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The Nemesis File: The True Story of an Sas Execution Squad
'The Nemesis File' was originally published as a fact-based memoir in 1995. During a police investigation (concluded in 1996), however, the author admitted that his claims were untrue. The investigation proved that the book was fraudulent, that the purported SAS "execution squads" did not exist, and that the book is not a memoir but a "work of fiction."
'Paul Bruce' was the pseudonym of Paul Inman, a former mechanic in the British Army's Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and he was never a member of the SAS (Special Air Service).
'The Nemesis File: The True Story of an SAS Execution Squad,' therefore, is a work of sensational fiction which only served to exacerbate the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland through which Inman and the publisher (John Blake, a former tabloid editor) could financially profit.
'Paul Bruce' was the pseudonym of Paul Inman, a former mechanic in the British Army's Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and he was never a member of the SAS (Special Air Service).
'The Nemesis File: The True Story of an SAS Execution Squad,' therefore, is a work of sensational fiction which only served to exacerbate the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland through which Inman and the publisher (John Blake, a former tabloid editor) could financially profit.
286 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1995
42 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 2, 2017
Read this year's ago. The author is what's known as a Walter Mitty in the military. It's all exaggeration and lies. Don't waste your time.
March 11, 2020
This book says it's a true story - it couldn't be further than the truth and could possibly have been written by an old colleague known as "Barry Bullshit".
The author (whose name is not Paul Bruce) claims he was in the army as a mechanic who then went on to join the SAS and took part in assassination missions in Northern Ireland.
As I was reading this book there were quite a few things that stood out for me. Firstly the machismo of the guy is overwhelming. He really likes to show off just how "manly" he is which comes across as false right away. All the previous books I've read about soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan and especially the SAS lot are incredibly humble guys. The author seems to think he's gods gift to women, he writes as in fantasy.
When I got to the end it turns out that the MOD were pretty pissed when the first version of the book was released. There's an extra chapter where he tries to claim it was all definitely true.
However, this is not the case. There were no such missions in NI, it didn't even make sense for there to be so - taking innocent people off the street and murdering them just doesn't add up.
The RUC actually arrested "Paul" as they wanted him to answer for the supposed murders he'd committed, at which point he was forced to admit it never happened.
He was never even in the SAS, he was a mechanic.
What an absolute parcel. Don't waste your time on this BS, it's all in the mind of a dickhead.
The author (whose name is not Paul Bruce) claims he was in the army as a mechanic who then went on to join the SAS and took part in assassination missions in Northern Ireland.
As I was reading this book there were quite a few things that stood out for me. Firstly the machismo of the guy is overwhelming. He really likes to show off just how "manly" he is which comes across as false right away. All the previous books I've read about soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan and especially the SAS lot are incredibly humble guys. The author seems to think he's gods gift to women, he writes as in fantasy.
When I got to the end it turns out that the MOD were pretty pissed when the first version of the book was released. There's an extra chapter where he tries to claim it was all definitely true.
However, this is not the case. There were no such missions in NI, it didn't even make sense for there to be so - taking innocent people off the street and murdering them just doesn't add up.
The RUC actually arrested "Paul" as they wanted him to answer for the supposed murders he'd committed, at which point he was forced to admit it never happened.
He was never even in the SAS, he was a mechanic.
What an absolute parcel. Don't waste your time on this BS, it's all in the mind of a dickhead.
December 8, 2015
This book was supposed to be a shocking expose of government dirty tricks and secret SAS assassinations in Northern Ireland. Luckily it turned out to be a fake but it was an enjoyable read at the time, nonetheless.
July 11, 2021
Given this has been debunked as a work of incendiary fiction, it can’t be viewed as anything more.
However…if the actions and policy depicted therein were found to be based in truth somewhere or somewhen, it would sadly not surprise me anymore.
However…if the actions and policy depicted therein were found to be based in truth somewhere or somewhen, it would sadly not surprise me anymore.
September 1, 2019
The truth at last!
One wonders if members of other organisations, the IRA and INLA had the same mental problems after the troubles, if the killing of innocents left terrorist gunmen in the same predicament. We will probably never know but we all must make efforts not to allow religion to produce such terrible results again.
I was a serviceman during the troubles and was never posted to NI but one did hear stories and rumours and always wondered if there was any truth in any of them, now we know!
One wonders if members of other organisations, the IRA and INLA had the same mental problems after the troubles, if the killing of innocents left terrorist gunmen in the same predicament. We will probably never know but we all must make efforts not to allow religion to produce such terrible results again.
I was a serviceman during the troubles and was never posted to NI but one did hear stories and rumours and always wondered if there was any truth in any of them, now we know!
November 9, 2020
Instead of reading the reviews, read the book.
If, as a lot of people have stated - this book is a fantasy, then why were other groups of clandestine operators caught at border checks during the 1970’s?
And not just a few either.
The fact that these investigations were mothballed also raises certain questions. There’s no doubt that something like this went on and still goes on to this day.
A good read would be Gangs and Counter Gangs by Frank Kitson for those people who refuse to believe this type of thing goes on.
If, as a lot of people have stated - this book is a fantasy, then why were other groups of clandestine operators caught at border checks during the 1970’s?
And not just a few either.
The fact that these investigations were mothballed also raises certain questions. There’s no doubt that something like this went on and still goes on to this day.
A good read would be Gangs and Counter Gangs by Frank Kitson for those people who refuse to believe this type of thing goes on.
December 3, 2022
I thought it was a good book. As the reviews show above the author was arrested and claimed he made it all up. Likely that is true. The weird games though that security services play though who really knows. What does seem to coincide with other books is mess that the Troubles were with the government trying to figure out what the best way to respond, and that there seemed to be a lot perhaps illegal warfare on behalf of the UK as well. Overall it's an interesting book despite the question as to its authenticity.
January 11, 2020
coming from northern ireland and living threw the troubles here i had never heard anything about this before i was quite shocked at the stories and what went on .i have been.caught up in many bomb scares and bombs never did i think that some were caused by the SAS to cause more trouble as there was enough already .eye opening history
May 26, 2022
An excellent life story and review of actual life as an SAS soldier undercover. So disturbing that Army and government firmly stated the team was on its own and if caught would be disowned and a cussed of going rouge. Excellent book.
December 11, 2019
I loved this book when I read it shortly after publication. Gutted to hear it’s all made up! Will probably be chucking my copy away now.
August 6, 2020
Gripping
How anyone got through those times I'll never know, and to have the work that these guys did would be unthinkable.
How anyone got through those times I'll never know, and to have the work that these guys did would be unthinkable.
November 9, 2020
Them REME people know how to write a good bit of fiction.
January 6, 2021
makes you sick... cruel!
July 28, 2022
Absolutely horrifically brilliant
September 25, 2022
Great read
September 13, 2023
No spice + forced to read = not goodness😔
May 18, 2024
A work of fantasy. But not a bad read.
August 21, 2025
brilliant brutal true story...👍
September 21, 2008
Author Paul Bruce gives his personal account of his time spent in Northern Ireland in the late 1960's to the early 1970's as part of the Special Air Services, the elite division of the British Army.
Bruce speaks of the horrors that he and three other colleagues endured as being assigned to an execution squad. During their time in Ireland was when the Catholic and Protestants were butting heads with each other and the country teetered on the brink of all out civil war. Bruce and his group were assigned to pick up Catholic men that were caught trying to cross the border from Southern Ireland to the Northern, take them to an area in the woods, and kill the captured man with a single shot to the head. For all they knew, those men could honestly be innocent.
But as time progressed, their assignments became even more unbearable (I'll let you read it), and finally they all wanted to get out of the army. Bruce spares no expense in the telling of the nightmares, alcoholism, and fear that followed him around for years after his tour in Ireland.
Bruce speaks of the horrors that he and three other colleagues endured as being assigned to an execution squad. During their time in Ireland was when the Catholic and Protestants were butting heads with each other and the country teetered on the brink of all out civil war. Bruce and his group were assigned to pick up Catholic men that were caught trying to cross the border from Southern Ireland to the Northern, take them to an area in the woods, and kill the captured man with a single shot to the head. For all they knew, those men could honestly be innocent.
But as time progressed, their assignments became even more unbearable (I'll let you read it), and finally they all wanted to get out of the army. Bruce spares no expense in the telling of the nightmares, alcoholism, and fear that followed him around for years after his tour in Ireland.
August 30, 2015
What can I say, a good story but in my opinion very bloated and distorted! Several holes can be picked in it, I'm not saying it didn't happen but I'm not saying it did I just believe that a book wouldn't or couldn't be published with revelations like this and an enquiry not be held! I believe if true then the author would've been had for breaching the OSA, but it makes an interesting read and would make a good film.
November 18, 2014
Would have liked to given this book another star, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Something seemed to be lacking from the descriptions of the assassinations to make them ring true. I find this a somewhat odd criticism to make, but where was all the blood?
However, if this is genuinely truthful account, then as James Joyce once said "Old England is dying".
However, if this is genuinely truthful account, then as James Joyce once said "Old England is dying".
October 11, 2011
Not read, didnt fancy reading it so added to a BookCrossing list
Read
June 4, 2012maybe real maybe not, ugly shit happened during the troubles and the theme of this book didn't sugar coat it. I read it quickly and consistently. A sign of an interesting book in my view.
June 3, 2016
Eyeopener... dirty deeds in a dirty war.
December 1, 2016
Eye opening
A very good read which goes to show what most intelligent people know how corrupt governments are and how poorly our troops are treated
A very good read which goes to show what most intelligent people know how corrupt governments are and how poorly our troops are treated
July 3, 2014
Book supported by recent revelations about behaviour of MRF ...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews