Legacy of Lies: An Historical Thriller

by Lew Paper

As we approach the 50th anniversary of Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance on that sultry afternoon in July 1975, Lew Paper has crafted a fast-paced historical thriller which raises new questions about the reasons for the abduction.

The book commences with a startling premise: What if a former FBI special agent-turned-private investigator had been hired to trail Hoffa in that summer of 1975 and saw him get in a car with three other men, all of whom the investigator knew from his prior experience with the FBI? Would that investigator report what he knew to the FBI when he later learned Hoffa had been abducted—knowing the Mafia's practice of eliminating witnesses to its crimes?

Sam Silver, the former FBI special agent, is that investigator. But he is reluctant to contact the FBI. His only child, a high school student, just lost his mother (and Silver's wife) to cancer, and Sam cannot bear the thought of leaving his son without any parent.

Fast forward eleven years. Sam's son, now a young lawyer in Washington, DC, embarks on an odyssey to determine whether his father's untimely death on a sailboat ten years earlier was, as the coroner determined, an accident. Or was it something more sinister?

In a story filled with unexpected twists and turns, "Legacy of Lies" brings into focus the forces surrounding Hoffa's disappearance—Bobby Kennedy's vendetta against Hoffa when he was Attorney General, President Richard Nixon's bid for re-election in 1972, and, last but not least, the Mafia.

The book has already received praise:

“An intriguing read that revolves around the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.” – Joseph D. Pistone, former FBI Special Agent and author of the New York Times best-selling book, "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia"

"Lew Paper, a seasoned historian and acclaimed author, delves into an intricate tapestry of espionage and deceit with his latest masterpiece: "Legacy of Lies." Drawing from his expertise in uncovering the hidden truths behind little-known history, Paper weaves together a gripping narrative that navigates the shadowy corridors of international espionage. Combining a knack for storytelling and meticulous research, he brings to life a world where loyalties are tested and secrets lurk behind every corner. "Legacy of Lies" promises the reader a thrilling journey through a web of deception, where the stakes are high and the so-called truth is a precious and rare commodity. Prepare to be captivated, as Paper masterfully blends a trifecta of suspense, intrigue, and historical insight."
— Amanda M. Fairbanks, author of the critically-acclaimed "The Lost Boys of Montauk: The True Story of the Wind Blown, Four Men Who Vanished at Sea, and the Survivors They Left Behind"

“Lew Paper shows his knowledge of the germane historical material in an impressive manner; in order to creatively reimagine the details behind Hoffa’s mysterious disappearance, he thoroughly establishes his command of the known facts. [T]he novel offers an engaging look into the world of organized crime over the course of a genuinely unpredictable story. . . .” Kirkus Reviews

“With craftsmanship and style, Lew Paper invites readers to join a fascinating historical journey, filled with suspense, including the mysteries that still swirl around Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance.” — Ted Widmer, best-selling author of "Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington," and Editor, "Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of John F. Kennedy"

“Lew Paper’s longtime interest in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, coupled with his writing and reporting, has resulted in a fabulous historical thriller that takes us on a journey of ‘what-ifs’ leading up to and beyond the time in July 1975 when Hoffa was picked up in a restaurant parking lot and never seen again. His disappearance has sparked numerous theories, conspiracies, investigations – none of which has ever provided a definitive answer. "Legacy of Lies" explores what might have happened in a fun and entertaining read.”
— Bob Harig, Sports Illustrated, author of "Drive: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods," and "Tiger and Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry

Genres: Historical Fiction

302 pages, Hardcover

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Lew Paper, a graduate of Harvard Law School, is the author of six previous books, including In the Cauldron: Terror, Tension, and the American Ambassador’s Struggle to Avoid Pearl Harbor, and Perfect: Don Larsen’s Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made It Happen. His articles and book reviews have appeared in numerous periodicals, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The American Scholar.

Reviews

[Danielle Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Level Best books via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sam silver is a former FBI agent turned Private Investigator he is asked to follow and report back the movements of Jimmy Hoffa. When Jimmy Hoffa goes missing Sam reports to his contact and is told don’t worry go home. Months later Sam dies in a boating accident. 10 years later his son Max gets a letter from Sam that was given to a lawyer for safe keeping explaining his involvement in following Jimmy Hoffa. Max decides to investigate on his own with some not so good consequences from the Mafia who not only don’t want him snooping around, but are looking for Sam’s info he had taken that day.

The book is a mixture of fiction and historical fact it has moments of being slow mostly during the fact portion as it can be a little too much going on that you kind of just want to get back to Max and Sam’s storylines. It almost doesn’t blend well into one whole story. Overall, I liked the book and had been wanting to read it since I saw the description and am glad I did.

If you love History and Mafia content plus a fiction reader this is definitely the book for you.

[Jayme Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jimmy Hoffa disappearance is one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century.
This fictional story uses historical facts and theories to tell an entire story.

You start out with Sam Silver, an FBI agent that eventually leaves to have a private practice in order to have more time for his son (Max) and he is hired to watch Hoffa. He happens to be watching the day Hoffa disappears. One year later, Sam dies while out on his sailboat.

Ten years after his father's death, Max receives a call from Sam's lawyer saying there's a letter that his dad left for him with instructions to wait 10 years to give it to Max. This letter opens a can of worms so to speak.

Now Max and his girlfriend, Morgan, find themselves in a world where they have to evaluate everything based on risk. There are things happening around them and to them...

Okay, so I had a very hard time with this book because I knew nothing more than the broad details of the story. I would recommend at least doing a little bit of research and familiarizing yourself with the Hoffa disappearance mystery if you're not familiar.

I thoroughly enjoyed Max's storyline and the book itself picks up halfway through until the end.
I also loved the author explaining what inspired the story including the character Max in the afterward.

The story is written in multiple points of view in different periods of time which can be a bit confusing but ultimately it's labeled to make it easier to flip back and forth in time.

The book is very descriptive so if you're someone that is good at imagining fashion, buildings, people, etc then you'll enjoy the details included. I am not a visual reader so if someone tells me some guy is in a suit, that's about all my brain reads.

Ultimately, this is 3/5 stars for me but I can absolutely understand how this would be much higher rated for those with a better understanding of the history of the event.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest feedback.

[virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lew Paper’s Legacy of Lies is a fictional dual-timeline historical suspense that captured me from the first page until the end. It has a what-if alternative vibe, which only adds to the suspense. The story follows the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, whose vanishing remains unexplained. It is a fascinating, well-written read with vivid settings, details, and characters I could easily relate to.

Jimmy Hoffa is dead. The FBI agent, Sam Silver, who was assigned to him, had just lost his wife and did not want to add any more angst and trauma to his son Max’s life.

But what if he had? This is the burning question I had as I read through the story. The book drags a bit in certain chapters, bogged down by the many details, but it is worth staying with it and meandering the timeline shifts. It requires the reader to pay close attention, as the author’s dual-timeline narrative style can add confusion to the storyline.

There were a few chapters I had to go back and reread to eliminate confusion in the plotlines. But mostly, the book is an intriguing historical fiction novel about a headline-worthy event I remember from newspaper headlines in 1975.

The author writes good historical suspense and offers readers a good bit of history of the era between the Kennedy administration and the Nixon Watergate scandal. I learned a great deal about the Mafia and the Teamsters Union battles. I had to do a fact-check occasionally to ensure I remembered the details correctly. The story made me wonder, "What Really Happened to Jimmy Hoffa, and Why?"

The author does a great job keeping the plot twists coming, but it isn’t a quick beach read. It requires readers to pay attention as it flips back and forth between timelines, which offers a backstory but pulls the reader out of the story because of the dual-timeline writing style.

This is a 4.5-star read. I love historical fiction, where I am entertained and educated. I want to thank Net Galley, the author and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and is mine alone.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

346 pages

4 stars

I’ve been interested in the Jimmy Hoffa disappearance since he went missing. So, I had to read Mr. Paper’s novel.

The premise is a solid one. An ex-FBI Agent turned private investigator is hired by an unknown individual to follow Jimmy Hoffa’s car. Sam Silver winds up in the parking lot of a restaurant. Three men exit the restaurant with Jimmy and get into a car. Sam recognizes the men. But his attempt to follow Jimmy and the men is blocked by a delivery truck, and Sam’s mission fails. He later learns of Jimmy’s disappearance.

Sam dies in a mysterious boating accident.

Ten years later, Sam’s son Max receives a letter from his deceased father. He learns about his assignment to follow Jimmy. He is told of the three men, but not their identities.

So begins Max’ dilemma. Does he tell someone? Hoffa’s mysterious demise is top news, especially with conspiracy buffs and the FBI. Will finding answers lead Max on a treacherous pathway?

Max contacts a former FBI friend of his father’s.

A chain of events is set in motion. There are several characters involved in the drama that follows. Lawyers, FBI agents, police, the FBI and of course, the Mafia.

This book is an interesting “what if” story. Sadly, the story loses its drama and drive in the end. (Although the last line of the book is a killer.) The book is very well written and plotted. The characters are true to life and colorful. I liked the major characters, for the most part.

I want to thank NetGalley and Level Best Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that someone as prominent a figure as Jimmy Hoffa could disappear and 50 years later, his story is still incomplete. Lew Paper’s Legacy of Lies is a fictional dual-timeline historical suspense, building on facts, clues and rumors to give readers an excellent story. Paper packs alot of information into the book, but the story he tells would be a great read even if it was entirely fictional. I'm just sayin'.

Told in multi POV and multi timelines, the story could have been confusing, but Paper introduces us to Sam Silver and his son Max, and the rest is history. Sam Silver is an ex-FBI agent who was good at his job, but loved his son. So he quit the FBI and started his own PI company. It's 1975 and he's been hired to follow Jimmy Hoffa. He sees Hoffa get into a vehicle with some people he recognizes, but he also recognizes that if he comes forward with information on Hoffa's disappearance, he'll be killed as collateral damage. One year later, Silver dies in an explosion. Hmmmmm.
10 years later, Max receives a letter from his father's lawyer. His father left him information to be given to him after 10 years. Hmmmmm x2

At this point, the story takes off, the tension ratchets up and readers are left trying to figure out Max's next move. Don't forget that Paper used facts, clues and rumors to build this book. It's up to readers to figure out which he's using when Max follows his father's trail. 5 easy stars and I definitely want to read more of this author's work.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigue and Mafia stories go hand in hand. And this does not disappoint!

Lawyer, Max Silver's father, Sam, passed away in a boating accident not long after Max left for college. Sam was a retired FBI agent turned PI, who was tasked to follow the ever-notorious Jimmy Hoffa in the time shortly before and until his disappearance. And it turns out that he was one of the last people to have seen Hoffa alive.

Ten years after Sam's passing, his lawyer reaches out to Max to deliver a letter per his dad's instructions. All it does is create more questions for Max, and makes him wonder if his dad's boating accident was actually foul play and perhaps mafia related. Max just can't leave it alone, but what will peeling this particular onion cost him?

Dual time-lines are well done, though this book starts with SO many characters and mafia-type terminology. I think a print copy would be helpful if only for the legend of sorts in the first pages. These events predate me, and it was super interesting to read even though it was fiction. I did have one of the "bad guys" figured out before the end, but not much before. Definitely no absence of twists and turns, and I was mostly kept guessing!



Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books and Lew Paper for the eARC.

Pub Date Mar 18 2025
#LegacyofLies #NetGalley

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, but struggled mightily to get to the end. The premise was interesting, and the author has included extensive (perhaps excessive) historical background. The Hoffa disappearance seems like a natural for a twisty thriller. However, the problem here was with the fiction. The first thing that struck me was the odd, stilted dialogue. Twenty-something Max’s casual conversations routinely include, “Indeed I do” and “It was indeed. . .” And I especially liked “Is it voluminous?” to ask about some papers to be transported. Max and Graham are supposed to be attorneys, yet their actions are unbelievably dumb. Max talks to way too many people about his investigation and it never occurs to him that he’ll be targeted. Graham fails to recognize that he’s a person of interest in a criminal case and blithely meets with a cop without bringing his own attorney. The plot gets bogged down with long descriptions that don’t add anything: Sam’s sailboat, Graham’s office furniture and swanky clothes. Lastly, “discrete” is used at least twice to describe someone who doesn’t blab. Was there no editor? I hate to be so critical, but unlike most of the reviewers, I actually paid for the book, and it was not good.

[Rina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this ARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I became fascinated with the lore of Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance after reading “I Heard You Paint Houses” by Charles Brandt and watching the movie adaptation “The Irishman” by Martin Scorsese. I thought “Legacy of Lies” was a good supplementary read, and another interesting albeit fictional account of similar events surrounding Hoffa’s disappearance.

The author did a great job building up the suspense, and switching between flashbacks and present events to propel the story forward. However, some chapters seemed a bit lengthy description-wise, I would have appreciated it if the concluding chapters were less expository in nature and allowed more “showing” and less “telling” / “explaining” as I feel that readers already have enough details to form their own ideas of how the conflicts were resolved.

I still think this is an interesting read for fans of Mafia-themed fiction / historical fiction.

[Susan in · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this from NetGalley. I was drawn in by the description - I love Historical Fiction, Mysteries, and Thrillers, and this was billed as a "Historical Thriller" and was about a part of history I lived through but was too young to pay attention to, so my curiosity was piqued. It has a dual timeline going back and forth between the early 70's (with a few dips into earlier history) and and the mid-80's. A young man (Max) is trying to figure out how his father died. The father (Sam) was a former FBI agent who opened his own investigative agency after leaving the Bureau. Sam had been asked to follow Jimmy Hoffa and was one of the last people to see him alive on the day he disappeared.
This was slow to get going and remained slow in the middle. There was a lot of "telling" vs. "showing" and some clunky dialogue. Max comes across as unbelievably naive. In the final 1/4 of the book, the pacing finally picks up, but I would not call this a thriller. Historical mystery would be a more apt description. That said, I did find it interesting once I set my expectations aside.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself seems to be written well. It grabs on starting on page one and keeps a hold. Learning about the Teamsters and Hoffa and things that happened before my time was made interesting! It didn't feel like I was reading history despite knowing I was reading historical fiction! Most of the historical fiction I've read is barely believable or only feels historical due to racism etc in the years the story takes place. Paper did a great job of being immersive while simultaneously requiring the list at the beginning of the book regarding who is real and who is fictional as EVERYONE feels real or at the very least, plausible! Even if this isn't your go-to genre, it's an interesting read that brings history to life in a way that they didn't teach us in school!

Thank you to Lew Paper Level Best Books for the ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by receiving a copy to review.

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Legacy of Lies" by Lew Paper is a compelling historical narrative that artfully weaves together multiple timelines to unveil the intricate tapestry of the mafia and deception. This gripping novel takes readers on a thrilling journey through time, unraveling secrets that have the power to change history.

Lew Paper’s meticulous research shines through in his vivid depiction of key historical events and figures. His ability to transport readers to different eras while maintaining a cohesive storyline is truly commendable. The characters are well-developed and the transitions between timelines are seamless, keeping the reader engaged throughout.

One of the standout elements of "Legacy of Lies" is its ability to maintain suspense across various timelines. The plot twists are cleverly executed, providing an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. The multi-layered narrative invites readers to piece together clues, making it an interactive reading experience.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical thriller, Legacy of Lies (2025) by Lew Paper is a dual-timeline story. In 1975, Private Investigator Sam Silver is hired to tail Jimmy Hoffa and witnesses him being driven away. Eleven years later in 1986, Sam’s son Max is a lawyer, who is given a letter from his dad, on the tenth anniversary of his fatal boating accident. An entertaining action-adventure tale unfolds, as the narrative discourse alternates between these two events, and includes anecdotal comments on historical figures from the 1960s and 70s, such as the Kennedys, Mafia and Nixon. Whilst interesting, this mystery thriller is foremost an engrossing read with plenty of action and twists that is a four star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given. With thanks to the Head of Zeus and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

[Bryanne Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟
This book is a story of "What If's" surrounding the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa 50 years ago. Following an ex FBI agent searching for answers regarding his father's death... was it really an accident or did the Mafia put a hit out?? This is perfect for any historical or crime fiction lover who is interested in Mafia stories, Jimmy Hoffa, and the JFK assassination. At times it does get a little text bookish and was hard to stay engaged, but you can tell this was incredibly researched.(check out the authors note at the end for sources) There's lies, deception, and murder.... all things to keep you on your toes and help balance out all the facts.

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jimmy Hoffa is missing. Sam Silver is dead. Ten years later Max receives a letter from his dead father and must make a decision whether to investigate his death or leave the past in the past.

This book was an interesting read. I liked the history provided throughout the book. I enjoyed following the characters and their stories. While I do like the author to be descriptive, I found this book to be overly descriptive and too wordy. I found myself skimming many chapters as it really didn’t have much to do with the story itself. Idea of the book: 5 stars. Execution of the book: 2 stars.

Thank you Netgalley!

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very compelling thriller that involves the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa many years ago. It was a story that I knew nothing about until I read this book but I liked how it was set out and caused me to think like how the investigator would. Even though I knew nothing about Jimmy I really found this book worth a read. Everyone says he was killed by members of an organised crime but this book goes into detail on if that was really true. It was a story that I found fascinating to explore unlike anything I have ever read but so interesting and factual. A great read.

[Theresa Sivelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting in this book. I remember some of the Hoffa story but this really isn't about that. It's about Max and his dad Sam. who is dead. I was interested in the story about Max and Sam and thought all the Hoffa references just made the story too diluted. I also am not a fan of over describing things and this book definitely does that. I skimmed a lot of the book as it just didn't seem relevant to the story I wanted to read.

[Tiffani Nowak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy historical fiction novels and this one even had some thriller elements. The author took a lot of time researching and it gave a lot of background knowledge, which added to the storyline. I did feel like there was a lot of fluff and it dragged on, which made it feel hard to get through at times.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for giving me an ARC in return for my honest review!

[Cynthia Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Lew Paper, and Level Best Books for the eARC. This historical thriller masterfully weaves together political intrigue and mobster drama, delivering a gripping narrative that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Fast-paced and truly thrilling, it’s a compelling read from start to finish.

[Lonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical mystery, based around the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, captured me from the beginning. At times, I thought there was perhaps little too much background information, and that it interrupted the flow of the story, but in the end, it all just fleshed out the entire narrative and helped put all the pieces together. If you are into Mafia stories, you will surely enjoy this novel. I had a hard time putting it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.