Above Suspicion

ABOVE SUSPICION                                        JOE SHARKEY

When rookie FBI agent Mark Putnam received his first assignment in 1987, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream, if not the most desirable location. Pikeville, Kentucky, is high in Appalachian coal country, an outpost rife with lawlessness dating back to the Hatfields and McCoys. As a rising star in the bureau, however, Putnam soon was cultivating paid informants and busting drug rings and bank robbers. But when one informant fell in love with him, passion and duty would collide with tragic results.
 
A coal miner’s daughter, Susan Smith was a young, attractive, struggling single mother. She was also a drug user sometimes described as a con artist, thief, and professional liar. Ultimately, Putnam gave in to Smith’s relentless pursuit. But when he ended the affair, she waged a campaign of vengeance that threatened to destroy him. When at last she confronted him with a shocking announcement, a violent scuffle ensued, and Putnam, in a burst of uncontrolled rage, fatally strangled her.
 
Though he had everything necessary to get away with murder—a spotless reputation, a victim with multiple enemies, and the protection of the bureau’s impenetrable shield—his conscience wouldn’t allow it. Tormented by a year of guilt and deception, Putnam finally led authorities to Smith’s remains. This is the story of what happened before, during, and after his startling confession—an account that “should take its place on the dark shelf of the best American true crime” (Newsday).

PAT'S REVIEW

I found this to be really a sad story all the way around. First by the FBI sending a new rookie agent into the Appalachian coal mountain country. Without any supervision to speak of he was taken in by older agents and of course people that he looked at could only be telling him the truth. Not having any street experience even from the way he grew up he was set up to fail. His wife had more street sense as they say, and she turned out to be no help as well. He does do the right thing in the end even though he could have gotten away with the crime he committed. I still fault partially the FBI for not looking out for their own more closely. There are times when the story drags but you find that a lot with true life, or true crime books. Other than that a very good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com