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It's a bittersweet publication date for us at Overlook--today THE KILLER WITHIN: IN THE COMPANY OF MONSTERS hits shelves. The book is the memoir of the late bestselling crime writer Philip Carlo, who passed away in November at the age of 61. The book details his life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gherig's disease).
A resident of New York City and author of the bestselling The Ice Man, Gaspipe, and The Butcher, Carlo continued to write in the face of this daunting disease. His story is an important one, and one that will hit home for the millions who suffer from ALS and their loved ones. His grace in the face of adversity is evident on every page.
The fantastic New York Journal of Books has a wonderful review up of The Killer Within: In the Company of Monsters, particularly bittersweet given the recent passing of author Philip Carlo.
"Rest in peace, Mr. Carlo, knowing that your last effort was your best," writes John M. Wills. Scroll down to read the full review, or go here to read it on www.nyjournalofbooks.com.
The Killer Within: In The Company of Monsters
by Philip Carlo
Reviewed by John M. Wills | Released: January 6, 2011
Publisher: Overlook Press (256 pages)
Philip Carlo is no stranger to violence and death. He grew up in Brooklyn where he had a first-hand look at bullies, assorted tough guys, and Mafia members. He witnessed beatings and extortions, and like many inner-city kids, he became involved with drugs and gangs.
That gang affiliation nearly cost him his life. He was shot in the head during a gang fight when he was only 15 years old. Whether surviving that incident gave him a penchant for writing about death and those who cause it, we will never know. What we do know is that Mr. Carlo “walks the walk, not just talks the talk,” which enables him to write true stories that many may find too frightening to read.
The Killer Within is a memoir, and after reading the book and preparing to write this review, I did what I always do: I researched the author and his other works. I Googled Philip Carlo and went to his website, where I was saddened to learn of his recent death. He passed on November 8, 2010, at the age of 61, succumbing to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This insidious affliction, for which there is no treatment or cure, was Mr. Carlo’s “killer within.” In an ironic twist of fate, it was not the demonic murderers he freely associated with that took his life, but rather a silent, life draining disease that slowly incapacitates each muscle in the body, until finally taking away the victim’s ability to breathe. It’s a slow death, one that tortures its prey on a daily basis, stealing bits of life in tiny increments, until all systems become entangled in its vicious grip. The real terror of Lou Gehrig’s is that the victim’s mind is not affected, thus the person becomes an observer watching his own demise.
Despite this hardship, Mr. Carlo endured and did not allow ALS to impede his career. His wonderful loving wife, Laura, tended to his needs, while his faithful assistant, Kelsey, wrote the words that he spoke. Unable to grasp a pen, he depended on her to facilitate his passion to write. The trio’s ability to work as a team allowed Mr. Carlo to continue on his writing journey. His quest for finding the truth never weakened—even as his body did. He remained upbeat and enjoyed life, particularly his love of ethnic food. He loved travelling to South Beach to write during the harsh New York winters. His story includes his many friends from all over the world, people he met while researching his novels: Stolen Flower, Predators & Prayers, The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer, The Nighstalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez, Gaspipe: Confessions of a Mafia Boss,
It is a sad day for us at Overlook as we mourn the death of one of our authors, Philip Carlo, who died Monday at 61 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gherig's disease. The New York Times CityRoom blog has a wonderful obituary for this very special person, and we will continue to work on THE KILLER WITHIN, his memoir of living with ALS.
