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The Acid King
Real stories. Real teens. Real consequences.
A murder in a small Long Island town reveals the dark secrets lurking behind the seemingly peaceful façade in this latest installment of the Simon True series.
On June 19, 1984, seventeen-year-old Ricky Kasso murdered Gary Lauwers in what local police and the international press dubbed a “Satanic Sacrifice.”
The murder became the subject of several popular songs, and television specials addressed the issue of whether or not America’s teens were practicing Satanism. Even Congress got in on the act, debating Satanic symbolism in songs by performers like AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne. “The country is in crisis!” screamed the pundits. After all, it was the height of the Reagan era and Nancy Reagan’s “just say no” campaign was everywhere. But what this case revealed were bigger problems lurking at the heart of suburban America.
Ricky Kasso wasn’t a bad kid, but he was lost. To feel better, he started smoking pot, moving on from that to PCP and LSD. He ended up living on the streets and thinking he had nothing to lose. Gary Lauwers went from being a victim of bullying to using drugs to fit in, and finally robbery—but then he made the mistake of stealing from Ricky, and from that moment on, his fate was sealed.
A few months later, Gary went into the woods behind the park with Ricky and two other boys. Only three of them came out.
The subsequent police investigation and accompanying media circus turned the village upside down. It shattered the image of an idyllic small town, changed the way neighbors viewed each other, and recast the War on Drugs.
A murder in a small Long Island town reveals the dark secrets lurking behind the seemingly peaceful façade in this latest installment of the Simon True series.
On June 19, 1984, seventeen-year-old Ricky Kasso murdered Gary Lauwers in what local police and the international press dubbed a “Satanic Sacrifice.”
The murder became the subject of several popular songs, and television specials addressed the issue of whether or not America’s teens were practicing Satanism. Even Congress got in on the act, debating Satanic symbolism in songs by performers like AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne. “The country is in crisis!” screamed the pundits. After all, it was the height of the Reagan era and Nancy Reagan’s “just say no” campaign was everywhere. But what this case revealed were bigger problems lurking at the heart of suburban America.
Ricky Kasso wasn’t a bad kid, but he was lost. To feel better, he started smoking pot, moving on from that to PCP and LSD. He ended up living on the streets and thinking he had nothing to lose. Gary Lauwers went from being a victim of bullying to using drugs to fit in, and finally robbery—but then he made the mistake of stealing from Ricky, and from that moment on, his fate was sealed.
A few months later, Gary went into the woods behind the park with Ricky and two other boys. Only three of them came out.
The subsequent police investigation and accompanying media circus turned the village upside down. It shattered the image of an idyllic small town, changed the way neighbors viewed each other, and recast the War on Drugs.
480 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 18, 2018
For a certain group of metal-loving stoners, the name of Ricky Kasso is held in a certain regard. His story, a drug selling murderer Satanist and leader of the leader of the Knights of the Black Circle Satanic coven has been referenced in songs by groups such as Electric Wizard, The Electric Hellfire Club, Sonic Youth, and Wheatus.
Indeed, Wheatus' primary hit, "Teenage Dirtbag" was inspired by the after-effects of the Kasso murders, as Brendan Brown of the band lived in the same town as Kasso, and encountered him a few times.
He was well known in the wild world of 80s "Satanic Panic," mixing with figures like his metal heroes and fellow murderers like Sean Sellers, along with the huckster preachers who exploited the story for money such as good ol' Beggin' Bob Larson.
The true story is far less romantic or mythological, but far more tragic.
Pollack unearthed police records, interviews with Kasso and the other teens involved in the crime, and people who knew all of them, including the siblings of both Kasso and his victim, Gary Lauwers, to paint a picture of abused and neglected kids, hard-core drug use, casual violence, fatalism and nihilism.
The true culprit in this story wasn't the devil - it was the community itself and, in Kasso's case, his father. Having dealt with pathetic wannabe jock fathers - and teachers - who push their kids to fulfill their dreams - well, I can't help but loathe his father with an intense loathing.
Still, I can't help but suspect that somewhere, Ricky and Gary are aware of their posthumous fame - and are quite amused. At least, I hope so. They deserve it.
The singular drawback is that there are no photographs. I'm assuming that this was the decision of the publisher. Still, it's odd for Pollack to discuss photos and not include them.
Hail Satin!
Indeed, Wheatus' primary hit, "Teenage Dirtbag" was inspired by the after-effects of the Kasso murders, as Brendan Brown of the band lived in the same town as Kasso, and encountered him a few times.
He was well known in the wild world of 80s "Satanic Panic," mixing with figures like his metal heroes and fellow murderers like Sean Sellers, along with the huckster preachers who exploited the story for money such as good ol' Beggin' Bob Larson.
The true story is far less romantic or mythological, but far more tragic.
Pollack unearthed police records, interviews with Kasso and the other teens involved in the crime, and people who knew all of them, including the siblings of both Kasso and his victim, Gary Lauwers, to paint a picture of abused and neglected kids, hard-core drug use, casual violence, fatalism and nihilism.
The true culprit in this story wasn't the devil - it was the community itself and, in Kasso's case, his father. Having dealt with pathetic wannabe jock fathers - and teachers - who push their kids to fulfill their dreams - well, I can't help but loathe his father with an intense loathing.
Still, I can't help but suspect that somewhere, Ricky and Gary are aware of their posthumous fame - and are quite amused. At least, I hope so. They deserve it.
The singular drawback is that there are no photographs. I'm assuming that this was the decision of the publisher. Still, it's odd for Pollack to discuss photos and not include them.
Hail Satin!
December 1, 2018
So glad to see this story finally told thoughtfully and thoroughly. The section on David Breskin’s work was so well done. This book hooked me from the start, and I finished it in a few days. Pollack’s integrity as a journalist assured me that I was getting the full story, not the tabloid hype. Looking forward to his next book.
August 23, 2020
As good as Dave Cullen’s “Columbine.” I’m so glad I picked this book up.
July 3, 2022
For some years now,I've had a slight on and off fascination with Ricky Kasso.I've not been sure why except outside of the whole immense tragedy of these events.I finally figured out that its because I wanted to try to get into his mind,how and why he could become not only a devil worshipper, but sacrifice a fellow teenager to Satan,then wipe himself out 48 hours after being arrested.I know all that has sadly happened before but there was always something that didn't seem to completely add up about Ricky somehow.Reading this book helped me understand him and the circumstances better but for me a few questions will always remain.I guess because you can't look into someone else's mind and see exactly what they were thinking.I will never forget this tragedy and the horrible murder of poor Gary.That kid didn't deserve to die, especially so brutally.As for Ricky,I sincerely hope that God had mercy on his soul.
Another thing that will always stick with me is that its plain that James Troiono got away with murder .
There is no other reasonable conclusion to come to.I think he has some sincere regret now and I understand he has had a troubled life as an adult and spent several years in jail for robbery and other crimes but he should have spent those years in jail for helping to kill poor Gary instead.
Another thing that will always stick with me is that its plain that James Troiono got away with murder .
There is no other reasonable conclusion to come to.I think he has some sincere regret now and I understand he has had a troubled life as an adult and spent several years in jail for robbery and other crimes but he should have spent those years in jail for helping to kill poor Gary instead.
November 4, 2018
This is the second book I have read by Jesse P Pollack that is true crime. The Acid King is another true crime book that took place in NY and was all over the news in the 80's due to the satanic nature of the murder. I won't give away any clues.
The book involves the murder of Gary Lauwers and Ricky Kasso is the prime suspect in a most brutal almost ritualistic murder over reasons that you will find hard to believe. This was a time of huge drug use among the community, where most parents are not aware of what is going on around them.
The characters (real life) are from countless hours of research and interviews that Mr. Pollack conducted and you will find yourself caught up in this sad, sad story.
It was a compelling read, and since the first book written by Pollack, I had a feeling this would be the case. I could not put this hefty book down and went through it in two nights, and again found myself picking it up again to reread. There are things that will jolt your mind and you will end up going back in the book to find them again, and also any references to them.
This true crime book is an A+++ read!
The book involves the murder of Gary Lauwers and Ricky Kasso is the prime suspect in a most brutal almost ritualistic murder over reasons that you will find hard to believe. This was a time of huge drug use among the community, where most parents are not aware of what is going on around them.
The characters (real life) are from countless hours of research and interviews that Mr. Pollack conducted and you will find yourself caught up in this sad, sad story.
It was a compelling read, and since the first book written by Pollack, I had a feeling this would be the case. I could not put this hefty book down and went through it in two nights, and again found myself picking it up again to reread. There are things that will jolt your mind and you will end up going back in the book to find them again, and also any references to them.
This true crime book is an A+++ read!
April 12, 2024
The tale of alleged Satanist Ricky Kasso and the brutal murder of Gary Lauwers captivated the nation in 1984 and was one of the key elements in the explosion of the "Satanic Panic" that swept the country.
Despite a lot of lurid rumors and media misrepresentation, the real motive behind Lauwers' death are less "the devil made me do it" and more drug dispute gone bad. Jesse Pollack does a fantastic job exposing the details you probably didn't hear in the media frenzy following this crime...painting a bleak picture of the banality of evil that will make you feel sympathy for both the victim and his killer.
The devil may indeed be in the details, but as Pollack's book so eloquently points out, he wasn't anywhere to be found in the Ricky Kasso case.
Easily the best book on this topic.
Despite a lot of lurid rumors and media misrepresentation, the real motive behind Lauwers' death are less "the devil made me do it" and more drug dispute gone bad. Jesse Pollack does a fantastic job exposing the details you probably didn't hear in the media frenzy following this crime...painting a bleak picture of the banality of evil that will make you feel sympathy for both the victim and his killer.
The devil may indeed be in the details, but as Pollack's book so eloquently points out, he wasn't anywhere to be found in the Ricky Kasso case.
Easily the best book on this topic.
October 6, 2025
This tragic event took place in my hometown, the summer I was entering my junior year in high school. Pollack has written a story that truly is based on facts and not the media’s exploitation of it when it first happened.
September 20, 2023
Thoroughly researched & written with compassion for both Ricky Kasso and Gary Lauwyers.
Teens in the 80’s were rarely sought to be understood, especially dirtbag teens who dabbled in Satan, or heavy music, or drugs. Pollack gives a throrough account of Ricky Kasso & Gary Lauwyers’ parallel tracks, struggles with parents & homelife, and the (lets be honest) *chaotic* drug use that caused their paths to tragically intertwine, and allows for sympathy and understanding amidst the horror of what went down that night in the woods. Ricky’s suicide made me tear up at the futility of it all. Like, goddammit this kid was only 17 for crying out loud.
Sidebar: PCP ~and~ Acid ~and~ Mescaline!? That’s not mind-altering that’s straight-up brain-purée.
what a brain-fuck cocktail. Unbelievable.
The section on David Bresnick also shines a much needed spotlight on his excellent reporting, being perhaps the only journalist in America in 1984 to even care about the lives of Northport teenagers. It’s a shame he quit writing. Empathy like that was (and still is) so rare in true crime reporting.
Anyway, read this cover to cover in a day.
5 stars, no notes.
SATIN LIVES.
Teens in the 80’s were rarely sought to be understood, especially dirtbag teens who dabbled in Satan, or heavy music, or drugs. Pollack gives a throrough account of Ricky Kasso & Gary Lauwyers’ parallel tracks, struggles with parents & homelife, and the (lets be honest) *chaotic* drug use that caused their paths to tragically intertwine, and allows for sympathy and understanding amidst the horror of what went down that night in the woods. Ricky’s suicide made me tear up at the futility of it all. Like, goddammit this kid was only 17 for crying out loud.
Sidebar: PCP ~and~ Acid ~and~ Mescaline!? That’s not mind-altering that’s straight-up brain-purée.
what a brain-fuck cocktail. Unbelievable.
The section on David Bresnick also shines a much needed spotlight on his excellent reporting, being perhaps the only journalist in America in 1984 to even care about the lives of Northport teenagers. It’s a shame he quit writing. Empathy like that was (and still is) so rare in true crime reporting.
Anyway, read this cover to cover in a day.
5 stars, no notes.
SATIN LIVES.
October 10, 2021
I can see why this book is in constant circulation at my high school. What interested me is not the sensationalism that most likely attracts the YA readers. Being the same age as the subject, and looking back on the culture of the times, the problems in the community fascinated me. Where were the adults? Why the disconnect between the teens and the parents to the degree this was kept secret for so long? In a culture where today’s teens have no secrets and there is video evidence of everything they do, it was fascinating to remember a time where this could occur and interesting to explore the factors that played a role.
November 15, 2021
An excellent first telling, in book form, of the true story behind the murder of Gary Lauwers. David Breskin's Rolling Stone article being the first attempt to get to the truth. The book 'Say You Love Satan' did a great disservice to the case by pointing solely at the satanic ritual murder angle so it is wonderful that Jessie P Pollack brings us this opportunity to hear the truth of the fateful night in Aztekea woods. Finally we get to read the equally tragic case of the killer, Ricky Kasso, and his victim, Gary Lauwers. The documentary of the same name is now available to put pictures to the story.
May 9, 2023
This was a factual account of the drug fueled murder committed by Ricky Kasso in 1984. This murder was part of what incited Satanic Panic as people were convinced Kasso was in a satanic cult and that's the reason the murder was committed along with heavy metal music and violent movies playing a part. Pollack tells us what really happened drawing a lot from Rolling Stone writer David Breskin who was the only one who was originally interested in telling the actual story of what happened before, during, and after the horrific murder. This is a well-researched and thorough account of the events including how wrongly the media portrayed them.
August 6, 2019
Well researched and factual account of the "Aztakea" Long Island murder by a 19 year old known as the "Acid King", which started the Satanic Panic of the mid 1980s. It tries to dispel the notion that the murder was part of an organized satanic ritual. It achieves that but in doing so, it washes over the fact that the murderer clearly was obsessed with Satan. Still, the author does a good job of showing how his broken family life was a primary driver of his life of drugs and crime.
June 26, 2019
Wow. What an incredible non-fiction read. This is a compilation of what I can only imagine to be hours upon hours upon hours of research, interviews, and just pure time to put together this narrative. I could not put it down. I knew the '80's had some screwed up times, especially with the prevalence of drugs around, but wow.
February 2, 2022
This was an amazing book to read. The story is extremely captivating, and as someone who loves true crime, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pollack did a great job at bringing the story of Ricky Kasso and Gary Lauwers to life, and touched on the aftermath of the incident as well. This was a great book and a great story, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Pollack.
January 7, 2023
A very in-depth look into a murder committed during the height of the satanic panic of the 80s. This is a pretty long read for a true crime book where there is only one victim. Still, this is a fascinating look into youth culture of the time without all the sensational occult stuff misleading the hard truths of where a tragedy has affected a community.
January 28, 2019
Wonderful tragic story of a murdered boy over what is to believe a satanic ritual but the process of a rolling Stones write shows different. Started a little slow but picked up when they get to trial. But overall a good read.
September 15, 2019
this is an interesting story about how drugs can lead to corruption. it's also a story about how the media will take any unfortunate disaster and twist it so it fits their ideals. both concepts that are still true today.
August 19, 2020
Ripped through this book in two days. Couldn't put it down. I was already familiar with the case due to the TV documentary from 2000 but it held my interest the entire time. Loved all the updates at the end.
September 7, 2020
The Acid King, aka Ricky Kasso, along with his drug buddies, was a straight piece of $h!t. Hell, the whole town of Northport was filled with throw-away youths up to no good and eating acid and smoking PCP like it was candy. Don't believe me? Read the book for yourself. Well written book Pollack!
July 17, 2022
Excellent look at the Ricky Kasso case and how it was handled by the media at the time. The only problem I had with it was it was written almost like a novel at times as opposed to a true-crime book.
July 2, 2023
Surprisingly good for a YA account of a sad, scary episode of supposed Satan worship in Northport Long Island. Evenhanded and sensitive. 1984 seems like a different world…can you imagine kicking a kid out of the house at 14/15 to have them live homeless on the street?…
April 1, 2019
i live nearby, so it had a local content for me. Kids were real dirtbags in the 70's and 80's. Parents were self-absorbed and horrible.
February 19, 2024
An absolutely wonderful in-depth look into an often sensationalized event. It's really one I'd consider the pinnacle of non-fiction/true-crime genres.
February 3, 2022
SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!! I love how the author adds background information about Ricky's life !!
August 9, 2024
There are three good sources of information about the Kasso/Lauwers crime:
- Say You Love Satan, by David St. Clair, the first book on the case.
- Satan in the Suburbs, a thorough documentary with crime scene photos and footage.
- Eyewitness, the recent book by the crime's witness Albert Quinones.
This one, on the other hand, is some incoherent, barely literate, exploitative pseudonarrative, which reads (painfully) as if it had mostly been copied from the transparently superior, if slightly sensationalized (in a somewhat fitting manner of the 80s!) "Say You Love Satan".
The "author" makes a mess of facts, dates, and quotes - for the facts, see the recent book "Eyewitness", by Albert Quinones, the only man who was present during the crime and chose to reveal the truth recently - and seems so terrified of any competition that he does not even mention the film and the documentary made about the case (both are, of course, much better than this catachrestic compilation).
- Say You Love Satan, by David St. Clair, the first book on the case.
- Satan in the Suburbs, a thorough documentary with crime scene photos and footage.
- Eyewitness, the recent book by the crime's witness Albert Quinones.
This one, on the other hand, is some incoherent, barely literate, exploitative pseudonarrative, which reads (painfully) as if it had mostly been copied from the transparently superior, if slightly sensationalized (in a somewhat fitting manner of the 80s!) "Say You Love Satan".
The "author" makes a mess of facts, dates, and quotes - for the facts, see the recent book "Eyewitness", by Albert Quinones, the only man who was present during the crime and chose to reveal the truth recently - and seems so terrified of any competition that he does not even mention the film and the documentary made about the case (both are, of course, much better than this catachrestic compilation).
October 3, 2024
This is the first time I have read any true crime as I really enjoy a lot of documentaries or youtube videos on the subject. I was interested in this book as it was considered to me very well researched and written and actually suggested by the Monsters youtube channel.
I was curious about how it tied into the overall satanic panic of the 1980's.
Oh boy is it different in a book than it is when watching an hour or two about the same subject. I now know every minute detail about Ricky Kasso and his life and friends and all the details about why he murdered someone. I can say it was extremely well written but I wasnt sure what I was getting myself into. For that reason I took my time reading it and cant say I didnt enjoy it....it was just.....alot to take in.
Now onto some lighter reading!
I was curious about how it tied into the overall satanic panic of the 1980's.
Oh boy is it different in a book than it is when watching an hour or two about the same subject. I now know every minute detail about Ricky Kasso and his life and friends and all the details about why he murdered someone. I can say it was extremely well written but I wasnt sure what I was getting myself into. For that reason I took my time reading it and cant say I didnt enjoy it....it was just.....alot to take in.
Now onto some lighter reading!
October 22, 2024
The author, Jesse Pollack, clearly cared deeply about this story and did an amazing job diving into the life and death of Ricky Kasso, as well as the group of kids and young adults he hung around in his final months. This book is truly gripping and engaging, and I can't recommend it enough for anyone interested in the true crime genre.
March 8, 2025
This was so well-written and well-researched. I grew up in the eighties but was very sheltered. I had never heard of this story or of Ricky Kasso. Pollack has done an amazing job piecing together this boy's life and the events of Gary Lauwers' murder.
Also, a whole lot more of my childhood makes sense now.
Also, a whole lot more of my childhood makes sense now.
May 24, 2019
The dry writing and extreme length makes it inaccessible to the reluctant readers who would otherwise be interested in the topic.
August 7, 2024
For teens - the true story of drugs and teens, murder, suicide, and a court case that fell apart. I really appreciated how in-depth this story was, including the critiques of the media coverage.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews