Bob Hamer served as an undercover FBI officer for 26 years. During that time he posed as a hardcore horse race gambler, drug dealer, hit man, arms dealer, mafia member and in many other roles. The most challenging investigation of his career proved to be a lengthy period during which he posed as a “BL” - a boy lover, a pedophile, in order to infiltrate the first amendment-protected organization NAMBLA, the North American Man/Boy Lovers Association.

The Last Undercover contains the story at Hamer’s heart - the infiltration and investigation of NAMBLA eventually leading to convictions of its core members. Of all his years in service this is the one story that had to be told, the one that poured forth from his pen. Publishers, however, were reluctant to publish an entire work based upon this case. Only after adding details from additional cases and adventures was the book accepted for publication.

I feel that the book still would have attracted readers anxious for insight into the dark and hidden world of pedophiles in North America if it focused soley upon the NAMBLA investigation. There is a growing public concern over the safety of our children as cases ranging from sexual interference to rape and kidnapping flood the media. Through Hamer’s eyes we are able to enter the mindset of a boy lover as he studies their lingo and philosophies while attempting to blend in.

It’s clear that the NAMBLA case is the core of The Last Undercover, which is named after the assignment – the crowning glory to Hamer’s FBI career, closing shortly before his retirement. This is the case that ties the book together, the thread that readers follow. Brief detours are taken in flashbacks to prior cases Hamer worked exploring the dangers, difficulties and convictions, but always the story returns to his work with boy lovers.

As a Christian investigative officer Hamer faced extraordinary difficulties in his line of work, adopting personas so contrary to his own that an invisible wall was erected between these personalities. At times he worked three separate undercover cases at a time, switching rapidly between created personas. This was a strenuous undertaking when a slip of cover can at the least result in the shut down of an investigation, and at the worst in death.

Hamer is a surprisingly talented author. His prose is personal, the imagery vivid. Readers will feel as though they are viewing episodes of “Cops” during the action sequences, and experience the same gut churning conflict and disgust as Hamer encourages criminal confessions from pedophiles and pederasts. The combination of tense action-filled scenes, careful strategizing and andrenaline create an irresistible read. I gobbled up Hamer’s story in a single 24 hour period - once started it was impossible to stop.

These vivid scenes are dotted with matter of fact observations concerning quantities and types of drugs dealt, prices of stolen goods and confessions from boy lovers amongst others. As an agent confronted with such details on a daily basis a clinical approach to such details is likely a coping mechanism, and serves as such for readers during disturbing passages.

Hamer’s experiences as an attorney in the Navy prior to his recruitment by the FBI combined with his undercover experiences add to readers’ understanding of the difficulties faced when seeking a conviction. The dance Hamer engages his targets in is far more intricate than setting the scene and pouncing in most cases. Careful, patient work is required to collect and assemble the evidence required for successful sentencing. Caution must be exercised to avoid the dismissal of cases under charges of entrapment or negligence.

While Hamer includes specific details and acts that the criminals confess to, he manages to present the horrific details without becoming needlessly explicit. However, the terms used and acts described place this title squarely in the realm of adult reading. This isn’t an appropriate title for teenagers, and even some adults will be unable to deal with the difficult subject matter.

I strongly recommend that all parents and grandparents read this work to familiarize themselves as much as is possible with the mindset of child molesters. Though it is difficult to understand this way of thinking, Hamer skillfully describes the frightening philosophies and techniques of these men. Perhaps the most terrifying is their insistence that their actions are not wrong, that they are simply seeking to liberate children sexually; freeing them to participate in ‘consensual’ sexual activity at any age with any partner.

These are psychologists, special education teachers, ministers, dentists and others whom many would consider trustworthy, upstanding members of society. As parents we must exercise the utmost caution in order to avoid and detect any victimization of our children. Thank God for men like Bob Hamer who risk life, limb and sanity to step into the darkest places to bring dangerous criminals to justice.

Reviewed at http://quiverfullfamily.com ( )