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  • Published: 13 November 2025
  • ISBN: 9781405985369
  • Imprint: Penguin Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $28.00

The Hitmen

The Shocking True Story of a Family of Killers for Hire



The shocking rise and bloody fall of Ireland's deadliest family

Meet the Wilsons - the deadliest family in crime

Brothers Eric, Keith and John Wilson, their cousin Alan, and nephew Luke shared a trade - assassination. Working for Ireland's criminal gangs they brought bloodshed and chaos to the streets.

The Wilsons were not choosy about their targets. Hutches, Real IRA chiefs or random opponents from pub rows - they were all the same to them. Nor were they picky about motives - as long as the price was right, they asked no questions.

The Hitmen is the shocking story of how a family cornered the market in intimidation and vengeance. It details the terrible cost in human suffering, particularly the death of an innocent teenage girl, Mariaora Rostas, when she randomly crossed their path. And it reveals how, one by one, each of the Wilsons was put out of business.

The Hitmen draws on exclusive access to wire taps, case files and interviews with sources close to the gang who have never spoken before. No 1 bestselling authors Stephen Breen and Owen Conlon have written an extraordinary account of a family business like no other.

  • Published: 13 November 2025
  • ISBN: 9781405985369
  • Imprint: Penguin Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $28.00

About the authors

Owen Conlon

Owen Conlon is an assistant news editor for the Irish Sun. He is also a respected commentator on crime stories in the Irish media and co-author of the No.1 bestselling book The Cartel, the definitive account of the rise of the Kinahan gang.

Jan Ormerod

Born in Australia, Jan Ormerod has been writing and illustrating books for children since moving to the UK in 1980. Her warm and friendly evocations of everyday toddler life are widely popular and have brought her widespread recognition. She is particularly well-loved in the United States, and has also won the major UK Mother Goose award for her first book. She has twice been short-listed for the prestigious Kate Greenaway medal.

Praise for The Hitmen

Riveting

Irish Times

An extraordinary story . . . fascinating

Claire Byrne, RTÉ

An incredible catalogue of mayhem

Pat Kenny, Newstalk

A triumph

Nicola Tallant, Sunday World
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