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Book Review of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent's Dangerous Dance with Evil

The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent's Dangerous Dance with Evil
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Reviewed by Steph for TeensReadToo.com

Bob Hamer tells about the tough life of an undercover FBI agent in his book THE LAST UNDERCOVER. Hamer has disguised himself as a drug dealer, an experienced horse gambler, a hit man, a crippled pedophile, and many other disguises.

The novel follows Hamer's tough case of cracking NAMBLA (North-American Man/Boy Love Association). In order to be integrated into the group, he became a member of NAMBLA. He went to two conventions in New York and Miami. He also participated in the prisoner pen-pal writing activity, and he regularly received the NAMBLA newsletter The Bulletin.

The book tells of his seemingly perpetual case in snippets, broken up by Hamer's other tough cases. Hamer's humor is evident throughout. In the Christmas card exchange with NAMBLA members, Hamer took a picture of himself sitting by a Christmas tree and the blanket in his lap was the FBI seal. "But because it [the blanket] was folded in half, or maybe because I was so handsome, none of my NAMBLA pals ever realized I was flashing my government credentials at them in my Christmas card photo," Hamer said in the book.

Another favorite tactic of Hamer's is his music choice whenever he had a target in the car with him. Hamer loved to play "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley or "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash. "I once joked with a prosecutor that I gave clues to my true identity in nearly every meeting with a target."

THE LAST UNDERCOVER is full of surprising twists and tense moments that will leave readers wanting to learn about the next gruesome, yet interesting, case. This fast-paced story will capture any reader through its gruesome yet completely truthful tales of evil found in our own backyard. While the different cases are horrendous, and some may find them plain disgusting, there is no great detail into these disgusting acts. There are no sexual details about the NAMBLA members and their actions or fantasies. Hamer only tells the general idea or thought behind those acts the members performed; no greatly detailed account is ever given.

Overall, this is a good read for anyone who wants to broaden his or her perspective about FBI life and the people in it.