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The Executioner #38
Satan's Sabbath
In New York the Executioner brings his war to an explosive end
Every day this week, one of the last great Mafia outfits has fallen. All that remains is New York, whose dons no longer believe the one-man army known as Mack Bolan even exists. They will soon find that he is very real--and that their most trusted hit man of all is working on the Executioner's side.
Ever since his war began, Bolan has known that it would end in death--either for him or for the Mafia itself. Lured by the promise of amnesty into working for the US government, he will make this his final, most incredible mission. One way or another, Mack Bolan is finished--but the Executioner's war will live forever.
Satan's Sabbath is the 38th book in the Executioner series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Every day this week, one of the last great Mafia outfits has fallen. All that remains is New York, whose dons no longer believe the one-man army known as Mack Bolan even exists. They will soon find that he is very real--and that their most trusted hit man of all is working on the Executioner's side.
Ever since his war began, Bolan has known that it would end in death--either for him or for the Mafia itself. Lured by the promise of amnesty into working for the US government, he will make this his final, most incredible mission. One way or another, Mack Bolan is finished--but the Executioner's war will live forever.
Satan's Sabbath is the 38th book in the Executioner series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
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
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 26, 2026
The American mafia's top leaders, now at the end of a brutal week in which a vigilante has wrecked their operations across the whole country, have gathered in New York City to discuss next steps. Little do they know that that vigilante, the Executioner Mack Bolan, is sitting amongst them, having infiltrated their organization and going by the name Omega.
A quick series situation note: the Executioner Mack Bolan, who spends his post-Vietnam life taking on the mob that killed his family, has been offered a pardon by the President for his prior crimes. Now Bolan is trying to eliminate the entire American mafia in a single week before accepting the pardon. This "Satan's Sabbath" (1979) is the final explosive day of that week.
An early attack against a mob operation here nets Bolan a curious prize: he rescues a young woman, sick out of her mind and unconscious, and delivers her safely to a guarded hospital and is now trying to find out who she is.
"Satan's Sabbath" is the 38th episode of the long-running series and was written by series creator Don Pendleton. Mack Bolan, aka The Executioner, aka "Sergeant Mercy," aka the Blacksuit, is a mob-killing vigilante, a war vet with a photographic memory, wiretapping skills, firearms and explosives proficiency, the ability to go undercover as a bad guy, and the owner of a tricked-out RV dubbed the Warwagon, a “rolling dreadnaught with advanced electronics systems that had added new dimensions to his war effort.”
Verdict: An okay undercover action adventure, neatly wrapping up Bolan's Mafia Wars Week before perhaps moving on to bigger and badder crusades against America's foes.
Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
A quick series situation note: the Executioner Mack Bolan, who spends his post-Vietnam life taking on the mob that killed his family, has been offered a pardon by the President for his prior crimes. Now Bolan is trying to eliminate the entire American mafia in a single week before accepting the pardon. This "Satan's Sabbath" (1979) is the final explosive day of that week.
An early attack against a mob operation here nets Bolan a curious prize: he rescues a young woman, sick out of her mind and unconscious, and delivers her safely to a guarded hospital and is now trying to find out who she is.
"Satan's Sabbath" is the 38th episode of the long-running series and was written by series creator Don Pendleton. Mack Bolan, aka The Executioner, aka "Sergeant Mercy," aka the Blacksuit, is a mob-killing vigilante, a war vet with a photographic memory, wiretapping skills, firearms and explosives proficiency, the ability to go undercover as a bad guy, and the owner of a tricked-out RV dubbed the Warwagon, a “rolling dreadnaught with advanced electronics systems that had added new dimensions to his war effort.”
Verdict: An okay undercover action adventure, neatly wrapping up Bolan's Mafia Wars Week before perhaps moving on to bigger and badder crusades against America's foes.
Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
December 23, 2022
And with that, Mack Bolan’s original war against the mafia comes to an end.
After 38 books, he’s done taking on the mob and is ready to face new threats of terrorism in an officially sanctioned battle to keep the US safe.
While Satan’s Sabbath does finally wrap up everything and conclude Bolan’s first war, I feel things became too rushed at the end and I was left wanting a more satisfying closure to it all.
Oh well. There like 420 others to read now.
After 38 books, he’s done taking on the mob and is ready to face new threats of terrorism in an officially sanctioned battle to keep the US safe.
While Satan’s Sabbath does finally wrap up everything and conclude Bolan’s first war, I feel things became too rushed at the end and I was left wanting a more satisfying closure to it all.
Oh well. There like 420 others to read now.
April 10, 2021
Bolan’s third sweep of the New York territory... This series was a nonstop thrill ride. I enjoyed every mile of it!!
The final page from Mack Bolan’s war journal: ...This final event should be a dissolution, an entropic spread, a final loss of focus. Yet, poised at this moment upon my final threshold, I am aware that my life is focused as it has never been before. I am now at the pinpoint of all that I have ever been, done, desired, feared. It is a painful focus, yes. But I can bear it. I must bear it. It contains all that I am.
Grazzi quietly asked, “Who says Bolan is looking at us again?”
Omega [Bolan] took that one. “We’re being told that common sense says it. We’re asked to look at the pattern. Today is Saturday right? The Chicago combine bought it on Monday. Los Angeles fell on Tuesday. Wednesday was the desert fiasco. Thursday, Florida. Baltimore yesterday. What did I say it is here in New York? Saturday?”
Excerpt From: "Satan's Sabbath" by Don Pendleton. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/244680338
The final page from Mack Bolan’s war journal: ...This final event should be a dissolution, an entropic spread, a final loss of focus. Yet, poised at this moment upon my final threshold, I am aware that my life is focused as it has never been before. I am now at the pinpoint of all that I have ever been, done, desired, feared. It is a painful focus, yes. But I can bear it. I must bear it. It contains all that I am.
Grazzi quietly asked, “Who says Bolan is looking at us again?”
Omega [Bolan] took that one. “We’re being told that common sense says it. We’re asked to look at the pattern. Today is Saturday right? The Chicago combine bought it on Monday. Los Angeles fell on Tuesday. Wednesday was the desert fiasco. Thursday, Florida. Baltimore yesterday. What did I say it is here in New York? Saturday?”
Excerpt From: "Satan's Sabbath" by Don Pendleton. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/244680338
January 8, 2019
And with that we reach the conclusion of the Mafia Wars. And what a ride it has been. Mack Bolan is the Jack Reacher of the 80's of that there can be no doubt. Don weaves in the nature of each city and you get a glimpse of the american way of life at that time. Albeit a very tiny glimpse. The series always will strike a chord for the direct approach it takes to solving the mafia problem and the capability of one man to be an engine of change. I have always read Bolan as a random pickup and now going through 40 repetetive books has not really diminished my appetite for more reading. I will probably pick up the new war sometime sooner or later. Farewell to the Don though. Thank you for one of the more memorable characters in Fiction.
November 17, 2016
I can't believe I hunted down and read this entire series of books, (at least the part written by Don Pendleton.) What fun it was. This last book was a blast, especially in how the last bad guy got it. I might look around to see what some of the other authors did with the series after Don Pendleton let it go. I was under the impression that they are not serial. Although this series was serial, I felt as if most of the stories were independent and each installment had enough back story that they did not need to be read in order.
My favorites in the series were;
#3 Battle Mask
#10 Caribbean Kill
#15 Panic in Philly
#26 Acapulco Rampage
and #29 Command Strike
My favorites in the series were;
#3 Battle Mask
#10 Caribbean Kill
#15 Panic in Philly
#26 Acapulco Rampage
and #29 Command Strike
April 13, 2022
Well that's the end of Don Pendleton's run of Executioners. It was a hell of a run, this time he was taking one last crack at NY before he reported to the President for his new gig. Portraying a black ace he infiltrated the remants of the mafia's power structure and declared war for the last time before he would become John Phoenix.
Recommended, this last run of books detailing his final 6 days of his war against the mafia overall I think are a little weaker. However this one was above average and fits as Pendleton's last one.
Recommended, this last run of books detailing his final 6 days of his war against the mafia overall I think are a little weaker. However this one was above average and fits as Pendleton's last one.
August 4, 2022
The last of the original Executioner novels ends the War Against the Mafia on a high note. There are several strong action scenes at the beginning (including Bolan in a sports car, armed wih a grenade launcher, in a dog-fight with an armored limo). The bulk of the novel then builds remarkable tension, as Bolan--knowing his cover as a top hitman might be blown at any moment--deals with the last two remaining NY-mob factions, eventually tricking them into battling each other. It's a strong conclusion to the original series.
September 20, 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 38
Kind of a disappointing ending to the War Against the Mafia. Basically just a rehash of the hits against the New York Families. I know there are only so many ways to write about targeting the Mafia and why Pendleton wanted to end it here. I will continue with the series but will not be surprised at a bunch of DNFs over the next 14 books.
Week 38
Kind of a disappointing ending to the War Against the Mafia. Basically just a rehash of the hits against the New York Families. I know there are only so many ways to write about targeting the Mafia and why Pendleton wanted to end it here. I will continue with the series but will not be surprised at a bunch of DNFs over the next 14 books.
November 15, 2019
The Last Day
This is the last day of Mack Bolan"s war on the Mafia. But will it be his last day on earth? Will the mob get their revenge on him? And what happens to Bolan on this last day? Read it, and find out. You'll be glad you did!
This is the last day of Mack Bolan"s war on the Mafia. But will it be his last day on earth? Will the mob get their revenge on him? And what happens to Bolan on this last day? Read it, and find out. You'll be glad you did!
February 11, 2020
More Bolan action!
So Nolan has finally finished off his last active Mafia boss! Now what? Retirement for Pendleton? I hope not. I enjoy his character development and his situations. A good read all the way!
So Nolan has finally finished off his last active Mafia boss! Now what? Retirement for Pendleton? I hope not. I enjoy his character development and his situations. A good read all the way!
October 5, 2022
The end of the Pendleton Era, and the beginning of the Gold Eagle Era.
May 16, 2023
Not one of his best.
April 24, 2025
Quick easy read. Less action than I hoped for.
August 9, 2026
Solid end to the "war on the mafia" phase for Bolan. Bad guys died. Things got blown up. All good. On to the next mission.
May 16, 2017
Satan's Sabbath was the final Mack Bolan book by Don Pendleton
before a legion of writers took over under his name. It also marks a
major change in the legend of Bolan because he shifts in a this one
from being the one-man lone warrior at war with the Mafia to a new
identity as a government agent, John Phoenix who rises from the
ashes. Although other authors went on to continue this series for
another 400+ books of crazy action and adventure, the original 38
book story would end here.
The story itself continues Bolan's superhuman efforts to wipe out the
Mafia and includes battles with rocket launchers in Central Park and
Bolan masquerading as a Mafia hood and taking over their enterprises.
As always, great fun.
before a legion of writers took over under his name. It also marks a
major change in the legend of Bolan because he shifts in a this one
from being the one-man lone warrior at war with the Mafia to a new
identity as a government agent, John Phoenix who rises from the
ashes. Although other authors went on to continue this series for
another 400+ books of crazy action and adventure, the original 38
book story would end here.
The story itself continues Bolan's superhuman efforts to wipe out the
Mafia and includes battles with rocket launchers in Central Park and
Bolan masquerading as a Mafia hood and taking over their enterprises.
As always, great fun.
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
June 29, 2016
So, now I am done with the Bolan books and the last six were the best in the series.
This last book I have been waiting to read for almost 30 years. Then, 30 years ago I read all the books translated into Swedish, and I only found 19, and this one was not part of them. Anyway, now the Mafiadom is gone, and with quite a bang.
This last book I have been waiting to read for almost 30 years. Then, 30 years ago I read all the books translated into Swedish, and I only found 19, and this one was not part of them. Anyway, now the Mafiadom is gone, and with quite a bang.
May 10, 2012
This book is the last of the Executioner series to be penned by Don Pendleton. It is also the final Chapter in Mack Bolan's war against he Mafia.
For true Don Pendleton/ Mack Bolan fan this, and the preceding 37 books are the essential.
For true Don Pendleton/ Mack Bolan fan this, and the preceding 37 books are the essential.
June 24, 2018
Excellent! A nice finish to Pendleton's run with the Executioner. Time to read the Stony Man series. I will continue to enjoy the rest of this series as different authors take a swing at continuing the Executioner series.
August 21, 2008
My brother read and reread this entires series when I was a wee one and I was obsessed with the covers and titles. It's actually pretty awesome for four-subway-trip read.
Read
August 17, 2016read some time in 1981
July 5, 2021
Bolan's swan song
A fitting finale to the tall warrior in black with icy blue eyes and a deep loathing for all things corrupt. Rest in peace Executioner.
A fitting finale to the tall warrior in black with icy blue eyes and a deep loathing for all things corrupt. Rest in peace Executioner.
December 21, 2007
read 06.03.84
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews