Special Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI

by Candice DeLong

Candice DeLong has been called a real-life Clarice Starling and a female Donnie Brasco. She has been on the front lines of some of the FBIs most gripping and memorable cases, including being chosen as one of the three agents to carry out the manhunt for the Unabomber in Lincoln, Montana. She has tailed terrorists, gone undercover as a gangster's moll, and posed as the madam for a call-girl ring. Now, in this updated edition of her bestselling book, she reveals the dangers and rewards of being a woman on the front lines of the world's most powerful law enforcement agency. She traces the unusual career path that led her to crime fighting and recounts the incredible obstacles she faced as a woman and as a fledgling agent. She takes readers step by step through the profiling process and shows how she helped solve a number of incredible cases. The story of her role as a lead investigator on the notorious Tylenol Murderer case is particularly compelling. Finally, she gives the true, insider's story behind the investigation that led to the arrest of the Unabomber, including information that the media can't or won't reveal. A remarkable portrait of courage and grace under fire, Special Agent offers a missing chapter to the annals of law enforcement and a dramatic and often funny portrait of an extraordinary woman who has dedicated her heart and soul to the crusade against crime.

Genres: Nonfiction

373 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2022

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Candice DeLong until I attended crime con. I got to hear her speak and immediately stopped back by the book shop for her book on being a woman in the FBI.

She was an amazing speaker and I really enjoyed her book. I wish I’d had an opportunity to meet her as she seems like a total bad ass.

I did find the chapters to be a bit long but I was also trying to read this book while I was super busy and exhausted. Some days I only got 4-5 pages in, if any.

Her story is worth reading. It’s very insightful and at times amusing. I enjoyed getting an inside look at the FBI through her eyes.

She also has a podcast called Killer Psyche that I’m adding to my list.

[Purps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting mission

Delong’s description of working as an FBI agent contains trials & triumphs. Her matter-of-fact approach conveys the difficult but intriguing work. Along with intriguing cases she offers good advice for personal safety.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Candice DeLong on the tv show "Facing Evil" and admired her authentic, active listening, approach in interviews. She seems very sincere! So I checked the library for this book, and I wasn't disappointed. Parts of the book were quite humorous, and other parts, quite frankly, scared me some; made me a bit nervous. She was not describing scenes from a novel or a movie. These were true stories. The reality was sobering for me. The last chapter is devoted to safety tips.

I am just a few years younger than DeLong, and I, too, was a "token" female in a profession that was predominantly male in the 1980's. It was an interesting time, and I enjoyed reading about how Candice handled it. I admire the way she brought the strengths women possess to the job she did as an FBI agent. She definitely played to her strengths. She was a.psychiatric nurse before she worked for the FBI, and there were some awesome stories there, as well!

I'm going.to see.if she has authored any other books.

[Stephen Wirth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

I was wanting to read this for a very long time because of being a fan of Candice. I should've not waited to finally purchasing it thinking it was just full of facts and not being a actual story. Loved it

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent memoir of one of the first woman FBI agents.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok. read for school. wouldn't have chosen this for myself.

[Kitty Kestrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff.

[Trudy Monk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stories just very enlightening and interesting to read of what it is like to be in this position. Quite realistic and just eye opening.