Night Stalker: The Shocking True Story of Richard Ramirez, the Serial Killer Whose Murder Spree Terrorized Los Angeles

by Clifford L. Linedecker

From the darkest corner of your bedroom a gaunt face suddenly looms over you. You're pulled violently from your bed and a terrifying voice screams, "Swear to Satan!"
During a two year rampage, a sadistic serial killer entered the homes of families from El Paso to San Francisco. He raped, mutilated and tortured his unfortunate victims in one of the most vicious crime sprees in California history.
This is the horrifying account of his bloody journey, of the strange coincidence that led to his arrest-and of the sensational trial where the Night Stalker's eerie sexual magnetism resulted in women actually demonstrating for his acquittal.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Psychology, History, Biography

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Clifford L. Linedecker is a former daily newspaper journalist with eighteen years experience on the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rochester (N.Y.) Times-Union, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, and several other Indiana newspapers. He is an experienced investigative reporter who has covered police and the courts on each of the papers where he was employed. He is a former articles editor for National Features Syndicate in Chicago, and for "County Rambler" magazine. He is the author of numerous true crime titles, including The Man Who Killed Boys, Night Stalker, Killer Kids, Blood in the Sand, and Deadly White Female.

Reviews

[Sharon Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to know all sides of the story philip carlos book is way better.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very well written and the legal proceedings are easy to understand for the readers not familiar with the law. The thought that people are out there that sneak into homes and rape, torture and kill for fun is not a pleasant one. This book reminds us to be vigilant in life and be wary of strangers and friends alike.

[L. Penn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well let's be frank shall we, this guy was just a super-coward, vicious a^*#hole. I mean, his poor victims lain asleep, mostly old-aged and utterly defenseless. Dear Lord! Then this wannabe-so-called-Satanist enters their homes for nothing more than robbery followed up by cowardly sadistic acts.
If this moron actually worshiped and saw Satan himself he would defecate in his pants. Such baseless boasting, did he. Where was his devil-worship bravado when he were surrounded by that baying crowd who chased him and nailed him down for the police to come arrest. Shame that crowd weren't allowed a few minutes alone with him. It was quite clear he so wanted to be a real confident man but his insecurities and sloth life fuelled the want to just rob and kill. Pathetic individual indeed.
Clifford L. Linedecker narrates the story of this nasty one well and the writing is paced easy.
Next, another pickling read to get stuck in to...mm, look where...

[Chad Brummett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The review Trine posted was actually by me. The brief synopsis is that it's not the best-written book out there, but a great read for true-crime fans or anyone that was terrified by hearing of this case in the past.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having already read Philip Carlo's book on the night stalker case I was keen to read this. Unfortunately i found it to be poorly researched and littered with inaccuracies, not even Ted Bundy's execution date was right !

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book covers the story of the infamous night stalker from his upbringing to the crimes and trail. I must admit that I was drawn to the book after watching the Netflix doc on him but I wish I'd read the book first as I think it took a lot of the shock factor out for me. Needless to say the book is definitely still worth the read for anybody interested in a more detailed account, particularly the trail. I also expected the author to go into a lot more detail regarding his childhood as I'd read that as a child he'd witnessed his cousin murder his wife and was sexually abused by his dad and grandad, none of which was included which surprised me and left me slightly disappointed

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read about a true boogeyman named Richard Ramirez. This book was well researched following the rampage of this deranged human is nothing but pure evil.
The part of the book I had the hardest time getting through was the entire court process. This ‘wasted space’ who consumed the same oxygen as his victims was given a life sentence, not death as decided by the jury. Ramirez continued to breathe, eat, and sleep unlike those he killed and victimized.
Though I understand the judicial process that everyone should have a fair trial, the continuous delays and mockery portrayed during the trial was a waste of taxpayer dollars.

[Lauren O'Rourke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gruesome

My boyfriend thinks I am researching his murder based on the fact that I am obsessed with all things true crime. The more horrific, the better.

I didn't know what to expect going in to "The Night Stalker". But I know what I got coming out of it. Learning the details of each attack had me squirming in my seat. Suspenseful, even though I already knew details. I feel like I know Richard Ramirez on a " forensic investigators" level. I now lock and double check my doors at night.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this book 3.5 if the option was there. I thought the author did a nice job of giving all the gory details while also explaining angles of crimes and court procedures. By now this book is also a little dated, and does leave the reader hunting for an update on what happened to Richard Ramirez. I also felt there were times when the author came off as being slightly biased about the crime and the perpetrater. Of course, no one can remain completely objective after reviewing the case. Overall, It was a good read. For intro true crime or intermediate enthusiasts.

[Steve Kemp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Highly repetitive, many of the facts claimed are false or inaccurate . The author seems to have done no interviews or investigation on his own . Everything was taken from newspaper accounts, TV news, and court documents. Don't waste your time on this ! Philip Carlo wrote a book called The Night Stalker , it is the complete source on the case ....... so far there has not been a better account. ISBN is 978-0786018109 ,for Carlo's book .

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book that covered the topic in good detail. As points it is almost like reading a novel, particularly as it nears the point of his capture. For fans of true crime it is definitely a worthwhile read.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping read. Hard to put down. The story is terrible but Linedecker tells it very well, despite what sounds like years of sitting in courtrooms waiting for something meaningful to happen. Not to be missed.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Night Stalker was a well written, informative book, but did seem to ramble occasionally.

[Jessica Applin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok. Easy read.

[Elissa]

Good read. Appears to be an accurate account as I was living in Los Angeles at the time and remember the fear that pervaded L.A.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adequate read. Sort of like a documentary. Breezed through it in a day.

Lacks background on RR's background and younger life. Not really about the gory details or a detailed recounting of each crime as they happened. Also no real focus on the victims or news coverage of events.

The best part of the book is the recounting of pre-trial and trial and RR's behavior during this time. Whether it all is factually acurate I have no idea.

Obviously the book should not be considered a primary source. If you are looking for an in depth recounting of events you'll have to suppliment your reading with other sources.

[Carlos Vázquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Although he was surrounded by vigilant guards, the Night Stalker still had the ability to instill fear by nothing more than his chilling presence. He was the monster under the bed, the living nightmare of every child and of every adult”.
Un monstruo en toda la extensión de la palabra, es complejo entender la magnitud de sus asesinatos a tanto tiempo de distancia. Un mito a la fecha que malamente habrá servido de ejemplo para otros.

[Judy Tarver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given this book five stars if the author hadn’t written as much from his own opinion rather than telling the story completely neutrally. I can understand the author being appalled by the subject’s crimes but insulting him doesn’t add anything to the book. Overall, it was a very interesting book about one of America’s pretty well known true crime cases from the 1980’s. It was well researched and I recommend it to true crime fans.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written and not bogged down by too much personal history of the killer. I like to read about the crimes, the trial, the outcome (if any when the book was written). I don't care where the killer grew up or how many siblings they had. The murders (and subsequent trial wow!!) were fascinating to read about. What a sick man he was, and he made everybody around him sick too. Fascinating book, one I will definitely read again because it is so good!