Angel of Darkness: The True Story of Randy Kraft and the Most Heinous Murder Spree

by Dennis McDougal

Book Overview

Randy Kraft was highly intelligent, politically active, loyal to his friends, committed to his work--and the killer of 67 people--more than any other serial killer known. This book offers a glimpse into the dark mind of a living monster. "To open this book is to open a peephole into hell".--Associated Press. Photographs.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446515388
• ISBN13: 9780446515382
• Release Date: May 1991
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Unbelievable.

I accidently came across book Angel of Darkness when I was on Wikipedia. Wikipedia lists Randy Krafts murders in a straight linear pattern. Scary really scary. Hard to believe a monster like Randy Kraft ever lived. Then I read McDougals book Angel of Darkness and it filled in more details of Randy Kraft and his sick mind. Highly recommend this book because I never heard of this murderer. Will make you pro death penalty.

Truth is more frightening than fiction.

No one could have invented Randy Kraft, as fiction it would be too unbelievable. It boggles the mind that he literally got away with murder for 13 years. The author does a fine job laying out the facts of the case giving us a balance between the victims, their families, Kraft, his family and friends, the police and other serial killers who were operating in southern California at the same time. The plotting was well done and flowed smoothly making it a quick read. The only thing missing for me, was some analysis of what made Randy Kraft do such horrific things to people. But life isn't always tied up into neat resolutions. For anyone interested in serial killers or true crime, this book is a must!

A Must Read!

Dennis McDougal delivers a true-crime page turner that I simply couldn't put down. Ignore the more negative reviews, the book is well written and superbly researched, painting a truly nightmarish picture of true evil. Randy Kraft is one of the worst serial killers in American history gaining his morbid title by sheer numbers alone with a body count of at least 65! It's a chilling read of continous torture, rape and murder that spans an entire decade. The most disturbing part of the book is what isn't written...why haven't we heard of Kraft before now? Everyone has heard of Gacey, Dahmer, Son of Sam, etc. but until this book I'd never heard of Kraft...the murder and torture of young women is considered by society as more fiendish because overall women are more easily accepted as helpless victims, while young men especially strong, masculine Marines can take care of themselves. Obviously Kraft proves that anyone can fall victim when evil stalks our streets.

Creepy, terrifying story about a little-known killer

I had not intended to write a review of this book. But after I read some of the unjustly negative criticisms of McDougal's book on this page, I had to respond.Angel of Darkness tells the story Randy Kraft, one of the most brutal serial killers in American history that, surprisingly, few people have heard about. I hadn't either until I read this book, and I'm surprised that Kraft still remains so anonymous.This man was a true Jekyll and Hyde. By day, Kraft was a respected computer consultant who impressed his colleagues with both his brilliance and his humanitarian compassion. But at night, he would pickup young male hitchhikers and then drug, rape, photograph, and eventually hog-tie and torture them to death with shockingly sadistic cruelty.This story was particularly disturbing because Kraft hid his secret life and perversions so well. Furthermore, his violent murder sprees just didn't make sense in light of his privileged background, business, and social status.Two critics on this page complain that the story jumps around too much and is too difficult to follow. Nonsense! Although McDougal's book doesn't follow a strictly sequential story line, the narrative itself flows smoothly and effortlessly.Another critic complains that this book introduces too many ambiguities, such as whether many of Kraft's victims could've been attributed to other "freeway killers" roaming Southern California (which the author discusses at length), or whether the evidence against Kraft points to other possible accomplices as well.Well, Duh! This is a real-life account of real life murderer! Of course the facts remain shrouded in mystery because Randy Kraft didn't confess to any crimes, and still maintains his innocence on California's death row today. He even has a personal web site that solicits contributions for his legal defense. Unresolved controversies will surround anyone suspected of slaughtering 67 people over two decades!If you're a True Crime fan, Dennis McDougal's book is an obvious must-read. Better yet, if your kids are tempted to take up hitchhiking, MAKE them read it. Afterward, they'll never attempt such a foolish risk.

excellent research and writing, a real page turner.

\The first and best true life crime book I ever read. Although other serial killers have trawled the depths of depravity, Randy Kraft has to be the ultimate sadistic murderer because he was obviously the most intelligent, therefore able to plan his crimes to his best advantage.The author, Dennis McDougal, has written a story both fascinating and horrifying, more awful than any fictional tale. During the course of reading this masterpiece of factual reportage I found myself amazed at the strength of character it must have taken to research the activities of such a deviant personality and to have remained, I dearly trust, untouched.Having read this horrifically entertaining book I have gone on to read about many more real life murderers, but none have had the same impact as this masterpiece.

Excellently researched and an accurate account

I was one of the sources the author consulted in researching this book. I am not a crime afficiando, and I found the final output very accurate and non-sensational, yet disturbing because of the force of the narrative. McDougal did an excellent job of researching and presenting the sequence of events. I found the book riveting and moving. Excellent reading.