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

by Scott Payne, Michelle Shephard

For readers of The MAGA Diaries and Hate in the Homeland , an eye-opening and crucial true story of one man risking his life to infiltrate the most dangerous neo-Nazi group in the United States.

When Scott Payne was growing up, he never envisioned a future that included what happened on Halloween night 2019. Out in the woods of Georgia, he tried desperately to save a goat from being sacrificed in a ritual by a group of neo-Nazis without revealing that he was actually an undercover agent.

Now, this retired FBI agent reveals how and why he infiltrated the rapidly growing American Nazi group, The Base. Known as the “Hillbilly Donnie Brasco,” Payne was guided through some of the most terrifying and risky assignments in the FBI’s history by his devotion to his family and his Christian faith.

Timely and unputdownable, Code Pale Horse is an unflinching look at one of biggest threats in national security, as well as an inspiring memoir from an American hero.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, True Crime, Memoir, Biography, Politics, Crime

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published March 25, 2025.

4 stars.

The cover information for the book is a bit misleading in that this covers the highlights of Payne’s career to date, not just his time infiltrating a neo-Nazi group; that part is less than half the book and while it is very interesting, I enjoyed his time spent with the Outlaws biker club just as much.

As to the neo-Nazis, the group was called The Base and he was with their Georgia outlet. They are “accelerationists” which means they don’t believe in a political solution to any of their complaints because the political system/system of government is corrupt. Society will collapse either on its own or due to a man made event so they should attempt to speed up that chaos. The Base specifically thinks that after sparking a race war they will then be involved with creating a white ethnostate. How they are going to do that with so few members is beyond me….maybe they have a great, super-secret recruiting plan or something. However, this appears to be the new thing…according to the book in 2021 90% of white nationalist groups are accelerationists.

I found the book both interesting and entertaining. Payne is not some golden boy plucked from the Ivy League and recruited to the FBI…he worked as a regular cop before he got interested. I think lots of guys who don’t always love to read might like this book.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the title I knew I wanted to read it. Maybe it is the times but it seems more important than ever that we root out Nazi behavior. This book was really well written and definitely grabbed the reader. I really liked to see the differences and what was the same from how media portrays undercover FBI work. I liked that he also put in a little about the impact on his family and the sacrifices he had to make to be successful as an undercover agent. I also liked how he humanized some of his marks and showed how despite their criminal behavior they were likable beucase that also seems realistic to me.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was skeptical going into this because it's not my usual, but I was completely captivated. I didn't even know going in that the author was born and raised in the city I live in now, and his first undercover KKK rally was near my hometown. It definitely made the horrors he wrote about hit closer to home. It's so surreal that groups with such extreme, hateful, and deceived beliefs exist in our world. The author had to act so normal amongst not only people who leaned on Satanic views to justify their actions, but what's almost worse, people who truly thought they were doing God's work. It's absolutely mindblowing.

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multiple times while reading Scott Payne's memoir Codename: Pale Horse, I found myself thinking, "Oh, this is going to get crazy!" Unfortunately, the book never provides enough detail and tension to draw the reader in. The subject is intriguing enough. Payne is a retired undercover FBI agent. As many reviewers have noted, the subtitle is very misleading. Payne doesn't get to any cases dealing with Nazis until two thirds of the way through a very short 220ish pages.

He covers multiple cases in his career which should serve as a font of exciting stories. However, only two cases are given more than a cursory rundown and even those feel like a lot of detail is skipped. I think if this was about one story with a lot more focus than this could have been much better. As it stands, it is not a bad book, but it leaves the reader wanting more in a bad way.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learnt about this book in a very roundabout way. Basically, back in March or so I got really into Business Insider's 'Bootcamp' series of videos, which are basically mini military documentaries focusing on various aspects of military life. Because of that, my YouTube feed recommended me another Business Insider video: a sitdown interview with a former FBI undercover agent. Having nothing better to do one afternoon last month, I sat down and watched it.

Honestly, it was the author himself on the video that hooked me. He was GREAT at vividly describing some of the situations he found himself in over the last 20+ years of his career. Because of his background as a Southern white boy, he was perfect for infiltrating places like the Outlaws motorcycle club (an organised crime syndicate which I had never heard of but is in fact the world's second-biggest biker club, behind the much more famous Hells Angels MC) and white supremacist outfits like the KKK and, more recently, the Base. The book doesn't actually contain much more info than is in his hour-long interview (a shame, I could have read multiple books about his career) and though it's well-written, I strongly recommend the interview too to really bring it all to life.

[Matthew Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book because the other book I started has been on hold at the library for over a month 😩 I don’t like reading multiple books at once but since I’ve been waiting for years for whoever is taking their sweet time with the other book, I decided to start reading Code Name: Pale Horse.
I originally heard this book from a podcast where Scott Payne was being interviewed. Despite hearing a lot of his stories from that episode, there was still so much to learn about life as an undercover FBI as well I as all the crime that is happening in America.
What I appreciated most about this memoir is how he kept his faith as a Christian central to all his stories. He continually credited his safety and success to God.
Would definitely recommend this book!!

[Kenzie | kenzienoelle.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was 10x more chilling than any thriller I’ve read.

Because it’s real life. Scott Payne, a former FBI agent, specializes in the undercover. He tells stories from his life from infiltrating pro-white, racist groups like the KKK and to even more terrifying, radical, racist and dangerous, The Base.

Hearing the depth of motivation and ideals of these humans made me physically nauseous.

The big surprise of this book was finding out that Scott grew up in my hometown! He went to a high school my friends went to and went to a church that I’ve actually been to!

Deeply unsettling and highly fascinating. Thank you Atria Books for this gifted copy!!

[Cav · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When the average American thinks of white supremacy, they conjure up an image of the Ku Klux Klan, the guys in the white robes and pointy hats..."

Code Name: Pale Horse was a great telling of an exciting undercover career. I was looking for something a little different from some of the books I typically read, so I thought I'd give this one a go. I first became aware of the author from his recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which I really enjoyed.

Author Scott Payne is a retired FBI Special Agent who spent twenty-eight years in law enforcement investigating cases against drug- and human-trafficking organizations, human traffickers, outlaw motorcycle clubs, gangs, public corruption, and domestic terrorism. 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.

Scott Payne :


Payne writes with an excellent style here, and the book is a real page-turner. He gets the writing off on a good foot, with a lively intro. He also narrated the audio version of the book, and did a fantastic job of the narration, too. He drops the quote above at the start of the book, and it continues:

"...But the Klan are basically your grandpa’s white supremacists, with deep historical roots in this country. What’s new today is a much broader white power movement. There are a lot of names and it’s hard to sort who’s who. A lot of far-right groups get labeled as white supremacists when they’re not. Take for instance groups like the Proud Boys, the Boogaloos, or militias like the Wolverine Watchmen or the Oath Keepers. These organizations may have white supremacist members and engage in illegal activities like trying to overthrow the government or kidnap a governor. But they’re not part of the movement I’m talking about. Other groups, like the Patriot Front, the Nationalist Socialist Movement, the League of the South, or the Traditionalist Workers Party, are white supremacist groups, and they’re definitely dangerous, but they’ve been around for a while."

The meat and potatoes of the book are incredible stories from the author's multi-decade career. He was involved with a takedown of The Outlaws Motorcycle Club. He also details his efforts in infiltrating a few different Neo-Nazi groups in the US. The book also contained many pictures at the end, which was a nice touch. I find pictures in books like this to be of great value, as they make a great addition to any story, and help bring some context to the writing as well.


These stories made for a great read. I won't be covering them here though, as I don't want to give away any spoilers. I will say that along the way, he had a few hairy close calls, where he stared death in the face multiple times. Only through a combination of "verbal judo," skill, and sheer luck was he able to escape to tell his story.

"A photo of me after I had passed the face-to-face vetting process with The Base and was given one of their trademark balaclavas and patch with runes (which is on my mouth)."


********************

I enjoyed this one. It was interesting and exciting. I would easily recommend it to anyone interested.
5 stars.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Payne was so honest in code name pale horse. So brave! Without people like Scott Payne where would the world be?

“I’m not going to wade into the debates about policing except to say I’m saddened by how the base has been tarnished and how law enforcement is no longer seen as a noble profession by many. But I will say this. There are evil people on this planet who want to do evil things to good people. It’s been that way pretty much since the dawn of time. That’s where we step in. That’s why we’re needed.”

[Paula Bobsin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was first intrigued by Scott from his episode on Armchair expert and wanted to hear more about his stories about being an undercover FBI agent. Sadly I didn’t think his writing style was great and the book was kind of a series of unfinished thoughts. I didn’t think he gave enough detail to draw me into the stories like I had hoped (and I’m not sure if it’s because he actually couldn’t go into more detail). It’s definitely an interesting topic that I loved learning about (listened on audio), but this book didn’t quite do it for me!

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate it when a book is marketed as something it’s not. It was a fascinating read but I was frustrated by how long it took to get to the Nazi bits, which constitute less than half the book whereas the subtitle made it sound like all Nazis all the time.

[Zach]

Scott Payne is the ideal bar patron on a slow day. He has the aura of a badass, a best friend, and a dad all in one, and his stories and storytelling ability can keep you enthralled for days. I discovered him through the YouTube series "Authorized Account," before immediately searching for any books he had authored. I feel like I've struck gold, especially with his self-narrated audiobook.

Despite feelings of inadequacy or dysfunctionality towards the FBI overall, it is clear that Scott was a gifted undercover agent. It was hilarious how many times his targets said "I knew I didn't have to worry about you." It was understandable for him to feel connected to the targets, especially when the Outlaws were checking on him after his surgery. It must be so tough to do all you can to get connected, but not too connected, to these groups. However, it was probably easier to keep distance from "The Base." It's terrifying that there are such prepared and trained individuals out there waiting for the pin to drop (or actively working to accelerate it). This book taught me a lot about the inner workings of these orgs, and I really appreciated Scott's constant reassurance on his moral beliefs and how they conflicted with these orgs, especially when he was doing "what he had to do."

Can't wait for Scott's next book, if he is working on one. Until then, I am going to binge podcasts he's recorded....

[Megan Maradiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Code Name: Pale Horse by Scott Payne is nothing like my usual fantasy escapes. Instead of whisking me away to magical worlds, it drags me straight into the harsh reality of today, forcing me to confront the vile ideologies still thriving around us. It’s a sobering reminder of the twisted belief some hold—that they’ve lost their claim to America or no longer belong in it. It’s infuriating and heartbreaking all at once.
As a biracial person, I can’t comprehend the idea that diversity weakens a country. I wasn’t raised to believe in the concept of racial purity because it’s fundamentally false. Scott Payne’s account left me in awe—not just because of his ability to convincingly infiltrate white supremacist circles but also because of the sheer endurance required to do so. The mental and physical toll of managing operations, teaching classes, maintaining a family, and working undercover is unfathomable.
Reading this gave me a greater appreciation for the work of FBI agents like Payne. His story offers a rare glimpse into the complex, often harrowing world of undercover operations and the resilience it demands. This book is both an eye-opener and a powerful reminder of the work being done to combat hatred from within.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

[Kat Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Payne spent a lot of his FBI career working undercover operations. He infiltrated groups such as the Outlaws motorcycle gang and the Base, a neo-Nazi group.

I really enjoyed this memoir. I will say that it was slightly different than what I expected going into it. The title and blurb led me to believe the book would focus on his time with the neo-Nazi group. I was interested to read more about this group and their depraved thoughts and perhaps insights into combating these mindsets. And while we got some of that, over half of the book was Payne’s history with other undercover operations.

I still really enjoyed the peek into a world most of us know nothing about and probably glamorize more than we should. I left the book feeling even more appreciative of the men and women who are willing to risk their lives in order to make the country a better place for all.

This book releases on March 25, 2025. A big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Garrett Alcorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what possessed me to write such a review, but here goes. Nowadays the world feels dark, this book pushes a message of hope that landed with me. Scott’s motivated by his faith, which I don’t fully share, but I still found a lot of common ground. He’s clearly out to stop hate and call out the systems that fuel it. I don’t fully align with organized religion, but I do respect personal spirituality. And that’s what comes through here… someone using their beliefs to push for justice, not control. That’s rare. And it matters.

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting. There is so much I can say about this book, but the most important is how very real hate groups are a threat to democracy in this country. Thanks to the service, courage and hard work of Scott Payne, a true patriot and hero to America. “Be careful who you choose as your enemy because that’s who you become most like.” Nietzsche

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book. I first heard about it while listening to Scott’s episode on Jerri Williams’ FBI Case File Review podcast and downloaded it right away. His stories were fascinating, and he does an excellent job of showing the seriousness of the situation without making it feel overwhelming. That said, these are heavy topics, and hearing the rhetoric and violent plans of the white supremacy groups he infiltrated was truly frightening.

[Rob Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard his interview with Joe Rogan and he did most of the talking. That’s what led me to his book and let me tell you, it is one hell of a read. All the cases he talked about in his book could be a movie all of their own. Unbelievable story and a great read!!

[Myriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Scott’s stories about the realities of these hate groups in America. The stress that a job like this brings and the toll it also takes on your family and home life.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth listening to the audio book because kinda like a story time but longer

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this was 4x as long. So so fascinating and such important work!

[Riddhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this book after hearing Payne as a guest on Armchair Expert. I wish there was more depth beyond what he did on his missions but it was a great little peek into the hell that exists in America

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

[audiobook] interesting enough but lacked some of the depth I was expecting. Seemed a bit self congratulatory.
Note: only the last third of the book relates to the subtitle.

[Chelsea Karosas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual read! Not much of a “follow the plot” type book but interesting and revealing nonetheless

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at a sect of law enforcement that I know...absolutely nothing about. Payne and Shephard are great guides, their prose full of personality, honesty, and, even despite the topic, fun. You feel like Payne is telling you his story over a meal.

The tagline/marketing is, IMO, stretching the truth of the content--we're spending time with biker gangs and addicts for 60-70% of the book, not Nazis--but the content is worth it regardless. Good time. Learned a lot.

[Andrew Chadick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. Enjoyed the podcast he did with Joe Rogan more since he basically told every story in the book on the pod.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of horror, but this one frightened me on a level I am still coming to terms with. Nonfiction is often scarier than any conjured horrors because it shows the true shape of our world. It holds a mirror to our society and we are forced to face reality. As a white man from the Southern United States, I am unfortunately hyper aware of racism in all of its forms, but in my lived experience, it is so hidden and quiet that one could almost forget its existence. Racists are often silent in their hatred and in that silence is a seething that has been bubbling up in the background for generations. In the current state of the world, they’re starting to speak out. It’s absolutely horrifying, but maybe that’s exactly what society needs. It’s hard to act against silent hatred, but when they speak, they make themselves known. We can identify them and take action. Scott Payne is a man who found a way to take action against these monsters and I hope there are still enough souls out there who are brave enough to do the same. I wish I was a good enough liar, but unfortunately they would smell the empathy on me from a mile away. I’ll just have to find some other way to flip these raging imbeciles who have deluded themselves into thinking they are true patriots, while standing against everything the foundation of our country was built upon. Ugh and then you remember all of the bodies of people of color within that foundation and everything crumbles again. The system is broken and has been from the start. We are all in this together and I hope that we realize it before it’s too late. If you encounter racism in any way, squash it that instant. Call it out. Make sure everyone is aware of who, what, when, where and how so we can knock this shit out and become the one we were always meant to be.

[Morgan Hazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as an audiobook.
Maybe 3.5 stars?

The first 50-60% goes into Scott’s cases as an undercover cop and then FBI agent. Similar parallels to “Shameless” where there was a lot of drug and crime activity monitored specifically within the biker gang “Outlaws.” This gang is a rival to “Hell’s Angels.” It’s only briefly mentioned once that a white supremacist was involved.
The final portion of the book discusses a new case trying to develop arrests for the KKK and other white nationalist groups.
Overall, I actually found the first half of the book more exciting and interesting. The first half felt narrated in an exciting story-telling way. The second half was more Scott reading from transcriptions of interactions, discussing their harmful rhetoric and propaganda, and discussions with the FBI. I think the book should’ve just been a memoir about his life as an undercover agent. For how important domestic terrorism should be discussed, I felt like Scott cut this book at the knees. He does emphasize that it’s really hard for law enforcement to go after groups since no federal domestic terrorist laws exist. He also talks about how post-9/11, the focus has been heavily on international terrorism when the shift to domestic terrorism has really gained traction. These “accelerators” as Scott describes them, are hoping for the implosion of the country to allow for white supremacy societies to step up.

[Patrick Fassnacht · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Thank you, Netgalley, for the copy. Appreciate the chance to preview.)

A good read. Told in a relatable way, by a relatable guy, narrated in a way that was engaging. For a pretty intense topic, the way that it was framed and told really helped keep it palatable. Some pretty raw parts throughout, but the telling of the incidents were tempered by the person that Scott Payne was-- and evolved to have been/become.
A large portion of the book was leading up to what the cover and title proclaims it to be, but the entire journey was a very worthwhile read. Tons of things to learn and to have been able to see a bit of from him and some of the work done over the years.. along with the toll it takes and the investment good officers put in. and, those going the extra mile to try to ensure a better world.

Very well done, very informational, and very relatable. Much like a friend or relative sharing some of the amazing things he did in his career.

[Becky • bookmarked by becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest and thoughtful memoir from FBI agent Scott Payne, offering a clear-eyed look at the emotional and psychological toll of undercover work. He shares what it’s like to live a double life—balancing dangerous assignments while trying to be present as a husband and father.

Faith, prayer, and the support of his wife are central themes that helped ground him during the most challenging times. The book explores how maintaining a cover can blur into your personal life, often leaving you mentally and physically drained.

That said, the title felt a bit misleading. I expected a deeper dive into neo-Nazi groups in America, but most of that content comes in the final third of the book. The majority focuses on Payne’s broader career, which—while still interesting—didn’t fully match my expectations going in.

Still, it’s a sincere and introspective read for those interested in the human side of FBI undercover work and the quiet strength required behind the scenes.