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The Executioner #30
Cleveland Pipeline
In the wake of Bolans strike against Mafia headquarters in New York, the mob is experiencing its darkest hours - its member families pulling back into semi-isolated territorial groups, concerned chiefly with their own survival. There is a power vacuum, sure, and the Executioner has been carefully watching for signs of a revival, awaiting the appearance of a new strong man with national ambitions for taking command.Enter, then, "Bad Tony" Morello - strong man extraordinaire - and his Cleveland Pipeline for refueling the underworld power machine.
176 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
49 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Don Pendleton
1,529 books194 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 20, 2022
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and declare this as probably the best Executioner novel since either Firebase Seattle or Hawaiian Hellground.
Not exactly sure how or why, but everything works in this book better than anything in a very long time. Maybe it’s because there’s more restrained descriptions of Bolan’s war wagon, or maybe now that Turrin, the double agent, is safe, there’s less of his boring story. Or maybe, now that Bolan has wiped out like 90% of the mafia, there’s less of them to bog the story down.
Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed Cleveland Pipeline and can only hope with 8 left in Pendleton’s original run, we can end this series on a high note.
Not exactly sure how or why, but everything works in this book better than anything in a very long time. Maybe it’s because there’s more restrained descriptions of Bolan’s war wagon, or maybe now that Turrin, the double agent, is safe, there’s less of his boring story. Or maybe, now that Bolan has wiped out like 90% of the mafia, there’s less of them to bog the story down.
Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed Cleveland Pipeline and can only hope with 8 left in Pendleton’s original run, we can end this series on a high note.
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May 3, 2025Plot & Reaction:
From New York, Bolan makes his way to Cleveland on the suspicion that this hub of commerce and shipping could be a new Mafia "pipeline" of some kind. Running the Cleveland mob is "Bad" Tony Morello, a mobster so unhinged that even the mob's own "Emperor Palpatine" (Augie Marinello) kept him in a box and on a leash. Pendleton seizes on the then popular urban legend of snuff films to paint Morello as a particularly evil foe. But it's no urban legend here, where Morello has snuff film studios both in his house and on his Liberian-registered commercial freighter.
Morello is the worst kind of "savage" and not a team player, so the mystery driving Bolan is what kind of play is Bad Tony making. Following a trail of bribery leads Bolan to a plot involving several "respectable" members of high society scheming to corner the energy market by creating a fictional shortage of oil and natural gas, and then hiking up the prices. Bad Tony is simply the muscle behind the blackmail.
I really liked what Pendleton was trying to do with this book. Plot mechanics aside, he introduces a love interest for Bolan in the form of freelance journalist Susan Landry. And she is a genuine love interest, stirring emotions in Bolan that are rare for him in this series. Early on, right after their "meet-cute" (Bolan murders the two men who are trying to drown Susan in a country club swimming pool), Bolan makes her hot chocolate to comfort her. She objects to his methods (i.e. murder) and even gets him to question his own point of view for a brief moment (Bolan cries!). And it all culminates in a Sophie's choice he must make between her and his "duty." All of which would have been quite moving had it been better executed (pun intended).
As it is, the early dialogue between them is cringeworthy. Pendleton seems to think arguing equals flirting. He immediately sets up Susan as an ideological foil for Bolan, but she's really just a straw man for Bolan to win over to his side of the argument. We've seen this before in this series. Pendleton never really lets a legitimate counter-argument to Bolan's war stand for very long. Everything is stacked in Bolan's favor: Bad Tony is so bad he shoots his own men and regularly makes snuff films; the two thugs Bolan rescued Susan from were sadistic rapists and murders.
Even the twist plays into Bolan's favor: Susan's secret reason for investigating the blackmail conspiracy is that her grandfather is involved and she wants to save him if she can. Turns out he's one of the masterminds who not only knew about the plot to kill her but supported it. So when Bolan executes him, he does it with a clear conscience and no moral conflict.
I'm curious if Bolan's execution of "respectable" civilian businessmen will have consequences with the public or any of his allies in law enforcement.
Returning Characters:
Leo Turrin is pretty much a series regular at this point, available by phone whenever Bolan needs intel. Hal Brognola is mentioned but doesn't make an appearance.
Timeline:
The main action of the book spans a few days at most. I didn't get a sense of how long Bolan had been in Cleveland before the start of the book, but he does make a reference to "six weeks" when Susan is explaining her investigation into a series of suspicious deaths of prominent people in the area that suddenly stopped. My guess is that Bolan's "command strike" in New York was six weeks prior and by taking out La Commissione, it caused a hiccup in the mob's plans in Cleveland. That's when Bad Tony came out of his box and took over. Maybe? If there was another explanation for the "six weeks" reference, I missed it.
References to Other Books:
Bad Tony has imported mob soldiers from Sicily, just like the mob planned to do in Panic in Philly, I think it was. The plot to manipulate the energy market is reminiscent of Texas Storm, something Turrin even comments on.
Additional Comments:
Pendleton uses the "k" slur to describe the mastermind of the villainous plot: "...not a Jew but a k***, the kind that gives a fine race that terrible reputation..." It feels gross, even for the 70s.
It's mentioned early on that Morello had "land interests" in Arizona. I know that's where the next book takes place, so I wonder if there's a connection or not.
In a fun little twist, we find out by the end of the book that the "Cleveland pipeline" is not drugs or money or something metaphorical, but actual oil and gas. The title turns out to be literal -- unlike the cover, which never actually happens (Bolan's assault on the ship is at sea, not the dock).
This made me chuckle: "...and even a series of books were being written to chronicle his [Bolan's] exploits. Pretty soon, no doubt, the movies would be taking off..." First, I know Pendleton was courted by Hollywood several times, though nothing ever manifested. Second, it's fun to think that in a world with a real Mack Bolan, they might be reading the same exact books we are, only as dramatizations not fiction.
When Bolan is showing Susan how he uses the advanced technology in the Warwagon, he describes the future: "But one of these days you'll be able to buy records—you know, like an LP album. You'll just throw the record on a turntable. The turntable will be hooked up to your television set. You'll sit there and watch The Brady Bunch from your turntable. The engineers are also developing tape cassettes." I really enjoy these time capsule moments in these books. I was hoping to use this to help with the placement of this book in time, but The Brady Bunch ran from late 1969 to early 1974, and also in syndication after that. So that doesn't really help. Same with the reference to "video LPs." LaserDisc hit the market in 1978 but videodisc technology had been publicly demonstrated as early as 1972.
Finally, Bolan makes an extended defense of his ideology to Susan that is pretty compelling, though not in the way I think Pendleton thought it was. Basically Bolan tells Susan to quit journalism and become a homemaker instead. Sounds sexist, yes, which she points out. Bolan responds that her telling him to quit killing is the same thing. She's good at journalism, and that's why she feels a duty to be a journalist. He's had over a decade and over $100,000 of training invested in him to be one of the best soldiers in the world. Therefore it's his duty to use those skills in the best way he can. Hogwash, right? But here's the interesting thing: I think Bolan's point can be used to argue that he is not the criminal, at least not solely. Not that what he is doing isn't wrong. But the wrong didn't start with him. The original sin, or wrong, or "crime," was creating him. The United States war in Vietnam was categorically wrong and illegal. Bolan as "The Executioner" was created to fight that war. It should not be surprising when someone indoctrinated in that kind of fucked up ideology applies it to another "problem." I don't know for sure but I get the sense that Pendleton viewed service in the Vietnam war as heroic. Bolan's approach to his personal war would be analogous, in Pendleton's view. I think many of my misgivings about this series have to do with the lack of nuance. I often find myself wishing Bolan would grapple with some of the mess he makes as metaphor for the country grappling with the mess it made in Vietnam. The fact that there is zero collateral damage in Bolan's war is the most incriminating part of Pendleton's naiveté and bias.
From New York, Bolan makes his way to Cleveland on the suspicion that this hub of commerce and shipping could be a new Mafia "pipeline" of some kind. Running the Cleveland mob is "Bad" Tony Morello, a mobster so unhinged that even the mob's own "Emperor Palpatine" (Augie Marinello) kept him in a box and on a leash. Pendleton seizes on the then popular urban legend of snuff films to paint Morello as a particularly evil foe. But it's no urban legend here, where Morello has snuff film studios both in his house and on his Liberian-registered commercial freighter.
Morello is the worst kind of "savage" and not a team player, so the mystery driving Bolan is what kind of play is Bad Tony making. Following a trail of bribery leads Bolan to a plot involving several "respectable" members of high society scheming to corner the energy market by creating a fictional shortage of oil and natural gas, and then hiking up the prices. Bad Tony is simply the muscle behind the blackmail.
I really liked what Pendleton was trying to do with this book. Plot mechanics aside, he introduces a love interest for Bolan in the form of freelance journalist Susan Landry. And she is a genuine love interest, stirring emotions in Bolan that are rare for him in this series. Early on, right after their "meet-cute" (Bolan murders the two men who are trying to drown Susan in a country club swimming pool), Bolan makes her hot chocolate to comfort her. She objects to his methods (i.e. murder) and even gets him to question his own point of view for a brief moment (Bolan cries!). And it all culminates in a Sophie's choice he must make between her and his "duty." All of which would have been quite moving had it been better executed (pun intended).
As it is, the early dialogue between them is cringeworthy. Pendleton seems to think arguing equals flirting. He immediately sets up Susan as an ideological foil for Bolan, but she's really just a straw man for Bolan to win over to his side of the argument. We've seen this before in this series. Pendleton never really lets a legitimate counter-argument to Bolan's war stand for very long. Everything is stacked in Bolan's favor: Bad Tony is so bad he shoots his own men and regularly makes snuff films; the two thugs Bolan rescued Susan from were sadistic rapists and murders.
Even the twist plays into Bolan's favor: Susan's secret reason for investigating the blackmail conspiracy is that her grandfather is involved and she wants to save him if she can. Turns out he's one of the masterminds who not only knew about the plot to kill her but supported it. So when Bolan executes him, he does it with a clear conscience and no moral conflict.
I'm curious if Bolan's execution of "respectable" civilian businessmen will have consequences with the public or any of his allies in law enforcement.
Returning Characters:
Leo Turrin is pretty much a series regular at this point, available by phone whenever Bolan needs intel. Hal Brognola is mentioned but doesn't make an appearance.
Timeline:
The main action of the book spans a few days at most. I didn't get a sense of how long Bolan had been in Cleveland before the start of the book, but he does make a reference to "six weeks" when Susan is explaining her investigation into a series of suspicious deaths of prominent people in the area that suddenly stopped. My guess is that Bolan's "command strike" in New York was six weeks prior and by taking out La Commissione, it caused a hiccup in the mob's plans in Cleveland. That's when Bad Tony came out of his box and took over. Maybe? If there was another explanation for the "six weeks" reference, I missed it.
References to Other Books:
Bad Tony has imported mob soldiers from Sicily, just like the mob planned to do in Panic in Philly, I think it was. The plot to manipulate the energy market is reminiscent of Texas Storm, something Turrin even comments on.
Additional Comments:
Pendleton uses the "k" slur to describe the mastermind of the villainous plot: "...not a Jew but a k***, the kind that gives a fine race that terrible reputation..." It feels gross, even for the 70s.
It's mentioned early on that Morello had "land interests" in Arizona. I know that's where the next book takes place, so I wonder if there's a connection or not.
In a fun little twist, we find out by the end of the book that the "Cleveland pipeline" is not drugs or money or something metaphorical, but actual oil and gas. The title turns out to be literal -- unlike the cover, which never actually happens (Bolan's assault on the ship is at sea, not the dock).
This made me chuckle: "...and even a series of books were being written to chronicle his [Bolan's] exploits. Pretty soon, no doubt, the movies would be taking off..." First, I know Pendleton was courted by Hollywood several times, though nothing ever manifested. Second, it's fun to think that in a world with a real Mack Bolan, they might be reading the same exact books we are, only as dramatizations not fiction.
When Bolan is showing Susan how he uses the advanced technology in the Warwagon, he describes the future: "But one of these days you'll be able to buy records—you know, like an LP album. You'll just throw the record on a turntable. The turntable will be hooked up to your television set. You'll sit there and watch The Brady Bunch from your turntable. The engineers are also developing tape cassettes." I really enjoy these time capsule moments in these books. I was hoping to use this to help with the placement of this book in time, but The Brady Bunch ran from late 1969 to early 1974, and also in syndication after that. So that doesn't really help. Same with the reference to "video LPs." LaserDisc hit the market in 1978 but videodisc technology had been publicly demonstrated as early as 1972.
Finally, Bolan makes an extended defense of his ideology to Susan that is pretty compelling, though not in the way I think Pendleton thought it was. Basically Bolan tells Susan to quit journalism and become a homemaker instead. Sounds sexist, yes, which she points out. Bolan responds that her telling him to quit killing is the same thing. She's good at journalism, and that's why she feels a duty to be a journalist. He's had over a decade and over $100,000 of training invested in him to be one of the best soldiers in the world. Therefore it's his duty to use those skills in the best way he can. Hogwash, right? But here's the interesting thing: I think Bolan's point can be used to argue that he is not the criminal, at least not solely. Not that what he is doing isn't wrong. But the wrong didn't start with him. The original sin, or wrong, or "crime," was creating him. The United States war in Vietnam was categorically wrong and illegal. Bolan as "The Executioner" was created to fight that war. It should not be surprising when someone indoctrinated in that kind of fucked up ideology applies it to another "problem." I don't know for sure but I get the sense that Pendleton viewed service in the Vietnam war as heroic. Bolan's approach to his personal war would be analogous, in Pendleton's view. I think many of my misgivings about this series have to do with the lack of nuance. I often find myself wishing Bolan would grapple with some of the mess he makes as metaphor for the country grappling with the mess it made in Vietnam. The fact that there is zero collateral damage in Bolan's war is the most incriminating part of Pendleton's naiveté and bias.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2014
I loved this book. In the series, this has been one of the best. There isn't as much action as in many of the earlier stories, but I thought the action here was well done. Of course, as always, Mack cuts through mob thugs like an enraged lawnmower. The story in this one was solid.
Early in, Mack saves a Federal Judge from two torpedoes, and the roughed-up Judge gasps, "Save the girl." Mack flies into action, popping mobster heads with his .44 Automag. The girl is a journalist who refuses to give up what she's learned because she knows Mack is a rabid vigilante.
What I really liked about this one was the main thug, 'Bad' Tony Morello was a well made villain. The hint that Don Pendleton is closing the series is very evident to the perceptive reader in this chapter of the greater story. With all the big sharks officially out of the game, this book had the feeling of a mop up.
I'm sad that Don Pendleton's portion of this series is closing. Only 8 more books to go. I might read some of the books after Pendleton let the character go to other authors, but I have my doubts about where this series will go. There were a couple spin off series that might be worth investigation, and a good friend suggested I look into the Remo Williams books.
(Currently, my favorites in order of appearance are #3, #6, #10, #15, #26, #29 and #30.)
Early in, Mack saves a Federal Judge from two torpedoes, and the roughed-up Judge gasps, "Save the girl." Mack flies into action, popping mobster heads with his .44 Automag. The girl is a journalist who refuses to give up what she's learned because she knows Mack is a rabid vigilante.
What I really liked about this one was the main thug, 'Bad' Tony Morello was a well made villain. The hint that Don Pendleton is closing the series is very evident to the perceptive reader in this chapter of the greater story. With all the big sharks officially out of the game, this book had the feeling of a mop up.
I'm sad that Don Pendleton's portion of this series is closing. Only 8 more books to go. I might read some of the books after Pendleton let the character go to other authors, but I have my doubts about where this series will go. There were a couple spin off series that might be worth investigation, and a good friend suggested I look into the Remo Williams books.
(Currently, my favorites in order of appearance are #3, #6, #10, #15, #26, #29 and #30.)
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
April 27, 2017
I've never seen the words "yeah" and "uh" used more in my entire life I think, wow. I bought this such a long time ago and I guess I never read it because I didn't seem to remember any of it. The series is fun but this was not one of the best I've read, that's for sure. The later ones I think were better.
June 24, 2018
I enjoyed this. The Morello character is definitely dislikable! The ending was a little different than expected but that made it fun to read. Great series. I like Don Pendleton's writing. RIP
October 29, 2021
Another solid volume from the master, Don Pendleton. Yes these are formulaic, but there is a reason so many people tried to copy him over the years, his books are well written and never boring. He is a much better writer then he really needed to be for the genre and that's why he basically started a sub genre by himself. In this one he finds out, after his dismantling of the NY mob leadership, that the main guy in Cleveland was eyeing the job of main mafia don. Bolan knew he smelled something fishy and while there he stumbled on to something much bigger, something that the mafia thug was only the muscle for. It was something that could put the entire country on its knees. Well Bolan wasnt about to let that happen.
Highly recommended, I always recommend reading the Pendleton ones in order, though this one is a pretty self contained story.
Highly recommended, I always recommend reading the Pendleton ones in order, though this one is a pretty self contained story.
February 16, 2022
Bolan learns that something big, involving the energy industry, is going down in Cleveland. But the local mob boss is a psychotic thug who can't possibly be the brains behind the operation. So Bolan must figure out who the real brains behind the operation is to put a stop to it.
Along the way, he rescues a young lady from a mob hit. She and Bolan soon find themselves attracted to each other, but he has reason to wonder if he can fully trust her.
This all makes for a strong entry in the series. The identity of the behind-the-scenes boss turns out to be closely tied with the lady, giving Bolan's actions at the end of the novel real emotional resonance.
July 12, 2024
Again and again
Pendleton handles Bolan and his adventures with such love and understanding, that it's hard not to get wrapped up in every new chapter. For 32 books now (Sicilian Slaughter does NOT count since it is not by Mr. Pendleton or even by someone who understands Mack) I have traveled the roads and fought the good fight with Mack. Now I can't wait for him to bring his war against the Mafia to it's bloody conclusion..
Pendleton handles Bolan and his adventures with such love and understanding, that it's hard not to get wrapped up in every new chapter. For 32 books now (Sicilian Slaughter does NOT count since it is not by Mr. Pendleton or even by someone who understands Mack) I have traveled the roads and fought the good fight with Mack. Now I can't wait for him to bring his war against the Mafia to it's bloody conclusion..
October 11, 2018
Another one down.
March 10, 2021
This one slightly deviated from the familiar formula but it still worked. Mack Bolan did what he does best - chipped away at a mafis stranglehold.
August 28, 2022
4 1/4 stars. Found this one to be slightly better written than the single digit volumes. Pendleton shows knowledge of weapons and geography.
May 15, 2020
Number 30 in the Executioner series, and the third of four published in '77. The author was proficient in pumping out action/adventure novels - short, concise and non-stop.
In this installment, Bolan has moved to Cleveland, which is close to the Canadian border, has a great highway system, access to shipping, and home headquarters to some big companies. Just the picnic for the Mafia parasites he's vowed to eliminate.
He's out to salvage some high society types who've fallen prey to blackmail, and found an unwitting ally in a female journalist who bounces justice ideas against his own internal system.
In this installment, Bolan has moved to Cleveland, which is close to the Canadian border, has a great highway system, access to shipping, and home headquarters to some big companies. Just the picnic for the Mafia parasites he's vowed to eliminate.
He's out to salvage some high society types who've fallen prey to blackmail, and found an unwitting ally in a female journalist who bounces justice ideas against his own internal system.
March 5, 2016
One of the weaker books in the series. Action was a bit tame and the female interest irritating. Feels like the author has run out of ideas and just regurgitating passages from his earlier books.
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August 15, 2016read some time in 1981
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