Philip Carlo Libri

Tommy "Karate" Pitera stands out in the world of the Bonanno crime family, not just for his criminal activities, but for his unsettling nature that instills fear even among seasoned mobsters. While he engages in drug dealing and violence like others, his unpredictable and unhinged demeanor sets him apart, making him a figure of both respect and terror within the Five Families. This exploration delves into the complexities of his character and the chilling impact he had on those around him.

Written by the bestselling author of The Ice Man, The Butcher is a gripping and disturbing fly-on-the-wall account of the US Drug Enforcement Administration's four-year hunt to bring down Tommy 'Karate' Pitera, a drug- dealing, murderous capo in the Bonanno crime family.

Ten years after the horrific spree that left 13 people dead and the city of L.A. paralyzed with fear, Richard Ramirez's name is synonymous with Satanism, torture, and sadistic murder. Here, based on 100 hours of personal interviews with Ramirez on California's Death Row, is the definitive account of America's most feared serial killer.

The story of Richard Ramirez explores his journey from witnessing murder as a child to receiving nineteen death sentences, including the juror who fell in love with him. This gripping narrative features interviews with Ramirez, uncovering the depths of his chilling crimes and human evil.

Carlo offers a blood-chilling insight into the mind of one of America's most prolific assassins, Richard 'the Ice Man' Kuklinski. Whilst writing this book, he spent many hours interviewing Kuklinski at Trenton State Prison in New Jersey and had the full cooperation of his family, who offered their side of the story.

Born into a life of crime, Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso became a notorious figure in New York's Lucchese crime family, known for his exceptional skills in orchestrating heists and drug trafficking. His rise to power was marked by a lavish lifestyle and a reputation for violence, being linked to at least fifty murders. However, his world unraveled in 1994 when he turned informant, betraying the very organization he once revered. This transformation from feared mobster to a snitch highlights the complexities of loyalty and survival in the criminal underworld.

Looks into the world of La Cosa Nostra. This book details the author's feud with John Gotti, the 'Windows Case' that led to the beginning of the end for the mob in New York, and his dealings with the NYPD Mafia cops.

Exploring the chilling life of mob enforcer Tommy "Karate" Pitera, this true crime narrative delves into the psyche of a man responsible for over sixty gruesome murders. Known for his sadistic enjoyment of his work, Pitera instilled fear even in the hearts of seasoned criminals. The book offers a gripping account of the darkest aspects of organized crime, positioning itself alongside renowned classics in the genre. Phillip Carlo's portrayal promises to be a harrowing journey into the underbelly of the Mafia.

Philip Carlo's successful and acclaimed books reveal the truth about notorious characters such as LA serial killer Richard Ramirez, Mafia contract killer Richard Kuklinski and crime-family boss Anthony Casso. Working closely with the DEA , Carlo also wrote the definitive account of Bonanno Mafia family assassin Tommy 'Karate' Pitera.

Top Mafia hit man. Doting father. For 30 years, 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 neighbourhood barbecues in suburban New Jersey. Kuklinski was Sammy 'the Bull' Gravano's partner in the killing of Paul Castellano at Sparks Steak House. John Gotti hired him to kill the neighbour who accidentally ran over his child. He was also intimately involved in the killing of Jimmy Hoffa. He conducted this sadistic business with cold-hearted intensity, never disappointing his customers. For an additional price, he would make his victims suffer. By his own estimate, he killed over 200 men, taking enormous pride in his cunning and the ferocity of his technique. Philip Carlo spent hundreds of hours with Kuklinski, his wife and his daughters, as well as with police and underworld sources. This research has resulted in an intimate and definitive portrait of a killer in the groundbreaking tradition of Peter Maas's bestselling biography of Sammy the Bull, Underboss, or Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy.