Rating: 
Summary: A frightening tale
Review: With the possible exception of Helter Skelter, this is the best true crime book I have ever read. Carlo does an excellent job of telling the story of Richard Ramirez. By no means is Ramirez a conventional serial killer. First of all, he does not fit the stereotypical mold of a young white male. Because of his Hispanic heritage, had he been able to get to Mexico, he might be free to this day. His victims were not typical either, but very random. Perhaps what is most intriguing about this Satanist is his apparent control over the opposite sex. Women melt at the sight of his brown eyes, despite knowing he is a killer. This foreshadows the story of how he got married while in prison. While this book is not a popular true crime book, it is definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read Book
Review: Fantastic book I could not put this one down at all. It was all about the allure of the Nightstalker. It was almost like he was outside your bedroom window it was like you was in the courtroom on the edge of your seat wanting to get a glimpse of the man. Fearing that he would get death row and being thankful that he was locked up. This book made you feel every move the pain of the victims family and that pain of Richards family. He is a great guy once you get to know him.
Rating: 
Summary: "I don't need to hear all of society's rationalizations"
Review: Between 1984 and 1985, a serial killer stalked the streets of Los Angeles, randomly selecting his victims, whom he assaulted, sodomized, robbed, and ultimately, murdered. Several were lucky; at his whim, he let them live......to suffer the recurring nightmare of the Night Stalkers visit. Richard Ramirez wanted the nation to believe Lucifer made him do it. But Philip Carlo has another answer: drugs, family history, and a lust to dominate drove Ramirez into his conviction on 46 counts of murder, rape, robbery, and assault. The meat of this book is a dispassionate description of his 1984-85 crimes in progress, and the police investigations surrounding them. The realization that a serial killer was at work spread slowly through the jurisdictions, became public knowledge, and gripped Los Angeles in terror. The Night Stalker is a chilling read that follows Ramirez from a childhood where his brothers suffered from birth defects, to criminal activity. The second half of the book covers the trial in numbing detail, and should be skimmed quickly. The lawyers who appended themselves to Richard then drifted away, his bizarre laughing fits during the trial, and the judge's struggle to maintain order are entertainingly described. While Carlo does not presume to define the pathology of a serial killer, his painstaking research demonstrates that the Devil had little to do with it. Perhaps the books more creepy element would be the small group of sick creatures who professed admiration - and love - for Ramirez during the trial: one professed a desire to have sex with Richard atop a gravestone drenched with the blood of his victims.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough and Complete
Review: 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.
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Summary: I lived this nightmare.....
Review: I lived across the street, two houses down from one of the murders. It happended July 2, 1985. Prior to anyone knowing this was a serial murderer. You want to talk about being terrified... I know what it was like to have lived this nightmare. I was home that night he killed someone on my street, and I had all my windows open. This book totally tells it like it was. It is scary, informative and absolutely terrifying. If you are interested in true life crimes, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: a really great book
Review: this book is the first true crime i read.i love it. i am 15 years old and i have a very hard time finishing books i start but this one kept my attetion. there are some boring parts like some of the court scence and stuff. i wish they talked more about the murders. I felt bad for the killer some times and other times i am like well he deserves everything the most touching part is about his childhood i felt really bad for him i think your opion of him will change when you read about his childhood. i feel really bad for him cause none of the good looking women are his admires haha. read the book it is really really great
Rating:
Summary: More frightening than a dozen Ted Bundys
Review: I read this book almost a year ago, and I STILL occasionally see the Night Stalker when I close my eyes in an empty house. The case is fascinating and the writing enjoyable (if a little clunky), but above all else, this book is SCARY. Ramirez was truly satanic, and he is terrifying BECAUSE he mocked and violated everything civilization at large considers sacred (even in horror movies!). In addition to the EXCESSIVE violence he inflicted on his victims, he made their loved ones WATCH!, ...and he BROKE INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES! For these innocent and unsuspecting people, there was NOWHERE safe; even their own homes and families could not protect them! That is a really, really DISTURBING idea! And it makes a GREAT read!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Thriller!
Review: Mr. Carlo has written a spectacular work here. It is so scary and absolutely not for everyone. I am one of those people who love being scared so I loved this book. As one reads the first part of the book, one cannot help thinking that Ramirez is in fact the devil. Carlo also discusses his boyhood, adolescence, capture, and trial. I found this stuff fascinating but I never felt any sympathy for Ramirez. I just became more and more scared as I read on. It was scary to shut the light off at night. It reads like a horror/thriller novel but it is true. And that is the most scary part.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: This book was one of the best written true crime books i have ever read. I read all 559 pages in 2 days, unable to put it down. It got into my dreams at night, and I'd awaken petrified that Richard Ramirez was at my window. It's THAT good! The book starts off with very detailed descriptions of the crimes, from the killers point of view, goes on to the investigation (which is in no way boring as in other true crime novels), and then leads into Richards family life. It finishes up with the trial and the sickening marrige of Richard to Doreen. Yes, as it turns out, someone wanted to marry him. It's a very well written book, that will keep you up at night and keep you reading. I recommend highly!!!
Rating:
Summary: A must for every true crime reader
Review: The Night Stalker is one of the best true crime books that I have read. Philip Carlo gives the reader well researched details of Richard Ramirez's crimes as well as his life, describing what events led up to and may have caused him to commit the violent crimes that he did. His family and their daily struggles are also described as they try to support a family member, who is also a serial killer, while trying to cope with what he has done. The Night Stalker is a must read for every true crime reader!
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