Code Name: Pale Horse: How I Went Undercover to Expose America's Nazis

Written by Scott Payne and Michelle Shephard

Narrated by Scott Payne

New York Times bestseller • The thrilling true story of one man who risked his life to infiltrate the most dangerous neo-Nazi group in the United States, an “urgent and exciting look into the life of an FBI undercover agent” (Joseph D. Pistone, New York Times bestselling author) by “one of the top undercover agents in the Bureau” (Joaquin “Jack” Garcia, retired FBI agent and New York Times bestselling author).

When Scott Payne was growing up, an ‘80s kid with a big attitude and a taste for sleeveless shirts, he could never have envisioned where he’d find himself on Halloween night 2019. Having transformed into “Pale Horse” and infiltrated the nation’s most dangerous, fastest-growing white supremacy group, The Base, he was huddled with a cell of neo-Nazis in the backwoods of Georgia as they slaughtered a goat and drank its blood in a ritual sacrifice.

A decorated agent dubbed the “Hillbilly Donnie Brasco,” Payne takes readers along with him on some of the most terrifying and riskiest assignments in FBI history. He went deep undercover with the lethal Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Massachusetts; to the front lines of the opioid epidemic in Tennessee; and infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama. Through it all, he stayed married to the love of his life, raised two girls, and spent his Sundays at church, sustained by family and faith.

Timely and unputdownable, Code Name: Pale Horse is a hard look at some of the most pressing threats facing America today. Honest and inspiring, it’s the story of a hero determined to take down a hateful army—before the unthinkable could come to pass.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 25, 2025
• ISBN: 9781797179339

Scott Payne

Scott Payne is a retired FBI Special Agent who spent twenty-eight years in law enforcement investigating cases against drug trafficking organizations, human traffickers, outlaw motorcycle clubs, gangs, public corruption, and domestic terrorists. He was also a SWAT team operator and instructor for firearms, tactics, and undercover operations. He lives in the southeast with his wife, two daughters, and dogs.

Reviews for Code Name

[rhnl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All around interesting book, about crazy life stories and personal struggles.

[annasatana · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A much-needed look behind the curtain of the seedy criminal underbelly in the USA. Definitely enjoyed hearing this in Scott’s voice.

[mparent6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book!!!! Love that it was read by the author. It really goes into the details of groups and how they organize underground and in the back corners of the internet.