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

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)

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!!

Great story!

If, like myself, you enjoy a good story about true crime and punishment or are a fan of organized crime stories, this is a book for you!
Martorano's unflinching story telling is top of the line and some of the information he shares about the Irish mobs in and around Boston is shocking as well as inspiring when you hear how he learned to flow with the punches coming at him.
Give this book a listen and you won't be disappointed.

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.

Gruesome & Gritty

Grew up in Winter Hill so this was crazy, knew all the locations. Used to walk by the Garage on Broadway on my way to school every morning. Had my first kiss on Marshall St.
Best accent by somebody not from Boston that I've heard. He should get a roll in all Boston movies. Only thing, I cringed everytime, he said "Bahhh-stin", Its "Baugh-sten" with an "awe"...the AH sound is for words with ar in them. The town of Wouborn is "Wuu-ben" and Worchester is "Wuh-sta".
Book is violent and depressing. crazy that it's a true story. Now I need to read something inspiring and uplifting to restore my faith in humanity.

The “Boston accent” is cringeworthy! Interesting story though.

Being from Boston, I was interested in learning about all the crazy characters and the local places that were a part of their lives. It’s hard to imagine living a life like these guys!
Although It was hard listening to the narrator and his forced Boston accent, I thoroughly enjoyed listening!