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Payback
368 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Payback by Lawrence Light.
This was a strong start to a new thriller series and I really enjoyed being introduced to Frank Verity as a main character. The story had a good pace throughout and definitely kept me on my toes, with enough twists and tension to keep me engaged from beginning to end.
While I did start piecing certain things together before the official reveal, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book. The plot was well constructed, and I still wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold.
One of the highlights for me was the cast of characters. Frank Verity is an interesting lead and the dynamics between the characters made me curious to see where the series will go next. There’s a solid foundation here for future books and I would continue reading the series.
Overall, an engaging and promising thriller with a compelling lead character and a plot that keeps the pages turning.
This was a strong start to a new thriller series and I really enjoyed being introduced to Frank Verity as a main character. The story had a good pace throughout and definitely kept me on my toes, with enough twists and tension to keep me engaged from beginning to end.
While I did start piecing certain things together before the official reveal, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book. The plot was well constructed, and I still wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold.
One of the highlights for me was the cast of characters. Frank Verity is an interesting lead and the dynamics between the characters made me curious to see where the series will go next. There’s a solid foundation here for future books and I would continue reading the series.
Overall, an engaging and promising thriller with a compelling lead character and a plot that keeps the pages turning.
July 7, 2026
Journalist Frank Verity loses a libel lawsuit filed by a crooked New York real estate developer costing Frank his job. Frank is quickly scooped up and offered a job as a civilian consultant to the NYPD’s Prime Cases Squad headed by friend and recently promoted Detective Bridget Washington. Their first case is the death of the partner of a well known successful NYC hedge fund. It’s a no-brainer homicide as the killer and his assassin partner left a note on the balcony window, “DDD&R, I AM COMING FOR YOU.” Meaning the remaining three partners of the hedge fund who the killer feels were the reason he was convicted for insider trading and spent years in prison. He maintains he was framed by the partners and it is now payback time.
Frank is no stranger to violence and protecting himself and others with his military and CIA background. Both, along with his observational and investigative skills, are needed during the investigation as multiple attempts are made on his life surviving each time by the skin of his teeth but visits to the ER are necessary. The same can’t be said of the hedge fund partners as their numbers are reduced one by one as the avenger uses unique entry methods time and again to avoid capture and reduce those that “wronged” him.
The high octane action is continuous with Frank usually the target, the killers are identified early on but knowing who they are, who is paying them, and catching them becomes a major challenge. Mayhem continues with both the police after the killers and the real estate mogul sending thugs after Frank. There are hints of sexual attraction between Frank and a close journalist friend with both hesitant to move forward. Payback ends setting up a sequel as the assassin and her boss, Frank’s sworn enemy from his years growing up in Texas, are still on the loose, admit to killing Frank’s true love, and plan to add Frank to their death toll. We have a lot to look forward to in the next Frank Verity adventure. I highly recommend this well written and cleverly plotted thriller.
My thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this highly entertaining book.
Frank is no stranger to violence and protecting himself and others with his military and CIA background. Both, along with his observational and investigative skills, are needed during the investigation as multiple attempts are made on his life surviving each time by the skin of his teeth but visits to the ER are necessary. The same can’t be said of the hedge fund partners as their numbers are reduced one by one as the avenger uses unique entry methods time and again to avoid capture and reduce those that “wronged” him.
The high octane action is continuous with Frank usually the target, the killers are identified early on but knowing who they are, who is paying them, and catching them becomes a major challenge. Mayhem continues with both the police after the killers and the real estate mogul sending thugs after Frank. There are hints of sexual attraction between Frank and a close journalist friend with both hesitant to move forward. Payback ends setting up a sequel as the assassin and her boss, Frank’s sworn enemy from his years growing up in Texas, are still on the loose, admit to killing Frank’s true love, and plan to add Frank to their death toll. We have a lot to look forward to in the next Frank Verity adventure. I highly recommend this well written and cleverly plotted thriller.
My thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this highly entertaining book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had the oddest sensation while reading this book. I felt like I had previously read something that featured the character Frank Verity, and so while this seemed like a long book, I was going to be ok because these books usually end up being quite good. But now that I've finished it, and done some googling, it doesn't look like I have read anything else by Lawrence Light, which is strange.
Anyway, Frank Verity is a reporter, turned consultant for the NYPD because of a little-known past in the CIA. Frank is a good guy, respects women, is a keen observer, a good fighter, and good soft ball player. He's welcome at the local cop bar, even finding favor with the feisty bar cat Moxie. He doesn't date or sleep around, still grieving the loss of partner and lover Loretta who was murdered on an OP overseas. Even his name basically means 'Plain Truth'.
The book opens with Frank losing his job at the Examiner because a juror found him guilty of libel - claiming he manufactured evidence in an investigative article he wrote for the paper. The subject of the article sued and won, though he did bribe a couple jurors to obtain that win.
Meanwhile on 5th Avenue, a wealthy businessman falls from his high-rise apartment to his death. On duty doorman (and former member of the NYPD) Finn, spots two darkly dressed people in the window of the deceased's apartment. When he goes to investigate, he spots a note indicating that there will be more such deaths to come.
Now the race is on, will the pair finish killing everyone on their list before they are caught? Will Frank and the women of the NYPD's PCS catch them first.
EDIT: More of a 3.5 stars read
Anyway, Frank Verity is a reporter, turned consultant for the NYPD because of a little-known past in the CIA. Frank is a good guy, respects women, is a keen observer, a good fighter, and good soft ball player. He's welcome at the local cop bar, even finding favor with the feisty bar cat Moxie. He doesn't date or sleep around, still grieving the loss of partner and lover Loretta who was murdered on an OP overseas. Even his name basically means 'Plain Truth'.
The book opens with Frank losing his job at the Examiner because a juror found him guilty of libel - claiming he manufactured evidence in an investigative article he wrote for the paper. The subject of the article sued and won, though he did bribe a couple jurors to obtain that win.
Meanwhile on 5th Avenue, a wealthy businessman falls from his high-rise apartment to his death. On duty doorman (and former member of the NYPD) Finn, spots two darkly dressed people in the window of the deceased's apartment. When he goes to investigate, he spots a note indicating that there will be more such deaths to come.
Now the race is on, will the pair finish killing everyone on their list before they are caught? Will Frank and the women of the NYPD's PCS catch them first.
EDIT: More of a 3.5 stars read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of Payback, by Lawrence Light.
Five stars.
This is an excellent first class thriller of dodgy dealings and murderous intent set in New York.
Journalist Frank Verity has just lost a libel trial against a billionaire, and lost his job as a result. His friend Sonny believes the trial was crooked, and begins to investigate. Meanwhile, another billionaire has been murdered and Frank agrees to help the police as a temporary consultant on the case. As the stakes rise, connections are made between the cases, putting Frank in mortal danger.
I really enjoyed this book. It moves at a fast pace throughout, always moving the story forward. There is no shortage of action. The plot is very much a thriller, with a good mystery to solve at the heart of this - who is behind it all? The characters are well drawn out. There is a proper range of good people and bad people, and some more complex characters as well. New York as the location is the best city for a story like this... you could really imagine at least some of this happening there. Some of the themes about billionaires seem very current.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, and the next book will definitely be on my reading list. It would be great to find out a bit more about Frank's earlier CIA career.
Recommended if you want a classic thriller. You might like this if you like Lee Child, Benjamin Stevenson or Robert Brynzda.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Five stars.
This is an excellent first class thriller of dodgy dealings and murderous intent set in New York.
Journalist Frank Verity has just lost a libel trial against a billionaire, and lost his job as a result. His friend Sonny believes the trial was crooked, and begins to investigate. Meanwhile, another billionaire has been murdered and Frank agrees to help the police as a temporary consultant on the case. As the stakes rise, connections are made between the cases, putting Frank in mortal danger.
I really enjoyed this book. It moves at a fast pace throughout, always moving the story forward. There is no shortage of action. The plot is very much a thriller, with a good mystery to solve at the heart of this - who is behind it all? The characters are well drawn out. There is a proper range of good people and bad people, and some more complex characters as well. New York as the location is the best city for a story like this... you could really imagine at least some of this happening there. Some of the themes about billionaires seem very current.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, and the next book will definitely be on my reading list. It would be great to find out a bit more about Frank's earlier CIA career.
Recommended if you want a classic thriller. You might like this if you like Lee Child, Benjamin Stevenson or Robert Brynzda.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2026
A tense murder thriller with a clever plot
Frank Verity is an ex marine, ex CIA and a crime reporter. An all round action and a great
character for this series.
When Frank is stitched up and found guilty of misreporting an exposé he’s sacked from
his job at the New York Herald. He is quickly recruited by Bridget, a young New York cop.
She wants his expertise to help solve a brutal murder. A multibillionaire has been
thrown from his eighth floor exclusive appartment. A note attached to the sill of the
open window suggests that the killer is after revenge for some unknown wrong and the
other three owners of the victims investment company are also threatened.
The company, DDD&R named from the initials of its founders who are also known by
reputation as the Medici Boys. Their ruthless money making methods have been the
downfall of many and they have lots of enemies. Who hates them enough to kill and can
Bridget and Frank stop the slaying.
To make things worse and even more difficult the star players are despised by the Police
Chief and some of the team. Bridget’s boss us a racist, misogynist,old school copper
and Bridget is a young black female. Frank is despised and mistrust because he’s a
newspaper hack!
A clever plot with plenty of action and some unexpected turns
Frank Verity is an ex marine, ex CIA and a crime reporter. An all round action and a great
character for this series.
When Frank is stitched up and found guilty of misreporting an exposé he’s sacked from
his job at the New York Herald. He is quickly recruited by Bridget, a young New York cop.
She wants his expertise to help solve a brutal murder. A multibillionaire has been
thrown from his eighth floor exclusive appartment. A note attached to the sill of the
open window suggests that the killer is after revenge for some unknown wrong and the
other three owners of the victims investment company are also threatened.
The company, DDD&R named from the initials of its founders who are also known by
reputation as the Medici Boys. Their ruthless money making methods have been the
downfall of many and they have lots of enemies. Who hates them enough to kill and can
Bridget and Frank stop the slaying.
To make things worse and even more difficult the star players are despised by the Police
Chief and some of the team. Bridget’s boss us a racist, misogynist,old school copper
and Bridget is a young black female. Frank is despised and mistrust because he’s a
newspaper hack!
A clever plot with plenty of action and some unexpected turns
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one hooked me right from the start—I ended up reading it way faster than I expected.
The premise pulled me in immediately: wealthy, powerful men being targeted and someone clearly out for revenge. That alone had me interested, and it definitely delivered on the tension. I love a thriller that deals with money, power, and the people behind it, and this had all of that.
Frank Verity was an interesting main character. He’s not your typical detective—more of a journalist pulled into the middle of everything—and I actually liked that different angle. He’s observant, smart, and you can tell he’s always thinking a few steps ahead, even when things start to spiral.
I will say, this isn’t a nonstop fast-paced thriller the whole way through. It takes its time in parts, especially with the investigative side and the financial details. But for me, it still kept my attention the entire time—I was invested and wanted to see how it all played out.
The twists were good. Not completely shocking, but they made sense and were well done. The ending didn’t blow me away, but it felt solid and fit the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It’s one of those books that just keeps you reading without feeling overly complicated or hard to follow.
The premise pulled me in immediately: wealthy, powerful men being targeted and someone clearly out for revenge. That alone had me interested, and it definitely delivered on the tension. I love a thriller that deals with money, power, and the people behind it, and this had all of that.
Frank Verity was an interesting main character. He’s not your typical detective—more of a journalist pulled into the middle of everything—and I actually liked that different angle. He’s observant, smart, and you can tell he’s always thinking a few steps ahead, even when things start to spiral.
I will say, this isn’t a nonstop fast-paced thriller the whole way through. It takes its time in parts, especially with the investigative side and the financial details. But for me, it still kept my attention the entire time—I was invested and wanted to see how it all played out.
The twists were good. Not completely shocking, but they made sense and were well done. The ending didn’t blow me away, but it felt solid and fit the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It’s one of those books that just keeps you reading without feeling overly complicated or hard to follow.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A fast moving thriller that hardly stops for breath.
The hero of this story is Frank Verity, and hard bitten disgraced investigative journalist and CIA operative who is co-opted to work with a police teaminvestigating the murder of a billionaire. They are trying to capture the killer before he carries out his threat to murder the three colleagues of the victim. The police team encounters misogyny from senior male officers who are downright disruptive.
The story covers a short time period at such a relentless pace that I didn't notice that there was a higher page count that most police porcedurals, for this is far more than just that. The author clearly has a good knowledge of financial markets and the way that Hedge Funds sometimestry to manipulate them and sometimes succeed. A couple of the scenes stretched my belief a bit, but were actually feasible.
If you like high tension thrillers then this is a book for you.
The hero of this story is Frank Verity, and hard bitten disgraced investigative journalist and CIA operative who is co-opted to work with a police teaminvestigating the murder of a billionaire. They are trying to capture the killer before he carries out his threat to murder the three colleagues of the victim. The police team encounters misogyny from senior male officers who are downright disruptive.
The story covers a short time period at such a relentless pace that I didn't notice that there was a higher page count that most police porcedurals, for this is far more than just that. The author clearly has a good knowledge of financial markets and the way that Hedge Funds sometimestry to manipulate them and sometimes succeed. A couple of the scenes stretched my belief a bit, but were actually feasible.
If you like high tension thrillers then this is a book for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Payback is a sleek, fast-paced thriller set in the high-stakes world of New York’s ultra-wealthy. When a billionaire’s death reveals a chilling message—“I am coming for all of you”—the hunt begins for whoever is targeting the city’s financial elite.
Frank Verity makes for a compelling lead: sharp, perceptive, and grounded by his past as both a CIA operative and a journalist. His ability to see what others miss drives the story forward and keeps the tension high.
What stood out for me was the atmosphere—the contrast between the glittering wealth of Manhattan and the growing sense that even limitless money and security aren’t enough. The plot moves quickly, with just enough twists to stay engaging without becoming overly complex.
Overall, Payback is a polished, entertaining thriller with a smart edge. A stylish, suspenseful read that keeps you hooked.
With thanks to Lawrence Light, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Frank Verity makes for a compelling lead: sharp, perceptive, and grounded by his past as both a CIA operative and a journalist. His ability to see what others miss drives the story forward and keeps the tension high.
What stood out for me was the atmosphere—the contrast between the glittering wealth of Manhattan and the growing sense that even limitless money and security aren’t enough. The plot moves quickly, with just enough twists to stay engaging without becoming overly complex.
Overall, Payback is a polished, entertaining thriller with a smart edge. A stylish, suspenseful read that keeps you hooked.
With thanks to Lawrence Light, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With “Payback”, Lawrence Light starts a new series focusing on journalist Frank Verity. I’m not sure if it is because this is the first book in the series or if it is the author’s style, but there is a lot of feeling of “down time” in novel. It isn’t the non-stop pace that I thought would be in this book. It felt like there was an identity crisis between Thiller and Procedural style mystery.
The premise is fantastic. The follow-through is good, as long as you are able to suspend disbelief. Otherwise, Verity is definitely Super Man. Sorry, Clark Kent, but everything seems to fall (bad choice of words there) into place for our hero.
Good start and I am definitely interested in book two.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
The premise is fantastic. The follow-through is good, as long as you are able to suspend disbelief. Otherwise, Verity is definitely Super Man. Sorry, Clark Kent, but everything seems to fall (bad choice of words there) into place for our hero.
Good start and I am definitely interested in book two.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a riveting read that kept me hooked from start to finish. Frank Verity loses his journalist job when he is found guilty of faking reports leading to a lawsuit against his newspaper. He is asked to join a police team investigating the murder of a prominent businessman, one of the Medici Boys, where it seems the rest of the business group are also being targeted.
I really liked Frank. He has a past that he is trying to forget and it seems he is also in the killers sights. The rest of the characters are mainly more background characters other than Sunny, his friend and also a reporter who has great sources and instincts. There's a few twists along the way, some of which I definitely did not foresee, and a really shocking end. I loved it and can't wait to read the next one.
I really liked Frank. He has a past that he is trying to forget and it seems he is also in the killers sights. The rest of the characters are mainly more background characters other than Sunny, his friend and also a reporter who has great sources and instincts. There's a few twists along the way, some of which I definitely did not foresee, and a really shocking end. I loved it and can't wait to read the next one.
July 12, 2026
Former CIA operative turned reporter Frank Verity is pulled into a deadly revenge hunt after a billionaire is murdered and a chilling warning is left behind: I AM COMING FOR ALL OF YOU!
This thriller hooked me right away. The setup is sharp—powerful men being hunted, secrets surfacing, and a killer who clearly isn’t finished. However, the pacing is uneven and sometimes the slower financial and investigative moments feels over complicated.
Frank Verity is the greatest element of this book. He’s got that Michael Connelly‑style characters investigative sharpness, quirkiness and grey areas backgrounds.
Overall, it’s a tight, engaging thriller that keeps you turning pages—perfect if you like suspense rooted in power, money, and the people who know how to navigate both.
This thriller hooked me right away. The setup is sharp—powerful men being hunted, secrets surfacing, and a killer who clearly isn’t finished. However, the pacing is uneven and sometimes the slower financial and investigative moments feels over complicated.
Frank Verity is the greatest element of this book. He’s got that Michael Connelly‑style characters investigative sharpness, quirkiness and grey areas backgrounds.
Overall, it’s a tight, engaging thriller that keeps you turning pages—perfect if you like suspense rooted in power, money, and the people who know how to navigate both.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I struggled to get into this book, and I think it's because I found the depictions of women pretty flat. That gave me discomfort in a couple of scenes, especially related to intimacy between the male and female characters.
Overall, the mystery was fairly compelling, but it does have a male lead who somehow knows the answer to everything, and that always falls a little flat, too.
I think there is potential for this series. There is a fantastic plot twist at the end as a lead in to the next book, but, I'm a little iffy on this one. I'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the Advanced Reader Copy
Overall, the mystery was fairly compelling, but it does have a male lead who somehow knows the answer to everything, and that always falls a little flat, too.
I think there is potential for this series. There is a fantastic plot twist at the end as a lead in to the next book, but, I'm a little iffy on this one. I'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the Advanced Reader Copy
July 7, 2026
Gripping
When millionaire businessman Orson Darcy is thrown from his eighth floor apartment a message is left behind "I am coming for all of you". He was known as one of the "Medici" boys. Frank Verity is a reporter who has just lost his job. He joins with the police who are looking for whoever killed Orson before any one else dies. Frank has special talents and could be a great help if only the police bosses will allow it but can they find the killer in time to save the other members of the same group. This was a good read which kept me guessing all the way through. I hope this will turn into a series.
When millionaire businessman Orson Darcy is thrown from his eighth floor apartment a message is left behind "I am coming for all of you". He was known as one of the "Medici" boys. Frank Verity is a reporter who has just lost his job. He joins with the police who are looking for whoever killed Orson before any one else dies. Frank has special talents and could be a great help if only the police bosses will allow it but can they find the killer in time to save the other members of the same group. This was a good read which kept me guessing all the way through. I hope this will turn into a series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first in a series featuring former soldier and now journalist Frank Verity is a decent thriller. Verity is working as a consultant for NYPD on a case involving the murder of a Wall Street hedge fund tycoon. Some one is targeting the four partners of a firm, and Verity must work to keep the others safe while tracking the killer.
The novel has a number of sub plots, some of which work better than others. Many of the characters are underdeveloped and one dimensional, but Verity and his close friend Sonya are exceptions. Overall it is an engrossing novel.
The novel has a number of sub plots, some of which work better than others. Many of the characters are underdeveloped and one dimensional, but Verity and his close friend Sonya are exceptions. Overall it is an engrossing novel.
July 8, 2026
This is a gripping story of how an investigative reporter, Frank Verity, is co-opted into a police team working on the murder of a New York hedge fund billionaire, which turns out to be the first death in a series targeting the so-called Medici Boys who have made many enemies along their careers making colossal fortunes.
The novel is particularly effective as the characters are so well drawn and the plot lines so skilfully woven.
Further books are to follow in what is to become a new series and I look forward to reading them all.
Enjoyable and highly recommended.
The novel is particularly effective as the characters are so well drawn and the plot lines so skilfully woven.
Further books are to follow in what is to become a new series and I look forward to reading them all.
Enjoyable and highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this. I have raced through this was a great holiday read. This is a great first book in the series and introduces the characters slowly bringing their back story to life and also introducing the bad guys who will form part of the ongoing stories.
I don’t want to give any spoilers but I am looking forward to the next book and this is a series that I can follow.
I don’t want to give any spoilers but I am looking forward to the next book and this is a series that I can follow.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fantastic thriller with lots of twists and subplots. Reporter gets fired after court case goes against him. But after death of prominent business man he gets attached to police to help solve this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book has a good plot, and the characters are excellent, so that you will want to continue the series. Very entertaining and easy to read, with not too much jumping around in time.
July 7, 2026
Payback, a rollercoaster ride though the seamy side of big business. Petty jealousy, revenge, betrayal, it's all there and more. A great read, full of twists and turns and an explosive conclusion.
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