Code Name: Pale Horse

How I Went Undercover to Expose America's Nazis

By: Scott Payne, Michelle Shephard

Narrated by: Scott Payne

A 2026 Audie Award Finalist for Autobiography/Memoir

New York Times bestseller • The thrilling true story of one man who risked his life to infiltrate the most dangerous neo-Nazi group in the United States, an “urgent and exciting look into the life of an FBI undercover agent” (Joseph D. Pistone, New York Times bestselling author) by “one of the top undercover agents in the Bureau” (Joaquin “Jack” Garcia, retired FBI agent and New York Times bestselling author).

When Scott Payne was growing up, an ‘80s kid with a big attitude and a taste for sleeveless shirts, he could never have envisioned where he’d find himself on Halloween night 2019. Having transformed into “Pale Horse” and infiltrated the nation’s most dangerous, fastest-growing white supremacy group, The Base, he was huddled with a cell of neo-Nazis in the backwoods of Georgia as they slaughtered a goat and drank its blood in a ritual sacrifice.

A decorated agent dubbed the “Hillbilly Donnie Brasco,” Payne takes readers along with him on some of the most terrifying and riskiest assignments in FBI history. He went deep undercover with the lethal Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Massachusetts; to the front lines of the opioid epidemic in Tennessee; and infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama. Through it all, he stayed married to the love of his life, raised two girls, and spent his Sundays at church, sustained by family and faith.

Timely and unputdownable, Code Name: Pale Horse is a hard look at some of the most pressing threats facing America today. Honest and inspiring, it’s the story of a hero determined to take down a hateful army—before the unthinkable could come to pass.

Exciting edge of your seat story

I heard the author speaking in a podcast and downloaded immediately after. It might the fastest I’ve finished a listen.

Gritty, entertaining and inspiring

I enjoyed Scott Payne’s story about his undercover career and some of his harrowing tales. He keeps a good balance of showing the darkness of humanity and adding his own humor and hope that is propped up by his faith in God and his loving family.
This is a good read.

FBI Undercover ROCKS

Scott Payne , thank you for sharing your stories! Thank you to all the agents who risk their safety and their lives everyday to protect all us Joe/Jane Americans who have no idea what evil is out there. I heard about this book on the FBI Retired podcast with Jerri Williams. Fabulous podcast!

An amazing human being

Hearing this story from Scott himself is powerful and beautiful hearing how someone so brave and humble did amazing work, maintained his faith, and balanced his family life. We need more Scott's in the world.

Thrilling tail of undercover operations

Love the fact that the author read the story. Gives it a sense of authenticity and is needed in understanding the emotions and anxiety associated with such a harrowing tale.