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True Crime Explicit #1
The Vampire of Sacramento: The True Story of Richard Chase The Blood-Thirsty Cannibal
Even the coldest-blooded killer was once a child. Richard Trenton Chase started life without a hitch. Popular and well-liked, his future looked bright as the Cali sun... but those around knew nothing of the dark truths that he fostered. His parents’ marriage was rapidly falling apart, and soon he began to suffer from strange health problems. Rapidly declining, he decided there was only one solution… … and that was blood. Richard’s childhood fascination with death became a full-blown psychotic obsession, and the fear of losing his blood drove him to butcher and consume animals. In time, however, this wasn’t enough , and Richard turned to larger game. The Vampire of Sacramento became one of California’s most notorious serial killers, and Chase’s crimes still haunt law enforcement to this day. But how did it happen? And could these crimes have somehow been prevented, sparing lives and untold sorrow? Draw your own conclusions as the judge of this disturbed young mind. Was Richard Chase an evil soul or simply sick and lost? CAUTION: True Crime Explicit is a series that contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to graphic content, it is advisable to avoid this series.
173 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2020
479 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 19, 2022
The Vampire Of Sacramento is a true-crime book about Richard Chase.
Richard Chase is/was obviously a very depraved, evil person. Reading the facts about his man and the very obvious red flags his parents ignored or just shrugged their shoulders at was disturbing. How do you just ignore the danger and brush it off like that?! If they and others had acted sooner, they likely could have saved a LOT of lives.
The author did a great job detailing Richard Chase's life and crimes. I'm going to read others in this series for sure.
Richard Chase is/was obviously a very depraved, evil person. Reading the facts about his man and the very obvious red flags his parents ignored or just shrugged their shoulders at was disturbing. How do you just ignore the danger and brush it off like that?! If they and others had acted sooner, they likely could have saved a LOT of lives.
The author did a great job detailing Richard Chase's life and crimes. I'm going to read others in this series for sure.
May 8, 2023
True Horror
This book, this story, is especially crude. The easy flow of the narrative helped get past some of the horrific parts. The takeaway is about mental illness and how society has a tendency to turn away and not really help the afflicted souls, but rather, discard them. It's a very serious and sad situation, for sure.
This book, this story, is especially crude. The easy flow of the narrative helped get past some of the horrific parts. The takeaway is about mental illness and how society has a tendency to turn away and not really help the afflicted souls, but rather, discard them. It's a very serious and sad situation, for sure.
December 19, 2022
I was eager to give this series a try. It was the equivalent of a serial killer documentary only the reader is the narrator and makes the story play out in mind.
This first book in the series showed the progression of Richard's decline and depravity. It was a bit unbelievable watching it play out and not having anyone else see the danger. There were so many chilling scenes throughout. It was a terrifying read for sure.
I'm looking forward to checking out more books in this series.
This first book in the series showed the progression of Richard's decline and depravity. It was a bit unbelievable watching it play out and not having anyone else see the danger. There were so many chilling scenes throughout. It was a terrifying read for sure.
I'm looking forward to checking out more books in this series.
February 11, 2023
I really enjoyed the way the author gives the facts. It was short and sweet just what i needed. It really went into detail and i cant wait to read move from this author.
August 29, 2024
Love true crime so will always get a 5 star from me
July 16, 2020
Evil Lives Here
The signs were definitely there. So many - and yet they were constantly ignored by parents, neighbors, law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals, as well as, friends / acquaintances. There was something definitely wrong with Richard Trenton Chase, yet he was left to torture countless innocent animals, even family pets.
How dare his parents foist him off on an unsuspecting public on several occasions - locating & paying for their son to have his own apartments, because he was too difficult to live with. Richard stank, he'd been confined to a mental institution, he owned weapons, he killed animals, he couldn't take proper care of himself or hold down a job (due to hygiene and schizophrenic symptoms & behaviors).
His grandmother kept returning him to his parents' care because he was "unruly" after his parents would send him to her due to his belligerent sometimes aggressive behavior. His parents weren't the the most stable people, but no where near as unhinged as their son. If police were called every time he violently acted out I his extreme level. There would have been a record of his increasingly abhorrent behavior - a pattern - that in hindsight seemed obvious.
When I was studying Criminal Justice in grad school we had a couple classes taught by FBI agents and coincidentally the example they used when discussing disorganized kills was Richard Chase. I saw the actual police (FBI) photos of only the sides of the two women's bodies because the focus was on the circular shapes on the bloody floor near the victims' destroyed bodies.
This book gave me so many insights into what happens when a monster's behavior is left unchecked. The classic example of an organized clever murderer is 6 foot 9 inch Ed Kemper, if he hadn't turned himself in no one would have gotten him for the Co-Ed Killings. His deviant homicidal actions were never even associated with him until he confessed.
The author was very thorough in detailing what led up to Richard Chase's behavior, but also the terror, depravity, and heartbreak he inflicted on his many victims both human (and animals). If you are a true crime reader you are most certain to "enjoy" this book. I'm so glad I check that my doors are locked whether I'm at home or not, whether it's daytime or nighttime. Chase saw it as an invitation to come in if he tried your door and it was unlocked. How terrifying!
The signs were definitely there. So many - and yet they were constantly ignored by parents, neighbors, law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals, as well as, friends / acquaintances. There was something definitely wrong with Richard Trenton Chase, yet he was left to torture countless innocent animals, even family pets.
How dare his parents foist him off on an unsuspecting public on several occasions - locating & paying for their son to have his own apartments, because he was too difficult to live with. Richard stank, he'd been confined to a mental institution, he owned weapons, he killed animals, he couldn't take proper care of himself or hold down a job (due to hygiene and schizophrenic symptoms & behaviors).
His grandmother kept returning him to his parents' care because he was "unruly" after his parents would send him to her due to his belligerent sometimes aggressive behavior. His parents weren't the the most stable people, but no where near as unhinged as their son. If police were called every time he violently acted out I his extreme level. There would have been a record of his increasingly abhorrent behavior - a pattern - that in hindsight seemed obvious.
When I was studying Criminal Justice in grad school we had a couple classes taught by FBI agents and coincidentally the example they used when discussing disorganized kills was Richard Chase. I saw the actual police (FBI) photos of only the sides of the two women's bodies because the focus was on the circular shapes on the bloody floor near the victims' destroyed bodies.
This book gave me so many insights into what happens when a monster's behavior is left unchecked. The classic example of an organized clever murderer is 6 foot 9 inch Ed Kemper, if he hadn't turned himself in no one would have gotten him for the Co-Ed Killings. His deviant homicidal actions were never even associated with him until he confessed.
The author was very thorough in detailing what led up to Richard Chase's behavior, but also the terror, depravity, and heartbreak he inflicted on his many victims both human (and animals). If you are a true crime reader you are most certain to "enjoy" this book. I'm so glad I check that my doors are locked whether I'm at home or not, whether it's daytime or nighttime. Chase saw it as an invitation to come in if he tried your door and it was unlocked. How terrifying!
May 24, 2024
This book is very surface-level. It reads like a condensed Wikipedia article.
June 29, 2024
This book is a great read for true crime junkies that just want to know the facts of the case. It wasn’t dramatized or embellished the way tv sometimes is, it reads just like a documentary. Very disturbing read
July 17, 2020
‘Sometimes, evil is merely a human being hiding in plain sight’
Author Genoveva Ortiz is newcomer to the True Crime Seven team – a cluster of authors who delve into the heinous crimes of the past and mold them into stories that become vivid as reportage while entertaining as reading adventures. Their goal: ‘to simply explore and tell the stories of various killers in the world: from unknown murderers to infamous serial killers.’
In the introductory comments, Genoveva states, ‘Richard Chase changed the lives of multiple people in the most nightmarish ways imaginable. It was not enough for him to simply take the lives of his victims: he also drank their blood and violated their bodies for his own twisted curiosity. He killed without remorse, and scariest of all, he killed without rhyme or reason. Anyone was fair game to the Vampire of Sacramento. But by the end of the day, Richard Chase was still only human, and his story is not only one of horror and disgust, but also a tragedy about an extremely sick person who was failed by his family and mental health professionals alike. Had someone taken Chase’s alarming behavior seriously when he was young, would six innocent people still be alive?’
The progression of the life of Richard Chase is scoped with finesse as we learn about his obsession with his erectile dysfunction being caused by a need for blood – and there begins a story of a strange and eventually horrible life and career as a killer. The murders occurred in the 1970s and ended with Richard’s imprisonment - and suicide. While offering all the necessary details of his deeds, the author manages to relate the transgressions with style, making the book a very readable one.
This new series – True Crime Explicit – expands the purview of crime novels by the True Crime Seven, Terrifying facts related in a manner that allows the reader to enter the minds of the perpetrators.
Author Genoveva Ortiz is newcomer to the True Crime Seven team – a cluster of authors who delve into the heinous crimes of the past and mold them into stories that become vivid as reportage while entertaining as reading adventures. Their goal: ‘to simply explore and tell the stories of various killers in the world: from unknown murderers to infamous serial killers.’
In the introductory comments, Genoveva states, ‘Richard Chase changed the lives of multiple people in the most nightmarish ways imaginable. It was not enough for him to simply take the lives of his victims: he also drank their blood and violated their bodies for his own twisted curiosity. He killed without remorse, and scariest of all, he killed without rhyme or reason. Anyone was fair game to the Vampire of Sacramento. But by the end of the day, Richard Chase was still only human, and his story is not only one of horror and disgust, but also a tragedy about an extremely sick person who was failed by his family and mental health professionals alike. Had someone taken Chase’s alarming behavior seriously when he was young, would six innocent people still be alive?’
The progression of the life of Richard Chase is scoped with finesse as we learn about his obsession with his erectile dysfunction being caused by a need for blood – and there begins a story of a strange and eventually horrible life and career as a killer. The murders occurred in the 1970s and ended with Richard’s imprisonment - and suicide. While offering all the necessary details of his deeds, the author manages to relate the transgressions with style, making the book a very readable one.
This new series – True Crime Explicit – expands the purview of crime novels by the True Crime Seven, Terrifying facts related in a manner that allows the reader to enter the minds of the perpetrators.
February 9, 2025
"He unalived without remorse, and scariest of all, he unalived without rhyme or reason."
This book is classified as True Crime, and is book one of a True Crime series. It does not have a trigger warning list, but it is True Crime and does give the gory details. I do suggest if you don't have a strong stomach, don't touch this book.
This book follows the true story of Richard Chase. As a child, he was either ignored or abused... which lead to his parents not realizing his dark tendencies. By the age of 13, he displayed all three signs of the Triad of Sociopathy. Starting at the age of 15, he was in and out of jail for droogs and assault. At the age of 18, he tried to get himself some form of help from a Psychiatrist, but they claimed he was fine and it was just anxiety. After that, he continued having issues and being thrown between family members, including his grandmother and sister. At 23, he went to the hospital and the doctor thought he was mentally unwell and wanted to keep him, but his mom denied it and removed him from the hospital.
I gave this book five stars. The reason behind that is due to it showing the truth of how this guy was failed by people. He was failed by the police, due to getting arrested and only a slap on the wrist. He was failed by his parents due to them not wanting to acknowledge something was wrong, especially his mom. Finally, some doctors, not all, failed him because they didn't look further into his issues and released him when many nurses said not to due to him being a danger to society.
This book is classified as True Crime, and is book one of a True Crime series. It does not have a trigger warning list, but it is True Crime and does give the gory details. I do suggest if you don't have a strong stomach, don't touch this book.
This book follows the true story of Richard Chase. As a child, he was either ignored or abused... which lead to his parents not realizing his dark tendencies. By the age of 13, he displayed all three signs of the Triad of Sociopathy. Starting at the age of 15, he was in and out of jail for droogs and assault. At the age of 18, he tried to get himself some form of help from a Psychiatrist, but they claimed he was fine and it was just anxiety. After that, he continued having issues and being thrown between family members, including his grandmother and sister. At 23, he went to the hospital and the doctor thought he was mentally unwell and wanted to keep him, but his mom denied it and removed him from the hospital.
I gave this book five stars. The reason behind that is due to it showing the truth of how this guy was failed by people. He was failed by the police, due to getting arrested and only a slap on the wrist. He was failed by his parents due to them not wanting to acknowledge something was wrong, especially his mom. Finally, some doctors, not all, failed him because they didn't look further into his issues and released him when many nurses said not to due to him being a danger to society.
January 10, 2026
As much as I love reading about true crime as much as the next person, this one was hard to read from what the victims went through to what he went through, there was so much that could of been done to help chase that was left ignored, instead of sending him to mental institution they tossed him around the family because they couldn’t handle him it’s quiet sad tbh, at one point he even begged his mother to take him to the doctors which she ignored. There is so many signs of mental illness from a very young age up to adulthood which only get worse, even the police don’t seem to step in so many people choose to ignore and when they finally did get him the help the very institution that should be there for him kicked him out when it was too full and look what happened after they did that!! Obviously he is guilty for his crimes however surely his parents, the authorities and the institution are just as guilty for not helping him and preventing his crimes.
What shocked me the most was that even when he was sentenced the judge found him sane… how?? After reading all this book it’s very obvious he was mentally ill.
Overall such a sad story from all angles what he did to the victims was probably some of the worse crimes iv ever read! And if you love true crime go into this carefully it’s truly heartbreaking from the beginning. What a monstrous world we live in!
What shocked me the most was that even when he was sentenced the judge found him sane… how?? After reading all this book it’s very obvious he was mentally ill.
Overall such a sad story from all angles what he did to the victims was probably some of the worse crimes iv ever read! And if you love true crime go into this carefully it’s truly heartbreaking from the beginning. What a monstrous world we live in!
July 12, 2022
NOTE: If you don't have a strong stomach or like details of gore, do not read this book. This man was past insane.
I personally prefer my true crime with as many details as available. Richard Chase is not one of the more popular serial killers, interestingly enough, so you don't really hear his name or hear details of his crimes. So anyone who's not really familiar with him or just wants to add to their true crime/serial killer encyclopedic knowledge, this is worth a read.
I thought this was going to be a story of him being completely failed by those around him, but no, his family actually tried to get him help, frequently. He was actually institutionalized and medicated! But with mental illness, sometimes you have to try more than one medication to find the right fit. Unfortunately, in that regard, no one pushed hard enough because the harder they pushed, the harder Richard pushed back. He was not easy to control by any means. His killing spree was short lived and body count low, but a lot of irreparable damage was done just the same. Like I said, makes for an interesting read.
I personally prefer my true crime with as many details as available. Richard Chase is not one of the more popular serial killers, interestingly enough, so you don't really hear his name or hear details of his crimes. So anyone who's not really familiar with him or just wants to add to their true crime/serial killer encyclopedic knowledge, this is worth a read.
I thought this was going to be a story of him being completely failed by those around him, but no, his family actually tried to get him help, frequently. He was actually institutionalized and medicated! But with mental illness, sometimes you have to try more than one medication to find the right fit. Unfortunately, in that regard, no one pushed hard enough because the harder they pushed, the harder Richard pushed back. He was not easy to control by any means. His killing spree was short lived and body count low, but a lot of irreparable damage was done just the same. Like I said, makes for an interesting read.
May 6, 2024
a good read!
This book was hard to put down. I was fascinated by this man, yet repulsed by what he had done. I grew up in the Sacramento area, mostly in the Citrus Heights neighborhood and part of downtown and West Sacramento. I was familiar with the area Richard was in and didn't know that area wasn't safe. In the 70’s when I was born, I wasn't aware of this killer until I read this book. As an adult, I've lived in West Sacramento area in the 90’s and it wasn't exactly a nice neighborhood, but people left you alone.
This book is worth reading, but I warn you there are some gross stuff in it.
This book was hard to put down. I was fascinated by this man, yet repulsed by what he had done. I grew up in the Sacramento area, mostly in the Citrus Heights neighborhood and part of downtown and West Sacramento. I was familiar with the area Richard was in and didn't know that area wasn't safe. In the 70’s when I was born, I wasn't aware of this killer until I read this book. As an adult, I've lived in West Sacramento area in the 90’s and it wasn't exactly a nice neighborhood, but people left you alone.
This book is worth reading, but I warn you there are some gross stuff in it.
August 14, 2020
Chase Deserves A More Extensive "Look"
Book was overall ok at providing an overview of Chase's crimes and mental health issues a la "The Enquirer. It lacked, however, any substantive analysis of Chase's behaviors; nor did it provide any insight as to how & why Chase was able to get away with his crimes (though it did provide very graphic descriptions of his victims" dead bodies ). Would suggest readers look for other books on Chase in lieu of this one.
Book was overall ok at providing an overview of Chase's crimes and mental health issues a la "The Enquirer. It lacked, however, any substantive analysis of Chase's behaviors; nor did it provide any insight as to how & why Chase was able to get away with his crimes (though it did provide very graphic descriptions of his victims" dead bodies ). Would suggest readers look for other books on Chase in lieu of this one.
November 22, 2021
It's just so terrifying
Gosh!!! I am left speechless. I don't know what his parents could have done for him because it seems as though he terrified the mental institution care givers as much as he terrified his mom. Maybe they should have restrained him at the hospital. But he might have gotten violent during bath times or meal times.
I don't even want to think about his crimes. Too horrific!!! He was beyond insane.
Gosh!!! I am left speechless. I don't know what his parents could have done for him because it seems as though he terrified the mental institution care givers as much as he terrified his mom. Maybe they should have restrained him at the hospital. But he might have gotten violent during bath times or meal times.
I don't even want to think about his crimes. Too horrific!!! He was beyond insane.
August 9, 2022
A real life horror story
This story is a well written interesting story that tells the tale of a mentally ill man who's untreated mind spirals into what most of us would consider madness. I believe this is also an indictment of the way we don't deal with mental illness. This man was caught many times in bizarre situations that one could know, would not end well, and let him loose on the locals. We must do better.
This story is a well written interesting story that tells the tale of a mentally ill man who's untreated mind spirals into what most of us would consider madness. I believe this is also an indictment of the way we don't deal with mental illness. This man was caught many times in bizarre situations that one could know, would not end well, and let him loose on the locals. We must do better.
July 15, 2020
Richard Chase believed he needed more blood because it was being depleted from his system through the efforts of others. At first he would drink the blood of dogs, cats and rabbits. Then he moved on to bigger game—humans. Apparently the blood didn’t suffice as he munched on viscera as well. This story is not for the squeamish!
January 24, 2022
Vampire of Sacramento
This book sparked my interest because my sister lived in Sacramento during this time. It is very interesting 🤔 and very detailed. Quick read kept my interest. The mental illness was fascinating and yet very sad for him and the victims and their families as well.
Definitely will recommend this book. Starting volume 2.
This book sparked my interest because my sister lived in Sacramento during this time. It is very interesting 🤔 and very detailed. Quick read kept my interest. The mental illness was fascinating and yet very sad for him and the victims and their families as well.
Definitely will recommend this book. Starting volume 2.
May 5, 2022
Very grotesque.
This book is not for the weak at heart. Reading things like this makes me even wonder why the parents couldn't see the signs of his mental illness. Maybe because they couldn't figure out what the signs were at the time like they do today? Did they not think that killing animals were crazy especially a pet? Time was so much different and we've come along way.
This book is not for the weak at heart. Reading things like this makes me even wonder why the parents couldn't see the signs of his mental illness. Maybe because they couldn't figure out what the signs were at the time like they do today? Did they not think that killing animals were crazy especially a pet? Time was so much different and we've come along way.
November 5, 2022
“He killed without remorse, and scariest of all, he killed without rhyme or reason. Anyone was fair game to the Vampire of Sacramento.”
This was a very disturbing and gruesome read!
It’s hard not to feel angry at the parents of this killer and to society for not doing enough.
A lot of sickening details are mentioned in this book and you may want to go with caution!
This was a very disturbing and gruesome read!
It’s hard not to feel angry at the parents of this killer and to society for not doing enough.
A lot of sickening details are mentioned in this book and you may want to go with caution!
October 20, 2024
This story was pretty gruesome. He ranks right up there with Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer. This guy kills people because he thinks he needs human blood to live. It explores his family life and tries to shed some light on schizophrenia by asking the question 'Is it nature or nurture'? Maybe both? This is a short book that I read in a day and is part of a series of short true crime books.
July 21, 2020
The Vampire of Sacramento, Richard Chase, adds a whole new meaning to the term Serial Killer. This book portrays the havoc and devastation that can be left behind when mental illness is not addressed. Very disturbing read. If you enjoy true crime you will enjoy this book
July 27, 2020
Interesting
Before reading this book, I had never heard of this killer, but after reading this book all that I can say is how did I miss him. Definitely a well written book that will grab your attention and keep it until the end.
Before reading this book, I had never heard of this killer, but after reading this book all that I can say is how did I miss him. Definitely a well written book that will grab your attention and keep it until the end.
January 9, 2021
Wow...just wow
I read a lot of true crime but, I must say this book actually disturbed me. The description of his crimes was....overwhelming. The failure of the system as well as, in my opinion, his parents is a crime in itself. These murders should have never happened.
I read a lot of true crime but, I must say this book actually disturbed me. The description of his crimes was....overwhelming. The failure of the system as well as, in my opinion, his parents is a crime in itself. These murders should have never happened.
January 18, 2021
I hadn’t heard much about this case, and this book was a very good start! I feel like there was definitely room for more information, but if you’re looking for a decent understanding before really diving into everything, this is a good beginning.
April 8, 2023
sad and horrible
Richard chase was a sick person and did horrible things. Yet we should feel bad for him and certainly for his family. He was suffering from a very debilitating illness and he could’ve been helped. This book was well written and thorough.
Richard chase was a sick person and did horrible things. Yet we should feel bad for him and certainly for his family. He was suffering from a very debilitating illness and he could’ve been helped. This book was well written and thorough.
June 22, 2023
Well Written, Engaging, & Informative
This was engaging, informative, and very heartbreaking to read about. I feel absolutely awful for all of those families that have suffered because of him.
This was engaging, informative, and very heartbreaking to read about. I feel absolutely awful for all of those families that have suffered because of him.
January 25, 2026
Vampire of Sacramento
I liked that the book was matter of fact, it was not drawn out. Although it was very graphic it interested the true crime ambulance chaser in me. I could not put it down!
I liked that the book was matter of fact, it was not drawn out. Although it was very graphic it interested the true crime ambulance chaser in me. I could not put it down!
July 19, 2020
Richard Chase gave me the creeps. Reading this book is like watching a horror movie. I enjoyed reading this book.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
July 22, 2020
Spine chilling and intriguing, I could not put this book down! Fear sat in my soul as I read the true stories of what this monster did!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews