Customer Reviews

Angel of Darkness: The True Story of Randy Kraft and the Most HeinousMurder Spree

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had not intended to write a review of this book. But after I read some of the unjustly negative criticisms of McDougal's book on this page, I had to respond.

Angel of Darkness tells the story Randy Kraft, one of the most brutal serial killers in American history that, surprisingly, few people have heard about. I hadn't either until I read this book, and I'm surprised that Kraft still remains so anonymous.

This man was a true Jekyll and Hyde. By day, Kraft was a respected computer consultant who impressed his colleagues with both his brilliance and his humanitarian compassion. But at night, he would pickup young male hitchhikers and then drug, rape, photograph, and eventually hog-tie and torture them to death with shockingly sadistic cruelty.

This story was particularly disturbing because Kraft hid his secret life and perversions so well. Furthermore, his violent murder sprees just didn't make sense in light of his privileged background, business, and social status.

Two critics on this page complain that the story jumps around too much and is too difficult to follow. Nonsense! Although McDougal's book doesn't follow a strictly sequential story line, the narrative itself flows smoothly and effortlessly.

Another critic complains that this book introduces too many ambiguities, such as whether many of Kraft's victims could've been attributed to other "freeway killers" roaming Southern California (which the author discusses at length), or whether the evidence against Kraft points to other possible accomplices as well.

Well, Duh! This is a real-life account of real life murderer! Of course the facts remain shrouded in mystery because Randy Kraft didn't confess to any crimes, and still maintains his innocence on California's death row today. He even has a personal web site that solicits contributions for his legal defense. Unresolved controversies will surround anyone suspected of slaughtering 67 people over two decades!

If you're a True Crime fan, Dennis McDougal's book is an obvious must-read. Better yet, if your kids are tempted to take up hitchhiking, MAKE them read it. Afterward, they'll never attempt such a foolish risk.

Dennis McDougal delivers a true-crime page turner that I simply couldn't put down. Ignore the more negative reviews, the book is well written and superbly researched, painting a truly nightmarish picture of true evil. Randy Kraft is one of the worst serial killers in American history gaining his morbid title by sheer numbers alone with a body count of at least 65! It's a chilling read of continous torture, rape and murder that spans an entire decade. The most disturbing part of the book is what isn't written...why haven't we heard of Kraft before now?

Everyone has heard of Gacey, Dahmer, Son of Sam, etc. but until this book I'd never heard of Kraft...the murder and torture of young women is considered by society as more fiendish because overall women are more easily accepted as helpless victims, while young men especially strong, masculine Marines can take care of themselves. Obviously Kraft proves that anyone can fall victim when evil stalks our streets.

This book is so scary because it is real. The author doesn't have to pump it up to make it seem like more than it is. It is told in a factual and to the point style and that alone is scary enough. I sometimes think the true crime books are worse on the nerves than the fictional books in that you can always tell yourself it was made up and no one would really do that. In this case it isn't so and it makes you glad that you haven't run into the likes of this nut case. As you read each turn of events you find yourself thinking that could of been me. For a few days afterward you find yourself looking at people, evaluating them until you finally start to lose that edge and to trust again. But in the back of your mind you will never be the same again because the awfulness of one human being to another has been explained to you in all too much graphic detail.

\The first and best true life crime book I ever read. Although other serial killers have trawled the depths of depravity, Randy Kraft has to be the ultimate sadistic murderer because he was obviously the most intelligent, therefore able to plan his crimes to his best advantage.

The author, Dennis McDougal, has written a story both fascinating and horrifying, more awful than any fictional tale. During the course of reading this masterpiece of factual reportage I found myself amazed at the strength of character it must have taken to research the activities of such a deviant personality and to have remained, I dearly trust, untouched.

Having read this horrifically entertaining book I have gone on to read about many more real life murderers, but none have had the same impact as this masterpiece.

No one could have invented Randy Kraft, as fiction it would be too unbelievable. It boggles the mind that he literally got away with murder for 13 years. The author does a fine job laying out the facts of the case giving us a balance between the victims, their families, Kraft, his family and friends, the police and other serial killers who were operating in southern California at the same time. The plotting was well done and flowed smoothly making it a quick read. The only thing missing for me, was some analysis of what made Randy Kraft do such horrific things to people. But life isn't always tied up into neat resolutions. For anyone interested in serial killers or true crime, this book is a must!

I was one of the sources the author consulted in researching this book. I am not a crime afficiando, and I found the final output very accurate and non-sensational, yet disturbing because of the force of the narrative. McDougal did an excellent job of researching and presenting the sequence of events. I found the book riveting and moving. Excellent reading.

It's shown that Rany Kraft was evil and relentless , a real serial killer. A page turner, yet at times the author throws in a confusing extra about the possibility that Kraft may not have done all the murders and may not have been alone. For true fans of the macabre, this one is for their library.

Extremely well written, keeps your interest throughout, nobody seems to realize that Randy Kraft is probably the most prolific serial killer this country has ever seen. I think that is because of his victim profile, which is a real shame. Dennis McDougal did an excellent job on this book.

Randy Kraft does not receive the same notoriety as some serial killers, but this is not due to a insignificant criminal career. Kraft is believed to have killer as many as 67 people, putting him in a league with only the Green River Killer. Dennis McDougal does a commendable job of capturing the madness of Kraft's 67 murder in "Angel of Darkness".

Randy Kraft's killing spree spanned more than a decade. While evidence could only convict him of sixteen murders, the log of his murderous activities leaves many unanswered questions. The author recounts the stories of as many victims as evidence allows. Some victims remain "John Doe's", while other stories have yet to be ascertained. While this sets limits on the evidence, it does not take away from the story. Kraft, a confessed homosexual, began a spree killing gay men in the 1970's. Before his streak would end, teenage boys only guilty of hitch-hiking would compose a significant number of victims. The seemingly normal behavior Kraft displayed on most days makes his rampage more frightening. Not even his long term boyfriend suspected his crimes. While most people know better than to hitch-hike, the story brings the realization of the vulnerability of our loved ones to darker forces.

Dennis McDougal proves to be an accomplished storyteller in the book. He lends the story and its victims proper respect while maintaining a interesting story. I commend McDougal for telling the story without constant repetition of tedious facts or writing on irrelevant sidebars. This is one of the best true crime books available. It is a shame that it is out of print.

I read this book because a friend of mine actually lived in Randy Kraft's old house (824 Roswell ) for a few summers after Jeff Seelig moved out. The new buyers kept a copy of the book in one of the rooms as a lark. My friend didn't know that this was the house of murder until the last summer she lived there when the fact was brought up during a party.

The book reads like a novel. It is so gruesome it's hard to believe it's true. Lots of background on the victims, which is nice because it humanizes them. You really feel for the poor guys.

One thing that is missing is where exactly did RK do his killing. My friend suggests he killed a number of them in the house and dragged the bodies out through the back, past the hot tub, and out to the car. Perhaps some of the murders occured in the car itself.

BTW, the candy shop that is mentioned in the book, Grandma Sugar Plums in Belmont Shore, closed this year after many years of business. Funny how many times I went there not knowing that this innocent looking shop played an indirect role in the life a depraved serial killer. Gives me the chills.