Hitman: The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano

Hitman: The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano chronicles the life of one of Boston's most notorious criminals who killed 20 people as an enforcer for the Winter Hill Gang. The book follows Martorano's rise in the criminal underworld and his eventual decision to cooperate with law enforcement. Author Howie Carr, a veteran Boston journalist, reconstructs Martorano's criminal career through interviews, court documents, and police records. The narrative tracks the complex relationships between Boston's Irish and Italian crime families, law enforcement, and corrupt FBI agents during the height of organized crime in New England. The book details Martorano's transformation from mob hitman to key government witness against his former associates, including crime boss Whitey Bulger. This shift marked a significant turning point in the federal government's efforts to dismantle Boston's criminal organizations. Beyond its true crime elements, the book examines themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities that emerge when criminal organizations become intertwined with law enforcement. The story raises questions about justice and redemption in America's criminal justice system.

Readers found this book a fast-paced look into Boston's criminal underworld, though many noted it feels repetitive at times. Multiple reviews mention it reads more like a long newspaper article than a book. Readers appreciated: - Clear timeline of Martorano's criminal career - Details about Boston gang rivalries and politics - Background on FBI corruption cases - Carr's direct writing style Common criticisms: - Lack of depth into Martorano's personal life/thoughts - Repetitive descriptions of murders - Too much focus on basic facts vs. analysis - Some factual errors noted by Boston locals Ratings: Amazon: 4.3/5 (246 reviews) Goodreads: 3.8/5 (392 reviews) Several readers mentioned wanting more insight into Martorano's motivations and personality. As one Amazon reviewer noted: "It tells you what happened but never really gets into why or how Martorano thinks."

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🔹 Johnny Martorano earned the nickname "The Basin Street Butcher" after carrying out several killings near Boston's Basin Street, though he preferred to be called "The Cook" due to his passion for cooking Italian food. 🔹 Author Howie Carr has received multiple death threats for his coverage of Boston's criminal underworld, including from Whitey Bulger himself, and has worn a bulletproof vest while performing public appearances. 🔹 Martorano's testimony helped convict not only mob figures but also corrupt FBI agents, revealing one of the biggest scandals in FBI history involving their protection of criminal informants. 🔹 Despite admitting to 20 murders, Martorano served only 12 years in prison due to his cooperation with authorities, making his plea deal one of the most controversial in Massachusetts criminal history. 🔹 The Winter Hill Gang operated from a car repair garage in Somerville, Massachusetts, which served as a legitimate front while hosting meetings where murders were planned and sanctioned.