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Breaking the Code: A True Story by a Hells Angel President and the Cop Who Pursued Him
A highly respected Hells Angel president. An honest, hard-working cop. Both of their lives on totally different paths until their worlds collide...
"With no holds barred, Omodt and Matter rip back the curtain of seedy reality and toss you headlong into the complex relationships of biker gangs and the cops whose job it is to pursue them. The writing is graphic, truthful, revealing and explores both sides of the law-the right side, and the wrong side-with equal detail. For lovers of true crime writing this is a must-read." - Mark Reps, author, Sheriff Zeb Hanks crime series
"The story of an adversarial relationship that turned into one of the most unlikely, remarkable friendships I've ever been exposed to. And, as written by the two protagonists, BREAKING THE CODE is told in the most authentic voice you'll ever read. Beyond the true crime audience, this is a story filled with so much humanity it must be experienced by all readers." - Ali Selim, writer and director of the award-winning film, Sweet Land
"Up until BREAKING THE CODE I knew Pat Matter to be a formidable but fair motorcycle drag racer and a competent professional as leader of Minneapolis Custom Cycle. This book fills in the blanks about the other 'dark' side of his life as a Hells Angel-a must-read to get the whole story." - George B. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of S&S Motor Company, Viola, WI
"BREAKING THE CODE takes you on a real-life crime adventure ... a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hells Angels, and what it took to take down one of their most prominent leaders." - Tom Chorske, retired NHL player and commentator for FSN Sports
"With no holds barred, Omodt and Matter rip back the curtain of seedy reality and toss you headlong into the complex relationships of biker gangs and the cops whose job it is to pursue them. The writing is graphic, truthful, revealing and explores both sides of the law-the right side, and the wrong side-with equal detail. For lovers of true crime writing this is a must-read." - Mark Reps, author, Sheriff Zeb Hanks crime series
"The story of an adversarial relationship that turned into one of the most unlikely, remarkable friendships I've ever been exposed to. And, as written by the two protagonists, BREAKING THE CODE is told in the most authentic voice you'll ever read. Beyond the true crime audience, this is a story filled with so much humanity it must be experienced by all readers." - Ali Selim, writer and director of the award-winning film, Sweet Land
"Up until BREAKING THE CODE I knew Pat Matter to be a formidable but fair motorcycle drag racer and a competent professional as leader of Minneapolis Custom Cycle. This book fills in the blanks about the other 'dark' side of his life as a Hells Angel-a must-read to get the whole story." - George B. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of S&S Motor Company, Viola, WI
"BREAKING THE CODE takes you on a real-life crime adventure ... a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hells Angels, and what it took to take down one of their most prominent leaders." - Tom Chorske, retired NHL player and commentator for FSN Sports
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
58 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 16, 2014
Written with opposing viewpoints, Breaking the Code gives you a glimpse into the Hells Angels MC and forces working hard to take them down. The cooperation between Matter and Omodt is flawlessly executed throughout 250 pages of history and pure sincerity. You learn that in life there are always two sides to every story; these two men lay it out there for us all to read.
Was I expecting more ‘dirt’… possibly. Perhaps I have watched too much of a certain hyped MC series on TV which increased my expectations. Can I be blamed for trying to compare the two? Don’t get me wrong, Breaking the Code did not disappoint. Its authenticity is unwavering. I only worn perspective readers to take Pat Matter’s story for what it is… reality.
Born and raised in Minneapolis and surrounding area, I was blind to the presence of the Hells Angels MC. A niece of a former Minneapolis cop, still oblivious. Perhaps it’s my age, my generation. I wonder if their paths crossed, if my uncle would have stories to tell if he were still alive. I applaud these men for putting their story out there. For sharing a piece of history never told before.
Was I expecting more ‘dirt’… possibly. Perhaps I have watched too much of a certain hyped MC series on TV which increased my expectations. Can I be blamed for trying to compare the two? Don’t get me wrong, Breaking the Code did not disappoint. Its authenticity is unwavering. I only worn perspective readers to take Pat Matter’s story for what it is… reality.
Born and raised in Minneapolis and surrounding area, I was blind to the presence of the Hells Angels MC. A niece of a former Minneapolis cop, still oblivious. Perhaps it’s my age, my generation. I wonder if their paths crossed, if my uncle would have stories to tell if he were still alive. I applaud these men for putting their story out there. For sharing a piece of history never told before.
December 28, 2014
Great read!
This was an excellent book! I loved how it went back and forth between Chris and Pat, and the long road between them that ultimately led to forgiveness and a powerful friendship. I love that it's ultimately a story of redemption, family, and friends. Pat Matter is a strong guy, a smart guy, ultimately a good guy who was able to focus on his family and friends in the end. Chris worked so hard, and I suspect lost a lot along the way, trading time with family and friends to investigate the Hell`s Angels. This book tells a sensational story from a realistic and unique perspective.
This was an excellent book! I loved how it went back and forth between Chris and Pat, and the long road between them that ultimately led to forgiveness and a powerful friendship. I love that it's ultimately a story of redemption, family, and friends. Pat Matter is a strong guy, a smart guy, ultimately a good guy who was able to focus on his family and friends in the end. Chris worked so hard, and I suspect lost a lot along the way, trading time with family and friends to investigate the Hell`s Angels. This book tells a sensational story from a realistic and unique perspective.
January 3, 2017
A fantastic read. I've started several books recently and have had a hard time making it to the last page. This one I found hard to put down. The criminal element, expression of evil, and matter of fact approach to telling about it make this book very bad content for a younger audience. That said, I found the ending of this book to be amazing, and I never saw it coming.
April 1, 2016
This is the second book I read about busting the Hells Angels and I liked this one better. I liked the back and forth between the cop and the Angel. I also thought it went into enough detail without getting tawdry. Good read.
January 20, 2020
I liked the way they present their story together but this is another example of a former Hells Angel member who got himself in trouble doing his own criminal activity and then traded his honor for a lenient sentence and a book deal. I read it once and that was enough.
February 10, 2015
I enjoyed this book which provided a look behind the patch......tough life which ultimately leads to a redeemed life.
April 2, 2025
Breaking the Code by Pat Matter & Chris Omodt 3/ 30/2025 Paper
Not only does this book give us a close look at the workings of the much publicized Hell’s Angels, but we get to track the government’s year’s long investigation to make serious arrests. Pat Matter is an interesting character as we learn details of his nefarious career and his sometimes milder side. As chapters flip back and forth, we learn less of his police nemeses’’ life but much of the effort behind Matter’s ultimate arrest.
While there is some repetition and the writing is weak, details provided make for entertaining reading. I’m certain the subject isn’t interesting to many readers but I was curious enough to stick with the book. The nearly open snub of the law was beyond description. The wide spread power exerted by one gang also proved revealing.
I would recommend reading this dual account to anyone interested in the subject matter. The inner workings and structure are very well documented.
Not only does this book give us a close look at the workings of the much publicized Hell’s Angels, but we get to track the government’s year’s long investigation to make serious arrests. Pat Matter is an interesting character as we learn details of his nefarious career and his sometimes milder side. As chapters flip back and forth, we learn less of his police nemeses’’ life but much of the effort behind Matter’s ultimate arrest.
While there is some repetition and the writing is weak, details provided make for entertaining reading. I’m certain the subject isn’t interesting to many readers but I was curious enough to stick with the book. The nearly open snub of the law was beyond description. The wide spread power exerted by one gang also proved revealing.
I would recommend reading this dual account to anyone interested in the subject matter. The inner workings and structure are very well documented.
July 31, 2023
Pat and Chris team up to tell an incredible story of outlaw and lawman. This is definitely not your every day read. This book was a lot of fun to read and an excellent view from both sides of the law! I enjoyed the different twist on your typical outlaw motorcycle club book. It was interesting to see exactly what it took to take down a Hells Angel.
May 5, 2019
Good read
This book is a good read. Gives 2 different perspectives on things that were occurring at the time. Really enjoyed that.
This book is a good read. Gives 2 different perspectives on things that were occurring at the time. Really enjoyed that.
July 30, 2019
Great book showing viewpoints between the HA and police.
December 12, 2020
If your needing a break from fiction and want to read about a bad ass then read this!!! You’ve all heard the stories of the Hells Angels but nothing like this...
June 10, 2024
Very interesting read!
January 4, 2019
Review
Nice book I like the style and the way it was written from both perspectives. Interesting story it got a little drawn out towards the end but still good.
Nice book I like the style and the way it was written from both perspectives. Interesting story it got a little drawn out towards the end but still good.
March 5, 2022
I absolutely find the concept of a book alternating between the viewpoints of a criminal and the police officer who pursues him to be greatly intriguing. That's exactly what former Minneapolis Hells Angels president Pat Matter and Chris Omodt, the Hennepin County Sheriff's deputy, pull off so well. There is a push-pull between the two sides that provides its own unique balance.
There is enough here on the inner workings of the Hells Angels to better understand the lifestyle. Whether you have read tons of books on the Hells Angels or know just a little bit about them, this book will give you a fairly good accounting without getting into gory details or too much about the brotherhood. The same thing goes for the law enforcement perspective. We see surveillance going on and some sophisticated police work, but not too much in the fined tuned details. There is just enough to get a detailed accounting of both worlds without getting stuck inside either side too deeply.
These are the strengths of the book. However, there is a glaring weakness. First, it has a terrible sense of timing. The date/time continuum seems to be messed up here. As a result, it reads pretty quickly. The time period of his sentence - went by way too quickly. There could have been some additional things tied to newsworthy events of the time that would have slowed it down just a bit in order to keep pace. The meat of the book seems to be about a 2-3 year span but it covers about 50 percent of the space, with about 30 percent leading up to that time and the remaining 20 percent with the prison sentence. This puts the book out of balance. While it is a good read, don't get me wrong, the pace and the chronological timing is going to mess with you while you are reading it. That's the biggest reason why it gets four stars instead of five.
Overall, this is a very good book.
There is enough here on the inner workings of the Hells Angels to better understand the lifestyle. Whether you have read tons of books on the Hells Angels or know just a little bit about them, this book will give you a fairly good accounting without getting into gory details or too much about the brotherhood. The same thing goes for the law enforcement perspective. We see surveillance going on and some sophisticated police work, but not too much in the fined tuned details. There is just enough to get a detailed accounting of both worlds without getting stuck inside either side too deeply.
These are the strengths of the book. However, there is a glaring weakness. First, it has a terrible sense of timing. The date/time continuum seems to be messed up here. As a result, it reads pretty quickly. The time period of his sentence - went by way too quickly. There could have been some additional things tied to newsworthy events of the time that would have slowed it down just a bit in order to keep pace. The meat of the book seems to be about a 2-3 year span but it covers about 50 percent of the space, with about 30 percent leading up to that time and the remaining 20 percent with the prison sentence. This puts the book out of balance. While it is a good read, don't get me wrong, the pace and the chronological timing is going to mess with you while you are reading it. That's the biggest reason why it gets four stars instead of five.
Overall, this is a very good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2014
I thought the book was well written. I enjoyed the opposing viewpoints. At some points the views were both stating their perspective of the same event...this was amazing! This approach to story telling is always exercised in movies but rarely in books, fiction or non-fiction. Even when both sides were speaking about matters that were not the same incident it was interesting how both of their lives were playing out next to the others and eventually collided. I understand the information that was shared in this book was very well organized and edited. Every piece had its place and purpose of being shared. I get that the book was more about the legal happenings both legal, illegal, and the prosecution and its proceedings. I just gave it four stars because I personally was interested in or would have liked it more if there were more personal memories shared, and or more details. I think it is courageous of them both to share the story, it is risky and in my thoughts more importantly very personal and emotional. They both had the balls to put it out there, and I am glad they did!
February 16, 2015
Outstanding
I have read many books on motorcycle gangs. Including all of Yves Lavigne's and Sonny Barger's books years ago. This one provides a pretty accurate depiction on the inner most actions without compromising the integrity of the club. It also provides a reasonable depiction of the views of law enforcement. Pretty good read. My only regret? I wish it was longer. Pat Matters provides for an interesting look at the Hells Angels.
I have read many books on motorcycle gangs. Including all of Yves Lavigne's and Sonny Barger's books years ago. This one provides a pretty accurate depiction on the inner most actions without compromising the integrity of the club. It also provides a reasonable depiction of the views of law enforcement. Pretty good read. My only regret? I wish it was longer. Pat Matters provides for an interesting look at the Hells Angels.
September 5, 2014
Honor
Very good book one that I had a hard time putting down. This book tells how cops can be dirty and clean. And it also talks about man who loved his club and loved his family. Must read.
Very good book one that I had a hard time putting down. This book tells how cops can be dirty and clean. And it also talks about man who loved his club and loved his family. Must read.
September 9, 2014
If you are a reader inte4rested in the one-percent motorcycle subculture, make it a point to read this book. Pat Matter is the former President of the Hells Angels Minnesota chapter. His co-author is one the detective who built the case against the biker.
April 17, 2015
Very eye opening story. I could not put the book down.
September 3, 2015
Amazing read
Love how this book tells both sides!! Anyone that is interested in Mc's this is a AMAZING book!!! Thanks for sharing! Great read!!
Love how this book tells both sides!! Anyone that is interested in Mc's this is a AMAZING book!!! Thanks for sharing! Great read!!
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August 6, 2017I think one cannot believe much written by a guy who pretended (lied) to others about what he stood for, and then snitched on them. Nor should people belive much written by an obsessed cop who painted his own world around an imaginary idea of how the hells angles work.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews