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The Executioner #20
New Orleans Knockout
Intermob War!And Mack Bolan jumps right in the middle. On target in the center of the deadliest battle since the Mafia was destroyed in Boston. Now the Executioner hits New Orleans, and it will never be the same. The odds are long, but the time is right.
Paperback
First published May 1, 1974
About the author
Don Pendleton
1,538 books196 followersDon Pendleton was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, December 12, 1927 and died October 23, 1995 in Arizona.
He wrote mystery, action/adventure, science-fiction, crime fiction, suspense, short stories, nonfiction, and was a comic scriptwriter, poet, screenwriter, essayist, and metaphysical scholar. He published more than 125 books in his long career, and his books have been published in more than 25 foreign languages with close to two hundred million copies in print throughout the world.
After producing a number of science-fiction and mystery novels, Don launched in 1969 the phenomenal Mack Bolan: The Executioner, which quickly emerged as the original, definitive Action/Adventure series. His successful paperback books inspired a new particularly American literary genre during the early 1970's, and Don became known as "the father of action/adventure."
"Although The Executioner Series is far and away my most significant contribution to world literature, I still do not perceive myself as 'belonging' to any particular literary niche. I am simply a storyteller, an entertainer who hopes to enthrall with visions of the reader's own incipient greatness."
Don Pendleton's original Executioner Series are now in ebooks, published by Open Road Media. 37 of the original novels.
Wikipedia: Don Pendleton
He wrote mystery, action/adventure, science-fiction, crime fiction, suspense, short stories, nonfiction, and was a comic scriptwriter, poet, screenwriter, essayist, and metaphysical scholar. He published more than 125 books in his long career, and his books have been published in more than 25 foreign languages with close to two hundred million copies in print throughout the world.
After producing a number of science-fiction and mystery novels, Don launched in 1969 the phenomenal Mack Bolan: The Executioner, which quickly emerged as the original, definitive Action/Adventure series. His successful paperback books inspired a new particularly American literary genre during the early 1970's, and Don became known as "the father of action/adventure."
"Although The Executioner Series is far and away my most significant contribution to world literature, I still do not perceive myself as 'belonging' to any particular literary niche. I am simply a storyteller, an entertainer who hopes to enthrall with visions of the reader's own incipient greatness."
Don Pendleton's original Executioner Series are now in ebooks, published by Open Road Media. 37 of the original novels.
Wikipedia: Don Pendleton
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 15, 2012
Bolan is in the Crescent City during Mardi Gras to pit several underworld forces against each other. Then - surprise - the two surviving Able Team members show up as hostages to some of the baddies. Good action, with an updated WarWagon showing it's capabilities.
The 20th in Pendleton's Mafia-buster saga, written back in the 70s. Still enjoyable and action-packed.
The 20th in Pendleton's Mafia-buster saga, written back in the 70s. Still enjoyable and action-packed.
March 28, 2021
Pendleton is the best in the genre bar none. This a great book, yes it follows the typical Mack Bolan formula. He hits a town, takes out a few little guys, get the hoods to fight each other, and steps in to clean up the pieces, rinse and repeat. But he does it so well you dont care. This time he doesnt really start the infighting just kind of helps it along. However he finds out that two friends (2/3 of the soon to be created Able Force) are captured and one of their kid sisters is trying to get them back. This just add obstacles to his preplanned time table but of course that doesnt bother him a lot he can adapt.
Highly recommended, does a good job in getting you caught up if you haven't been reading the series. Not a bad book if you just want a solo read.
Highly recommended, does a good job in getting you caught up if you haven't been reading the series. Not a bad book if you just want a solo read.
May 12, 2015
An excellent men's adventure series from the 60s, 70's and 80's. The first 38 books are outstanding but then the series is taken over by a bunch of new writers writing under the name of the original creator and they take the series into a new direction I did not care for. The first 38 books are very recommended
August 1, 2020
You would think Bolan taking out the Mafia during Mardi Gras would be full of action but unfortunately this is a more subdued entry in the Executioner series. Mack plays several factions against each other instead of directly wiping them out and even lets a good number walk free for no apparent reason.
January 20, 2026
Great Action
Typical Executioner storyline but, all the same, really good stuff. I originally read the series in the 1980's but enjoying rereading a couple per year now. I remember the action just not the specifics of each adventure. Very nice location writing with New Orleans as the backdrop. The reading experience is like dropping in to check on an old friend.
Typical Executioner storyline but, all the same, really good stuff. I originally read the series in the 1980's but enjoying rereading a couple per year now. I remember the action just not the specifics of each adventure. Very nice location writing with New Orleans as the backdrop. The reading experience is like dropping in to check on an old friend.
August 24, 2020
The Executioner has learned that an aging mob boss headquartered in New Orleans is about to be taken over by a lean and hungry outfit from St. Louis, causing potential gun violence during Mardi Gras. He decides to take a hand in things to try and provide some balance and keep things in check.
December 17, 2015
Bolan arrives in New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras. Because all New Orleans stories have to be set during Mardi Gras.
July 31, 2016
Another good one from Don Pendleton!
Read
June 12, 2021I am officially baffled by the timeline in these books. Texas Storm (book 18) explicitly placed the story in "late spring" in the prologue. However, this story — taking place maybe two weeks later by my best estimate — is set during Mardi Gras. While the year is not clear and Mardi Gras does move around on the calendar, for the years 1968 through 1974, Mardi Gras falls within February except for 1973 (March 6). Most definitely not late spring. I've wondered for some time if Pendleton wrote the prologues, which all serve the same function: summarizing Bolan's backstory for those readers picking up the series in the middle. They read like his prose, but maybe they were meddled with if not entirely ghost-written. Perhaps the reference to "late spring" was inserted by the editor, or the idea to do a Mardi Gras story came after the Texas book was published and Pendleton had bigger concerns than readers like me who focus on stupid stuff like this.
Special guests this time include Gadgets Schwartz and Pol Blancanales, surviving members of Bolan's "Death Squad" from book 2, last seen in book 14, I believe. We also meet Blancanales sister, Toni. Bolan calls Leo Turrin for info, which is getting to be a regular part of the books; a convenient way to keep the stories moving at a fast clip. And we get a minor appearance by the cousin of one of the mobsters Bolan executed in Texas.
Not much to say about this one (other than the timeline confusion). The plot concerns a rescue mission, Bolan assisting Toni in the search for Pol and Gadgets. The head cop (Petro) actively assists Bolan as our protagonist sets rival Mafia families against each other.
The good news is the cover of the book does actually represent a scene from the book! But the assault on the Mafia stronghold is another tensionless cruise-in-blow-it-up-cruise-out affair — a mere 5 pages this time.
Oh, and Bolan's infamous "warwagon" makes its first appearance. So maybe it's been more than 2 weeks since Texas (to account for its high tech design and construction), but certainly not the 8 months to get from late spring to Mardi Gras the following year. Okay, alright, I'm done griping about the timeline, I promise.
The next book is set in Seattle, so I'm curious if he drives the warwagon all the way there. The book after that is set in Hawaii. I really hope Pendleton writes the warwagon into that story, throwing out all logic. Just like the timeline. Dammit, I promised. I'm sorry.
Special guests this time include Gadgets Schwartz and Pol Blancanales, surviving members of Bolan's "Death Squad" from book 2, last seen in book 14, I believe. We also meet Blancanales sister, Toni. Bolan calls Leo Turrin for info, which is getting to be a regular part of the books; a convenient way to keep the stories moving at a fast clip. And we get a minor appearance by the cousin of one of the mobsters Bolan executed in Texas.
Not much to say about this one (other than the timeline confusion). The plot concerns a rescue mission, Bolan assisting Toni in the search for Pol and Gadgets. The head cop (Petro) actively assists Bolan as our protagonist sets rival Mafia families against each other.
The good news is the cover of the book does actually represent a scene from the book! But the assault on the Mafia stronghold is another tensionless cruise-in-blow-it-up-cruise-out affair — a mere 5 pages this time.
Oh, and Bolan's infamous "warwagon" makes its first appearance. So maybe it's been more than 2 weeks since Texas (to account for its high tech design and construction), but certainly not the 8 months to get from late spring to Mardi Gras the following year. Okay, alright, I'm done griping about the timeline, I promise.
The next book is set in Seattle, so I'm curious if he drives the warwagon all the way there. The book after that is set in Hawaii. I really hope Pendleton writes the warwagon into that story, throwing out all logic. Just like the timeline. Dammit, I promised. I'm sorry.
February 15, 2021
These boys were Mafia, each of them sworn in blood. And each of them was going to die in that sworn blood. As for their black money—it was going to get liberated … into the Executioner’s war chest, about $300,000 by conservative estimate. And people were still saying that crime doesn’t pay. It paid, all right—for the organized psychopaths swaggering about their vicious little kingdoms of syndicated cannibalismit paid to the annual national tune of about $70 billion—more than the top three U.S. corporations combined—a GNP higher than most nations of the world.The Dixie mob was getting its fair share of that.
July 10, 2022
This one had all the hallmarks of a great Executioner novel.
Mack Bolan, taking on the mafia in New Orleans
smack dab in the middle of Mardi Gras ?Sounds like the perfect recipe, right?
Well, not quite. Hardly anything actually happens during
that titular event and the majority of the major plot doesn't even occur in the city or state itself. Plus the main
storyline has a lack of urgency that many of these books usually do.
Though I guess it's cool that Bolan has an armored RV this time around.
Mack Bolan, taking on the mafia in New Orleans
smack dab in the middle of Mardi Gras ?Sounds like the perfect recipe, right?
Well, not quite. Hardly anything actually happens during
that titular event and the majority of the major plot doesn't even occur in the city or state itself. Plus the main
storyline has a lack of urgency that many of these books usually do.
Though I guess it's cool that Bolan has an armored RV this time around.
July 25, 2026
I feel like I always say the same things about Executioner novels—they are packed with action and lots of fun. Therefore, it should be no surprise that this one is both loads of fun and chock full of action. This time Mack Bolan tries to get various mob groups fighting each other while he sets them up for the big kill. This novel also has the advantage of a connection to book 2 in the series when Mack calls on some friends from the Vietnam War to help him out. I always enjoy those moments of continuity in the series as it gives Mack something a little more personal to worry about.
May 10, 2026
2026 - War Against the Mafia (The Executioner series by Don Pendleton. One book a week for the year with a bonus short story.)
Week 20
3.5⭐️, rounded down. Another pretty basic entry in the series. A little too bland, action wise, for taking place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Pol and Gadgets make an appearance but mostly background. The new battle wagon is nice but seems to me that it would be a waste of money. Guess we will see.
Week 20
3.5⭐️, rounded down. Another pretty basic entry in the series. A little too bland, action wise, for taking place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Pol and Gadgets make an appearance but mostly background. The new battle wagon is nice but seems to me that it would be a waste of money. Guess we will see.
May 12, 2017
As always a good read, looking forward to finally
As always a good read, looking forward to the movie whenever it comes out hopefully it will stay as close to the novels as possible, and that they pick the right actor to portray Nolan.
As always a good read, looking forward to the movie whenever it comes out hopefully it will stay as close to the novels as possible, and that they pick the right actor to portray Nolan.
November 19, 2023
Classic Pendleton
Love reading the older Don Pendleton Mack Bolans. They're excellent, fun, reads. The fact they were written during the1970s is neat also. Loved the Mardi Gras setting.
Love reading the older Don Pendleton Mack Bolans. They're excellent, fun, reads. The fact they were written during the1970s is neat also. Loved the Mardi Gras setting.
August 19, 2017
This is a very good read. I enjoyed the book very much.
June 2, 2018
That's two in a row good ones.
Want to Read
July 19, 2020elibrary
December 1, 2023
The Action and excitement never stops in a Mack Bolan Story
Read
July 28, 202570s men's adventure series with Sarge invading Mardi gras to kill some Mafia baddies.
December 4, 2025
The Executioner series delivers 1970s vigilante justice as a pioneer in action adventure books. 2.5 stars.
December 14, 2011
Hurray for pulp!
I'm committed to reading the first 38 books in this series. Before I say anything more, this is how I rate books--
FIVE – the story has changed my life, the way I view the world, or has altered the way I write.
FOUR – the story has exceeded my expectations, this was truly a fabulous weave.
THREE – my expectations were met, I got exactly what I paid for.
TWO – I was disappointed by this story and it wasn’t what I’d hoped for.
ONE – I’m not going to save this one from the next Nazi Bar-B-Que.
4-Stars! That is crazy! But two of the three before this one weren't so good. So, my expectations were low when I started this one.
This is Mack's one-man war against the mafia in New Orleans. I said that just in case the title was a little misleading. This one starts with Mack setting an ambush along a highway in the Bayou. After a short gunfight and plenty of rocket propelled-grenades, Mack steals a giant wad of cash from the Mob and gets away.
That is standard to the series.
But, in this one, old buddies from L.A. (Los Angeles, not Louisiana) have gone missing, and the sister of one of his friends is worried the mob has them. Expecting his buddies to be tortured to death, Mack goes nutty and wastes lots of mobsters in this one. Can he save them in time? This one was only a little better than average, but #16, #18, and #19 were a little weak. In fact, this was the same plot as in #15, and #19 -- wait a minute -- I've been bamboozled!!
I'm committed to reading the first 38 books in this series. Before I say anything more, this is how I rate books--
FIVE – the story has changed my life, the way I view the world, or has altered the way I write.
FOUR – the story has exceeded my expectations, this was truly a fabulous weave.
THREE – my expectations were met, I got exactly what I paid for.
TWO – I was disappointed by this story and it wasn’t what I’d hoped for.
ONE – I’m not going to save this one from the next Nazi Bar-B-Que.
4-Stars! That is crazy! But two of the three before this one weren't so good. So, my expectations were low when I started this one.
This is Mack's one-man war against the mafia in New Orleans. I said that just in case the title was a little misleading. This one starts with Mack setting an ambush along a highway in the Bayou. After a short gunfight and plenty of rocket propelled-grenades, Mack steals a giant wad of cash from the Mob and gets away.
That is standard to the series.
But, in this one, old buddies from L.A. (Los Angeles, not Louisiana) have gone missing, and the sister of one of his friends is worried the mob has them. Expecting his buddies to be tortured to death, Mack goes nutty and wastes lots of mobsters in this one. Can he save them in time? This one was only a little better than average, but #16, #18, and #19 were a little weak. In fact, this was the same plot as in #15, and #19 -- wait a minute -- I've been bamboozled!!
December 29, 2013
Pulp Fiction
The rackets specialist hung up the telephone with a crash. Hit lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, glared at the walls of the office that was hemming him in and tucking him in neatly-then he got slowly to his feet and went to the nearest one, pleasantly said,"Hi, wall; fuck you wall" - and ground the cigarette into it clear to the palm of his hand.
and
"You really think he'll contact you?"
"Yeah, that's what I really think, wallbanger."
The rackets specialist hung up the telephone with a crash. Hit lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, glared at the walls of the office that was hemming him in and tucking him in neatly-then he got slowly to his feet and went to the nearest one, pleasantly said,"Hi, wall; fuck you wall" - and ground the cigarette into it clear to the palm of his hand.
and
"You really think he'll contact you?"
"Yeah, that's what I really think, wallbanger."
April 5, 2016
The time table was set and everything ready to roll, then Bolan runs into news that 2 of his old friends are missing and there goes the timetable. Somehow this book seems softer in the beginning and then becomes more gory, or more detailed than most of the other books.
May 13, 2014
Don Pendelton is a superb author. This is all out action from beginning to end. I can see why The Executioner was so popular in its time.
September 24, 2014
Compared to earlier novels, Bolan seems to be getting a hair softer.
November 3, 2015
Not as well written as many of the others. Confusing in parts
August 27, 2016
read some time in 1980
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews