Payback at Morning Peak

by Gene Hackman, Sebastian Barry

As Jubal Young rides west into New Mexico, he remembers his family's laughter and love, his pa's wisdom. his ma's thick books, his beautiful, bright sister, and everything that was defiled by a band of drunken renegades towed along by one man's murderous grudge. Nothing can stop Jubal from climbing a peak of blood and for justice, or payback, or something he can live for -- or die for -- redeeming.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Novels

487 pages, Hardcover

First published May 23, 2011

About the author

Eugene Allen Hackman was an American actor and novelist. In a career that spanned six decades, he received two Academy Awards, two British Academy Films Awards and four Golden Globes.

Hackman's two Academy Award wins were for Best Actor for his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's action thriller The French Connection (1971) and for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a villainous Sheriff in Clint Eastwood's Western film Unforgiven(1992).

He was Oscar-nominated for his roles as Buck Barrow in the crime drama Bonnie and Clyde (1967), a college professor in the drama I Never Sang for My Father(1970), and an FBI agent in the historical drama Mississippi Burning (1988).

Hackman gained further fame for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II (1980). He also acted in: The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Scarecrow (1973), The Conversation (1974), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Under Fire (1983), Power (1986), Loose Cannons (1990), The Firm (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Behind Enemy Lines (2001) and Runaway Jury (2003). He retired from acting after starring in Welcome to Mooseport (2004).

Together with undersea archaeologist Daniel Lenihan, Hackman wrote three historical fiction novels: Wake of the Perdido Star (1999), a sea adventure of the 19th century; Justice for None (2004),a Depression-era tale of murder based on a real-life crime in his boyhood town of Danville; and Escape from Andersonville (2008), about a prison escape during the American Civil War.

His first solo effort, a story of love and revenge set in the Old West titled Payback at Morning Peak
His final novel Pursuit, a police thriller, followed in 2013

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems this year that I keep going back to Westerns for good entertaining light reading. This one is by one of my favorite actors, Gene Hackman (anyone remember "Popeye" Doyle?), and published in 2011. Somewhat formulaic and much like a Louis Lamour Western, it did keep me turning pages to see what would happen next to our young hero Jubal. Although I thought the book was a little too long, it made for a fast read. I particularly like it that Hackman certainly has a feel for the rugged New Mexico landscape and conveys it so well in his story that it almost made me feel like I was right there riding along with Jubal through the mountains. The author and actor (who is now- in 2021- 91 years old) lives in Santa Fe, N.M.
I give it 3 stars and I do think it's a worthwhile book to read if you're looking for a Western. I have to admit that I much prefer his earlier book, "Wake of the Perdido Star," a thrilling sea adventure c0-written by Daniel Lenihan, published in 1999.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The begining of the book had me a bit thrown other story as I feel very uncomfortable and devastated when I read a bout rape. After that I had some difficulty getting into the book. I liked the writing and the story beyond the beginning was a good one and quite interesting to read for someone who doesn't usually read western.

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this one star but for the fact that Gene Hackman wrote it, and I feel like at least part of the blame is mine for thinking that there was any way this could have been anything but crap. But you know how it is ... he plays smart on the screen, he has been in plenty of movies I like, and I was curious about the quirkiness of Hackman trying out his hand on a novel.

I should have known better. Actors turned authors are often shiite, and it is rare for an actor to be as strong as Ethan Hawke. Hackman no Ethan Hawke. I can tell you that. (Actually, now that I say that, I would love to see Ethan take a crack at a western. I bet his western would kick ass.)

Now this isn't to say that Payback at Morning Peak was terrible. It was actually not too difficult to get through, and more than once I thought it would make a totally serviceable film western. But it was ridden with cliche, had a ridiculously evil villain, an even more ridiculously competent teen hero, and a lovely, intelligent young lady who, through the awesomeness of her beau, avoided getting raped and realized that he place was with him rather than following her dream of becoming a doctor.

Still, there were some good shootouts. And even if the sexism was just about era correct, Hackman did manage to keep the racism to a minimum. Ugh!

I made the mistake of buying Payback at Morning Peak in a bundle pack with some ocean tale of Hackman's. It may take me a while to get there, however, because once I put down Payback at Morning Peak I stopped reading everything but the newspaper for two weeks. That kind of break is a break too long for me.

[Sandy Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even without the sage advice in this book, it's a good story! A young man witnesses the raping and killing of his family and fights back. Then, as he remembers the advice his father has given throughout his young life, he decides to pursue justice. The choices he makes show the metal of the man he is becoming.

The back of the book likens Mr. Hackman's writing to Louis L'Mour but I think he writes more like Elmer Kelton! I hope there is another western to come from this author!

This book was received 8/2/11 as part of goodreads.com giveaway program.

[Celtria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book out of curiosity because I like Gene Hackman as an actor. This is the first novel he's written on his own (previous books have been co-written with Daniel Lenihan).

It's a good Western story, with all of the characters, language, scenery and props required of the genre. A vile villain, a young protagonist, some shocks (nicely peppered through), an independent 'love-interest' and (thankfully) no soppiness.

It trots along steadily through the plot without getting bogged down and arrives at its destination - a satisfactory (if predictable) ending.

Good book for a rainy, lazy afternoon on the sofa.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit that I thought the writing was excellent and the characters were recognizable, but I didn't finish the book. I found no one to connect with and just reading about bad people harming good people isn't my type of book, but then I'm female. I did enjoy the first 4 chapters but found that it was also a good place to end...so I did.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give this a five, but it's definitely even better than True Grit (which I also rated a 4). I was attracted to it because I always liked Gene Hackman in the movies and wanted to see what his writing was like. Well, needless to say, I hope he writes another one. It was good. If you like westerns, you'll love this book.

[Vincent Darlage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. It was a strong revenge story (which I like), with literary references to novels I love (such as The Count of Monte Cristo), and characters I liked. The bad man was truly a horror on this Earth. I liked that the main character was at least attempting to capture the bad guys when possible. The love story was a bit added on, but it was forgivable as most Westerns seem to have the quick romance element, especially those that seem somewhat inspired by Louis L'amour-style Westerns. It was a fun novel to read.

[Darlene]

Yay! I won this book from GoodReads First-Reads. It came with very good review so I look forward to diving in.

* * *

Since this isn't my kind of book I have forwarded it to those that might like it. Thanks!

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the late author Bill Crider, with his 'Outrage at Blanco' novel that made me love revenge stories so much and in away revenge stories for me will always be a tribute to him.

Not a bad read, although at times, just doesn't seem plausible what's happening, almost stopped when Jubal and Frisky get bitten by the Rattlesnake, but the author actor Gene Hackman keeps you turning pages, it's a revenge story and good conquers evil.

[Charles Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: PAYBACK AT MORNING PEAK by Gene Hackman
Reviewed by Charles Johnson

PAYBACK AT MORNING PEAK
By Gene Hackman
484 pages (Large Print Version)
Published by Gale/Cengage Learning
Copyright 2011
ISBN 978-1-4104-4327-4

Yes, it is THAT Gene Hackman. With this novel in the western genre, it is clear that Mr. Hackman is no one-trick pony. Unquestionably, he can act – and as far as I’m concerned, he can also write as well as he acts. I’ve read some westerns published by the same company – I sure hope Cengage encourages Mr. Hackman to boil up some more stories in the vein of PAYBACK AT MORNING PEAK.

The story; a family is ransacked by a gang of thug cowboys who have nothing better to do – or so it seems. The family suffers major losses; it falls upon the son (Jubal) to right those wrongs that had been perpetrated by the thugs. The setting: northeastern New Mexico – by horse, by foot, across the plains, and up and down the mountains – very aptly described by the author

In the previous westerns I’ve read, they are steeped with stereotypical heroes and villains, and if we’re lucky, more than one dimension deep. In his largest strength as a writer of this book, Mr. Hackman, however, gives us true, deep characters – there’s the family we meet in the first pages of the story – by the time the reader finishes the book, we know the father to be a strong, disciplined man, the mother to be a loyal, educated woman, the sister to be a pursuer of her dreams, and the son (the protagonist of the book, Jubal) to be so committed to his family that he will do what he can to be true to his family – a wisdom he gained from his parents.

And there are the villains – no cartoon characters here. These guys are truly immoral, driven by greed and arrogance. They are selfishly loyal – there is no hesitation to taking out a member of the gang if it serves the right purpose of “me above all others”. Their behavior comes out towards any member of the community, whether it’s the family in the beginning of the book or a bartender, a law enforcement official, or merely riding through town to whup up some excitement as they bring turmoil to wherever they are.

Other characters range from the honorable deputy, the judge, the love interest of Jubal, store owners, and others that we know from westerns as being “colorful”.

With a good pace of excitement, a touch of romance, and a few moments of comic relief, Mr. Hackman has spun as good a tale as I’ve read in a western. Mr. Hackman deserves equal awards for PAYBACK AT MORNING PEAK as he received for his years of movies.

[Erich Eipert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit that I picked up this book out of curiosity to see if the former actor can write. Jubal, a 17 year old boy, is out hunting when he hears shots and notices smoke at his family’s farmstead northern New Mexico. On his return he finds his family under attack by a gang of vicious outlaws. To his horror, he must first deal with the spectacle of his father gagged, trussed up, and suspended over a roaring bonfire. Jubal’s mother is already dead and his sister is dying. Both have been brutally raped. The boy manages to wound and injure several of the attackers before escaping.

Jubal knows he cannot let these killers get away with their crime. But in the course of his pursuit he needs to decide who he is—a young man bent on revenge or a boy whose upbringing would settle for seeing justice done.

The dilemma haunts Jubal through the rest of the book as he encounters unsympathetic and incompetent lawmen who would rather treat him as the criminal than go after the attackers. Jubal doesn’t completely give up on the legal system but knows it is up to him to hunt these men down. In time he becomes frightened by how readily he has come to rely on a gun, but regains his balance when a judge and spirited girl sees the good in him.

It is in the Cripple Creek goldfield of central Colorado that Jubal becomes a man when he confronts one of the killers. During the encounter Jubal learns that guns sometimes produce unintended consequences that can’t ever be put right again. And he learns heroic acts are not always neat, clean, or appreciated when operating in the adult world with adult rules. And oh yes, Hackman did a credible job in telling the story.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book! I nabbed it after hearing an interview with Mr. Hackman on the Dennis Miller radio program. He sounded so coy about having written his first book on his own, yet there was a certain treble of enthusiasm of the accomplishment that made me want to purchase the book just out of support. I also figured anyone who can pick as many good films rolls as Hackman has, must know a bit of how to assemble a good novel. I say he has.

I started the book only thinking of how I was reading a Gene Hackman book. Along the way, I forgot all about that and found myself wrapped up in the adventure of Jubal Young and other characters in the west in the late 1800s. Hackman does an excellent job of delivering the literary image of both main and secondary characters and their emotional depths. The sense of place is also very well laid out, something I feel is severely missing in many books written today.

Drawbacks I had was a question if a bit of the dialogue really fit the era. From what I've learned, it really doesn't, which tripped me up and had me realizing it is 2011. Otherwise, I felt like I was in the era of the novel.

A great first book entirely written by Mr. Hackman and I hope to see more in the future!

[S.E. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Mr. Gene Hackman for this wonderful western story. Mr. Hackman brought to life the tragedy that we all go through, which leads to redemption and justice. That’s what this story is for me; that you can get justice for those you care about, when their murdered. You may have to work at it, if that is what you’re after, but it will come due. The bill comes due for everyone. Trying to find a character to relate to with this story was a bit difficult. At one time, I felt a connection with Sheriff Cox and hoped that I would act as he did, if ever someone came down my trail needing a friend. Yes, Jubal’s story is like our story in so many ways, maybe without the gun play. We meet people we never forget, those we wish we could forget, and then there’s those we don’t give a second thought. Thank you for sharing Mr. Hackman.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The following is a First Reads giveaway winner review:

While a bit of a formulaic western, a young mans family is murdered and bent on revenge he hunts the men responsible, this is actually pretty good. The three stars shown translate out to three and a half stars. There are some rough patches here and there that I felt could use some polishing however I liked the fact that Hackman did not over embellish this story. I have read some westerns where the writers have taken liberty with the hope that their readers know absolutely nothing of western history. These writers will throw stuff into their stories that have no standing at all in the story. Hackman does not do that with this book. I found this book to be an enjoyable way to while away a few afternoons.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

As always, a longer version of this review is up at www.cloquetriverpress.com.

Why only 2 stars? Well, as great a character actor as Gene Hackman may be, if this tale is any indication of Hackman's skills as an author, he needs to spend more time learning the basics of good fiction. This Western features an implausible plot; clunky dialogue; and cartoon characters. There is no suspension of disbelief to this tale, one that is largely a rip-off of Steve McQueen's classic 1966 Western, "Nevada Smith". My suggestion is to rent the movie rather than read this book.

[Jeremy Belanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traditional western told in an extraordinary way

This is a western story with a traditional outline, violence, death, revenge. Given his years, I expect the author knows what makes a good story and this was extremely well done. This line near the end stays with me "He had to admit to himself that the revenge he’d promised was unfulfilling. He was afraid a hollowness about it all would haunt him."

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad western by Gene Hackman but it still needs work. The dialogue (surprising for an old actor perhaps) is a bit stilted. While I love westerns this felt like a stock one without a twist that could have made it fun. Still a solid read and maybe gives hope that Hackman has more westerns in him and they will be better.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read very few Westerns. I am glad I read this one.

This is a well crafted story and you care about the characters deeply. They come to life and are well developed.

Complete with literary allusions, a taut spell binding story with three dimensional characters and you have a FIVE STAR read.

[Dan Panke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect much from an actor turned writer but I did enjoy this novel. I'll have to give a few more of Gene's other novels a read.

[Michael Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ronald Reagan at least once wrote how actors were also usually writers, and Gene Hackman gave evidence to that effect.
"Payback" has a pretty good story, but author Hackman needed a better copy editor -- which, sad to say, is a complaint I have to make about increasing numbers of writers today.
Copy editors apparently no longer exist in the "news" paper industry, nor in broadcast "news" -- even beyond the partisanship, the grammar used by "news" personnel is driving more and more potential consumers away.
Well, if "news" isn't using copy editors, then why don't book publishers? With all the copy editors not employed in "news," surely the salaries and wages should be low enough -- you know: supply and demand -- that everybody could hire one. I know that I am available.
Anyway, Mr. Hackman or at least his publishers could have hired a better one and his book would have been better. As it is, "Payback" shows Mr. Hackman is a writer most readers would enjoy. As long as they are not too demanding.

[David Lowther · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last western I read was First Blood by Jack Shaeffer (author of Shane) fifty years ago! Reading Payback at Morning Creek reminded me of what I've been missing.
The great actor Gene Hackman has fashioned a thrilling tale of the American West in which a 17 year old boy sets off to take vengeance on those who murdered his parents. Along the way, he meets all sorts of fascinating characters, both good and bad. The pursuit is gripping and the climax thrilling.
Landscape descriptions are superb and the backdrop created matches the breadth of the tale. It won't be another fifty years before I read another western!

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.

[Todd Charlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene Hackman has crafted a terrific, eminently readable, throughly enjoyable American Western. This is so close to a masterpiece I am saying it is! Payback at Morning Peak is enthralling from start to finish with richly drawn characters and tense situations and it has things to say about truth and love, hate and the meaning of revenge.
Gene honed his literary skills with three co-written books then went solo with this one. It is very very good, the complexity of the happenings is evident yet the writing reminds simple and it drives headlong to an edge of your seat satisfying conclusion.
Well done sir!!

[Alfrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes it is that Gene Hackman and he has done a great job of writing a western.
The western is one of my favorite genres. I was surprised to see the movie star, Gene Hackman, had penned one. I was more surprised to find I was enjoying the yarn he brought to paper.
Yes, I highly recommend this novel to all those who enjoy stories of the old west. His prose sweeps you along with Jubal Young in his trek to find those who killed his family.
It is reminiscent of the western movies of the 50's, pretty much good against evil.
It's a simple story told well.'
Yes, buy a copy. Help out an old retired actor who has begun a new career and begun it well.

[Joe Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter is extremely violent setting up the motivation of the main character. Revenge is at the core of this story, but there is also an underlying theme about the subtle affect of having, of using, a firearm. As the story progresses, violence recedes a bit and the relationships between the characters comes to the forefront.

This story is entertaining and could easily belong in the pantheon of the best westerns written by the likes of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour. There is a subtle exuberance to Hackman’s writing. Hackman succeeds in transferring the feelings of Jubal Young, the main character, to the reader.

[kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over the top bad guys pursued by a weak hero. Wishy washy Hollywood liberal ending where the hero feels guilty about killing. Why? They were vicious animals who were never going to stop raping and killing and torturing people. Man up Jubal and be glad you stopped them. Who knows how may victims you spared. Don't think I'd read anything else by this author.

[Mary Ellen Anglin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not Wortwhile

This was such a boring book. At halfway point I thought about giving it up but I persevered until the end. This book was a "same old, same old" western. Nothing here to read. No recommendation on this dull book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good ole-fashioned Western. Entertaining story and who knew Gene Hackman, the actor and Academy Award winner ,could write books? This would have been a great movie.

[Dennis P Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

5.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

While teen Jubal was away from homestead, drunken vandals shot and killed his family. That gave him a purpose. Thrills. Jubal meets new and old, good and bad.