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3 comments about The Hillside Stranglers.

1. When I moved from northern california to southern california, I thought I was escaping from the current "missing young women" events dominating the headlines at the time. Theodore Bundy was making his mark in the northwest and the terror easily spread down to Humboldt County. I recall being warned by a local detective to be vigilant as the women targeted appeared similar to myself. So, it was with a sense of security that I departed the north for the south.

   However, there was no escaping the similar circumstances in southern california. The so called "Hillside Strangler" was gripping the area with fear as more and more young women were found discarded like a bag of rubbish on the roadsides. When the case finally broke, the next surprise was it was handsome, smooth talking Kenneth Bianchi AND his cousin, Angelo Buono. The similarity between Kenneth and Theodore Bundy struck me at the time, but the more disturbing aspect of the case was the how these two cousins systematically developed a routine for abusing and ultimately murduring their helpless victims.

   The book written by Darcy O'Brien expertly delves into these tragic murders. Profiling two of the most heinous killers in recent times, the author could never provide an answer as to why these things happen to innocent people nor provide a sense of comfort to the family survivors. Ms. O'Brien expounds quite efficiently with clues, insights and background into the personalities of the killer cousins and the details surrounding the crimes.




2. It should be noted that if you're looking for a factual account of the murderers, this is not the book to read. It consists of fanciful dialogue that has no basis in testimony or anything else. As a *novel* it's alright, but it is NOT a factual description of how the murders occurred.



3. I totally agree with ellitahlie. None of the facts in the book are correct. Its like he made everything up just to write a book. Don't bother with it. buy Two of a Kind by Darcy O'Brien

2 comments about The Hillside Strangler.

1. This guy HAS done his homework, has NOT been "duped" and was in fact on an E! special all about the Hillside Strangler. This is an excellent book about Ken Bianchi, and regarding the so called "faking" Schwarz explained that Bianchi could indeed have been a multiple when first arrested, but throughout all the interviews, multiple psychological testing, it was likely that these multiple personalities became self-aware.



2. I remember ordering and reading the book after I saw the television movie about the Hillside Stranglers, Ken and Angelo, Bianchi and Buono. The author mentions about the killer's trying to use a multiple personality defense which was totally insulting to those who have multiple personalities from similar trauma as the girls they abducted, lured, terrorized, tortured, and finally murdering them and leaving their bodies on the Hillside. The ten victims in the Los Angeles case and two victims in Bellingham should not be forgotten. Bianchi and Buono, both cousins, had a sick, twisted agenda. I don't remember reading about their childhoods or any abuse in their lives. The case was a travesty because of Ken's decision to fake or feign illness. They should have been on death row but because Ken got life so did Angelo who died in prison anyway.

5 comments about Two of a Kind: The Hillside Strangler.

1. I don't know who is stranger? This author or Angelo Buono. The biggest hero in this book is a alcoholic philandering cop who, when he gets liquored up he shoots off his gun. I am inclined to believe Angelo Buono was innocent after reading this geeks view of the world.



2. I reread this book every couple of years. This is an must read for any true crime junkie. It was so well written and showed all sides of the story. It made me realize random acts of violence against women was the "high" for these two idoits. They killed women they knew as well as someone they just spotted on the street. They were cold blooded murderers ...and ended up where they needed to be... a premanet resident of the state prison. As a female it made me more aware of my surroundings and I never get out of my car without looking around first for weirdo's lurking. :)



3. "Two of a Kind: The Hillside Stranglers" is a book I have been anticipating reading for quite some time. The fact that is out of print made it somewhat difficult to acquire a copy. As a whole, it was worth the wait. The book is well scripted and informative on the subject of two of America's most noted killers and perhaps most famous killing duo.
   
   Angelo Buono had his way with women, but his anger toward his mother and failed relationships caused something to crack inside him. While he was violent and neglectful of women, it was not until he formed an unholy alliance with his cousin Kenneth Bianchi that he began to kill women. The duo killed ten women who were mostly prostitutes through the means suggested in the book's title. However, the murder of two school girls certainly raised my ire toward them. Although the duo was under suspicion, it was not until the pair "broke up" that the heat rose. Bianchi killed two women on his own to satiate his lust, but was not nearly as efficient without his cousin.
   
   The one aspect of the book I disliked was that there seemed to be more focus on the detectives than the criminals. This was a small flaw in the grand scale. The book was well written and tough to put down. Even knowing the results of the trial, the writing managed to keep me on the edge of my seat wondering what might happen next. I even doubted the possibility of conviction for a moment. Although it is often verbose and quite lengthy at times, I would recommend this work of true crime.



4. I was arrested on March 30, 1978 as the Hillside Strangler. The Media with their TV camera's were present when the LAPD arrested me when I come home from work and took me downtown. My picture was on the local and national news and in Newsweek magazine.
   I spent four days in jail, where my life was threatened. Chief Gates released me for lack of evidence and issued me a public apology. The LAPD advised me to leave LA and California because "vigilantees" were looking to harm me.
   I flew back to Boston under an assumed name and filed a slander and defamation of character lawsuit. Ten years later I was awarded a 5 figure amount by ABC Television which sent it's Boston reporter to LA to follow me and film my arrest.
   I have written an account of my ordeal of Media and Police abuse entitled, "Disposal People".I will send a copy to anyone who wants one.I believe I know who murdered two "copycat" Hillside Stranglings and I give their names and details in my story.
   I have been trying to get a "No-Name Law" passed that would prevent the Police from giving suspects' names to the Media until they are charged with a crime. There should be no disposable people by murders or by the Police and Media. Peter Jones



5. although im sure the author did his utmost to be accurate... there are certain things about this case that we will never know for sure... all in all its a very good read... while it gets boring towards the end(painting the trial of buono with bianchi the key evidence)i enjoyed every page... and i would suggest this book to anyone who wants to get to know kenneth bianchi and angelo buono a little better ;)

3 comments about The Hillside Strangler: The Three Faces of America's Most Savage Rapist and Murderer and the Shocking Revelations from the Sensational Los Angeles Trial!.

1. I am a big serial killer buff and have a fairly large collection of books and videos about mass murderers. This is easily one of the best I've ever read:it places you inside Bianchi's warped mind and discusses possibilities for why Bianchi killed. Ranks up there with The Only Living Witness, Buried Dreams, Confessions of Son of Sam, and Silent Rage.



2. This book was written before the police psychologists realizedthat Ken Bianchi was faking multiple personality disorder. For the real story of the Hillside Stranglers (there were two of them, Bianchi and his cousin Angelo Buono), read Darcy O'Brian's "Two of a Kind: the Hillside Stranglers" instead.



3. Firstly, there is a new paperback version of this book, which I have been very impressed with, good quality and nice cover. (Get that one!) Now to review: This guy HAS done his homework, has NOT been "duped" and was in fact on an E! special all about the Hillside Strangler. This is an excellent book about Ken Bianchi, and regarding the so called "faking" Schwarz explained that Bianchi could indeed have been a multiple when first arrested, but throughout all the interviews, multiple psychological testing, it was likely that these multiple personalities became self-aware.