• The Dating Game Killer

  • The True Story of a TV Dating Show, a Violent Sociopath, and a Series of Brutal Murders
  • By: Stella Sands
  • Narrated by: Charles Constant
  • Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (160 ratings)

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The Dating Game Killer  By  cover art

The Dating Game Killer

By: Stella Sands
Narrated by: Charles Constant
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Publisher's summary

In 1978, Rodney Alcala was a contestant on the The Dating Game, one of America's most popular television shows at the time. Handsome, successful, and romantic, he was embraced by the audience - and chosen as the winner by the beautiful bachelorette. To viewers across the country, Rodney seemed like the answer to every woman's dreams. Until they learned the truth about his once and future crimes....

Ten years before his TV appearance, Rodney was charged with the sexual assault and attempted murder of an eight-year-old girl. In the decades that followed, he would be accused of seven murders - and, as new DNA evidence continues to be uncovered, the list may grow. The case is so disturbing that it's been documented in several news outlets, from People magazine and USA Today to 48 Hours Mystery, and Dr. Phil.

©2011 Stella Sands (P)2018 Tantor

What listeners say about The Dating Game Killer

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Like listening to a news report

Tedious. Just a news account. Not told as a story. Informative but tedious. True account

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

well-written, with some hard to stomach details

enjoyed this book, but had to take a break from it periodically to make it through. I. an avid true-crime reader and have been all of my life, but what this man did (as described in the coroner's reports, among other things) was very hard even for me to listen to. Appalling how many times this man slipped through the fingers of law enforcement; he should never have been set free after his first offense, and yet for some reason he was allowed to continue unimpeded for years. I enjoyed the narration also. not sure if it is my device, but even at a high volume it was difficult to hear in the car (where I listen to most of my audio books).

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I want to yell at this book, but it wouldn't help.

This is so painfully bad. It's like if Nancy Grace was told that white lady rage is super inappropriate, but it only penetrated in the most Nancy-Grace-y way so what comes out is simpering and not just a little victim-blamey, but then the whole thing is run through a machine that churns out remedial high school term papers that will need to be scrutinized for plagiarism because of the giant chunks of copy-pasted psychiatric textbooks. This lady's sporadic bursts of "creative writing" just pile on the cringe. This book doesn't have any friends and can't even hack being teacher's pet.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

To long, to redundant

This book could be about half as long if the writer didn't go back and forth repeating things again and again.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent!

I listen to/read a lot of true crime. This book is definitely one of the best. It is well-researched, engaging, well-narrated, and one you don't want to put down. I highly recommend it!

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Unique Story But Slightly Drawn Out

I really enjoyed this story and the overall performance. However, there were periods of time where the trial details got a little long and monotonous.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well Told TRUE CRIME

Well researched, well-written story, with emphasis on the victims and families and very blunt picture of the serial murderer--and not much sympathy for him! Author does excellent job of bringing all the threads together...very good narration!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting!

Essential for true crime buffs. Watch YouTube clips of him appearing on the Dating Game program - chills will run up and down your spine.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good book

I had heard of Alcala briefly before reading this book and in January 2021 a documentary came on 20/20 with this author being one of the ones interviewed. I was so intrigued I downloaded the audible book. Very quick chapters so the pace seemed fast. Good info and as a licensed therapist I always like hearing about the mental health aspect of the person and that was included. Lastly, I wish the author would have provided an update on the 2 cases in New York that took place in 2013 (Crilley and Hover).

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