stars.

[Andrea]

This book was an interesting read especially since I knew the main character. Actually I knew the son in the book - we went to school together.

It was an interesting read and I got to read about my home town.

[Dermot Davis]

The subtitle says that this is a fatal love triangle but that is really not what this story is about. The fact that such a crime could be committed in a small town among a tight knit community of teachers and long distance runners is what makes the story meaningful and full of building intrigue.

[Pamela Gottfried]

I would give it 2.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars. Honestly, it was heartfelt account of personal story, but as a true crime book (which I generally love) it didn't really grab me. I read it to fulfill the category of "book with a love triangle" for the 2015 Reading Challenge.