Jack Ballentine "Murder For Hire"

Jack Ballentine became a Phoenix police officer in 1978 and quickly rose to the top as one of the world’s most successful undercover operatives. His specialty: posing as an undercover hit man. None of the people who hired him had any inkling that he was actually a cop, and his work led to a perfect rate of twenty-four convictions out of twenty-four indictments on murder conspiracy charges. 

Murder for Hire is Ballentine’s story. He worked with criminals of all sorts, from vengeful spouses and partners to the criminally insane, all who had one thing in common: the desire to have someone killed. Ballentine could change his character at the drop of a hat, often imitating characters and “bad guys” from television and movies. In assuming an alternate identity and developing a reputation among the Phoenix underground---bikers, strippers, junkies, and thugs---he developed an intricate network of sources who fed him work and kept him extremely busy. All the while, the author strove forthe semblance of a normal life and balanced his rough-and-tumble career with a new wife and stepson.His story is a unique look at how law enforcement delves into the heart of the criminal world.

Book signing Saturday June 20th at Barnes and Noble in Mesa, AZ 2pm.

Dana Point Center at ValVista and Baseline Roads.

Scott Drake interviews Jack Ballentine

Comments

[LRM]

Detective Ballentine..I awoke last week and turned on Cost to Cost radio..and listend to yur fascinating story..which made me imm. order the book from Amazon which i am reading presently..unable to put it down..I would highly recommend this book to others..Its insight into the world of Undercover law enforcerment people is at times chilling and yet heroic...due to the lives they save..I want to say THANK YOU..for being the person you were..in a position to help others but also in peril yourself...I have spoken about you to my friends and have told them..this is a must read...It has to take a terrible toss to be a chameleon..day in and day out..I don't understand yet or i missed how Patti was aware of your posiition..especially being an undercover police officer...If this book is not made into a movie it will be shocking to me..I think your Parents ..especially Your Mom raised you to be the person that you were ..You were protected by St.Michael..and i know v/well about visiting the past to inhale the happy times even for a moment..
Your story is so fascinating..and informative....I always thought if a police officer did not identify themselves when asked..no arrest could be made..i am stil confused re: this..and i have two police officers in the family...
Thank you for protecting those that might not have had a life and Than you for your convictions...I am so pleased that you found happiness...beside visiting your Mom's gravesite..and the bseball field...Is your life in anyway in danger now that you revealed your true identity...also the book gives insight of those women in those clubs...pathetic...some would call them names..my heart is pained for them ..for i believe reasons unknown to the majority of us..led them to where they are..very sad that they hung on e/word..that a hug would bring them promise that wsn't going to happen..
thank you fr being You and for all that you and your fellow officers have accomplished at your own risk..
I hope that those reading this...purchase ..Murder for Hire..........You will never have another chance to be informed of the life of an Undercover officer..sure it sounds glamorous...but unlike Miami vice..the reality is that this is real life....for Jack Ballentine..the show didn't end after an hour...I chuckled at your soap opera addiction..I think secretly we alll have at least one soap that peaks our interest..
God bless you and your famnily...May St. Michael continue to protect you and your brothers and sisters on the force...

LRM

[Geno Marcello]

I read Jack Ballentine's book, MURDER FOR HIRE, and barely was able to finish it. This is a worthless piece of work that Ballentine wrote in order to make him the 'baddest biker dude' in the Valley of the Sun. When he isn't impressing topless dancers in sleazy bars on Van Buren Street and Baseline Road, Ballentine is showing off as being the sensitive stepfather to the son of the blonde he marries after impressing her in another bar setting. He boasts about being the number one 'killer for hire' on the Phoenix Police Department, but he commits more criminal acts than the people he sets up for arrest. He drinks on the job, gets blasted with his fellow cops at their hidden bars where everybody is a cop and they protect one another, and has zero tolerance for anyone who doesn't wear a badge. If you like reading books by sadio-maschochists, this is the book for you. If you have a civilized bone in your body and a brain, go elsewhere for your reading pleasure.