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Ghost: My Thirty Years as an FBI Undercover Agent
The explosive memoir of an FBI field operative who has worked more undercover cases than anyone in history.Within FBI field operative circles, groups of people known as “Special” by their titles alone, Michael R. McGowan is an outlier. 10% of FBI Special Agents are trained and certified to work undercover. A quarter of those agents have worked more than one undercover assignment in their careers. And of those, less than 10% of them have been involved in more than five undercover cases. Over the course of his career, McGowan has worked more than 50 undercover cases. In this extraordinary and unprecedented book, McGowan will take readers through some of his biggest cases, from international drug busts, to the Russian and Italian mobs, to biker gangs and contract killers, to corrupt unions and SWAT work. Ghost is an unparalleled view into how the FBI, through the courage of its undercover Special Agents, nails the bad guys. McGowan infiltrates groups at home and abroad, assembles teams to create the myths he lives, concocts fake businesses, coordinates the busts, and helps carry out the arrests. Along the way, we meet his partners and colleagues at the FBI, who pull together for everything from bank jobs to the Boston Marathon bombing case, mafia dons, and, perhaps most significantly, El Chapo himself and his Sinaloa Cartel.Ghost is the ultimate insider's account of one of the most iconic institutions of American government, and a testament to the incredible work of the FBI.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2018
427 people are currently reading
1171 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. McGowan
1 book9 followersFBI Special Agent (Retired) Michael R. McGowan served more than 31 years of dedicated FBI service before retiring in 2017, almost all of which was working undercover against some of the most dangerous, sophisticated, and notorious criminal organizations and individuals. He now writes novels and consults to the entertainment industry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 27, 2019
3.5. Gotta admit I scanned the last 50 pages. It started great and read easily. So easily it was like reading a movie but then...maybe it was 3rd or 4th mafia story that lost me. Still, mad respect for the guy. He’s dealt with some scary ass dudes.
June 6, 2019
McGowan has many great stories to tell about his time undercover. His experience and competency speaks for itself and the fast-paced story, covering 30+ years of experience, keeps the reader engaged.
While McGowan has a great story to tell, the narrative over-relies on police-officer cliches and gripes about supervisors and management. McGowan should have let his story and experiences, personally and with leadership, speak for themselves. If McGowan was so disappointed in management for his entire career, why did he never pursue promotions to ASAC or SAC, or positions in the Criminal Division at FBI HQ? His lack of respect for management and leadership is readily apparent, but he seems to have had no desire to take on challenging positions that he seemingly felt he was more qualified to hold.
McGowan also could have reflected on how law enforcement has changed over the past 35 years. This book was written in 2017, in the midst of protests against law-enforcement confrontations with the public that ended violently. It is disappointing that McGowan does not reflect on the dilemmas facing law enforcement officers in the United States and how they can be overcome.
This book is engaging, but ultimately disappointing. People interested in FBI undercover operations should check out The Pretender by Marc Ruskin before turning to this book. Overall, McGowan's book has much to offer, but is probably only worthwhile for people with a great degree of interest in the subject.
While McGowan has a great story to tell, the narrative over-relies on police-officer cliches and gripes about supervisors and management. McGowan should have let his story and experiences, personally and with leadership, speak for themselves. If McGowan was so disappointed in management for his entire career, why did he never pursue promotions to ASAC or SAC, or positions in the Criminal Division at FBI HQ? His lack of respect for management and leadership is readily apparent, but he seems to have had no desire to take on challenging positions that he seemingly felt he was more qualified to hold.
McGowan also could have reflected on how law enforcement has changed over the past 35 years. This book was written in 2017, in the midst of protests against law-enforcement confrontations with the public that ended violently. It is disappointing that McGowan does not reflect on the dilemmas facing law enforcement officers in the United States and how they can be overcome.
This book is engaging, but ultimately disappointing. People interested in FBI undercover operations should check out The Pretender by Marc Ruskin before turning to this book. Overall, McGowan's book has much to offer, but is probably only worthwhile for people with a great degree of interest in the subject.
September 30, 2018
Ghost is a fast-reading memoir featuring a largely no-nonsense cop who has an interesting tale to tell and some scores to settle along the way. The author, for all his tough-guy growling, is good company for just over 300 pages. That it’s a familiar story in its outlines doesn’t make it any less entertaining; you’ll get enough inside-cop and inside-crook stuff to feed your true-crime jones and then some.
Because I wrote this review for Criminal Element, I can't show it all here. Go here to read the full review and a lot of other good stuff, too.
Because I wrote this review for Criminal Element, I can't show it all here. Go here to read the full review and a lot of other good stuff, too.
September 8, 2022
Enlightening in some ways, disturbing in others, Ghost is the memoir of now-retired FBI Agent Michael McGowan. The first part of the book details his trajectory from adolescent delinquency to respected police officer, to FBI "Golden Boy", and the various hiccups he encountered along the way. The latter portion of the book describes his work as an FBI undercover agent, where he infiltrated mostly organized crime syndicates and cartels.
The cases are fascinating to read, and true crime aficionados will recognize several names, but there were occasions when the egotistical tone of the writing distracted from the actual stories. Ignoring that, it's a fine snapshot of undercover work over the past few decades.
The cases are fascinating to read, and true crime aficionados will recognize several names, but there were occasions when the egotistical tone of the writing distracted from the actual stories. Ignoring that, it's a fine snapshot of undercover work over the past few decades.
November 2, 2019
A lot of guys claim to be an undercover and it's maddening to us in the business. I have more UC buys than anyone in New England so I can vouch for this guy. A guy with a beard tells all his friends that he's an undercover even though he has never done the actual undercover. Very few FBI Agents or other Officers have done actual drug buys. Mike is as real as it gets and probably one of the best UC's I have ever seen or worked with. He has done everything from OC to bikers to Cartels. Compared to
Other guys that drive us crazy with their books and claims but no convictions Mike is a legend among the actual UC community. DP
Other guys that drive us crazy with their books and claims but no convictions Mike is a legend among the actual UC community. DP
August 30, 2022
This guy sure does think a highly of himself. I wish the book were just the stories of his cases, those were interesting. Unfortunately it doesn't get to that until about a quarter through after an introduction full of office interactions that feel like high school banter. I had to put this down for a month or so because the author is just so unlikable and it becomes a slog. Hes done some incredible things and deserves to be proud but I want to read your story, not listen to you talk about how badass you are. "You can't make this shit up."
February 23, 2021
I picked this up because I wanted to learn about the FBI for character research. It's such a good story that I ended up just thoroughly enjoying the view into undercover operations and undercover FBI work. It was fascinating.
I will say about 3/4 of the way through, there was a bit where I felt like it was getting a bit episodic (here's another case), but overall it was thoroughly enjoyable. A good story told well.
I will say about 3/4 of the way through, there was a bit where I felt like it was getting a bit episodic (here's another case), but overall it was thoroughly enjoyable. A good story told well.
February 11, 2019
Great page turner!
The author has more cojones than 99.9% of the population. A fascinating look at the dangerous world of undercover work in law enforcement. Bravo on a job well done!
The author has more cojones than 99.9% of the population. A fascinating look at the dangerous world of undercover work in law enforcement. Bravo on a job well done!
August 4, 2021
What shitty writing.
Read 10%.
Read 10%.
December 26, 2020
More like 3.5 stars. The stories were interesting and some were fun. The author repeatedly says “you can’t make this sh*t up”. He definitely had a long and successful career. I admire what his family went through, standing by him during all his undercover operations.
December 21, 2019
This is a very easy read, as the sentences are short and concrete, sometimes giving the impression that they were transcribed through dictation. The author describes stories from his experience as an FBI undercover agent, which is both extensive and broad.
Many of the stories are not presented in great detail, most likely as a result of an attempt to not include classified details or other information that could be detrimental to US national security, but this creates a breeziness and casualness that while simple to read is much less satisfying than an in-depth account with well-researched historical detail would be. This is a book for those would would like to hear stories from a former law-enforcement professional similar to what one might hear in a bar over a few beers, rather than a scholarly or otherwise carefully researched account.
That said, the book was fun to read in some places, and is not bad as a light read. For one who enjoys crime dramas, such as Law and Order, or other such entertainment, this collection of the real-life experiences of an undercover agent is fun and entertaining.
Many of the stories are not presented in great detail, most likely as a result of an attempt to not include classified details or other information that could be detrimental to US national security, but this creates a breeziness and casualness that while simple to read is much less satisfying than an in-depth account with well-researched historical detail would be. This is a book for those would would like to hear stories from a former law-enforcement professional similar to what one might hear in a bar over a few beers, rather than a scholarly or otherwise carefully researched account.
That said, the book was fun to read in some places, and is not bad as a light read. For one who enjoys crime dramas, such as Law and Order, or other such entertainment, this collection of the real-life experiences of an undercover agent is fun and entertaining.
April 4, 2019
The stones on this guy! That is my basic assessment of Ghost. How someone could keep their cool under such pressure filled situations is beyond my comprehension. I’m just amazed that he(Mike McGowan) would choose such a dangerous occupation in the first place. Having said all that the stories in Ghost are absolutely fascinating and tense. My issue was the writing. It seemed dumbed down to me. Like he was writing it for teenagers instead of what I project as his main audience(middle-aged men). This is a man with a strong sense of right and wrong and he is uncompromising in his views on his philosophy. I admire and respect him for that, along with the amazing movie like scenarios he was put through. If there is one thing that I got from reading Ghost is that there are people out there that actually find it fun to put themselves in situations that could result in their deaths at any moment. That in itself is amazing!
April 23, 2019
The downside for me with this book was the stereotypical tasteless "cop banter," short-tempers, and complaints about senior management (although some decisions described did seem ill-advised). However, any negatives were outweighed by the amazing stories of the author's undercover work. It takes a unique person to go undercover, especially with some of the big time criminals the author dealt with; I'm thankful he and the other agents are out there and still have a hard time understanding how they can do it. I got nervous just reading about some of the dicey situations; I can't imagine keeping your wits about you in those life threatening moments.
September 4, 2022
The first part of the book is spent defining "Blue Collar" as confrontational, poor impulse control, and a lack of tact; and then wondering why some of his superiors don't care for him. If you can make it through that, the second part of the book relays some interesting if not detailed stories about undercover FBI investigations.
May 21, 2022
Unreadable. I know he was a successful undercover FBI so it doesn't make a lot of sense... But he's a child. Never matured past 13 and every page he's confusing average Jr High playground banter with being clever and tough.
There are absolutely no details in this book. Just a kid that thinks he's the world.
There are absolutely no details in this book. Just a kid that thinks he's the world.
August 9, 2022
Another great book about a true story law enforcement officer going under in dangerous circumstances to keep all of us safer. If you like those stories you will def like this. If not its not for you but this is def on par with the good ones. Including under cover take down deals with el Chapo
April 19, 2019
Glad I read this. Know I couldn't have done what he did. Grateful to this larger than life man.
June 27, 2019
Dude worked a lot of interesting cases
November 17, 2023
Good audiobook for a car trip. We like these kinds of books. Cheating here by copying the synopsis.
The explosive memoir of an FBI field operative who has worked more undercover cases than anyone in history. Within FBI field operative circles, groups of people known as “Special” by their titles alone, Michael R. McGowan is an outlier. 10% of FBI Special Agents are trained and certified to work undercover. A quarter of those agents have worked more than one undercover assignment in their careers. And of those, less than 10% of them have been involved in more than five undercover cases. Over the course of his career, McGowan has worked more than 50 undercover cases. In this extraordinary and unprecedented book, McGowan will take readers through some of his biggest cases, from international drug busts, to the Russian and Italian mobs, to biker gangs and contract killers, to corrupt unions and SWAT work. Ghost is an unparalleled view into how the FBI, through the courage of its undercover Special Agents, nails the bad guys. McGowan infiltrates groups at home and abroad, assembles teams to create the myths he lives, concocts fake businesses, coordinates the busts, and helps carry out the arrests. Along the way, we meet his partners and colleagues at the FBI, who pull together for everything from bank jobs to the Boston Marathon bombing case, mafia dons, and, perhaps most significantly, El Chapo himself and his Sinaloa Cartel.Ghost is the ultimate insider's account of one of the most iconic institutions of American government, and a testament to the incredible work of the FBI.
The explosive memoir of an FBI field operative who has worked more undercover cases than anyone in history. Within FBI field operative circles, groups of people known as “Special” by their titles alone, Michael R. McGowan is an outlier. 10% of FBI Special Agents are trained and certified to work undercover. A quarter of those agents have worked more than one undercover assignment in their careers. And of those, less than 10% of them have been involved in more than five undercover cases. Over the course of his career, McGowan has worked more than 50 undercover cases. In this extraordinary and unprecedented book, McGowan will take readers through some of his biggest cases, from international drug busts, to the Russian and Italian mobs, to biker gangs and contract killers, to corrupt unions and SWAT work. Ghost is an unparalleled view into how the FBI, through the courage of its undercover Special Agents, nails the bad guys. McGowan infiltrates groups at home and abroad, assembles teams to create the myths he lives, concocts fake businesses, coordinates the busts, and helps carry out the arrests. Along the way, we meet his partners and colleagues at the FBI, who pull together for everything from bank jobs to the Boston Marathon bombing case, mafia dons, and, perhaps most significantly, El Chapo himself and his Sinaloa Cartel.Ghost is the ultimate insider's account of one of the most iconic institutions of American government, and a testament to the incredible work of the FBI.
February 25, 2022
This was a fascinating trip through the career and life of an undercover FBI agent who worked, amongst other things, the nabbing of El Chapo. I'm sure all his friends told him for years he had to write a memoir, and it's certainly worth a read.
McGowan's amateur voice is present, without the heavy-handed ghostwriting that sometimes makes memoirs sound like biographies. He sounds exactly like an administrator trying to use more acceptable business terminology to describe boozing and partying and fighting with the boys of his young career, but it's real, and it's him, so it works. I'm sure having to write all those euphemism-filled reports for the FBI would do that to any of us.
At the end, it's a fun ride and a quick read. He waxes philosophical about the FBI at the end, how their focus on protecting their agents and getting results has eroded for political ends. Story of modern America and no doubt true, but it brings what was a fun story to a depressing end. Hence the 3 stars.
McGowan's amateur voice is present, without the heavy-handed ghostwriting that sometimes makes memoirs sound like biographies. He sounds exactly like an administrator trying to use more acceptable business terminology to describe boozing and partying and fighting with the boys of his young career, but it's real, and it's him, so it works. I'm sure having to write all those euphemism-filled reports for the FBI would do that to any of us.
At the end, it's a fun ride and a quick read. He waxes philosophical about the FBI at the end, how their focus on protecting their agents and getting results has eroded for political ends. Story of modern America and no doubt true, but it brings what was a fun story to a depressing end. Hence the 3 stars.
September 27, 2019
I read this mostly for research for my own series involving an FBI agent. I tend to find good stories that I can manipulate to my benefit for my books. This, however, was not exactly full of rare and unique stories which I was surprised could happen. The undercover stories Mr. McGowen tells are fairly predictable considering the types of mobsters and drug smugglers he was dealing with.
Having said that, he did a good job of explaining the dangers he encountered. There were times when he felt he was about to get whacked and he was right to feel that way. I know I would. So I gave this 4 stars and it's definitely a good read, especially if true crime stories interest you.
Having said that, he did a good job of explaining the dangers he encountered. There were times when he felt he was about to get whacked and he was right to feel that way. I know I would. So I gave this 4 stars and it's definitely a good read, especially if true crime stories interest you.
February 15, 2020
Bravo
I realize that thanking our servicemen and first responders is important. I do. But there are other individuals who are in careers where thank you can never be enough. UC is one of them. It is notable that our government is continuously in a war on drugs. But there is another notable player in the war, it’s the consumer. What is it about our society that makes people take the drugs that could possibly kill them?
This book tells the story how other people put their lives on the line so you can risk yours. Well done.
I realize that thanking our servicemen and first responders is important. I do. But there are other individuals who are in careers where thank you can never be enough. UC is one of them. It is notable that our government is continuously in a war on drugs. But there is another notable player in the war, it’s the consumer. What is it about our society that makes people take the drugs that could possibly kill them?
This book tells the story how other people put their lives on the line so you can risk yours. Well done.
March 1, 2020
Light and fast read about a celebrated undercover FBI agent and the cases he worked. Fast-paced and fascinating, the stories of Mike McGowan and his squad busting mob families and drug cartels are numerous. It takes serious training, guts, and focus to do what he did. Despite the interesting cases, the book suffered from a lack of an editor and was repetitive in some points and had several misspellings and typos. Would have liked to see more depth on some of the cases but realize some info is probably classified. Fun read anyway.
January 31, 2019
Interesting stories, some nail biting, but not as well written as James Comey’s book. The author is very smart, street smart and book smart, which enabled him to convincing play anything from a mafia street thug - a rich crime boss - or a tainted city official. Was fascinating to find out some of what we see in movies really does happen. Also can see what is over dramatized. Also truly, there are some really dumb criminals out there!
August 22, 2020
Not bad
The overall isn’t so bad. The writing style is a simple mix of informal and somewhat formal. A lot of short summaries of past stings and experiences. It isn’t something I would read again or venture into. Sometimes, the real thing is more bored than fiction genres. It is a matter of perspective. If I think this author could hit off if he focuses on one sting that heart beating tense. It might be a hit but this book isn’t much...it was good to read but that’s it.
The overall isn’t so bad. The writing style is a simple mix of informal and somewhat formal. A lot of short summaries of past stings and experiences. It isn’t something I would read again or venture into. Sometimes, the real thing is more bored than fiction genres. It is a matter of perspective. If I think this author could hit off if he focuses on one sting that heart beating tense. It might be a hit but this book isn’t much...it was good to read but that’s it.
December 4, 2020
This was a well written account of an undercover FBI agent. I really liked seeing what happened behind the scenes and what all the guy went through. It did, at times...okay, most times...feel like one big brag. And that turned me off around the middle of the books, especially when he was prone to anger easily and look3 like he was about to be fired.
But truth is...the guy deserves to brag a lot about what he managed to accomplish.
But truth is...the guy deserves to brag a lot about what he managed to accomplish.
March 11, 2019
I am usually a romance reader. This book showed up on my "you might be interested in" feed. I read the sample since I am not into real life and REALLY not into $14.99 for a book.
I was hooked from the beginning. I read it in one day. I loved reading about his cases, his co-workers, and job politics.
Thank you for sharing your story and life.
I was hooked from the beginning. I read it in one day. I loved reading about his cases, his co-workers, and job politics.
Thank you for sharing your story and life.
April 4, 2020
This was such a great book on so many levels. It gives you an inside look on some of the things that make up living as an agent and if you’re in a law enforcement family, there are many enlightening moments.
Had the honor of meeting the author in person and let me tell you, his stories are endless and he is beyond brilliant.
Had the honor of meeting the author in person and let me tell you, his stories are endless and he is beyond brilliant.
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July 10, 2021Very interesting true life story of being an FBI undercover agent - a good look at dangerous duties most citizens never think about. The writer also exposes systemic problems with a poorly devised system in the FBI and all across the federal bureaucracy. Thank you Agent McGowan for your work and best wishes for happy retirement years.
July 5, 2022
Never thought I'd be at the edge of my seat rooting for a law enforcer lol. But the author was funny, blunt and expertly wise. I loved reading this book and getting a first hand look into the life of an undercover agent - someone I would never get to know about otherwise. Very cool book that leads me to be interested in more from the true crime genre!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews