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)

A sociopath's fantasy

A tad far-fetched. Not sure how we're supposed to believe this is true... there's no proof offered for any of it and it sounds just like a sociopath's fantasy... so that's probably what it is...

I'm sure Richard was a bad guy, but don't go trying to tell me he murdered 50 street people in the mid-fifties and nobody noticed? yeah, uh-huh... sure... he definitely fantasized about all that... but actually doing it? Nah, that's probably more on the fiction side...

This is supposed to be a biography, so even if you accept all the "facts" without any evidence you'll still be wondering why on earth the author felt it important to mention what Richard ate for Christmas dinner (no, seriously, he listed all the food items served at dinner, several times... like it's significant? I don't think it's realistic in an biography to itemize what anyone ate 30 years before.)

Sigh... all that being said, it's quite an interesting, albeit unbelievable, look at what a serial killer might be like. Treat it like fiction and it's quite entertaining, treat it like truth and you'll have to be very good at suspending disbelief.

I'd have given it 4 stars (as a fictional story) if it had been better edited - I really didn't need to be reminded every chapter that Richard had a bad temper, or that he knew how to use poisons, etc... tell me stuff once or twice throughout the book, fine... but after the 8th time, it is a bit much.

As a little insight into mob goings-on, it is kind of interesting... is it true? No idea.

Not for the squeamish!

I bought this book based on favorable reviews. I must say that I was fascinated by this true story. If this book were a fiction novel, I would think that the author was reaching too far to shock the reader with wild and unbelievable stories about a serial killer. I have only occasionally purchased true crime, because I find them boring. This book was well done and I am glad that I purchased it. You won't be sorry to spend your credit on this fascinating book.

could not put it down

If you could sum up The Ice Man in three words, what would they be?

unbelievable, sad, scary.

What did you like best about this story?

the narrators ability to tell the story with the edge the story should have.

Which scene was your favorite?

can't pick. very gruesome stuff.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

not sure

Any additional comments?

I can't believe people can do this to each other. it is an eye opening story. its just plain shocking.

I liked it

Yes, it was repetative, but entertaining. It held my attention. If you miss something the first time, don't worry, you will hear it the 2nd or 3rd time it is repeated!!!! LOL. The editing really sucks, its like 4 people wrotes different sections and combined them.

"By then she had begun to hate Richard..." (8x)

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Sure, it's great if you've got Alzheimer's.

What could Philip Carlo have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This book would be half as long without all the repetition. "There were really two Richards..." I missed that the first six or seven times. Got it now though. "He wondered how he could do such things without it bothering him, why he was so different from other people." Oh yeah, thanks for reminding the reader.. six times. Did he like flying first class? Yes! Now I remember, because he liked sitting with all the 'civilians' like he was a successful businessman, but his business was killing people. If they only knew. I think the author told the reader that Richard told his daughter that he'd have to kill the kids if he ever beat his wife to death more times than Richard said it to his daughter. Philip, get an editor.

Which character – as performed by Michael Prichard – was your favorite?

Good performance by the narrator. Perfect voice for the genre.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The repetition is irritating. Maybe I already mentioned that. Otherwise okay book.

1950's narrator

I really liked the narrator in that he sounded like a 1950's scold. To those who say it is over-written, I say that that's part of the fun!

True Crime's Best Book!

What did you love best about The Ice Man?

So many mafia mysteries uncovered!

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

The Hoffa story or the Castellano Hit were nearly a revelation!

Have you listened to any of Michael Prichard’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

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

As a Psychological Grad, this book is an amazing window into the mind, heart, and soul of world's craziest killer.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this, youll be shocked and awed. Unbelievable enough to be believed.

very riveting!!!

What did you love best about The Ice Man?

The incredible number of crimes he committed its just spooky that its non fiction i guess.
Its worth your time

one of the best Listenings , I have had<br />

truly one of the scariest men ,this Iceman was, a true murdering machine. his life from start to finish was full of treachery despair ,hate ,pain and most of all death.

Reads like fiction, hard to beleive it's all true

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Very much so. It is a thriller in the true sense; an episode of Law and Order that was't made up. A testament to the necessity of family and how a bad childhood affects and entire world. The writing is incredible, the narration is just creepy enough to make your armhar stand. If you listen to this, make sure to stick around for the interviews with Richard. Putting to the story to a name and a face gives you a complete understanding of the icyness of his caharcter.

What other book might you compare The Ice Man to and why?

tough

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, but it's wicked long

Any additional comments?

I'm glad he's in prison.