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Payback
WHAT IF THE MAFIA AND FBI JOINED FORCES TO ASSASSINATE HITLER IN 1938? COULD IT HAVE SUCCEEDED? COULD IT HAVE PREVENTED WWII? COULD IT HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD?
The FBI colludes with the mafia to assassinate Hitler in the spring of 1938 during a state visit to Italy. Bugsy Siegel and his accomplice, a secret agent to keep the gangster’s volatile nature from erupting, are chosen to carry out the deed. With the help of the Italian mafia, conned into thinking the target is their bitter enemy Mussolini, the pair must avoid rival gangs and a wily Italian police inspector to avoid being caught or killed before they can even get close to Hitler. No one could have predicted the calamitous events their mission unleashes.
"...nations that play chess with world leaders should beware; toppling the King may just be the beginning...The author's personal insight makes Payback a great novel of what might have been." —Ian Hall, author of the Avenging Steel series.
"Payback is a fascinating alternative history which turns what we know of World War II on its head. Gangsters and Hitler - what could go wrong? Read Payback to find out!"—James R Benn, author Rag and Bone.
"...Real historical figures blend seamlessly with fictional ones, and everyone is believable...In the long tradition of Axis victories in the Alt-History genre, Italy is often overlooked. Michael FitzGerald changes that with Payback, a novel filled with strong characters, excellent research and surprising twists and turns."—Sandra Saidak, author of From the Ashes.
“...Bugsy Siegel, a hitman for the American Mafia, and Luigi Carmona, a far less psychotic but no less competent killer, travel to Mussolini’s Rome before the outbreak of World War II on a mission of assassination...a page-turner of a thriller [and]an alternate history novel that asks us whether great men control history or...are controlled by it...“—David Dvorkin, Author of Budspy.
"Payback is a first-rate thriller. Michael FitzGerald's tale of World War II intrigue and daring keeps the heart racing to the very last page."—James Thayer, author S-Day.
"...a great read with an amazing plot that kept me always wanting more. It's a great story about Hitler, Mussolini, gangsters and an FBI agent that held my interest till the end..."—David Avoura King - Author Hitler Out of Time.
"...one of the most original 'what if' novels since Fatherland...explores the unique possibility that if Adolf Hitler were assassinated before his grip on Germany tightened then there would be a power vacuum in Europe of immense proportions. His addition of American mafia figures brings a colorful new level to this intriguing novel."—Kim Kinrade, Author Rockets of the Reich.
The FBI colludes with the mafia to assassinate Hitler in the spring of 1938 during a state visit to Italy. Bugsy Siegel and his accomplice, a secret agent to keep the gangster’s volatile nature from erupting, are chosen to carry out the deed. With the help of the Italian mafia, conned into thinking the target is their bitter enemy Mussolini, the pair must avoid rival gangs and a wily Italian police inspector to avoid being caught or killed before they can even get close to Hitler. No one could have predicted the calamitous events their mission unleashes.
"...nations that play chess with world leaders should beware; toppling the King may just be the beginning...The author's personal insight makes Payback a great novel of what might have been." —Ian Hall, author of the Avenging Steel series.
"Payback is a fascinating alternative history which turns what we know of World War II on its head. Gangsters and Hitler - what could go wrong? Read Payback to find out!"—James R Benn, author Rag and Bone.
"...Real historical figures blend seamlessly with fictional ones, and everyone is believable...In the long tradition of Axis victories in the Alt-History genre, Italy is often overlooked. Michael FitzGerald changes that with Payback, a novel filled with strong characters, excellent research and surprising twists and turns."—Sandra Saidak, author of From the Ashes.
“...Bugsy Siegel, a hitman for the American Mafia, and Luigi Carmona, a far less psychotic but no less competent killer, travel to Mussolini’s Rome before the outbreak of World War II on a mission of assassination...a page-turner of a thriller [and]an alternate history novel that asks us whether great men control history or...are controlled by it...“—David Dvorkin, Author of Budspy.
"Payback is a first-rate thriller. Michael FitzGerald's tale of World War II intrigue and daring keeps the heart racing to the very last page."—James Thayer, author S-Day.
"...a great read with an amazing plot that kept me always wanting more. It's a great story about Hitler, Mussolini, gangsters and an FBI agent that held my interest till the end..."—David Avoura King - Author Hitler Out of Time.
"...one of the most original 'what if' novels since Fatherland...explores the unique possibility that if Adolf Hitler were assassinated before his grip on Germany tightened then there would be a power vacuum in Europe of immense proportions. His addition of American mafia figures brings a colorful new level to this intriguing novel."—Kim Kinrade, Author Rockets of the Reich.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2016
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 4, 2017
I would first like to say that I am normally uninterested in stories featuring assassination attempts on Hitler, since they tend to be boring and cliché. However, the unusual premise of the U.S. government teaming up with the Mafia to kill Hitler was intriguing. Especially, with Ben Siegel as one of the triggermen. The book was action-packed and the author's characterizations for the most part were good. Like another reviewer, I'm disappointed that FitzGerald didn't go into more detail about the results of the assassination. Here's to hoping he writes a sequel.
November 2, 2016
Great story with the theme of an alternate history, about the mafia and FBI wanting to assassinate Adolf Hitler when he visits Italy. Left me wanting more, I really enjoyed it.
December 19, 2016
I have come to realize that plots that try to change history come with serious repercussions...and I love it. Payback is precisely one of these novels, and I couldn't have been more pleased by the outcome of its plot.
Assassinating Hitler has been a popular topic as of late, and even though I have seen other novels discuss this possibility and the "what ifs" of it all, Payback brought more to the table. It is a novel filled with disaster and possibility, and Michael Fitzgerald didn't hold anything back.
Fitzgerald's writing is crisp and clear. He didn't add unnecessary details or drama that could hinder this type of story, and he stuck straight to the facts. It was clear to me that he knows this time period well and prepped his novel in length to make sure that it was as factual as possible. I couldn't put Payback down due to the historical intrigue, and I am sure that crime enthusiasts, as well as history buffs, will faun over it. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII history as well as alternate history and crime!
Assassinating Hitler has been a popular topic as of late, and even though I have seen other novels discuss this possibility and the "what ifs" of it all, Payback brought more to the table. It is a novel filled with disaster and possibility, and Michael Fitzgerald didn't hold anything back.
Fitzgerald's writing is crisp and clear. He didn't add unnecessary details or drama that could hinder this type of story, and he stuck straight to the facts. It was clear to me that he knows this time period well and prepped his novel in length to make sure that it was as factual as possible. I couldn't put Payback down due to the historical intrigue, and I am sure that crime enthusiasts, as well as history buffs, will faun over it. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII history as well as alternate history and crime!
January 6, 2017
How different could the world have been?
This is an intriguing story and brilliantly conceived. The FBI and The Mafia join forces in an assassination attempt on Hitler in 1938. The Mafia in both America and Italy are used so that they can be blamed whatever the outcome even although the plot is hatched and devised by the US government.
The two main assassins are two Italians, one a native speaker and the other a hot-headed American Italian, two widely differing characters who have to learn to work together. The decision is made to attempt the assassination during Hitler’s visit to his staunchest ally Mussolini in Rome.
The action is very well described and the aftermath involves many of the well- known Nazis and how they react to the plot. There was an intriguing mixture of fictional and non-fictional characters and many interesting theories as to how this plot, if successful, could have affected the world.
This book was very easy to read, I finished it in 2 days, and thoroughly enjoyed the story. It really made me think what could have happened if this had been real and not fictional. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good plot.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
This is an intriguing story and brilliantly conceived. The FBI and The Mafia join forces in an assassination attempt on Hitler in 1938. The Mafia in both America and Italy are used so that they can be blamed whatever the outcome even although the plot is hatched and devised by the US government.
The two main assassins are two Italians, one a native speaker and the other a hot-headed American Italian, two widely differing characters who have to learn to work together. The decision is made to attempt the assassination during Hitler’s visit to his staunchest ally Mussolini in Rome.
The action is very well described and the aftermath involves many of the well- known Nazis and how they react to the plot. There was an intriguing mixture of fictional and non-fictional characters and many interesting theories as to how this plot, if successful, could have affected the world.
This book was very easy to read, I finished it in 2 days, and thoroughly enjoyed the story. It really made me think what could have happened if this had been real and not fictional. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good plot.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews