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The Last Hitman

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Marked for death, a hitman must figure out how to save himself and extract a final revenge before his past catches up to him.

Perfect for fans of Eli Cranor and Tulsa King, this thrilling mafia tale shows what happens when loyalty isn’t a two-way street.


Once upon a time, being a “made man” meant something. Angelo Cipriani was a member of the inner circle of the Fortuna Crime Family, one of the biggest mafia families in the Ohio Valley. Not that Angelo would ever admit to such an organization even existing, let alone to all of the bodies he dropped for his boss. Angelo even stayed loyal after taking a bullet in the back and winding up in a coma for three months.

But times have changed. Four decades have passed and the glory days of mob rule have waned. With FBI crackdowns and new rival gangs seizing territory, Angelo finds himself on the outs with the current administration, essentially “on the shelf.” Left with little excitement beyond a crush on the local diner waitress, he does the unthinkable and puts pen to paper, telling his story of coming up, a man of honor in a world that he barely recognizes.

But Angelo’s reminiscences are rudely interrupted by a visit from the FBI, and the realization that the past is far from dead and buried. Faced with old secrets and fresh betrayals, Angelo finds himself The Last Hitman is ready to get back to work.

336 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2025

12 people are currently reading
10053 people want to read

About the author

Robin Yocum

19 books312 followers
Robin Yocum is the author of the award-winning, critically acclaimed novel, Favorite Sons (June 2012, Arcade Publishing). Favorite Sons was named the 2011 USA Book News Book of the Year for Mystery/Suspense, and is a Choose to Read Ohio selection for 2013-14. His latest novel, The Essay, was released in October 2012 by Arcade. He also is the author of Dead Before Deadline, a compilation of stories from his days as a crime beat reporter with the Columbus Dispatch, and Insured for Murder, which he co-authored with Dispatch colleague Catherine Candisky. Robin joined the Columbus Dispatch as a reporter in 1980 and worked at the paper for eleven years, spending four years on the crime beat, followed by a post as senior reporter on the investigative desk. He won more than 30 local, state and national awards while at the paper. Yocum has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University.

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Monnie.
1,624 reviews790 followers
December 3, 2025
I follow the “Youngstown Mob” on Facebook (yes, it’s a real thing). I’ve been to every single town mentioned in this book, most of them many times (in fact, I lived in one of them for 50 years). Many of my friends claim to have a grandma who makes the best spaghetti sauce in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia put together. To say I enjoyed the heck out of this book, then, would be an understatement – the goings-on ring true even though some of the names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

This is the self-told story of Angelo Cipriani, a high-school dropout from the Ohio Valley who ended up finding a job in the powerful Fortuna Crime Family. Although his non-full-blooded Italian heritage prohibited him from becoming a “made” man within the mafia (well, at least for many years), he was always loyal to the core. The family boss, “Big Tommy,” loved him like a brother, and Big Tommy’s son (Little Tommy, of course) called him Uncle Ange. One fine day, Angelo was told that his loyalty had overcome DNA and he would be accepted in the inner circle as a made man. And then he got instructions on what, exactly, he needed to do to make that happen.

But time has a way of changing things, and that includes the mob landscape (I’m not sure what the most recent suspected mob-related murder was in Youngstown, Ohio – a few stones’ throws from my home – but I do recall one in 1991 in particular that remains unsolved to this day). Angelo’s “nephew” Little Tommy is in charge now, and he’s taken his troops into areas of crime his late father once railed against. And now, Angelo has become about as worthless as a screen door on a submarine. Amid his feelings of stress, anxiety and betrayal, who should appear but a friendly neighborhood FBI agent – one who wants Angelo to rat on his compadres in exchange for Witness Protection.

So what’s an aging, maybe even not long for this world but still loyal to the core mob guy to do? That’s the issue Angelo faces, and he takes readers on an up-close-and-personal (and often chuckle-evoking) journey through time as he struggles with his final decision. For me, it was a highly entertaining journey, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to ride the bus by way of a pre-release copy. Eccellente!
Profile Image for Jim Thomsen.
517 reviews227 followers
December 4, 2025
A Bad Guy to Root For

Angelo Cipriano is not a hero, or even an antihero. He’s a killer, a mob thug who values loyalty to his Mafia family above all else. But he’s also a human being who knows when to say enough is enough, even when more bodies lay on the other side of the line he draws. You may not love him or even like him, but you’ll understand him, and that — along with a lived-in understanding of the Mob’s inner workings and culture — is the particular genius that longtime journalist Robin Yocum brings to his latest novel. THE LAST HITMAN is one of the best novels I’ve read in 2025, and is another bull’s eye from an author who never misses the mark.
Profile Image for Bob.
403 reviews28 followers
December 23, 2025
*****Man, The Last Hitman Was A Big Hit With Me!

Let me start with the bottom line of this review: If you like lean, gripping Mafia crime novels that excellently blends suspense with emotional depth, The Last Hitman is a book I highly recommend to you.

Robin Yocum expertly crafts an aging professional hitman for a Mafia crime family in the Upper Ohio Valley who is neither glamorized nor excused, but portrayed with stark honesty and heart as past obligations and long-buried guilt catch up with him. Two other strengths that elevate The Last Hitman from the average crime novel are that: (1) the prose is spare, the violence realistic, and the pacing tight, creating a sense of inevitability that impactfully drives the story forward; and (2) excels in creating a thoughtful, character-driven novel about loyalty, regret, and the inescapable cost of a life lived in the shadows.

I think you’ll find that its main character, Angelo Cipriani, is one who will stay in your mind for a while.

To repeat myself, The Last Hitman is a standout for fans of intelligent, modern crime fiction.
Profile Image for Mysticpt.
423 reviews15 followers
December 7, 2025
4.5

More people should meet his books. They are very, very good to great. Not sure why he doesn’t have a wider audience, but hopefully someday.
Profile Image for Laura.
914 reviews39 followers
November 3, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Crooked Lane for choosing me.

Not my usual read and yet I am pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed myself. Interesting characters and great writing kept the story flowing perfectly. Definitely a well thought out and executed novel, I was intrigued up until the very end.
66 reviews8 followers
September 25, 2025
I was able to receive an early copy of The Last Hitman from NetGalley. And I am grateful for that. What a refreshing, exciting read. This was hard to put down and was a new look at Mob Life. With flashbacks throughout that fills in holes in the story and updates you on characters, you are hard pressed to not keep reading.
Angelo Cipriani is a high school dropout, with a no future, low-paying job who happens to be good at pool. As luck would have it he plays with the head of the Fortunato family and is eventually offered a job.
He works his way up through the family gaining more responsibility.

The story starts with him on the outs. The family has exiled him and he is thinking of becoming a rat.

We see his life’s story, his motivation, his past jobs, mistakes and now a new hope for his future.

This was written so well that having finished it, I am craving for more. I am going to be looking up other novels by Robin Yocum.
Great detail, I feel like I have visited the Ohio Valley. I could see the setting throughout the story.
The characters are all written well and you connect with them.

A refreshing take on a mob story. Highly recommend.
194 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2025
I’ve read all his books, and they’ve been incredible! I’m totally hooked on his writing. Every time I finish one, I wish it would never end. This particular book, The Last Hitman, could really use a sequel. I’m curious to know how his life turned out after that. I wish he would write more books! Thanks a bunch to NetGalley for sending me an advance copy.
Profile Image for Tammy.
604 reviews5 followers
November 24, 2025
📚The Last Hitman
✍🏻Rick Yocum
Blurb:
Marked for death, a hitman must figure out how to save himself and extract a final revenge before his past catches up to him.

Perfect for fans of Eli Cranor and Tulsa King, this thrilling mafia tale shows what happens when loyalty isn’t a two-way street.

Once upon a time, being a “made man” meant something. Angelo Cipriani was a member of the inner circle of the Fortuna Crime Family, one of the biggest mafia families in the Ohio Valley. Not that Angelo would ever admit to such an organization even existing, let alone to all of the bodies he dropped for his boss. Angelo even stayed loyal after taking a bullet in the back and winding up in a coma for three months.

But times have changed. Four decades have passed and the glory days of mob rule have waned. With FBI crackdowns and new rival gangs seizing territory, Angelo finds himself on the outs with the current administration, essentially “on the shelf.” Left with little excitement beyond a crush on the local diner waitress, he does the unthinkable and puts pen to paper, telling his story of coming up, a man of honor in a world that he barely recognizes.

But Angelo’s reminiscences are rudely interrupted by a visit from the FBI, and the realization that the past is far from dead and buried. Faced with old secrets and fresh betrayals, Angelo finds himself The Last Hitman is ready to get back to work.
My Thoughts:
This is a story about Angelo, a hitman who is trying to survive a world that has moved on without him. He's is an aging mob enforcer who used to be one of the most trusted guys in the Fortunato crime family. He’s old-school loyal but times have changed. Little Tommy, the new boss, is into dealing drugs rather than hookers and gambling like his late father and late grandfather, and Angelo just doesn’t fit in anymore. He’s being pushed aside and spends his days drinking coffee at a diner, chatting with Carolyn, the waitress he has a crush on, and visiting Nickels, an old friend in a nursing home, who is out of it on meds most of the time. Not exactly the thrilling mob life he once had. Everything shifts when the FBI shows up and pressures him to talk. Suddenly Angelo has to choose ... stay loyal to a crime family that no longer respects him or work with the feds and risk becoming a target.
Angelo Cipriani is a high school dropout, with a no future, low-paying job who happens to be good at pool. As luck would have it he plays with the head of the Fortunato family and is eventually offered a job.
He works his way up through the family gaining more responsibility.
The story starts with him on the outs. The family has exiled him and he is thinking of becoming a rat.
We see his life’s story, his motivation, his past jobs, mistakes and now a new hope for his future.
Thanks NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Author Robin Yocum for the advanced copy of "The Last Hitman" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#CrookedLaneBooks
#RobinYocum
#TheLastHitman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Teena in Toronto.
2,463 reviews79 followers
November 20, 2025
This is a story about Angelo, a hitman who is trying to survive a world that has moved on without him. He's is an aging mob enforcer who used to be one of the most trusted guys in the Fortunato crime family. He’s old-school loyal but times have changed. Little Tommy, the new boss, is into dealing drugs rather than hookers and gambling like his late father and late grandfather, and Angelo just doesn’t fit in anymore. He’s being pushed aside and spends his days drinking coffee at a diner, chatting with Carolyn, the waitress he has a crush on, and visiting Nickels, an old friend in a nursing home, who is out of it on meds most of the time. Not exactly the thrilling mob life he once had. Everything shifts when the FBI shows up and pressures him to talk. Suddenly Angelo has to choose ... stay loyal to a crime family that no longer respects him or work with the feds and risk becoming a target.

I enjoyed this book. I've read a few books by this author and have liked them. I liked the writing style of this one and it was surprisingly humorous at times. Angelo had done some really bad things in his day (and was looking forward to continuing to do so) but I found him likable. Being in the mob and loyal to "the boss" was all he knew and he was having a hard time staying loyal to Little Tommy, who was a scumbag. One thing I did have trouble believing is that Carolyn, knowing what he was, didn't have an issue with what he'd done in his past and would continue to do given the chance. The ending leaves things open that there could be a sequel. As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2025/11...
455 reviews24 followers
December 4, 2025
First-time novelist Robin Yocum hit the jackpot with his debut crime novel, The Last Hitman. At first blush, readers may shrug their shoulders and say, "Another mob novel." But within the first few pages, Yokum will prove that this is indeed much more than what the reader assumed. The protagonist, Angelo, is the victim of bad luck and his own poor judgment. He is working as a pool boy for the Fortunato crime family. His good work motivates him to accept a job offer from the family. As with any great novel, there are peaks and valleys, and at first, we see that Angelo is in trouble, to the point where he is contemplating being the stereotypical confidential informant willing to rat out the Fortunatos. Soon enough, Angelo straightens out and becomes an integral member of the clan. The reader learns Angelo's backstory and how he has now reached the zenith of his professional career.

The Last Hitman offers glimpses of a not-so-typical organized crime family and what it means to be part of "our thing. " After a few evenings, you too will feel like a part of a secure and tight-knit family, A.K.A. the Cosa Nostra.
11.4k reviews192 followers
November 26, 2025
Never thought I would root for a mob hitman but there's something about Angelo. This is his story, the story of a man who worked his way up through the Fortunato family over 40 years and then was put out to pasture. And then the FBI shows up and he's got a decision to make- cooperate or face the legal consequences for the things he did for the Fortunatos. This is more nuanced (and actually funnier in spots) than I expected with Angelo working through both his emotions and his loyalty. Does he owe anything to the new regime? He's a character with shades of gray and make no mistake, he's got a lot to answer for. This is well told with an intriguing character and good atmospherics. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.
9 reviews
December 11, 2025
Great storytelling, great writing, and the dialogue is off the charts.

Iceman Al: Now, we got a few rules around here that are not to be violated under any circumstances. Rule number one, and it’s very simple: Nothing, and I mean nothing, that you hear within the confines of this house is ever to be repeated. Do you pray to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ?”

Angelo: “Sometimes.”

Iceman Al: “When you do, you don’t even tell Jesus what’s going on here. It’s none of his business. If I think he needs to know something, I’ll be the one to tell him.”

Profile Image for Matt Wallace.
50 reviews
September 13, 2025
Great plotting, interesting characters and no shortage of intrigue. Interesting that the main protagonist is presented quite evenly the author and the character both acknowledge the immoral activities of his past and present without passing a great deal of judgement- whilst also demonstrating the characters capacity for human connection and decency. It’s quite nuanced.
This was my first experience with this author and I will definitely be reading more.
121 reviews7 followers
December 6, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

What a book! I think I've read the epilogue in a book after ages. The book follows a retired mobster Angelo. It has real character development for most of the main characters. It has some twists. And it has fantastic narration. The story is dense but not too dense, and that's an amazing thing. We need to bring back books like this.

I am waiting for the book2 where Angelo infiltrates the
5 reviews
December 26, 2025
I’m a huge fan of all of Yocum’s books, but this is one of my new favorites. It’s one of those stories you don’t want to end, yet it stays with you long after you finish. The main character, Angelo Cipriani, is an aging hitman who spends a lot of time looking back on the choices he’s made and the life he’s lived. He’s quiet, thoughtful, and carrying the weight of his past, which makes him feel very human. You’ll be surprised by how much you end up empathizing with him. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Shelleyt.
17 reviews
December 13, 2025
Deserves more than 5 stars. This is the first book I’ve read by Robin Yocum & I could not put it down. Being born & raised in Steubenville, I remember Mom talking about the mob here. I was able to relate to places that you used in the book, Federal Terrace, Ft Steuben hotel, Rosemont Avenue, Slack St & more. I look forward to reading other books by Mr. Yocum
Profile Image for Travis Mcgee.
60 reviews11 followers
December 15, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. Another winner from Yocum! Three of my least favorite subgenres are, Mafia, Hit Man and Serial Killers. But I've learned that with great writers like Robin Yocum the subgenre does not matter at all. Great writing transcends topics. I listened to the excellent audio narrative and it was fantastic. a stereotypical but effective mob voice was used in the 1st person narrative.
Profile Image for Daybreak.
51 reviews
December 11, 2025
a really good story buried beneath an avalanche of flashbacks that add nothing to the story. we get constant flashbacks from his high school all the way over, eventually it stalled the story and it got boring. if it was just about the present day story it would have been a 5 star.
Profile Image for J Kromrie.
2,498 reviews48 followers
September 2, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

For fans of Mafioso books (such as the Godfather, etc) with a humorous flair, a great read!
15 reviews
December 13, 2025
Great read! Suspenseful, with enough twists that I didn’t want to put it down! Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Barondestructo.
649 reviews13 followers
December 17, 2025
Not bad. I liked all the character dynamics and the narrative developments but a lot of it felt predictable and, at times, a little contrived (like the familial connection revealed at book's end).
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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