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The Executioner #22
Hawaiian Hellground
In beautiful Hawaii, the Executioner opens a volcanic war in the Pacific
Mack Bolan stands at the lip of Puowaina, the Hawaiian war cemetery, and pays tribute to the friends he lost in Vietnam. Since he left the jungle, this crack sniper has been fighting a different war—an endless battle against organized crime that he knows will someday end in his death. He is in Hawaii on a mission, and that mission is murder.
He starts by firing a series of sniper rounds into the palatial apartment of the Hawaiian heroin king. As Bolan watches the local mob try to pick up the pieces, he begins hearing rumors of another capo: the mysterious King Fire. There is a conspiracy lurking beneath the surface of this beautiful chain of islands—a fiendish plot that stretches to the farthest reaches of the Pacific.
Mack Bolan stands at the lip of Puowaina, the Hawaiian war cemetery, and pays tribute to the friends he lost in Vietnam. Since he left the jungle, this crack sniper has been fighting a different war—an endless battle against organized crime that he knows will someday end in his death. He is in Hawaii on a mission, and that mission is murder.
He starts by firing a series of sniper rounds into the palatial apartment of the Hawaiian heroin king. As Bolan watches the local mob try to pick up the pieces, he begins hearing rumors of another capo: the mysterious King Fire. There is a conspiracy lurking beneath the surface of this beautiful chain of islands—a fiendish plot that stretches to the farthest reaches of the Pacific.
177 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Don Pendleton
1,538 books196 followersDon Pendleton was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, December 12, 1927 and died October 23, 1995 in Arizona.
He wrote mystery, action/adventure, science-fiction, crime fiction, suspense, short stories, nonfiction, and was a comic scriptwriter, poet, screenwriter, essayist, and metaphysical scholar. He published more than 125 books in his long career, and his books have been published in more than 25 foreign languages with close to two hundred million copies in print throughout the world.
After producing a number of science-fiction and mystery novels, Don launched in 1969 the phenomenal Mack Bolan: The Executioner, which quickly emerged as the original, definitive Action/Adventure series. His successful paperback books inspired a new particularly American literary genre during the early 1970's, and Don became known as "the father of action/adventure."
"Although The Executioner Series is far and away my most significant contribution to world literature, I still do not perceive myself as 'belonging' to any particular literary niche. I am simply a storyteller, an entertainer who hopes to enthrall with visions of the reader's own incipient greatness."
Don Pendleton's original Executioner Series are now in ebooks, published by Open Road Media. 37 of the original novels.
Wikipedia: Don Pendleton
He wrote mystery, action/adventure, science-fiction, crime fiction, suspense, short stories, nonfiction, and was a comic scriptwriter, poet, screenwriter, essayist, and metaphysical scholar. He published more than 125 books in his long career, and his books have been published in more than 25 foreign languages with close to two hundred million copies in print throughout the world.
After producing a number of science-fiction and mystery novels, Don launched in 1969 the phenomenal Mack Bolan: The Executioner, which quickly emerged as the original, definitive Action/Adventure series. His successful paperback books inspired a new particularly American literary genre during the early 1970's, and Don became known as "the father of action/adventure."
"Although The Executioner Series is far and away my most significant contribution to world literature, I still do not perceive myself as 'belonging' to any particular literary niche. I am simply a storyteller, an entertainer who hopes to enthrall with visions of the reader's own incipient greatness."
Don Pendleton's original Executioner Series are now in ebooks, published by Open Road Media. 37 of the original novels.
Wikipedia: Don Pendleton
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 9, 2024
This one was a banger - some returning characters from previous books, more variety in the bad guys and some sensational action set pieces. Great stuff
February 16, 2014
Another decent entry in the men's action/adventure series, originally published in '75.
Bolan arrives in Hawaii, where he'd spent some time while in the Army. He's had the scent of Communist China involvement with the Mafia since his San Francisco escapade. This time, he encounter some old allies: Tommy Anders, Carl Lyons, Smiley Dublin and Toby Ranger. Fireworks in the land of volcanoes, with many bad guys meeting their end.
Bolan arrives in Hawaii, where he'd spent some time while in the Army. He's had the scent of Communist China involvement with the Mafia since his San Francisco escapade. This time, he encounter some old allies: Tommy Anders, Carl Lyons, Smiley Dublin and Toby Ranger. Fireworks in the land of volcanoes, with many bad guys meeting their end.
May 29, 2023
Hell has come to Hawaii in the form of Mack Bolan. This time the Executioner is not alone, he has the backing of several friendly faces from the past. With this team on the hunt the volcanic islands will feel the full fury of Bolan’s cleansing fire of vengeance.
All out action from page one as Mack discovers that his routine Mob hit may be leading to something much bigger and more dangerous than he could have imagined.
All out action from page one as Mack discovers that his routine Mob hit may be leading to something much bigger and more dangerous than he could have imagined.
May 10, 2012
As l write this, l must point out that l am in the process of reading all of Don Pendleton's "Executioner" books - the first 35, (l never cared for the multitude of titles afterwards - too many different authors) I regard Pendleton's Bolan as the definitive "Black Suit Warrior"
The reason l have singled out "Hawaiin Hellground" for mention is the way that in this offering, Pendleton really brings together and showcases the many other characters that by this stage in Bolan's Crusade are an integral part of the Bolan Legend.
It is not the first example of this, but I believe the most effective so far and perhaps a; 'turning point ' indicator that Bolan's "one man" war is in fact a task committed to, by a number of different individuals in different ways.
The reason l have singled out "Hawaiin Hellground" for mention is the way that in this offering, Pendleton really brings together and showcases the many other characters that by this stage in Bolan's Crusade are an integral part of the Bolan Legend.
It is not the first example of this, but I believe the most effective so far and perhaps a; 'turning point ' indicator that Bolan's "one man" war is in fact a task committed to, by a number of different individuals in different ways.
July 31, 2023
Bolan heads to paradise to team up with some old team members.
February 1, 2012
The last man on Earth to figure it out,'Diplomacy' is better than 'Honesty.' I'm no longer an 'Observer,' I'm now a 'Participant.' As a writer, I shouldn't bash another author's books.
(The first few books - like 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 were all fantasticly fun reads.)
But, for the record, this one was disappointing. It had potential; starring Carl Lyons, who somehow isn't a LAPD officer but now is part of Hal Brognola's anti organized-crime group working with the Tommy Ander's Team. Yes, that would be the 'Charlie's Angels' of the underworld.
This book was mostly a bunch of Mobsters mindlessly standing around to catch bullets. This one also had a Communist working with the mob. (Umm, the mob hates Communism. For real.) Next is the spoiler, are you ready---
The mob was trying to get their hands on a nuke. Why? I'll let you read this lame book for yourself to find out.
This series is 75% fantastic, I recommend the series, but this one is one of the 25%.
(The first few books - like 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 were all fantasticly fun reads.)
But, for the record, this one was disappointing. It had potential; starring Carl Lyons, who somehow isn't a LAPD officer but now is part of Hal Brognola's anti organized-crime group working with the Tommy Ander's Team. Yes, that would be the 'Charlie's Angels' of the underworld.
This book was mostly a bunch of Mobsters mindlessly standing around to catch bullets. This one also had a Communist working with the mob. (Umm, the mob hates Communism. For real.) Next is the spoiler, are you ready---
The mob was trying to get their hands on a nuke. Why? I'll let you read this lame book for yourself to find out.
This series is 75% fantastic, I recommend the series, but this one is one of the 25%.
May 5, 2021
Dang good volume in the series. He runs into some friends he has met along the way, who are all working as a secret unit for the government now. They all end up in Hawaii since it seems mob members from across the country had been going there and it seems like the Chinese are involved. Anyway it was good to see old faces from other books in the series, they are all well written. Pendleton is also great at writing action scenes and never seems to lose the reader in long action sequences. They seem to flow in logical ways, which is not always the case in the men's adventure genre.
Highly recommended, as is any of the Pendleton written Executioners.
Highly recommended, as is any of the Pendleton written Executioners.
November 11, 2015
This may be heresy, but I much prefer The Gold Eagle books of Mack Bolan than the Pinnacle books. I never really got into Don Pendelton's writing style. I liked when there was a number of authors writing the series. Don't get me wrong but I love men's adventure books. I've been reading them for some time. Mr. Pendletons work is one I seem to pass up on more often than some others.
That said, the book is typical early Bolan. Mafia up to no good. Add commie Chinese. A dash of warheads in Hawaii and you got book #22.
That said, the book is typical early Bolan. Mafia up to no good. Add commie Chinese. A dash of warheads in Hawaii and you got book #22.
November 16, 2020
This one involves a rather unlikely team-up between the Mafia and a rogue Chinese general with some nuclear missiles, but once you accept the premise, the story is well-constructed and includes some really fun action set pieces. These include Bolan attacking an enemy hard site via hang-glider and later on teaming up with a trio of federal agents and an army attack helicopter to take out a secret base hidden in a volcano crater. As usual with the original Executioner novel, it is a fast and entertaining read.
May 12, 2015
An excellent men's adventure series from the 60s, 70's and 80's. The first 38 books are outstanding but then the series is taken over by a bunch of new writers writing under the name of the original creator and they take the series into a new direction I did not care for. The first 38 books are very recommended
July 31, 2016
Good book. Enjoyed it. Nice reunions with Tommy Anders, Toby Ranger and Carl Lyons.
July 15, 2022
The Chinese and the mafia teaming up in Hawaii in order to procure nuclear arms and start WW3? Sign me the eff right up!
Seriously though, this was the most fun in an Executioner book since Panic in Philly, feeling way more like a store brand James Bond novel, rather than some of the more safe and plain precious entires.
When the mafia plot takes a backseat to the more balls to the walls stuff, these books are much better for it.
Fingers crossed this trend continues for the next couple entries.
Seriously though, this was the most fun in an Executioner book since Panic in Philly, feeling way more like a store brand James Bond novel, rather than some of the more safe and plain precious entires.
When the mafia plot takes a backseat to the more balls to the walls stuff, these books are much better for it.
Fingers crossed this trend continues for the next couple entries.
Read
July 7, 2021After finishing the previous book in the series (a low point IMO), I asked myself, why am I continuing to read these books if I'm not enjoying them? More importantly, if I were to continue, could I find a way to turn off my inner critic and enjoy them simply for what they are? I resolved to give it a shot.
Now I don't know if it was my attitude adjustment or not, but I enjoyed Hawaiian Hellground as much as any of the others, certainly more than the past few. While the plot seemed like it was going to be a retread of Detroit Deathwatch (#19) — another one of the "Ranger girls" is missing and Bolan needs to adapt his battle plan to try to rescue her — it ended up more like Death Squad (#2) with Bolan leading a team of warriors against the bad guys.
Returning characters include Toby Ranger, Smiley Dublin, Tommy Anders, and Carl Lyons. There's even some fun retconning that ties the plot into earlier books and explains why all of these folks happen to be in Hawaii at the same time (they all secretly work for Hal Brognola).
Plotwise, we again find ourselves in the realm of James Bond movies. This time, a rogue Chinese general has allied with the mob to bring nukes to Hawaii within range of the continental United States. Bolan of course gets wind of this plot in time to blow everything up, and the end is just as rushed as anyone who's already read 21 of these books would expect.
That gripe aside, the action is top notch, opening the book with some classic Bolan blitzes against the Mafia leaders. There's an exciting shootout on Waikiki Beach; assaults on TWO separate strongholds; and speaking of Bond, Bolan even uses a hang glider to infiltrate the bad guy's secret hideout (a la James Bond in the movie version of Live and Let Die, released just two years prior).
The local cop in charge of the Bolan investigation is given some personality more akin to the earlier books and he doesn't feel as interchangeable as some of the recent police characters have felt. He even CATCHES Bolan and his crew but releases them when he's told of the impending threat of the Chinese nukes.
All in all, my experiment in enjoying this next chapter in the Bolan series was a success. I do think this one was objectively better than the previous book, which made my change in attitude a bit easier to put into practice. But I'm optimistic that I can have fun with the rest of the series if I keep the right attitude.
Now I don't know if it was my attitude adjustment or not, but I enjoyed Hawaiian Hellground as much as any of the others, certainly more than the past few. While the plot seemed like it was going to be a retread of Detroit Deathwatch (#19) — another one of the "Ranger girls" is missing and Bolan needs to adapt his battle plan to try to rescue her — it ended up more like Death Squad (#2) with Bolan leading a team of warriors against the bad guys.
Returning characters include Toby Ranger, Smiley Dublin, Tommy Anders, and Carl Lyons. There's even some fun retconning that ties the plot into earlier books and explains why all of these folks happen to be in Hawaii at the same time (they all secretly work for Hal Brognola).
Plotwise, we again find ourselves in the realm of James Bond movies. This time, a rogue Chinese general has allied with the mob to bring nukes to Hawaii within range of the continental United States. Bolan of course gets wind of this plot in time to blow everything up, and the end is just as rushed as anyone who's already read 21 of these books would expect.
That gripe aside, the action is top notch, opening the book with some classic Bolan blitzes against the Mafia leaders. There's an exciting shootout on Waikiki Beach; assaults on TWO separate strongholds; and speaking of Bond, Bolan even uses a hang glider to infiltrate the bad guy's secret hideout (a la James Bond in the movie version of Live and Let Die, released just two years prior).
The local cop in charge of the Bolan investigation is given some personality more akin to the earlier books and he doesn't feel as interchangeable as some of the recent police characters have felt. He even CATCHES Bolan and his crew but releases them when he's told of the impending threat of the Chinese nukes.
All in all, my experiment in enjoying this next chapter in the Bolan series was a success. I do think this one was objectively better than the previous book, which made my change in attitude a bit easier to put into practice. But I'm optimistic that I can have fun with the rest of the series if I keep the right attitude.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2016
This is one of my favorite Bolan books. Here he meets the special agents Carl Lyons, Toby and Smiley again on a special mission to not only save America, but the whole world from World War III.
August 27, 2016
read some time in 1980
February 20, 2021
The whole thing now depended entirely upon Joey Puli. The object of Bolan’s concern was at that moment checking in to the swank diggings of Frank Oliveras, the reputed heroin king of the islands. “Listen,” he reported urgently into the house phone, “this is Joey Puli. You know. Angliano. Listen—he just got smeared. Know what I mean? I got to see Mr. Oliveras damn quick. His life might depend on it.”
This new shadow world was peopled not only with the traditional types of hoodlums, but also with “respectable” financiers, industrialists, politicians, brokers, traders, merchants, lawyers, lawmen, soldiers, athletes; the entire wide spectrum of human interests was well represented in that tidal wave of criminal avarice—and it was sweeping the world...Bolan had met the fourth worlders in many places and in many guises. And he had not hesitated to strike at those who cloaked themselves in respectability while feeding with the rest of the pack.
This new shadow world was peopled not only with the traditional types of hoodlums, but also with “respectable” financiers, industrialists, politicians, brokers, traders, merchants, lawyers, lawmen, soldiers, athletes; the entire wide spectrum of human interests was well represented in that tidal wave of criminal avarice—and it was sweeping the world...Bolan had met the fourth worlders in many places and in many guises. And he had not hesitated to strike at those who cloaked themselves in respectability while feeding with the rest of the pack.
June 14, 2022
Bolan mixes it up in the land of luaus and hula girls
As always, the late Don Pendleton delivers an excellent story. Great Bolan action from start to finish. Loved the hang gliding scene as well as the opening scene with Bolan firing on the mob from a sniper nest. Would have liked to have found pit what happened to the Chinese general, but his demise is left to our imagination. Live large and stay frosty.
As always, the late Don Pendleton delivers an excellent story. Great Bolan action from start to finish. Loved the hang gliding scene as well as the opening scene with Bolan firing on the mob from a sniper nest. Would have liked to have found pit what happened to the Chinese general, but his demise is left to our imagination. Live large and stay frosty.
April 6, 2026
Mack Bolan normally operates alone. But in this one he ends up on a team. And not just any team, a team made up of characters from previous entries in the series. It’s a wild ride with some excellent action sequences throughout and an honest to god James Bond-esque finale. Good fun and an easy read.
May 31, 2026
2026 - War Against the Mafia (The Executioner series by Don Pendleton. One book a week for the year with a bonus short story.)
Week 22
As I hoped, the action was back! And this was as close to a family reunion as you see in this series. So many returning characters.
Week 22
As I hoped, the action was back! And this was as close to a family reunion as you see in this series. So many returning characters.
June 29, 2018
Another in the series to keep things interesting
August 24, 2022
This was as expected. Quality writing, good action sequences, dialogue and characters believable. Technical enough to show author did his research but not overly technical to the point of confusion.
October 23, 2023
The Mob working with a rogue chinese general to get their hands on a nuke!
Famed geopolitical expert Mack Bolan is the only man to solve these very unique problems!
Famed geopolitical expert Mack Bolan is the only man to solve these very unique problems!
December 1, 2023
The tropical islands get a taste of the Bolan War and I liked the part when he killed General Chung who attempted to use Nuclear Missles on U.S. Cities
June 24, 2025
In this book I felt like I should start reading the ones that Pendleton himself wrote. I don’t remember this being the case when I used to read the much later ones in my teens.
August 13, 2025
very solid book. action Jame bond vigilante type. the plot isn't big or complicated. the action continued to feel fresh even when it ran for pages and pages together. this is my first of the series and I can why why it was so popular. it's fun.
Read
August 22, 2008Hawaiian Hellground by Don Pendleton
Read
September 30, 2015excellant book, unfortunately there appears to be no way to read this or any other book.
November 6, 2015
Really didn't care for this one.
September 16, 2016
Wanted to like it more than I did. Some glorious pulp writing glorifying Vietnam at the end, though.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews