Above Suspicion: An Undercover FBI Agent, an Illicit Affair, and a Murder of Passion Paperback – January 17, 2017

Very well written account of a very sad story. Only due to the honor, integrity, and strong conscience of a good man, Mark Putnam, who made a tragic mistake, was the accidental killing solved and justice done. While Susan Smith had a hard life, instead of accepting the help offered from Kathy Putnam, she turned it down and betrayed her as well, while also spreading exaggerated and untrue stories to make herself seem important, telling people she was an FBI informant and putting herself and cases at risk, taking drugs, and attempting to blackmail Mark Putnam with a pregnancy that wasn't his. Smith was on a path of destruction from childhood and couldn't, or wouldn't, accept help and change her path.While Mark Putnam did kill Susan Smith, it wasn't premeditated, it was in the heat of the moment while being blackmailed, screamed at, and beaten on (and many who knew Susan said she was a fierce fighter), while already being under a lot of stress from his job, transferring to another state, trying to finish up cases in Pikeville so he and his family could start over in Florida, trying to heal his marriage, all after spending his first couple years as an FBI agent in an inhospitable, harsh environment with little support and training. Imo his supervisors failed him by putting him in a 2 man office in that particular environment, and didn't give him the advice they should have given any new agent when Putnam notified them that Smith was trying to get more personal than informants should. Sending an agebt like Poole there was another mistake. Putnam was what every FBI agent should be, and imo if he'd had better supervisors, he'd never have been in this position to begin with, and this killing would never have happened. It was a perfect storm, and it destroyed many lives.Yes, he took a life, and no one deserves to die, but it was an accident and he's served his time. Without him confessing, the DA wouldn't have been able to convict him. I don't believe anything or anyone could be harsher on him than he is himself. And to have his wife pass away while he was in jail is beyond sad. My heart breaks for his kids as well. I hope that Mark Putnam has learned to forgive himself, that he doesn't torment himself with guilt, that he and his children have gone on to lead happier lives, and that he's at peace.

This book is remarkably well written and researched and combines elements of literary fiction with the lurid depictions four which the true crime genre is known. The author does an admirable job of detailing the larger forces at play in this tragedy and his intellectual reach in the psychosocial realm lend power and gravitas to this story about ordinary power . The additional elements of intrigue involving the FBI's protection of a golden boy of sorts within their ranks and the local and state forces corresponding antipathy accents a compelling investigative story that lends narrative drive to the second half of the story. All in all, a pleasant surprise and one that ranks with McGinnis's or bledsoes best.

ABOVE SUSPICION by Joe Sharkey is one of the best true crime reads--ever.Admittedly, the first 20 percent of the book includes a lot of character background and geographical information, which could erroneously lead a reader to think "ho hum." Yet it's interesting data, and the reader learns a lot about the people involved, the history of the area and insight into the age old feud between the Hatfields and McCoys.Once the storyline fully kicks in at this point of the book, it quickly becomes a read difficult to put down.Initially only having general knowledge of the book, I was surprised to find that the storyline is one I never could have anticipated. Nor could I have conceived of experiencing the degree of empathy I have for everyone involved in this tale.For the first time in my life, I found myself greatly moved with compassion for the perpetrator of the crime, FBI Special Agent Mark Putnam.If the FBI ever wanted to set an agent up to fail, the scenario Putnam is placed into is a prototype. With only 16 weeks of basic training, he is given what is considered to be a "hardship assignment" in the wilds of Eastern Kentucky, better known as "hillbilly country."Navigating the socioeconomic, political, and demographical climate of the area is stressful and demanding. Although Putnam is an idealistic, gung ho, capable rookie, he is without benefit of adequate supervision and support.Add to the mix a strange, unorthodox agent in the two person office who's been moved there as a form of addressing performance issues. Couple that with having a wife and young child who are also isolated and struggling. Then stir in a young, female paid informant who develops a crush on Putnam, and it's a recipe for disaster. What a devastating tale for everyone involved.Once again, Sharkey has picked a unique topic in the true crime genre and done a superb job.

An objectively written true crime book, a true tragedy all around and quite unique in the way it aptly demonstrates how, in reality, the lines can become blurred between what’s generally perceived as evil murderers and innocent victims.

Great read

A little slow to start, but the more the story unfolded the more engaging and interesting the book became. It's a complex and sad tale, but one of the better true crime books I've read in a while. Worth reading.

The book is well-written and explores the intricate and overlapping relationships between the FBI agent, his wife, and the informant. It is unusual for a true crime author to have such sympathy for the murderer and seemingly less for the victim. The author states his compassion and understanding of the victim's plight, but I found his true sympathies lay with the agent/murderer. As the author conducted in-depth interviews primarily with the former agent and also with his loyal wife over many years, I suppose it isn't that surprising that he would develop such a high regard for the perpetrator. I personally was drawn more to the victim and I am hoping that the film version due to be released soon will cast more sympathetic light on her rather than her killer.

This book may be accurate to the case, but hard to enjoy. Boring, and not enjoyable.