5 comments about Night Stalker (True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks)).

1. The Night Stalker has the tendency to keep you on the edge of your seat. There's no way possisble to not finish this book. You will learn more about what happened in LA in this one book than anywhere else. It is very detailed in what had happened to all his victims and it puts you in the victim's families place. I highly recommend this book but only if you're into true crime.



2. Not what I would call a well written book.

   Not even what I would call a factual book.

   That being said, I'd suggest that if Richard Ramirez fascinates you, and you wish to learn more about him and the crimes that he committed pick up a copy of Philip Carlo's book "The Night Stalker: the life and crimes of Richard Ramirez". Carol's book is a much better documented account of Ramirez, due in part, because Carlo actually interviewed Ramirez numerous times.

   If you really don't care that the information is correct or you just want a macabe story to read, then by all means, get this book. Otherwise, buy Carlo's book, you'll be happy you did.




3. "I'm your night prowler, break down your door
   I'm your night prowler, crawling 'cross your floor
   I'm your night prowler, make a mess of you, yes i will
   Night prowler, and i am telling this to you
   There ain't nothing you can do"
   
   AC-DC's "Night Prowler" (1979)
   
   From to 17 March to 8 August 1985, fourteen people were murdered and mutilated, with others surviving horrific ordeals. This was a serial killer, who in the case of couples, killed the man first, and if the woman was lucky, her too, as many left alive suffered even more. What initially puzzled the LA police was that the victims cut across race lines. Even though the first victims were Oriental or East Asian, the addition of dead Anglos put paid that theory. But what set the killings apart from the usual convenience store shootings was their sheer savagery, as one of the victims had her eyes plucked out. Another victim bravely spoke to him after her ordeal so she could remember his face should he be caught.
   
   Clifford Linedecker's account of Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, is a well-detailed account that takes the reader from the first victim, to his being sentenced to death by a California jury, and even a to-date postscript, showing that he is still on death row.
   
   The book delves into more than just the killings themselves. Linedecker explains the race and population demographics in LA as a background. LA is such a racially diverse place, that various race groups formed their own enclave in the metropolis, such as the Japanese and Chinese in Cerritos, the Thais and Salvadorans in Hollywood Hills, and Mexicans in east. It's also such an economic powerhouse that it could be an independent country if it chose.
   
   Night Stalker also details the working of the press and how things haven't changed since the days of Al Capone and Bonnie and Clyde, that of making killers into heroes. In this case, it was the Los Angeles Herald Examiner that gave Ramirez his well-known monicker, The Night Stalker. And the methodology used by detectives in tracking down serial killers-Wayne Williams and the Atlanta Child Murders is used as the example-is included.
   
   If anything, Ramirez turned LA residential areas into fortresses. Demand for guns, security systems, fences, and guard dogs skyrocketed, Neighbourhood Watches sprouted like duckweed, and any unfamiliar person in the neighbourhood were reported. In fact, one husband gave his wife a cyanide pill should the Night Stalker break in, figuring that death was better than what he would do to her. But what also amazed me was the relative laxness in home security. Ramirez entered via unlocked doors. Why not just put a sign on the door saying "Hey, Night Stalker, kill and torture me"?
   
   Another chapter delves into the clues and how they weave into past history and the prevalent pop culture. Ramirez's AC-DC cap fuelled the fire of heavy metal being the devil's music, and all amid the teen suicides that took place because parents blamed albums by Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest. In fact, "Night Prowler" from AC-DC's Highway To Hell album was made the Night Stalker's anthem. Another is the pentagram drawn on one of the victims. There follows a brief discussion on the devil-worshipping and the Knights Templar. At least Linedecker gets accurate Anton LaVey's sect that they don't sacrifice animals or people.
   
   The final section deals with the trial, which took three and a half years of legal juggling on the side of the defense. Ramirez wasn't the most genteel of defendants, his outrageous behaviour resulting in his removal from the courtroom.
   
   A well-documented account of one of the U.S.'s most notorious serial killers.



4. This is the WORST book I have ever read in my life. Riddled with discrepancies, the author felt the egotistical heroism to change the name of some of the victims (which are readily available to anyone who wants to research them anyway) all this book does is irritate and confuse those who are already familiar with the Night Stalker case. Even some of the names he DIDN'T try to cover up, he got wrong. The suspect's sister, as one example. The author is obviously biased and will make underhanded cheap shots at Mr.Ramirez at any open opportunity. It's childish and disgusting and makes for a terrible read, completely un-educational, the false facts poison the entire story. Mr.Linedecker couldn't even get the number of siblings Richie had/has correct, he consistantly goes back to change the "facts" he had already mentioned and gotten incorrect (such as how a victim had been killed, going from shooting an incorrect number of times, to stabbing). Falsified information, he repeats himself endlessly, skips details altogether, and just plain makes things up. I have zero respect for this author, this was an uninteresting read through and through. Before I had even begun, I was curious how someone could fully cover a subject like this with so few pages, and the answer is--you can't. I felt as if I was reading the rough draft of an awful story that a 5th grader had written, I hope the author didn't get paid for this piece of trash. Take this one out of the 'true crime' section and file this one under FICTION, in the bargain bin.
   
   If you want the real deal, please, I cannot beg you enough, read Night Stalker by Philip Carlo. He's a brilliant author who spent over 100 hours talking with Richard Ramirez himself. I trust that he got all the information he possibly could, as close to truth as humanly possible. He's creative with his words, expresses environments in such a way you can nearly feel it, and most importantly he isn't biased. He brings us enlightenment on every area of the subjects life, this book provides a wonderful insight into the killers mind, and puts you right there in the action.
   
   Leave Linedecker's garbage in the trash, where it belongs.



5. After reading Philip Carlo's book I wanted to know everything I could about Richard Ramirez. Instead of taking advice from all the reviews on this book I decided to read it for myself. Big mistake! First off, the book skipped so much detail and most of the details in this book were totally wrong. You can google the Night stalker and get accurate information then what this book gives. Do yourself a favor and learn from my mistakes, trust the reviews, save your money and buy Philip Carlo's book instead. I had to put this book down and couldnt even finish it.

5 comments about The Night Stalker (Pinnacle True Crime).

1. This book will tell you all you want to know and more about "The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez." Vivid detail is provided regarding the individuals whose lives were abused and lost due to the twisted personality of Richard Ramirez. Richard's childhood is well explored, and one of his cousins named Mike provided Richard with a horrible role model to emulate. Mike was a Vietnam veteran who taught Richard the use of drugs and how to go about stealing and disabling those who may thwart your efforts. Once Richard's face was plastered in every newspaper it was just a matter of time before he was recognized somewhere on the street. He tried to steal one car too many, and this roused the neighborhood citizens to bring him down. The book goes into a lengthy detail on the trial and conviction of Richard. This part of the book can be both tedious and educational depending on your interest in courtroom drama. Richard continues to have several female admirers, some willing to dedicate their lives to him including one of the jurors who found him guilty. These women appear to have too much time on their hands. They obviously forget that had Richard invaded their home they would have been raped and probably murdered. Nevertheless, they find a morbid fascination with him, and refuse to recognize he is simply using their infatuation (they believe it is love) for him. If you enjoy true crime books I'm sure this one will hold your interest.



2. This was a great read. After reading this book it made me want to learn even more about Richard Ramirez and serial killers in general. I thought the trial was a little boring but thought that it fit well and made the book that much more better. I would recommend this book to any one who has even the slightest intrest in Richard Ramirez.



3. I really enjoyed this book because I felt it struck a good balance between the actual crimes (written as though we are riding along with the killer in gripping detail), the personal life and background of the Killer (so many books seem to leave out that serial killers are somebody's brother, son etc.), and the difficult and incredibly complex trial that follows (this was one of the longest and most intricate trials in all of CA history). I couldn't put it down. I am impressed with the amount of work that went into writing this book and it certainly seems to have paid off. Just like "The Only Living Witness" is one of the best books written on Bundy, I feel this is its equal in terms of Ramirez. Excellent, won't dissapoint.



4. Seller was awesome in regards to how quickly I received the book... by the way I needed it for a research paper that was due within 2 weeks of receiving it and I got an A.... The book was in great condition.. I thank the seller, you have no idea how much you helped me. Merry Christmas



5. There is no question here on Carlo's writing abilites. He has taken some of the most notorious killers who have no redeeming qualities to humanity; and made readers sympathize with them. "The Night Stalker" is no exception. While drawing in the audience for the first 120 pages about the crimes committed by the 'night stalker', Carlo creates an addicting read that makes even the most thrill seeking viewer's interests. However, true to Carlo's writing style, when it came to explaining the reasons that Richard Ramirez worshipped satan and why he committed all the killings is a little hazy.
   
   What was truly frightening about the book is that his behavior is not explained. According to the book and the lack of explanation, there very well could be another lurking serial killer that will burglarize your house and kill you with no explanation. I would have loved to see more detail in the analysis of why he decided to kill those people and not just raid their houses for their goods. I understand why the information was not there. Ramirez is not known for being the most cooperative. I feel that Carlo could have focused more on the aftermath of the crimes and more of the reactions of the victims. It would have really been nice to hear how the witnesses and the victims were living today to fill the vagueness of Ramirez's explanations to the crimes.
   
   After the crimes and the capture were described, I had a hard time paying attention during the trial. Like the actual trial itself, the book seemed to be very repetitive and filled with unnecessary details. I found myself falling asleep more than once between pages 250-400. Thankfully, in his next three books, Carlo seems to revamp his writing style and compiles three biographies that will leave the reader at the edges of their seats.