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)

The Ultimate Character

Richard is by far the most character I've encountered this year. Listening to the tales of his double life, and how they cross over makes for a great true crime drama. The added bonus interviews at the end of the recording are what pushed me from a 4 star rating to a 5.

Freaking Amazing!

what a great story! definitely gona listen again. love the bonus of the interview! hope to find more books done this well.

Good book

The narrator could have been better. A few things didn't match with the documentaries. But overall it was a good book.

great bedtime story.

The rats, the barrels, the guns, & the caves. That wonderful feeling of having life slip away. Enjoy.

Good story but questionable

Overall this was a fun book to listen to. Although I question the truth of Richard’s statements. He definitely killed many people, but wish the author stated some stories with skepticism.

May be the best audiobook I’ve heard.

There are few audiobooks that hold my interest throughout. Excellent narration and a story that is unlike any true crime story I’ve read.

You must buy this audio only if...

You enjoy an incredible true crime story and chilling psychological profile. Not for the squeamish. I couldn't stop listening. The narrator has just the right "news man" tone that fits this tale perfectly. Yes, the narrative is redundant at times. You notice how certain phrases are repeated, but they didn't annoy me. I first saw "The Ice Man" HBO documentary and was riveted. This man is both an attractive character and monsterous. This tension drives the tale as well as the "creative" way he devises his crime.It will make you feel vulnerable. You will shutter unless you don't have a conscience. I'm serious. This is the real deal.Decadence and black humor and moments that will make you cry. You'll be glad there are some heroes in this tale. At times I had problems keeping track of all of all the Mafiosi, but it doesn't matter. I plan on listening to this again. The bonus material is incredible. I kept thinking, "What was I doing in my life when all this was going on?" because I don't recall seeing it on the news. This is also a story about abuse-unrelenting abuse: the making of a sociopath. It is also a story about mercy. Just get it. Nothing fancy here - just a great story. I hear a movie is planned, but don't wait. The film will have a lot to live up to.

Great Read!

I listened to this while training for my last marathon - made the miles fly by! Although, I did have to stop every once in a while because something I heard stopped me in my tracks...

Fantastic

Ive seen the Iceman on HBO but to hear the story in its entirety was utterly fasinating

very educational...horrifying

Love your family and be loyal to your partner. Read or listen to his story and then hug and love the people you care about...I will never see rats the same way.