Hell to Pay

Live to Tell #3

by Wendy Corsi Staub

And so it begins . . . again.

Survivors of a serial killer who invaded their childhood, Lucy Walsh and Jeremy Cavalon are married now, replacing nightmares of their terrifying past with joyful dreams of the upcoming birth of their first child. Fiercely determined to protect the fragile balance of their lives, Lucy doesn’t know that her new husband guards a deadly secret . . . or that an Act of God is about to unleash a vengeful fury.

For shell-shocked Lucy and Jeremy, the horrible death of a loved one is a tragic accident. But for a shadowy predator, it’s the first step toward completing a deadly mission that was interrupted so long ago. Now, at last, the members of the Walsh and Cavalon families will pay for their sins, one by one . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

389 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2011

About the author

New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than ninety novels, best known for the single title psychological suspense novels she writes under her own name. Those books and the women’s fiction written under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also appeared on the USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookscan bestseller lists.

Her current standalone suspense novel, THE OTHER FAMILY, is about a picture-perfect family that that moves into a picture-perfect house. But not everything is as it seems, and the page-turner concludes “with a wallop of a twist,” according to #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben.

Her critically acclaimed Lily Dale traditional mystery series centers around a widowed single mom—and skeptic—who moves to a town populated by spiritualists who talk to the dead. Titles include NINE LIVES; SOMETHING BURIED, SOMETHING BLUE; DEAD OF WINTER; and PROSE AND CONS, with a fifth book under contract.

Wendy has written five suspense trilogies for HarperCollins/William Morrow. The most recent, The Foundlings (LITTLE GIRL LOST, DEAD SILENCE, and THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER), spans fifty years in the life of a woman left as a newborn in a Harlem church, now an investigative genealogist helping others uncover their biological roots while still searching for her own.

Written as Wendy Markham, Wendy’s novel HELLO, IT’S ME was a recent Hallmark television movie starring Kellie Martin. Her short story “Cat Got Your Tongue” appeared in R.L. Stine’s MWA middle grade anthology SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN and her short story “The Elephant in the Room” is included in the Anthony Award-nominated inaugural anthology SHATTERING GLASS.

A three-time finalist for the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award, she’s won an RWA Rita Award, an RT Award for Career Achievement in Suspense, the 2007 RWA-NYC Golden Apple Award for Lifetime Achievement, and five WLA Washington Irving Prizes for Fiction.

She previously published a dozen adult suspense novels with Kensington Books and the critically-acclaimed young adult paranormal series “Lily Dale” (Walker/Bloomsbury). Earlier in her career, she published a broad range of genres under her own name and pseudonyms, and was a co-author/ghostwriter for several celebrities.

Raised in Dunkirk, NY, Wendy graduated from SUNY Fredonia and launched a publishing career in New York City. She was Associate Editor at Silhouette Books before selling her first novel in 1992. Married with two sons, she lives in the NYC suburbs. An active supporter of the American Cancer Society, she was a featured speaker at Northern Westchester’s 2015 Relay for Life and 2012 National Spokesperson for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. She has fostered for various animal rescue organizations.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a chance to read the advance reading copy and yes, of course I am biased in favor of this author. I am married to her! Wendy hopes you enjoy this new release, the third title in her current domestic suspense trilogy kicked off with LIVE TO TELL (Publisher's Weekly Starred Review, New York Times Bestseller, Mystery Writers of America Edgar Nominee in the Mary Higgins Clark category) and then SCARED TO DEATH (Winner of Washington Irving Award in Fiction).

So far HELL TO PAY is also earning some accolades, debuting as a USA Today Bestseller and in Walmart's Top Sellers List.

Wendy is at her best when she asks the question "what would you do to save your children?" Find out in her latest home and hearth thriller where evil knocks on your front door.

This is Wendy's 15th thriller so there is always more to read if you get hooked. Thank you all.

[Vali Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This effort by Wendy Corsi Staub felt rushed and devoid of direction. The plot focuses on a family and their dealings with a rather bizarre serial killer. The concept is interesting and the characters are somewhat engaging, but the story asks too much of the reader at times. Wendy has written some fantastic books. This isn't one of them.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read numerous books by Wendy Corsi Staub and never met one I didn't like until now. I thought the plot was convoluted and the characters contrived. The killer was bizarre. However, I'll still be buying another book by this author as soon as I run across one.

[Suzanne Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really likedbthis book..... BUT I would really recommend reading the other two books in the series before reading this book. This book make you spend alot of time trying to figure out the charactors and the history that is referred to through out this story but not really clarified.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mentally ill family. Just an awful book. Confusing....must have been a prior book because too much unknown about characters. Was this second in a series??? Do NOT RECOMMEND.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Lucy Walsh and Jeremy Cavalon are survivors of abduction and of serial killers; now they are married and expecting a baby. Lucy, who has already suffered two miscarriages, has a tendency to worry; Jeremy is determined to protect his family, to keep their present from being destroyed by their past.

Driven by his need to conceal past actions, Jeremy must never let Lucy . . . or anyone else know . . . the truth of what happened when Papa died. And when Jeremy’s grandmother suddenly dies in an accident, they have no way of knowing that a malevolent predator lurks in the shadow, waiting.
Has the past caught up with Jeremy? What drives their unseen predator? Can they escape the horrors of the past or are they doomed to become the victims once again?

The story begun “Live to Tell” and continued in “Scared to Death,” the first two volumes in the trilogy, concludes here; readers who have not read the first two narratives will find sufficient explanation of previous events to follow this narrative without difficulty. The building suspense keeps the pages turning and the palpable tension keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the emotional roller coaster takes them for a breathtaking ride. As the plot twists and turns toward the final reveal, readers will discover a satisfying end to the tale as well as to the trilogy.

[Catherine]

Disappointing but after refraining myself from a few other of her titles I expected as such. As I read her once again attempting to promote Catholicism or perhaps to explain Catholicism, she sorely fails. How can a “Catholic” promote Catholicism at the same time one persistently dables in Spiritualist behavior without ever discussing a need for confessing repenting and conversion from entertaining the diabolical… especially in a world where too many Catholics are accepting of it?

The content depicts a sickness- why would one’s mind lead to sor entertain such trash unless they’re under influence? Sorry but I was disgusted… and feel the need for confession myself as I wish I had known the ending before getting to it- although then again I was only interested in enough to continue reading to see how the diabolical content was handled, (or the ramifications of) even though the influencer was the “good guy”, only to find out it didn’t happen. I can’t fail to mention either that abortion issue was touted as using a statistically low chance of occurrence and of course thus the decision would be left as “her choice”- end of story line!

Cute that you feel the need to mention hometown church a dozen of times though. I only wish you represented the teaching of it. #knowledge #understanding #wisdom #conversion #prayers.

[Kathleen Messmer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a new author for me and I was really disappointed. It's probably the worst book I've ever read...ok, maybe the second, but still bad. All the characters seemed like they were afraid of their own shadows and/or harboring some secret that no one else was privy too, nor would the author tell us -- or even hint at it. Really annoying. I gave it 100 pages and I couldn't take it anymore. Sorry, but don't waste your time.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was pretty entertaining with enough mystery to keep readers interested, however the end felt abrupt. It seemed like there was so much buildup to what was coming, and then the final climax was only like a chapter. Could have been more exciting if they had more detail or another twist towards the end.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a page turner at the end. I was out of books to read during the pandemic and this was laying around the house so I picked it up. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure I have not read the previous 2 books so I had no idea who these people were and felt out of it the whole time until the end

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[karen Huestis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling, hard to put down, surprise ending.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good mystery trilogy. Kept me interested, easy read.

[Joy Feazell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the other two. Too much back trapping to fill in details from the previous books in case you didn’t read the first two.

[Sandy Forman-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

started off slow but ended up being good

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books 1 and 3 in this series were solid, number 2 wasn’t.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad finish to pretty fair 3-part story.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it 3.5 stars.. it was kinda confusing in the 1st part. Lots of people.. think the author was setting up the story.. it got a little long.. but wasn’t the worst I’ve read

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Cavalon and Lucy Walsh Cavalon are happily married and expecting their first baby. This should be a happy time for the couple whose past has brought much happiness to both the Cavalon and the Walsh families. Someone from the couple’s past has plans for the new baby. Jeremy and Lucy would be horrified if they had any hint of what was in store in the weeks ahead.

Jeremy’s grandmother, Sylvie Durand, recently passed away. Sylvie’s body was discovered in the bathtub in her lavish apartment at The Ansonia in New York City. It appeared that Sylvie just passed away while bathing. There were no clues to lead anyone to believe that her death was actually a murder.

Jeremy and Lucy received an eviction notice and suddenly had to find a new place to live. The eviction notice was unexpected and Christmas was just around the corner. The couple decided to move into Sylvie’s vacant apartment. There was no way of the couple knowing that the eviction had been carefully planned by someone who needed the couple in Sylvie's apartment and cameras had been set up in Sylvie’s apartment so that every move the couple made could be documented.

The person from the couple’s past is believed to be dead but that is far from the truth. Not only is their stalker alive but also a mental case that feels God is giving directions and the stalker is merely doing God’s will.

This book is terrifying and the suspense builds to a dramatic climax. The Walsh and Cavalon families were first introduced in Live To Tell. Their story continued in Scared to Death. If you haven’t read the first two books, the author gives enough background that Hell To Pay is an enjoyable read. I’ve read all three books and can recommend the series as an exciting one with many surprises.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucy and Jeremy Cavalon are in love, married and expecting a baby. After two miscarriages, this time they are afraid to get their hopes up, but they are being extremely careful. Unfortunately, they don't have a lot of money and when their landlord evicts them for no reason, they don't have anywhere to go. It's sad, yet fortunate, that Jeremy's grandmother recently passed away. She slipped in the tub and drowned. Now, her apartment is vacant, and it will be somewhere Jeremy and Lucy can stay for awhile rent free until they get back on their feet.

Unknown to Jeremy and Lucy, someone is watching them. Jeremy's grandmother's death may have looked accidental, but it wasn't. Someone from their past, whom they believe to be dead, is set on members of the Walsh and Cavalon families to pay for their sins. Lucy Walsh was kidnapped when she was a child but eventually was freed. Jeremy was also kidnapped but was taken from his loving foster home and sent overseas. He spent his childhood years with a pedophile.

Both with a haunted and tragic past, their love for one another and the hope of their new baby gives them hope for the future. But someone is determined that Jeremy will perish and convinced that the child is the new messiah. Anyone that gets in the way will meet a tragic fate. Action-packed, emotional and suspenseful, HELL TO PAY is an adrenaline pumping read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate it when publishers don't clearly mark that a book is in a series. This was the third in a series, and I had no idea until I started reading and came across a reference to a huge backstory. Now that I know the backstory, I won't be buying the other two books, which is a loss for the publisher and the author, unfortunately. This had no influence on my rating, however.

Once I was up to speed with the backstory, the book really took off. It was a well paced thriller, and I found myself reluctant to put it down. However, the book was a gift and not quite what I'd pick out for myself. The story reminded me a bit of a Lifetime channel movie, which is not my thing. I also found myself rolling my eyes a bit at the religious nutcase antagonist. That's been done so many times. The detectives were also a bit stereotypical in the sense that they were alone at Christmas, with the job having eaten up all their time. However, I did enjoy the fact that the detectives were an African-American man and a woman. It was a different pairing, and their work relationship evolved over the course of the story, although not in a romantic sense, which was refreshing. The main characters were interesting and endearing and complex.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be an "Edge of your seat thriller"!! I actually felt myself wanting more, & I can not wait to find more of this author's books!!! Captivating & exciting!!

Lucy Walsh & her husband, Jeremy Cavalon know a thing or two about a serial killer. After all, they were childhood survivors of one. You see, Jeremy was put up for adoption when he was born, and when he was little, his biological father kidnapped him from his adopted parents. Then sold him to an evil man known as "PAPA". Then Jeremy's biological father kidnapped Lucy & her brother & sister.

After awhile, Jeremy found his way back to his adopted family, Lucy & her brother and sister were returned to their mother. Not before Jeremy's biological father killed Lucy's father. Jeremy's biological father was sent to prison where he later died, and Lucy and Jeremy fell in love.The rest was history, so they thought! But now the happy couple notices that people they know are suddenly dying, & it seems that their haunted past just will not stay dead!

Please read "HELL TO PAY" & find out who it is from Lucy & Jeremy's past that's haunting them!

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Corsi Staub did it again and she did it so good. Hell to Pay is the third book in this trilogy and it's even better than its predecessors which is saying a lot. I loved the first two in the series and couldn't wait to read the third. Then I couldn't bear to finish it. The characters are so well-developed and because the series spans a couple of decades, I really came to care about the families and didn't want to let them go. This book is filled with suspense and fast-paced action. Like in the second book, I got to about 80% of the book and then the twist came and I gasped. Great twist that I didn't see coming and I'm usually good at that. I wish that Ms. Staub would write more books in this series.so I can find out what happens to the rest of the characters. They are all so interesting. This is my 5th Wendy Corsi Staub book and I just get hooked more and more with each one.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the finale in a trilogy. If you haven't read the first two books I would advise it. Wendy is a great author and I have read everyone of her books and this book is also one of her many great books! If you like a book with more suspense then romance then I would recommend this series. This is the story of Lucy Cavalon who has unfortunate bad luck in life and is now married to Jeremy and pregnant. She is once again being stalked by her past. This book gives you the creeps knowing she is being watched and someone is waiting to take her baby from her. Creepy book, great suspense couldn't ask for a better page turner

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last in this trilogy - I read all three books within a two month period, so the characters were fresh in my memory. I enjoyed this one as much as the others - very fast-paced, and I finished it in 48 hours. I figured out pretty quickly who the mystery psychopath was; however, there was still a slight touch of doubt that was enough to keep me wondering! I thought it was neat how the author created a very minor character with her same first name and this character was married to a man with the same name as her real life husband - a touch of reality!

[Cindy Hartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unknown to me when I first started (little did I notice the #3 after the title!), this is part of a series. I obviously read this one before the others and it was pretty good as a stand alone. It referred to things and characters that must have been in the previous 2 books in this series, but it was fine to have missed that. The author described instances and characters so it didn't make it seem like you missed too much. This was a pretty interesting story but I won't go back and read the previous two. It was "just okay" and you could pretty much predict the ending.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just new this would happen! It's the third in the series and by the time I read this book I had already read maybe 100 other books and forgot all the main characters. I recommend anyone reading these books wait and collect all of them before starting them. There are so many characters and keeping them straight is mind boggling -- so is the previous stories which do play a big part in this book. The plot is outstanding and deserves more than 3 stars. Just had to subtract for my poor memory.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wendy Corsi Staub is one of my favorite writers for a series. She does a thorough job of reminding you of what happened in the previous books so that the series runs seamlessly and you are not grappling with your memory to fill in the blanks. With the others in this series, you were left guessing as to who and why until the last few pages. Well done! Quick read, too! I was able to read in one evening.

[Kate Juliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect third book to end a suspenseful and intriguing trilogy. I feel like I KNOW these people at this point in time, lol. I've read all three in the span of about two weeks: you NEED to read them in order or you will be INCREDIBLY lost. You also won't be able to fully appreciate Staub's twists and turns since there are several. Just when you think you know "whodunit" or who is speaking/thinking, she throws you a surprise clue. This was well-worth it and I can't wait to read her other books!