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Assassin Hunter : A True Crime Story
"I was physically and mentally braced for whatever death brings. Then I began to think rationally, and gained control of the thought process. If he intended to kill me, would he do it in a public place?" The reader is taken inside a federal agent's undercover world, and witnesses a life-and-death race against time to prevent a contract killing. His mission is to hunt down a paid assassin - only to find that he himself is hired as the killer. He encounters the New Orleans mafia, cop killers, bank robbers, gamblers, race fixers, and eventually, Interpol. He struggles to maintain his own moral compass; and at one point prays silently as a killer presses a sawed-off shotgun to his head. The story exposes the underworld of the Cajun French. The characters and events are based on an extraordinary, hard-hitting, true crime story. "Palumbo’s harrowing undercover work raised goose bumps on my arms. He proves the old adage that Sicilians make the best criminals and the best cops as he takes us step-by-step through murder-for-hire in the corruption capital of the world – Louisiana." -- O'Neil De Noux, Shamus and Derringer award winning author of ten crime novels, including JOHN RAVEN BEAU, CRESCENT CITY KILLS, and the epic of love and war, BATTLE KISS. His short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2012
27 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 3, 2013
This is a fast-moving true case of a federal undercover agent trying to identify and stop a paid killer among quite an array of criminal characters. Through the story the author exposes some professional techniques on how it's done without blowing his cover - although he comes really close to being killed himself. He tells of the toll this work takes on his personal family and career. This is a well-written, first-hand account of things I never knew existed in the real world; one of those books you won't put down until you finish.
October 6, 2013
“Criminals of all descriptions run afoul of the laws enforced by [the] ATF.” August Palumbo seems to put every style of criminal in this book too. It makes for gripping reading.
I didn’t know much about ATF agents before reading this, but I imagine they are about the scariest bunch of agents out there. Untouchables, I believe I read they were called.
The book will give you a clear idea of how the agency is run. It is in equal parts terrifying, funny, and dark.
It is excellent. It reads like a thriller but from the mouth of a real agent.
I didn’t know much about ATF agents before reading this, but I imagine they are about the scariest bunch of agents out there. Untouchables, I believe I read they were called.
The book will give you a clear idea of how the agency is run. It is in equal parts terrifying, funny, and dark.
It is excellent. It reads like a thriller but from the mouth of a real agent.
November 5, 2024
Well written glimpse of ATF undercover agent activities
Having begun my own federal law enforcement career with Treasury, and working with several ATF agents along the way before transferring to Justice and DEA, I enjoyed this well written narrative about an undercover ATF case. Assassin Hunter provides a different twist on the cases about outlaw motorcycle gangs and gun cases usually associated with ATF undercover activities. Along the way, I also learned more than I ever knew or suspected about the activities surrounding the racetrack community. A very readable and enjoyable book.
Having begun my own federal law enforcement career with Treasury, and working with several ATF agents along the way before transferring to Justice and DEA, I enjoyed this well written narrative about an undercover ATF case. Assassin Hunter provides a different twist on the cases about outlaw motorcycle gangs and gun cases usually associated with ATF undercover activities. Along the way, I also learned more than I ever knew or suspected about the activities surrounding the racetrack community. A very readable and enjoyable book.
March 9, 2022
Tense
A peek into the underworld. Amazing what perils undercover agents face daily to protect us from unsavory elements. What a sordid way to treat the race horses. Tense.Conrad Samayoa
A peek into the underworld. Amazing what perils undercover agents face daily to protect us from unsavory elements. What a sordid way to treat the race horses. Tense.Conrad Samayoa
May 6, 2017
Interesting
The book read and flowed well. Life in Louisiana was interesting. Nice characters. Life at the race track was fun to learn about.
The book read and flowed well. Life in Louisiana was interesting. Nice characters. Life at the race track was fun to learn about.
June 29, 2019
Fast Moving read
The story flowed smoothly and quickly. Interesting insight into the under cover police world. Exciting events in a solitary life.
The story flowed smoothly and quickly. Interesting insight into the under cover police world. Exciting events in a solitary life.
December 4, 2013
Very interesting book. Suspense and mystery readers will love it, as well as true crime buffs. Written to take the reader undercover with the writer and succeeds in doing so. Some really bad organized criminals depicted in this book and hats off to this agent who proves his resourcefulness to balance his double life of being one of the bad guys while trying to hold his family together. This book won't disappoint.
Currently reading
August 10, 2012Palumbo is another Eastern Shore celebrity and a long time customer of Advanced Transmission. I am almost 1/2 way through the book and it is getting really good. I'll update you guys when I finish it.
November 10, 2013
August Palumbo wrote a really good book. He is a good storyteller. Before reading this book, I didn't know anything about HOW ATF Agents did their job. By reading this book, I know a lot more now and have more respect for them and their jobs
October 9, 2014
Decent quick read
overall it was written in a manner that kept you engaged. understanding it was based on a true story, I guess I expected a little more depth to it.
overall it was written in a manner that kept you engaged. understanding it was based on a true story, I guess I expected a little more depth to it.
March 20, 2015
Great story. Connected with the characters. I can tell by the first page whether I will continue to read a book and this one kept me reading. I will read other books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews