The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer
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Book Overview
The inspiration for the major motion picture starring Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, with Ray Liotta and Chris Evans
He was smart, merciless, and deadly. And it took someone just as tough to bring him down. A mob contract killer known as "The Iceman" for hiding a body in an ice-cream truck freezer, Richard Kuklinski boasted a personal body count of more than a hundred victims. Using guns, knives, poison, ice picks, tire irons, baseball bats, and bombs, the family man from New Jersey killed for fun, for money, to cover up his own crimes, and to satisfy his inner rage. Law enforcement officials knew all about Kuklinski and had a list of his victims, but couldn't get near him--until undercover agent Dominick Polifrone posed as a mobster and began a deadly game of cat and mouse. In this harrowing true-crime account, Anthony Bruno delves into the mind of a cold-blooded killer, chronicling the Iceman's grisly crimes and probing the bizarre dynamics of Agent Polifrone's dangerous liaison with him. For as Polifrone carefully built up a case against Kuklinksi, he knew he was running out of time--because the Iceman was planning to kill him too. "Bruno puts his writing talents to white-knuckle use with a tight focus on a killer with no human feelings."--Kirkus Reviews
"Excellent . . . re-creates] the tension and stress Polifrone experienced in fulfilling his risky undercover assignment."--Publishers Weekly
He was smart, merciless, and deadly. And it took someone just as tough to bring him down. A mob contract killer known as "The Iceman" for hiding a body in an ice-cream truck freezer, Richard Kuklinski boasted a personal body count of more than a hundred victims. Using guns, knives, poison, ice picks, tire irons, baseball bats, and bombs, the family man from New Jersey killed for fun, for money, to cover up his own crimes, and to satisfy his inner rage. Law enforcement officials knew all about Kuklinski and had a list of his victims, but couldn't get near him--until undercover agent Dominick Polifrone posed as a mobster and began a deadly game of cat and mouse. In this harrowing true-crime account, Anthony Bruno delves into the mind of a cold-blooded killer, chronicling the Iceman's grisly crimes and probing the bizarre dynamics of Agent Polifrone's dangerous liaison with him. For as Polifrone carefully built up a case against Kuklinksi, he knew he was running out of time--because the Iceman was planning to kill him too. "Bruno puts his writing talents to white-knuckle use with a tight focus on a killer with no human feelings."--Kirkus Reviews
"Excellent . . . re-creates] the tension and stress Polifrone experienced in fulfilling his risky undercover assignment."--Publishers Weekly
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0345540115
ISBN13:9780345540119
Release Date:March 2013
Publisher:Bantam
Length:320 Pages
Weight:0.56 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.0" x 8.3"
Customer Reviews
6 ratings
Good book.
Published by Maria , 1 year ago
Interesting perspective on Richard kuklinski
The Ice Man
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I have read 2 books about the Ice Man and enjoyed them both. One by Anthony Bruno another by Philip Carlo.. Two of the best written books with different out looks which I enjoyed.. I can't say enough about these 2 books.. IF you enjoy true crime you will love these books and the CD.. Judy
Another excellent police "sting " book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This is the story of another undercover police "sting" this time removing Richard Kuklinski and his car theft/murder crew.The book is similar to "Murder Machine" which describes the police "sting" of the DeMeo crew.Kuklinski's own greed finally brings him down.On the numerous murders described graphically in the book,the majority are "crew enforcement" type where Kuklinski kills crew members or other "players" who represent a real or imagined threat to the Iceman.Members of his crew turn on him,which is the same plot as "Murder Machine",and become police witnesses against Kuklinski and this is how he is finally "brought down".There is alot of tension between the Iceman and the undercover cop in the book.You realize that the cop involved is in extreme danger because Kuklinski is batting 1000 in regard to his deals with other criminals.That is all,kills!
Chilling
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This is a chilling account of a methodical, cold-blooded killer and con man told by a skillful writer. The characters ring true and the story, though real, is as imaginable as fiction. The Iceman should never walk the streets again. Read the book and you'll know why.
Tight. concise review of the facts
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This account of the Iceman is concise and deals mostly with the events leading to his arrest. It briefly touches on Kuklinski's early years, family life, and other criminal activities both proven and unproven. But a more detailed account of those facets of Iceman lore can be found in the new book by Philip Carlo. This book sticks to the facts without any hyperbole.
Reality TV Confession Leads to Real-Life Conviction
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
This is the title of the New York Times article (2/21/03, page B1) about the current criminal charges leveled at serial killer Richard Kuklinski whose exploits Anthony Bruno wrote so brilliantly in THE ICE MAN (Dell, 1994).Today Kuklinski now stands accused of the 1980 shotgun slaying of NYPD Officer Peter Calabro. In 1999 a reviewer here was critical of THE ICE MAN because author Bruno wrote about "the undercover agents who sought to bring [Kuklinski] down because the cops are always the stereotypicals. Big Yawn!"The lives of police officers may be a big yawn to that person, but hopefully not to the majority. I applaud Anthony Bruno for recognizing & recounting just how much of themselves police officers put on the line to bring the likes of Kuklinski to justice... It is as fine a read today as it was 9 years ago. Like a fine wine, maybe even better.
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