• Hitman

  • The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano, Whitey Bulger’s Enforcer and the Most Feared Gangster in the Underworld
  • By: Howie Carr
  • Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
  • Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (549 ratings)

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Hitman  By  cover art

Hitman

By: Howie Carr
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
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Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Brothers Bulger comes the story of Johnny Martorano, whom the FBI called “the most feared man in the underworld.”

Martin Scorcese’s The Departed barely touched his story, but radio talk show sensation, crime reporter, and Boston Herald columnist, Howie Carr, takes us into the heart of the life of Johnny Martorano. For two decades Martorano struck fear into anyone remotely connected to his world. His partnership with Whitey Bulger and the infamous Winter Hill Gang led to 20 murders for which Johnny would serve only 12 years in prison. Carr also looks at the politicians and FBI agents who aided Johnny and Whitey and at the flamboyant city of Boston which they so ruthlessly ruled. But most of all, Carr depicts Johnny—the most fascinating crime figure Carr has ever encountered. A plethora of paradoxes, he was Mr. Mom by day and man-about-town by night. Surrounded by fast-living politicians, sports celebrities and show biz entertainers, Johnny was charismatically colorful—as charming as he was frightening. After all, he was in the end…a hitman.

After graduating from high school, John Martorano turned down seven football scholarships and instead stayed in Boston. Hanging out in the notorious Combat Zone, he fell under the guidance of Stephen Flemmi--high ranking Winter Hill mobster and close associate of James "Whitey" Bulger--and by the age of 25, Martorano was a professional killer. He became one of the Winter Hill Gang's most prolific--and feared--enforcers. This is the gripping true-life story of Martorano's years killing for the Winter Hill Gang, told in Carr's arresting inimitable style.

©2011 Frandel, LLC (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Howie Carr weaves a frightening tale of unlawful conduct, and it’s all true.” (Bill O’Reilly, Fox News commentator and bestselling author)

What listeners say about Hitman

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

My audible listening enjoyment has taken a hit

I usually like mafia books, but this one is below mediocre. Although the publisher promoted the book by saying Johnny Mortarano was an unlikely hitman, he's a psychopath, with the lowest moral character, who is among the likeliest to become a murderer and criminal.

The writing has no panache. The author introduces so many characters, that it is extremely difficult to keep track of them. The writing is merely a bland recitation of the events. The story is told through the cross examination of Mortarano through a defense attorney who is trying to impeach Mortarano's credibility. It's a good device - but hey- everything else about the book sucks.

Although the author says Mortarano never went to college, wikipedia says he played football for the Boston College Eagles. He's even listed on the Boston College Eagles, wikipedia page. WTF.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book but

I am a huge Howie Carr fan and love his writing (and radio show) but honestly the narrator of this book ruined it for me. He speaks in a fake wise guy manner which is only interrupted by an even worse fake Boston accent. As a life long resident of the area, I cringed each time he did it.

You might not be as affected by this as I was...and honestly it's a great story which is very well written. Worth purchasing but be warned..

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

It’s ok, just ok.

Heard the sample & it was good. Got the book & it’s just a bunch of rambling. It goes on & on. No real story just a bunch of little side stories. Pretty mundane.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!!

If you're from Boston you will really enjoy this book it really tells the story of the Boston underworld. John has a had a hell of a life I think underneath it all it he is a good man!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wicked Awesome!

We all know the story but it’s fun to hear it from different angles. The narrator does a great job with the Boston accent. The yelling and swearing sound so real! The only problem was his pronunciation of “Worcester”, making it clear that he’s not a native Masshole.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Howie Carr is a piece of shit

Most of the "Nicknames" are names that only Howie Carr used, I question how much of this book is made up by Mr Carr

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Say “Worcester”

Ca they hire a narrator who knows how to say “Worcester” like a local. It’s embarrassing

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

Great story and good job to the reader…the only negative I have is often times you could hear the readers heavy breathing, the may be an editing problem I’m not sure, overall happy with the book tho

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

well done

glad I listened to this one. answered alot unanswered questions and perfect narrator. different voices and emotional feel. took us there thanks

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Very interesting story and very well read. The story is a very in depth study on crime in Boston. The author and narrator did a great job!

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