Interesting true crime story which is well written. Tells the story of a cop who let ambition rule his life which eventually brings him down both personally and professionally, along with others close to him. Emotional and captivating, worth the time to read.

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.

compelling insight into obsessive behaviors. chilling because the obsessed person was in law enforcement.

Oh, where to start??? This was a wild ride and kept me guessing their every move--- loved it and loved that it kept me on the edge of my seat!! Way to go!!!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an unbelievable true crime narrative. A young FBI agent is assigned to a small-town Kentucky office and although he does his best to clean up the area, ends up becoming a murder suspect himself. The "characters" are almost straight out of the show Justified. I almost felt sorry for the murderer. The action took a little while to really get going, but once it did, watch out. I think an editor could have helped with some of the repetitive paragraphs. The characters (actual people of course) are so well fleshed out you feel very emotionally tied to them, even the murderer. This was seriously the best book I've read all year.

This book made me want to watch Justified all over again. Raylan, Boyd, y'all busy?

Above Suspicion is a thought provoking story that reminds readers that committing a crime isn't always black and white. This story shows how a "good guy" can execute a horrible act and still remain a good guy. The narrator lays out the information in a clear, descriptive way. A very enjoyable read.

I will begin by saying that I really enjoyed this story and the roller coaster of emotion it evoked. From irritation, to empathy, disappointment, disbelief, anger, guilt. It's all there. The biggest drawback for me, was the story was very slow to gain momentum. It took me over a week to really get into the book. Once I got halfway through, and things started to pick up, I read the remaining half in less than a day. However, reflecting on that first half it really does set the scene and introduces you to the personalities of the characters involved. I was actually in the process of moving and reversing my sleeping schedule when I started this book, and i feel that being exhausted probably played a role in why it took so long for me to gain interest in the story. Because of that fact, I would not post my review publicly. I will definitely be watching out for the movie, though. As I feel this is a story that will stick with me for some time.

ABOVE SUSPICION by Joe Sharkey

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review by Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media.


I liked this True Crime book by Joe Sharkey set in the Kentucky mountains. Fresh from the FBI academy is Mark Putnam, who is excited to be starting his first new posting, despite the fact that it's in a really small office in Pikeville, Kentucky (or BFE). He's always lived a life with good morals, thanks to his father's example, and he wants to make him proud of him, especially since he's no longer around. Little does he know, but he's in for an even bigger challenge than he hoped for. It comes in the form of Susan Daniels Smith, a 32 year old daugther of a coal miner, who feels trapped in a miserable existence.

Susan Smith is looking for the answer to her life, and what she's been doing hasn't worked much at all for her. She's divorced and strung out, still lives with her lazy drug-dealing ex so she can be around her kids, because she's basically homeless otherwise. Oh, and the ex, Kenneth also knocks her around when he feels like it. She's got 2 beautiful kids that she does love a lot, but it's becoming more difficult all the time to maintain any kind of decent life for them the way things are.

When Mark and Susan meet, he's looking for undercover Informants for the FBI, who at that time was paying good money for information on crimes that they would be interested in.
Not only does Susan need money badly, for bills and to keep her worsening drug habit going, but after a few minutes of talking with Mark has her convinced that he's a dream man in the flesh. What could go wrong here? Just about everything. Things go off the deep end.

Having read another book on this story previously, I found this one to be less biased against the FBI agent, staying more neutral. I prefer this one.

First published in 1993, this current publication has the addition of follow-up notes by the author updating the status of those involved and his observations during his return visit to the area of Pikeston, Kentucky.
Mark Putnam and his family accept his first “G-man” assignment in the dreary town of Pikeston Kentucky. His wife, Kathy, is very supportive and patient with the extensive hours required for him to make a good first impression. Part of his job is using informants, one of whom is a young spit-fire local girl, Susan, who falls head over heels in love with the handsome, professional, and preppy young man.
Without proper supervisory guidance and at times, overwhelmed with the duties, paperwork, and crookedness of the people, including the law, Mark makes some bad decisions and falls prey to Susan’s constant suggestions. What follows is the sad crumbling of his faith in himself, his career and his family, culminating in an instant of overreaction that affects everyone for life.
Joe Sharkey has done an extensive and tireless research of the people, places, personalities, and frames of thought that shaped these individuals and the events that unfolded. The end result is fact-based journalism at its best. He can encourage the reader to feel sympathy for the perpetrator, the victim and both families, and disdain for others in the outer circles who contributed to the perfect storm in numerous ways.
This is an engrossing read, never boring or slow, and will keep your attention to the last page. I look forward to the movie coming out in 2017. It will be difficult to convey the emotions. As Sharkey noted in his final comments, the challenge for both the book and the movie was to reflect the “female gaze”. I suggest reading the book first to get a better understanding of the emotions of those affected.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley for making it available.)

Awesome read. What would make a FBI agent kill? A possibly pregnant informant and he is a family man. It is very obvious a lot of research went into this book. The writing is very straight forward and extremely engrossing. You actually can feel the wife's anguish and the lawman' torment. That is a sign of very good writing. Another must read from Mr. Sharkeye. Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

I was given a copy of an ARC of above Suspicion by Joe Sharkey for an honest review. I would like to thank Open Road Integrated Media as well as NetGalley and the author. I do find it a privilege to be able to read things in advance. When I choose this book on Negalley all I knew about it was that it was true crime, and that was really all I needed to know. I find it fascinating that there are many authors who are able to translate truth on paper and Mr Sharkey does a really good job making this a page turner that makes you feel sorry for Susan and Mark.
The story is about the tragic Case where an FBI agent kills his pregnant girlfriend who started as his informant. I think the story is beautifully put together and I feel sorry for everyone involved. I personally had a hard time starting the book but once you get going it’s a smooth ride. I think where things go wrong for Susan is that through the book it really does read like she is head over heels in lust with Mark. Poor Mark all he really wanted to do was find a place to call his own so he can make a name for himself in the FBI. This was a truly heartbreaking read but worth the time if you are a lover of true crime. Mark did not have to confess but he is ruined by killing Susan. He loses thirty pounds. Every time his boss calls him in for a meeting he thinks here it comes. It is really no way to live. He was released from prison in 2000 and is living in the south with his two kids. I look forward to seeing how this translates to the big screen in 2017! Well done.

The title nearly says it all. Above suspicion. About the most unlikely of persons committing a heinous deed. Riveting and gripping. Kept me turning page after page to see how things would play out. Some people have it all and then throw it away. Some people despite appearances will do the most sordid and horrific things. And then others just have to read about it. Recommended!!!

A great true crime story with in depth insights into the main characters. I got a little bogged down in the detail of the history of the town and the story didn't move as fast as I normally like, but overall a good read. Now I want to see the movie!

ABOVE SUSPICION BY JOE SHARKEY

This is one of the most tragic stories I have ever read and it is based on court transcripts, police records and interviews. I think the author did a brilliant job of telling this story. I feel sorry for almost everybody involved. Mark and his wife Kathy move to rural Eastern Kentucky in Pikeville in 1988 where Mark gets his first assignment to the FBI as an agent. The office is so small there is only Mark and one other FBI Agent. FBI agents get informers and pay them for information about crime. A young woman named Susean Smith, who is the mother of two children who signed over custody of her children to an ex husband who beats her up. Susan becomes Mark's informant and over a period of a few years she is paid $9000.00 for informing on criminals. Susan does a lot of drugs and it seems like Mark and his wife Kathy try to help Susan. Susan calls Mark at home and Kathy tries to help Susan better her lifestyle.

Mark is out of prison since 2000. He lives in the South with his two children. kathy died. But before any of this happened Kathy really listened to Susan's troubles on the phone all the time. Mark ends up giving in and has sex with Susan a couple of times in the car. Susan and Mark both crossed the line and never should have done that to kathy. It seems really out of character for Mark to have slept with Susan. Kathy is really unhappy living in Pikeville and Mark gets transferred to Miami, Florida. He really is a good person, he is a hard worker and earned his transfer. Everybody is happy in Fort Lauderdale where Mark, Kathy and their two children are thriving.

Mark did not have to confess but he is ruined by killing Susan. He loses thirty pounds. Every time his boss calls him in for a meeting he thinks here it comes. I feel like every body has lost out. I felt like I could feel the economically depressed, corrupt area in Kentucky. I felt like I could see all the vibrant colors in Florida. I really am impressed by how the author wrote and was able to recreate the scenes like I was watching a movie. I did not know this was a true story until I started reading it. I really felt connected to all of the people and found this to be quite heartbreaking for everybody.
In 2017 there is going to be a major motion picture about this tragedy. They shot the movie in Harlan where that show Justified was set.

Thank You to Net Galley, the talented Joe Sharkey for all your research and the Publisher for providing me with my digital copy for a fair and honest review.
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When a true crime book is thoroughly researched and very well written, you become completely engrossed in it. Joe Sharkey has written a fantastic account of the events involved with this case, and it will soon be a major motion picture. This is a bizarre tale of fatal attraction and agonizing guilt. This book is written much like a thriller. Sharkey takes you deep inside the crime and the investigation that ensues. As this is a true crime book, character development is key. At the beginning of the book we are introduced to Susan and given a comprehensive background of her life and the area she lives in, complete with a brief history of the Hatfields and McCoys. Throughout the rest of the book each character is developed very thoroughly. The reader begins to relate to each character's situation and emotions.

As the story intensifies, Sharkey describes Putnam's thoughts and actions during the time where he knows his days are numbered, how shaken by guilt he was with each agonizing day, and the physical and emotional toll it took on him. Sharkey tells us "The material in this book all comes from my own conversations with the people involved, as well as from police and FBI files, court records, and historical research. There are numerous passages in this book of reconstructed dialogue." This revised and updated edition includes material up to the present day. I'm sure the movie will be good, but I don't think it will compare to the imagery and emotion contained in these pages.

I recommend this book to fans of true crime and thrillers. I received this as a free ARC from Open Road Integrated Media on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.