The Payback Assignment (A Stark and O'Brien Thriller) by Austin S. Camacho

Stark and O'Brien Adventures #2

by Austin S. Camacho

Morgan Stark, a black mercenary soldier, is stranded in the Central American nation of Belize after a raid goes wrong. Felicity O'Brian, an Irish jewel thief, is stranded in the jungle south of Mexico after doing a job for an American client. When these two meet, they learn they've been double-crossed by the same Adrian Seagrave, a ruthless businessman maintaining his respectability by having others do his dirty work.Morgan and Felicity become friends and partners while following their common enemy's trail. They become even closer when they find they share a peculiar psychic link, allowing them to sense danger approaching themselves, or each other.But their extrasensory abilities and fighting skills are tested to their limits against Seagrave's soldiers-for-hire and Monk, his giant simian bodyguard. After a series of battles from the California coast to the New York Public Library, they must face a final confrontation with Seagrave's army of hired killers in a skyscraper engulfed by flames.

Mass Market Paperback

First published August 26, 1999

About the author

Austin S. Camacho is the author of six novels about Washington Dc-based private eye Hannibal Jones, five in the Stark and O’Brien international adventure-thriller series, and the detective novel, Beyond Blue. His short stories have been featured in several anthologies including Dying in a Winter Wonderland – an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association Top Ten Bestseller for 2008 - and he is featured in the Edgar nominated African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey.

Camacho is deeply involved with the writing community. He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

Reviews

[Austin Camacho]

While fighting for their lives, mercenary soldier Morgan Stark and jewel thief Felicity O’Brien learn they share a psychic link that warns them of danger. They then combine their skills to get revenge on the man who double-crossed them both and left them to die in South America.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan Stark is a former Special Forces soldier recreated as a military contractor, just as many soldiers chose to do after the Bush/Clinton armed forces draw down from 1990-2000. Felicity O'Brien is an accomplished jewel thief. The double-cross is on for both Morgan and Felicity. What’s interesting is that they are betrayed by the same man. Once introduced, they form a partnership to repay the man for his deception. This is the first volume of the Stark and O’Brien Adventure Series. The two MC characters are wonderful and the story is an exciting, non-stop action chase. The only thing I found odd was that the villain Adrian Seagrave, who is in the same contracting business, would risk a double-cross of two well-known contractors without insuring their death to keep the matter concealed. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Walter Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin Camacho takes two intriguing characters from opposite ends of the world, and uniquely unites them in a thrilling encounter. This is the beginning of a fantastic duo. I look forward to the next adventures of Stark & O'Brien.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed reading this one. Might have to go check out the authors webpage and buy another one. Really enjoyed it.

[Dolores Ayotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Payback Assignment" is a fictional thriller with likeable main characters, Felicity O'Brian and Morgan Stark. Their paths cross in a very unpredictable and suspenseful way. Felicity, fondly called Red by Morgan immediately after their first encounter, is a beautiful, seasoned, jewel thief of Irish descent with a head of natural red hair to match her nickname. She hires herself out to steal the most precious gems for her many rich clients in pursuit of some desired/desirable item to add to their collection. Morgan, on the other hand, is a black mercenary soldier who hires himself out to do the most unthinkable escapades for a big price. He does not consider himself to be a hit man and only accepts capers that match his area of expertise.

Both Felicity and Morgan find themselves double-crossed by the same man. Adrian Seagrave, appears to be a legitimate, successful, import/export business man. His wife Marlene, ten years his junior, seems to be totally naive about his ruthlessness or has little information about the extent of his lack of scruples in his illegal business dealings. She has expressed a desire to own the gem that Felicity has been hired to steal while Morgan has been hired to create political unrest in Belize by the same man, her husband.

Felicity and Morgan manage to hook up to right the wrong that they feel has been committed against them by Adrian Seagrave. They soon discover that they each possess a "sixth sense" that creates an almost mystical connection between the two of them. They then decide to double their efforts and combine their rare skills in order to get back what they feel is rightfully theirs...the money for the capers and to retrieve the priceless, one-of-a kind gem, that was taken from Felicity after she expertly stole it. Yes indeed...this dynamic duo are on a mission. It's definitely payback time and Author Austin Camacho spins a graphic and suspenseful yarn to go with their persistent efforts to pursue their idea of justice. There's a neat twist at the end of the novel to add to the pleasure of the reading audience. What's up next for this unlikely pair as they continue to do what they do best? Only time will tell but...it's definitely something to look forward to!

[Erin O'Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the action/adventure type of thriller novel, you really can't go wrong with this one. It's as fast-paced and absorbing as a Dan Brown novel, but with more sensory details and less awkward phrasing. Hero Morgan Stark and heroine Felicity O'Brian are multi-dimension characters, and well-matched ones at that. True, they would make a good couple, but their bond is even more profound than that of lovers. They have an almost paranormal sense of when the other is in danger. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the other two books in the series.

Full disclosure: Although I do not know the author personally, he and I were social media friends for a few years on Gather.com. He did not ask me to review this book. I purchased it with my own funds at a discount bookstore and was not obligated in any way to review it. This review represents my own honest opinion.

[Vanda Bromwich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not read any of these books before but this is obviously the first in a series. MorganStark is a mercenary and Felicity (Red) O'Brien is a high class theif. They both have a special power and can sense when danger is near for either of them. An enjoyable adventure story.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book that is fast-paced, action-packed, and about a couple of strangers who have the unusual ability to know when danger is imminent, both to themselves and to each other. Their interaction makes for the beginning of an interesting partnership. I rate it 4.7 stars.

[B Swanginwebster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, again...I didn't think I was a thriller reader....but boy am I glad that Austin Camacho proved me wrong. I can't wait to read what Morgan and Felicity get into next.

FYI-Morgan is a hottie!