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A review by kristy_k
The Night Stalker by Philip Carlo
4.0
Gruesome, tragic and disturbing. I was born in So Cal right after the Night Stalkers reign so of course I had heard of him, but the specifics of the case were always vague. He is a unique serial killer in that he did not have a specific signature nor type of victim. It amazes me how quickly the detectives (Det. Carillo in particular) were able to put together that all of these cases were linked when from the outside they appeared to be separate from each other.
The crimes committed in these cases were gruesome and gory. They were violent (and often described graphically in the book). They were remorseless. They were a combination of what everyone fears most: the loss of security in your home; loved ones murdered in front of you; your children subjected to unthinkable acts.
Ramirez's home life growing up was also a part of the tragedy here, and although I in no way think it excuses him for what he did, it makes it no surprise that he turned to a life of crime. His cousin Mike was a truly horrendous person, and if the account of his life in here is true, I am appalled and sadden by the acts an American soldier can do (while in Vietnam).
Perhaps one of the more disturbing things was the mass of women who flocked to the jail and courthouse for a glimpse of Ramirez. This crazed insta-love fueled by lust for the "bad boy" is unfathomable. Most of these women didn't even question his guilt (or care for that matter); they simply saw an attractive man who walked on the dark side and it revved their libido. It's disgusting that they were willing to ignore the countless victims and crimes committed all for a pretty face. If he had been ugly or plain, would this have happened? How sad is it that we put physical appearance so high on a pedestal we willingly ignore everything else. It also makes me wonder if they (the women) themselves do not suffer from some sort of mental disorder (especially when you read some of the direct quotes from their letters to the author).
Overall, I found Carlo's telling of Ramirez's life and crimes informative and interesting. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, but true crime readers looking for an in-depth account of what happened will find that here.
The crimes committed in these cases were gruesome and gory. They were violent (and often described graphically in the book). They were remorseless. They were a combination of what everyone fears most: the loss of security in your home; loved ones murdered in front of you; your children subjected to unthinkable acts.
Ramirez's home life growing up was also a part of the tragedy here, and although I in no way think it excuses him for what he did, it makes it no surprise that he turned to a life of crime. His cousin Mike was a truly horrendous person, and if the account of his life in here is true, I am appalled and sadden by the acts an American soldier can do (while in Vietnam).
Perhaps one of the more disturbing things was the mass of women who flocked to the jail and courthouse for a glimpse of Ramirez. This crazed insta-love fueled by lust for the "bad boy" is unfathomable. Most of these women didn't even question his guilt (or care for that matter); they simply saw an attractive man who walked on the dark side and it revved their libido. It's disgusting that they were willing to ignore the countless victims and crimes committed all for a pretty face. If he had been ugly or plain, would this have happened? How sad is it that we put physical appearance so high on a pedestal we willingly ignore everything else. It also makes me wonder if they (the women) themselves do not suffer from some sort of mental disorder (especially when you read some of the direct quotes from their letters to the author).
Overall, I found Carlo's telling of Ramirez's life and crimes informative and interesting. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, but true crime readers looking for an in-depth account of what happened will find that here.