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Philip Carlo
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The Night Stalker: The True Story of America's Most Feared Serial Killer Hardcover – May 1, 1996

by Philip Carlo (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,621 ratings
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Painstakingly researched over 3 years, based on nearly 100 hours of exclusive personal interviews with Ramirez on California's Death Row, The Night Stalker is the definitive account of America's most feared serial murderer, Richard Ramirez. You'll follow Ramirez on his odyssey into depravity and mind-numbing violence, from his earliest brushes with the law in El Paso, Texas to his deadliest stalking expeditions. You'll watch an unprecedented police manhunt gather force, driven by one implacable goal: to capture and bring to justice the monstrous Night Stalker. You'll triumph with the brave group of East Los Angeles civilians who, in a moment of unparalleled courage, finally brought his career of mayhem and murder to an end. And you'll be witness to one of the most sensational trials in California history, which resulted in no less than nineteen death sentences for Ramirez.
A killer whose seductive, darkly brooding looks still draws women like moths to flame - from avowed Satanists who worship his perverted credo, to a legion of true crime groupies - including a juror who actually fell in love with the "Death Row Romeo" after helping to convict him - Richard Ramirez continues to fascinate and terrify to this day.
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  1. Print length
    421 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kensington
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 1996
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.5 x 9.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    157566030X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1575660301
  8. See all details
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Previous page

  1. What's it about?

    A chilling true crime account of Richard Ramirez, the notorious serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles in the 1980s, revealing his horrifying crimes and the cult following he inspired.

  2. Popular highlight

    To be a good killer you have to plan things out carefully. You’ve got to be prepared in every way when the moment comes to strike; you cannot hesitate.
    173 Kindle readers highlighted this

  3. Popular highlight

    He was certain that Satan, archenemy of Christ, of all things good, was traveling with him, and that Satan would protect him so long as he stayed evil in his heart and showed no mercy.
    166 Kindle readers highlighted this

  4. Popular highlight

    For a true killer, a good murder is like a good meal: you want to make it last and get the most out of it.
    142 Kindle readers highlighted this
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Richard Ramirez, a Mexican American from El Paso, committed perhaps 14 murders in the Los Angeles area during 1984 and 1985 and wounded several people. While robbery was one of his motives, his main objective, according to Carlo (Stolen Flowers), was to achieve power over the women in the houses he entered, to rape, torture and humiliate them. He saw himself as committing his crimes in the service of Satan and expressed contempt for conventional morality. Stubborn and with a vicious temper, he insisted on being represented by two young lawyers who had never been involved in a capital case. Found guilty in 1989, Ramirez was given 19 death sentences plus six years for each of 33 other charges. Carlo speculates on the psyche of this chilling killer and introduces an intriguing supporting cast, from the prosecutor, who saw the case as good versus evil, to the alternate juror who "fell in love with" the defendant. An exceptionally well-told true-crime tale. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Every decade someone makes headlines for the infamous crime he committed in California. In the 1980s, it was the Night Stalker, who terrorized Los Angeles and San Francisco from 1984 to 1985. This is the story of Richard Ramirez's random killings and his belief in Satan. Carlo, who is an expert on Satanic cults and child sexual abuse, interviewed Ramirez while researching this book. In the first three sections, he discusses Ramirez's life, crimes, and capture. The last part, which takes up half of the book, describes the long-drawn-out trial. Because Ramirez's crimes were grisly and sadistic, this book is certainly not for the squeamish. Ramirez is currently on death row at San Quentin and despite his hideous crimes still draws women, from avowed Satanists and a legion of crime groupies to a juror who fell in love with the killer she had helped convict. Despite the author's overemphasis on the trial, this book will provide true crime readers a chilling inside perspective of a serial killer.?Michael Sawyer, Clinton P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington; First Edition, First Printing (May 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 421 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 157566030X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1575660301
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,621 ratings

About the author

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Philip Carlo

Philip Carlo

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Philip Carlo was the author of The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer, his New York Times bestselling book about Richard “Ice Man” Kuklinski, murderer of 200 people and a favorite among all seven of the East Coast crime families. He was also the author of Gaspipe, The Butcher, and The Night Stalker, which chronicles the brutal career of serial killer Richard Ramirez. Carlo grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, amidst the world’s highest concentration of Mafia members. When he was 16, Carlo was shot in the head in a gang war, and while recuperating, he read voraciously, discovering the magic of books for the first time. His intimate knowledge of Mafia culture—their walk and their talk—helped Carlo become a successful crime writer. He died in 2010 from ALS.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
2,621 global ratings

Customers say

Customers say the book is thoroughly researched and gives a glimpse into the psyche of the criminal. They also find the writing quality fairly well written and mesmerizing. Readers describe the plot as scary and terrifying, pulling no punches with the crimes. However, some find the storyline confusing, tedious, and redundant.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ResearchWriting qualityPlotVisual designStorylineContent
42 customers mention "Research"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly researched, with details upon details. They also say it's an exceptionally well-told true crime book, very true to what actually happened, and a thorough examination of the Ramirez murders.

"...Very interesting all the way through, extremely informative, and well written...." Read more

"...This is an exceptionally well-told true crime book which I could not put down...." Read more

"...The breakdown of the trial was wonderful written...Very informative!!..." Read more

"...the book very readable and interesting because it was told from different points of view and then tied together with great skill...." Read more

34 customers mention "Writing quality"27 positive7 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book fairly well written for a true crime book. They also say the book is interesting and captivating, with multiple points of view.

"...Carlo's writing in this book is both factual but also reads like an actual fiction book...." Read more

"...It's a well written, well edited book without common mistakes that hinders book reading...." Read more

"...He is, indeed, attractive and mesmerizing, quite like a snake, I imagine, that you want to be able to master before he masters you...." Read more

"...books (Helter Skelter, The Dreams of Ada among them) the writing did not flow smoothly and trial itself made for boring reading...." Read more

21 customers mention "Plot"17 positive4 negative

Customers find the plot of the book very scary, well-written, and epic. They also say it's eye-opening to the dangers everywhere.

"...It is a terrifying book and pulls no punches with the crimes and their aftermaths, so for true crime buffs this is definite a book to read and add..." Read more

"...It is a terrifying book and pulls no punches with the crimes and their aftermaths...." Read more

"...Very entertaining book, very scary to read and had my hands sweaty at times...." Read more

"Detailed on every thing. it is a good read and a spooky one too." Read more

5 customers mention "Visual design"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the visual design of the book chilling and disturbing. They also appreciate the pictures at the end.

"...He is, indeed, attractive and mesmerizing, quite like a snake, I imagine, that you want to be able to master before he masters you...." Read more

"...She loves the detail and how real it is." Read more

"I loved it. I really liked the pictures at the end also. It helped me put faces to the names in the book." Read more

"Well written with lots of detail, some photo's, not disturbing or graphic. Reading this is like having someone tell you the story." Read more

17 customers mention "Storyline"4 positive13 negative

Customers find the storyline repetitive, confusing, and annoying throughout the book. They also say the details on the trial are too much.

"...There was nothing fun about any of it...." Read more

"...The only issue I have with it is, the author left out a lot of details about Richard's crimes. Some he didn't mention at all." Read more

"...The court scenes are overly detailed and well could have been summarized in a third of the space." Read more

"...Because he does such a thorough job and the story is so bizarre, Carlo sets a ridiculously high standard...." Read more

5 customers mention "Content"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the content tedious, intense, and hard to put down. They also say the book is well researched, but some parts are hard to get by.

"...Very well researched. Hard to get by some parts but "it is what it is", true crime." Read more

"...once the book settles into the long, drawn out trial, it begins to feel like a chore...." Read more

"...The entire trial portion of the book tends to be quite tedious and redundant." Read more

"A somewhat tedious and disturbing book..." Read more

4.5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
4.5 stars
This is one of the few books I've read where I felt severely agitated every time I had to put it down to do tasks. I'd race through whatever needed to be done just so I could sit back down and read this book some more and it took me a considerably short amount of time to read this book because I was so captivated with it.Philip Carlo most certainly did his research on Richard Ramirez from birth - including his family, the ones affected by his evil deeds and the ones who were also involved in the case. I was pleasantly surprised by just how thorough this book was. I'd rate the book 4 and a half stars if I could, simply because of overlooked grammatic errors.I find it shameful that Richard Ramirez wasted his good looks by taking a life of crime and hurting many people. He could've made an otherwise normal, SANE person very happy.
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Top reviews from the United States

Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars Nonfiction that reads like a bestselling fiction
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
I got this book after watching the Netflix documentary and being completely astounded by this killer's brutality and wanting to know more about his spree and the background behind the killer and how he turned out to be this way. I was so happy to discover that Carlo's writing in this book is both factual but also reads like an actual fiction book. Very interesting all the way through, extremely informative, and well written. I will say that the trial portion of this book became a little TOO detailed and factual, but I understand the purpose behind it, as he's actually recounting the trial itself. I think this part is the only part that reminds you you're reading a nonfictional book. Towards the end, we get to read the transcript of his interview with Carlo, and you can almost sense Ramirez's introvertedness by the way talks. Its exactly what you expect, especially if you've ever heard him in interviews. It was fascinating that Carlo was able to describe this part of him in a way that makes you really get a glimpse of what its like to SPEAK to the night stalker. Overall, this book is an excellent read for those wanting to supplement the Netflix documentary. You really get all the details of his childhood, upbringing, and adult life, which actually gives such great insight into how he became this crazed killer. The only bad part of this book was that towards the very end, when Carlo describes his own relationship with Ramirez, I got an inkling of a creepy vibe from Carlo hisself. He seems to allude to happily riding the coattails of Richard Ramirez, gaining benefits from his affiliation to this infamous serial killer, and not even including the financial benefits he receives from telling this story. He admits to readers that he received nudes from Richard's groupies, and Richard even shared some of his collection with Carlo for "safe keeping." You get a sliver of this vibe that Carlo is also a bit pervy himself, making physical judgments on some of the groupie girls, when you know he probably would not get this type of female attention if he was not affiliated to Richard as he is. That last part definitely took a bit of credibility away from Carlo, but I believe this part of the book was a special update/edition that was added later, so the actual book and story itself shouldn't be tainted by Carlo's own character flaws. Overall, highly recommend!
10 people found this helpful
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katrig
5.0 out of 5 stars Richard Ramirez. The epitome of Evil
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2020
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This is a well-researched true account of the "Nightstalker" killings. The book captures the rapes and tortures Richard Ramirez whose visit’s upon Southern California in the mid-80s left a fear and reign of terror wherever he went. It is a terrifying book and pulls no punches with the crimes and their aftermaths, so for true crime buffs this is definite a book to read and add to your library.
The story in this book goes through the mass destruction left behind as the trail of the victims tortured, raped, and murdered by Richard as he enters house after house getting bolder and sicker as his arrogance grows and he thinks he is Satan himself. Next the killer himself and his family and how his early childhood shaped who he became. Followed by the detectives who sought Richard Ramirez for months and the build up to the trial, the sick delusional groupies Richards fame attracts during the trial, and finally a verdict.
This is an exceptionally well-told true crime book which I could not put down. The author releases interview’s with Richard Ramirez and some of his groupie’s personal reasons for wishing to see Richard and finishes the book with photographs.
The book will haunt you for ages as to how sick and depraved Richard real was and have you check your windows and doors before you go to sleep.
9 people found this helpful
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Ayoeridani
4.0 out of 5 stars People are crazy!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
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The reason why I'm giving this book four stars is the writer's style. It's a well written, well edited book without common mistakes that hinders book reading.

The crimes committed by Richard were disgusting and deserves no spotlight, no fanfare, and certainly no ratings.
I'm not draw to true crime stories for the most part. I find them frightening and cause me stress and nightmares. I read this book because a friend suggested it. The friend has just watched the Night-Stalker docu-series on Netflix. Knowing that I hate watching, the suggestion was that I should read the book. It's a shocking & sobering reality to realize that among human kind also exists a few deviants (for a lack of a better term) who choose to hurt others for the neck of it.

Yet, for me, what was most traumatizing & bewildering at the same time were the Stalkers Groupies aka the Ramirez Groupies. I have never heard of women who would want to be so near a scum for good looks!!!
The guy had horribly damaged teeth that were enough to spook a rational mind away for good and they belied his "so-called good looks".
Why on earth were women so drawn to him? The author tried, but I think unsuccessfully, to explain why these women felt attracted to someone who might have done horrible things to them, given the chance.
I don't get the women! I don't get their thought process. I don't get their rationalization and certainly their failure to notice that once Ramirez was arrested the murders stopped.
I would think they would be attracted to the people that protected them from the monster, not the monster itself!
It's a weird world we live in.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ismail Abdulbaki
5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed book
Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2023
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This book is an interesting book, extremely detailed I could not put it down , I highly recommend this book I even learned some things about the U.S government that I had no clue about!
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Gomes
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of important and pertinent details that don't usually talk about on TV.
Reviewed in Brazil on December 28, 2021
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I loved the book. It arrived in perfect condition and the writing is very well done, it's as if we were inside some scene described in the book. Very good, it's like I'm there. I really felt like I was there, in the same place as Richard Ramirez. There are a lot of important stuff that people usually leave out in documentaries, necessary stuff. Not just the police rush to catch a serial killer. It really talks the whole thing, from another perspective. You guys won't regret it. Philip Carlo is awesome.
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Gomes
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of important and pertinent details that don't usually talk about on TV.
Reviewed in Brazil on December 28, 2021
I loved the book. It arrived in perfect condition and the writing is very well done, it's as if we were inside some scene described in the book. Very good, it's like I'm there. I really felt like I was there, in the same place as Richard Ramirez. There are a lot of important stuff that people usually leave out in documentaries, necessary stuff. Not just the police rush to catch a serial killer. It really talks the whole thing, from another perspective. You guys won't regret it. Philip Carlo is awesome.
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3 people found this helpful
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Manuela M
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo libro
Reviewed in Italy on July 10, 2023
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Ottimo libro, interessantissimo, l'autore non giudica, sembra obbiettivo e riesce a descrivere i punti di vista dei protagonisti, senza giudicare il colpevole, ma neppure giustificarne le violenze, consigliatissimo anche per la capacita' di coinvolgere il lettore nella vita tormentata di Ramirez, nel periodo storico degli USA anni 70 - 85
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Rosalía
5.0 out of 5 stars Inquietante y bien escrito
Reviewed in Spain on April 19, 2023
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No soy lectora habitual y este libro me está encantando. Dividido en varias partes (asesinatos, pasado/infancia, persecución y encarcelamiento, etc)
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K Sakunthala
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in India on May 13, 2023
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Worth the money. The book came in such a good quality
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