The Night Stalker

This book takes you through, in great detail, every crime Richard Ramirez committed, the investigation,search, and capture of the Nightstalker. His rampage that left more than a dozen people dead and HURT. From there, it details his trial and his experiences in prison/death row. Mr. Carlo leaves no stone unturned in this book. This book is REAL hard to put down. If you are looking for information on this case, get this one FIRST!!

With the exception of the Night Stalker himself, Philip Carlo is the foremost expert on Richard Ramirez and the Night Stalker case. Every television documentary I have seen on Ramirez's murderous rampage in southern California in 1985 includes interviews with Carlo and information coming directly from this book. Carlo provides one of the most thorough true crime works I have read. He has accumulated information from hundreds of interviews with the key people in Ramirez's life and the Night Stalker case, including hours with the Night Stalker, himself. Every thing is covered here: the gory details of the numerous rapes and murders, the exciting capture of Ramirez by an angry mob, the long and often infuriating trial, and Ramirez's Death Row wedding with an entertainment magazine editor. What I found to be the most interesting part of the book was the section on the Ramirez family, particularly young Richard's relationship with his cousin Mike. Mike was a decorated Green Beret who returned to the U.S. a mental and emotional volcano. He taught young Richard guerrilla combat techniques which ironically came in handy when Richard set out for a "career" in burglary that later escalated to much worse crimes. Mike also showed Richard photographs of Vietnamese women sexually tortured and killed. A crime Richard witnessed Mike committing while a visitor in his cousin's home was a turning point in Ramirez's life. The bizarre groupies who attended Ramirez's sometimes farcical trial is very eye-opening. I was shocked at the lengths to which some of these women went to visit Ramirez even after he was convicted for some of the most heinous crimes imaginable. That one of these groupies was a juror is even more remarkable (even Madonna wanted to meet him). This book is the best source on one of the most infamous serial killer cases of the century and, by true crime standards, well written. An index would have been a welcomed addition, but the book is divided in the following "books": "The Hunted and the Hunters," "Richie," "Capture," "The Trial," and "Epilogue."

When I first read this book, I thought it would just be another true crime book. But soon after starting this book, I realized I was in for a ride! It was tough to lay in my bedroom at night time and read this book. Every little noise, crack and creak in my house had me listening very closely and holding my breathe.For sure, this book is the reason I always double check my locks and windows at night time. The way he was able to break into homes at night time and be completely undetected was amazing. You would think you or your dog would hear when a window is being opened. Unfortunately, this book shows you how you are not safe in your home at night time. Gives me chills thinking about it and it has been a few years since I read it. I most likely will never read this book again due to the nightmares I experienced from it the first time around.So if your thinking of reading this book, turn the lights on while someone else is home with you or just read it during the day.

Phillip Carlo did lots of research and was very patient in producing this thorough and complete book examining the Night Stalker. Modus Operandi, descriptions of the LA area, and the fear caused by this sick person were detailed. The honestly gruesome details of what Ramirez did to his victims were covered. If there is evil on this Earth Ramirez fits the bill. This is a very good book.

A friend of mine was recently at the book store and decided to pick up a few "real crime" books. One was on Ted Bundy, another on Charles Manson, and a third that happened to be a book on Richard Ramirez. He decided to read the Ted Bundy piece first, and offered "The Night Stalker..." to me.I never knew much about the crimes, other than my vague memories of laying awake at night as a child in my grandmother's Orange County home and praying the Night Stalker wouldn't choose my house to come to on any given night, and as such I decided to give the book a read through. From the first page I wasn't met with an ounce of disappointment.The compelling descriptions on the psyche of Richard Ramirez, as well as the in-depth descriptions of the murder scenes and the acts themselves seemed highly detailed and a quick read. In fact, I'm half asleep at my desk right now due to my inability to put the book down last night.Philip Carlo has written a compelling and interesting book on a subject that was all too close to me for my own comfort. I can only imagine the thoughts that went through his mind while going to the crime scenes and being face to face with the man deemed responsible for those atrocities. He has managed to capture it all within the pages of this book.If you're into this genre, it hasn't been done better. A must buy!