The Ice Man

Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer

By: Philip Carlo

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 19 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard "The Ice Man" Kuklinski led a double life beyond anything ever seen on The Sopranos, becoming one of the most notorious professional assassins in American history while hosting neighborhood barbecues in suburban New Jersey. Now, after 240 hours of face-to-face interviews with Kuklinski and his wife and daughters, author Philip Carlo tells his extraordinary story.

Kuklinski was Sammy "The Bull" Gravano's partner in the killing of Paul Castellano at Spark's Steakhouse. John Gotti hired him to kill the neighbor who accidentally ran over his child. For an additional price, he would make victims suffer; he conducted this sadistic business with cold-hearted intensity, never disappointing his customers. By his own estimate, he killed over 200 men, taking enormous pride in his variety and ferocity of technique.

Kuklinski's story, once known, captivated the public and became the subject of three HBO documentaries about which the New York Times raved, "Few viewers are ever likely to forget this thoroughly chilling portrait. As for possible movie competition, it would work on the level of The Silence of the Lambs."

©2006 Philip Carlo (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Good as an omnibus resource on Kuklinski, this is a fine entry in the burgeoning field of works tracing the decline of the traditional organized crime families and their once impenetrable structures." (Booklist)

I couldn’t stop listening to this book!!

Intense book. I couldn’t stop listening. It’s sad that Richard used his life for what he did. He had a passion to help children and cared for children who were in need. I wish his life had been better and different for his family and the many many victims he murdered.

A Homo Sapiens Life

Amazing Story and Auto-Bio-Biography given his Chosen or Forced Profession. Horrible Parents Stanley Anna Kuklinski.

Wonderfully Icy

Somehow Carlo managed to enter the mind of this horrific human being. He was able to capture every nuance and chilling detail. How any human could commit such sickening and appalling crimes without so much as a speck of remorse is nearly unbelievable. Truth is stranger than fiction and if you are into true crime, this book will hold you in its clutches to the very end

Who would've thought I could hang in there for 64.

What did you love best about The Ice Man?

Who would've thought I could hang in there for 64 chapters of a book that normally wouldn't have grabbed my attention. The ability for this man to be so professional at something so violent is impressive and stunning.
Narration was excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ice Man?

His ability to lead a double life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's making me watch the HBO special on it and I just might watch the movie made based on The Iceman.

Any additional comments?

Trust no one.

Great story

What made the experience of listening to The Ice Man the most enjoyable?

The narrator was so bland...I al most fell asleep several times

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ice Man?

The rats

What three words best describe Michael Prichard’s performance?

Bland, boring, and dry

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

I could not stop listening!!!!

watch the HBO special and you'll hear Richard's voice when its him in the book. Oh Yeah, my friend....loved that there is audio at the end of his interview!

Super Interesting

This was a great book. Even though the book is about murder and other illegal acts it was so interesting hearing about the psychology of Richard Kuklinski and how he was living a double life between a husband and father and a contract killer. It was fascinating trying to understand how he justified some of the murders and the ways he carried them out. Highly recommend this book.

Great listen

One of the best true crime novels I’ve listened to. Highly recommend! Definitely worth a credit.

LOVE THIS BOOK!

Great performance, Riveting story. it was a raw look at life in organized crime and one man who changed the entire game. All true crime fan that loves the macob, I highly recommend this book.

Couldn't stop listening

I found this book fascinating. Much of it was a detailed, true account of dozens of the individual people that Richard Kuklinski killed. And yet I never found the writing repetitive. I couldn't stop listening. The subject matter is obviously dark and gruesome. But it's a rare glimpse into the life and mind of cold killer with no feelings of remorse.

The narrator did a very good job. At first I found him a little flat, but he grew on me.

I think some of the negative reviews that I’ve read online are reviewing the subject matter and Richard Kuklinski himself, who is obviously reprehensible, rather than the quality of the writing and the research, which I thought was excellent.

And the narrative really picks up speed in the last third, as the authorities get wind of Richard K. and make their efforts to capture and convict him.

P.S. The last hour or so of the book is an actual interview with Richard Kuklinski, which I found to be very flat. If you are interested in taped interviews and photos, I recommend, “Iceman: Confessions of a Mafia Hitman” available for rent on DVD.