Above Suspicion: An Undercover FBI Agent, an Illicit Affair, and a Murder of Passion

Joe Sharkey

Jan 2017 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

The “uncommonly trenchant account of the only known FBI agent to confess to murder” (Kirkus Reviews).

When rookie FBI agent Mark Putnam received his first assignment in 1987, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream, if not the most desirable location. Pikeville, Kentucky, is high in Appalachian coal country, an outpost rife with lawlessness dating back to the Hatfields and McCoys. As a rising star in the bureau, however, Putnam soon was cultivating paid informants and busting drug rings and bank robbers. But when one informant fell in love with him, passion and duty would collide with tragic results.
 
A coal miner’s daughter, Susan Smith was a young, attractive, struggling single mother. She was also a drug user sometimes described as a con artist, thief, and professional liar. Ultimately, Putnam gave in to Smith’s relentless pursuit. But when he ended the affair, she waged a campaign of vengeance that threatened to destroy him. When at last she confronted him with a shocking announcement, a violent scuffle ensued, and Putnam, in a burst of uncontrolled rage, fatally strangled her.
 
Though he had everything necessary to get away with murder—a spotless reputation, a victim with multiple enemies, and the protection of the bureau’s impenetrable shield—his conscience wouldn’t allow it. Tormented by a year of guilt and deception, Putnam finally led authorities to Smith’s remains. This is the story of what happened before, during, and after his startling confession—an account that “should take its place on the dark shelf of the best American true crime” (Newsday).
 
Revised and updated, this ebook also includes photos and a new epilogue by the author.

Ratings and reviews

Mark Putnam is a rookie FBI Agent. A week after graduation he is sent to Pikeville, Kentucky for his first assignment. Pikeville is not anything like what he and his wife, Kathy, were expecting. We're talking mountain folk, drug rings, and lots of miscellaneous crimes. But all this is okay with Putnam. He was a man bent on becoming a great federal agent and he's willing to put in the time and effort to reach his goal. Meanwhile, Kathy is a stay at home mom with their young daughter, Danielle. When Putnam put informants on his payroll, he ran into young, pretty Susan Smith. Susan was a single mom, a drug user, and although most people really liked her, she was a consummate liar. She sets her eyes on Putnam and she's determined to make him hers. Putnam only refused her advances for a short time before they began a somewhat torrid affair. When Putnam ended the affair, Susan wasn't about to go peacefully. There was a horrific struggle and in a rage, he strangled her to death. Tormented with guilt, after a year, Putnam confessed to what he had done and led investigators to Susan's remains. BOOK BLURB: This is the story of what happened before, during, and after his startling confession—an account that “should take its place on the dark shelf of the best American true crime” (Newsday). This is an extremely well written true crime account. The author stuck to fact-based journalism. This was a kind of sad read. I felt so much sympathy for Kathy (wife) and Susan...two women who loved the same man. Mark seems to have let his ambition steer him in the wrong direction and in the end, he could not live with himself. Many thanks to the author / Open Road Integrated Media / Netgalley for the digital copy of ABOVE SUSPICION. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Excellent book!

About the author

Joe Sharkey was a weekly columnist for the New York Times for nineteen years. Previously, he was an assistant national editor at the Wall Street Journal and a reporter and columnist with the Philadelphia Inquirer. The author of four books of nonfiction and one novel, Sharkey is currently an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Arizona. He and his wife live in Tucson.