Philip Carlo was an accomplished American author, particularly known for his true crime novels. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up surrounded by a high concentration of Mafia members in the Bensonhurst neighborhood. At the young age of sixteen, Carlo was shot in the head during a gang war, which left a lasting impact on his life. It was during his recovery at the hospital and at home that he discovered the power of books, leading him to read voraciously and discover his love for storytelling.
Carlo's firsthand experience with Mafia culture and his intimate knowledge of their walk and talk significantly contributed to his success as a writer. He wrote several bestselling books, including "The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer," which detailed the crimes of the infamous serial killer Richard Kuklinski, who was believed to have murdered over 200 people and was a favorite among all seven of the East Coast crime families. Kuklinski's chilling confessions and Carlo's ability to bring his story to life made "The Ice Man" a New York Times bestseller.
In addition to "The Ice Man," Carlo wrote several other notable true crime novels, including "Gaspipe," "The Butcher," and "The Night Stalker," which chronicled the brutal career of serial killer Richard Ramirez. Carlo's writing was known for its ability to transport readers into the dark and dangerous world of organized crime, capturing the essence of the Mafia's brutal culture. Despite his untimely death in 2010 from ALS, Carlo's legacy as a true crime author lives on, inspiring new generations of writers and readers alike.