Pay the Devil

by Harry Patterson, Jack Higgins

Searching for the peace and quiet that eluded him for four long years as a Confederate colonel in the Civil War, surgeon Clay Fitzgerald sets out for Ireland to lay claim to the estate and fortune he's recently inherited.But Ireland is caught in a civil war of its own. The endless struggle between the wealthy landlords and the impoverished tenant farmers has sparked the Fenian Rebellion. Having just fought and lost a terrible war, Clay wants to avoid the coming conflict. But after witnessing the atrocities that the nobles visit upon their own people, Clay finds he cannot stand idly by. With the help of neighbors, his new love, Joanna Hamilton, and a dutiful servant, Clay comes to embrace the plight of the Irish rebels.

Assuming the identity of a legendary romantic outlaw hero, "Captain Swing", he joins the fight against the landlords -- and wages a rebellion of his own....

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Action, Historical, Adventure, Mystery

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

One of the many pseudonyms used by Henry Patterson. See Jack Higgins for more complete information.

Reviews

[Kathleen Suess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never read a Higgins book before, but I quite enjoyed it. It is predictably fast moving, with plenty of action. Any book that takes me to Ireland is one I will read, and the characters were well formed and sense of place well done.

[Rachael Hewison · Rating 2 out of 5]

My boyfriend has read a lot of Jack Higgins in his time and so he picked this book up knowing his style. He passed it onto me saying that it wasn’t the best example of Higgins work but still good for a quick read. He was right in that it took me only two days to finish amidst a busy travelling schedule but I’m not sure that I would call it good. It was okay and I would never say that I wouldn’t touch another Higgins book again but it would not be my first choice from a bookshelf.
The characters were well thought out and exciting to read about, especially the villains of the piece with some good interactions between all involved. However we never really got to know any of them particularly well. This is most apparent in the small introduction to the main character, Clay, at the beginning of the book and there is a lot of his history that remains undiscovered.
In addition Higgins described everything solidly, if a little simply with no real depth to the plot. The story line had the potential to be fantastic but the lack of development in both characters and plot made the actual book feel a little like it was a long chapter from much a longer saga. The book also feels a little pointless as there is no real journey undertaken by the characters, they finish in almost exactly the same positions they start in and nothing really happens.
It was extremely easy to read, it was an excellent topic to write about but I don’t feel like Higgins met his potential.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pedestrian paperback cover might have put me off until I opened it up, but chancing across this unassuming little epic has turned out to be one of the best choices I've made in a while, where books are concerned. In fact, this is one of the best books I've read all year.

The characters are so invariably likable, realistic in their thinking but not without their necessary literary melodramatics, and principled but not plagued by manufactured struggles of conscience as so many of this type of figure in military novels often are.

Higgins writes dialects believably but comprehensibly, and this is certainly a book for the masses. Without resorting to offensive stereotypes, this book shows us strong women, motivated people of colour, and human historical figures.

The writing style is atmospheric and sets the scene very strongly, while trotting along at a brisk pace. My only gripe there is with some of the awkward phrases that could have been ironed out, such as a carriage "being got ready" instead of "being readied," or the strange repetition of an "inexplicable tenderness flooded through him" nearly two hundred pages apart.

I can't complain, though. This was a great, gripping read. If you like thrillers, Westerns, or 19th century history, this may be the book for you.

[Scott Drake · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've seen Higgins name many times over the years but hadn't tried one until I ran across this book in our corner book exchange "library." It's basically a historical romance and the characters are so simplistic I didn't care who got killed or saved or married or whatever but the end — just wanted to finish it. And I did, fast; in about 24 hours.

I have read other reviewers take on this book and it looks like I chose the worst example of Higgins' work to start with. Good thing Good Reads is here or I would write off this guy forever after this yawner.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 2018 I don't often read historical fiction and especially the South's point of view of the Civil War plus life in Ireland in the 1860+ when I get a Jack Higgins Very engrossing story!

[Kerrfunk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was fine. Col. Clay Fitzgerald goes from post-Civil-War America to Ireland to collect an inheritance, and becomes Batman not long after arriving. There's romantic tension introduced early that just drips and drips with veritable foreplay and SPOILER culminates in a kiss, and the whole time I'm thinking "How old is Clay Fitzgerald?" Over thirty, I'm guessing, to have med school and four years of war under his belt, and he's head-over-heels for an 18yo.

The audio edition was an actor's showcase, with several American accents, Irish, English, Scottish, and French, plus at least one woman.

And the story was fine, but I couldn't get past the Batman aspect.

Oh: Higgins liked to drip imagery, and he returned to the same subjects and phrases far too frequently. Tell us again about the burning whiskey, and the dragoon Colt, and please use the phrase "gave the horse her head" one more time.

[Gargi Paliwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a quick adventure with a backdrop of breathtaking landscape, this is your stop.

I found the oldest paperback edition of this book inside a carton of dump books. The copy was pretty small with perfectly readible font and dark yellow pages with that amazing smell(if you know what I mean!). It felt like a safe place.

Coming to the story,
An American civil war veteran looking for some peace and quite moves to Ireland with his loyal black friend at his late uncle's place. But things dont go as quietly and smoothly as he expected. Ireland is a country in turmoil, and he finds himself in the midst of a local uprising.

The text glides smoothly and is definitely a page turner. Though there are places where I could not connect with the story, such as the romance felt forced and unnecessary, otherwise it was good. I would highly recommend this to people who love historical fiction with some adventure and that soothing landscape of Ireland moors and valleys.

[Hank Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9/5

Book wasn’t bad actually. It was a random book I found some place I can’t even remember where. It’s been in my library for a few years and I never read it until recently. It’s a short read - only about 300 mass media paperback pages - so it was quick and easy. A lot happens in the story in such a short amount of time.

What I liked about it was how it was short but the setting and the story was pretty concise and didn’t lack. There’s not much character build, but it’s a pretty basic good vs bad story so it’s easy to get an understanding of each. Kind of reminds me of a western - but set in Ireland. The main character Clay has that Cowboy type feel to him taking the law into his own hands.

It was a quick and easy read and it was action packed so I enjoyed it.

[Sathya Narayani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime and espionage, We all know the spy thrillers Higgins has become famous for. This one is a great and entertaining departure. The dark hero, who would rather just be left alone, leaves his war torn Southern Confederacy to find solace in Ireland, only to end up in another civil war. Good at violence but despising it, wishing to not get involved but needing to in spite of himself, and the entire time quietly conflicted underneath by the morality of it all, Higgins designs a great character in Clay. I wish there were more books with this character as it would have made a great series. Stretching from the US Civil War to the beginnings of the troubles in Ireland this book is a little bit military thriller, a little bit spy book, a little bit social commentary and a lot entertaining.

[Oli Turner]

The eighth jack higgins / harry Patterson novel published in 1962 or 1963 depending upon the source. An interesting change of setting for Higgins. 1865 American civil war confederate colonel in rural Ireland getting involved in the conflict between wealthy landlords and tenant farmers. Tremendously action packed. Some reasonable character work. A better love story/relationship than usual - at least Higgins starts with mutual attraction builds the relationship and lets them fall in love at the end rather than immediately upon meeting. A rather satisfying ending. I would have liked a sequel. The usual Higgins tropes of gunfights, hard men and the pouring rain but this time on horseback! Great stuff.

[Tim Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and different book from Jack Higgins. One of his early works, which he wrote under the pseudonym oof Harry Patterson, the book is set in Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the US Civil War, with a connection to that conflict the reader will discover.

For Higgins' fans, however, the devil-may-care, often brooding Colonel Fitzgerald will be quite familiar as he deals with evil in Ireland (instead of, say, Nazi Germany or part of the British Secret Service).

The book was a pleasant excursion from the more typical Higgins fare, but without losing any of Higgins' skill at keeping the story moving and the reader engaged.

[Tyler Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's supposed to be a page-turner. I turned pages. Picked it at random buying books by the pound. It's well-made light reading. I guess the subject is serious, but it reminded me of something kids read. Two or three hours and you're out. The plot makes sense on most levels but I didn't dive too deep. I thought of the beginning as a video game, a character leveling up with a horse and place to stay, etc. Suppose a lot of stories are like that though. Good stuff Harry Higgins Patterson Jack Whatever.

[Alan Rylans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an early work by Jack Higgins originally published back in 1962 under the name Harry Patterson. It's the story of Confederate Colonel Clay Fitzgerald who heads to Ireland after the south loses the Civil War. His uncle has left him an estate and he seeks tranquility, instead he arrives in the middle of civil unrest between poor tenant farmers and their rich landlords. It's a good enough read but does become repetitive as you read through the chapters and the ending is rather weak.

[Debra Kulchar]

Good (audio)

[Samhita Argula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid, thrilling, keeps us on the edge.

[Zaara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cleared from TBR. I went the distance just because I am stubborn and was wonderstruck by the sheer extent of the 'ghastrope'y.
What was I thinking????

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip it.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, enjoyable read!

[John o byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

I've read most jack Higgins books but this one seemed to get through the cracks found it better than most very good storyline and a good ending you sent left hanging

[Barbara Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time ever reading this author absolutely loved the book cannot put it down can't wait to read more from him

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable tale.

[Andrew Nedelchev · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful thriller with more than a sliver of romance in it.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of intrigue, twists and turns throughout the book and two faces of the same family at loggerheads. It was a fast paced novel and enjoyable

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alcohol poverty

[Mike Thompson]

good read

[Angie Fehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I've heard that Higgins is a well-known novelist, I was not familiar with his work prior to picking up this book, which I picked up and quickly finished in about 2 days flat. I figured once I read about a bad guy getting shot in the face within the first 5 pages, I was in for an action-packed adventure! This was just a good, fun story all around! A real treat for a history nerd like me (sure, it's not fact heavy, really the Civil War is just used as a starting setting, but I liked the escapism within a historical fiction setting).

Col. Clay Fitzgerald is a surgeon, originally from Georgia, who works his way up into a Confederate officer position, doing double duty as an Army medic and a leader of men. Once the war ends, Fitzgerald finds all his family is dead, all his property destroyed except for one ancestral estate in Ireland. Having no other immediate plans, he goes to Ireland with the intention of getting some peace & quiet in the Irish countryside after living through such a gruesome war. Unfortunately, he finds that he's really only traded one battlefield for another when he sees the class war ( nobility vs. peasants) working up to a fever pitch in Ireland. He repeatedly says "I'm not getting involved, not taking sides" but that only works for so long before he does take a stand and things.go.down.

The characters are pretty clear cut -- the bad are definitely bad, the good are witty, lovable, and strong in character. All are entertaining with good banter throughout the story. I don't want to give too much of the story away but there were parts here and there that somewhat reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel. I flew through this story so I will definitely be checking out more of Higgins' work!

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda of a snoozer. Former Confederate solider who runs off to Ireland when he realizes the South is getting their backsides handed to them. Speaking of which, has the South realized the war is over...better yet, do they know the results?! And why the eff am I capitalizing south? It's an f ing direction.

I always get harassed in the the south for being a 'Yank'...thems fighting words to a Sox fan kids, FIGHTING WORDS. Don't be angry we evolved quicker.

I digress, anyways, he rolls to Ireland, bc that's where dreams come true. A land of eating, drinking, fighting and f ing. (Think about it, how many people do YOU know claim to be "Irish"? Have you SEEN how small Ireland is compared to most countries?! They breed like no other. One potato = three kids produced. It's like a cockroach eating a matchstick & making 1,000 kids.)

I digress again, so the protagonist arrives in Ireland to find it in social disarray (I know, shocker) and immediately immerses himself in the fight for the people, bc really, what else does he know what to do with his life?

Long story short: fights the good fight, gets blacklisted by the man and run out of town after finding a lady friend. Bet you're already running to the store to pick this one up already, right?

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Patterson (Jack Higgins) is normally known for his thriller novels but it appears that he has, at least once, turned his hand to the historical fiction format. This novel takes place at the very end of the US Civil War at which point Confederate Colonel Clay Fitzgerald travels to Ireland where his grandfather has left him an estate. He gets caught up in the Fenian Rebellion between wealthy landowners and poor tenant farmers. Much as he would like to remain neutral he is forced to choose sides and enter a different kind of war.

This is a quick read and while it has its charms, to me it reads much like a traditional western novel, with a strong hero that often rides in to save the day, right wrongs, and get the girl at the end. If you are looking for some insights into what transpired during the Fenian Rebellion you will need to turn elsewhere as this story confines itself to a very small locale with a dozen or so impacted people. The characters are fairly standard stock and tended to blend together in my mind with only Clay Fitzgerald having any depth. Still…there is an overall interesting plot and as long as you don’t expect much detail, it can be a good read.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little different time and place for this one from Higgins. Set in the US at the end of the Civil war, but mostly in Ireland if follows a Confederate. Surgeon and Calvary Officer who has returned to Ireland where he travels to an ancestral home looking for some peace and quiet.
Unfortunately Ireland is anything but, the peasants and crofters are becoming fed up with English land owners and tensions are high. When the officer sees the conditions the lower class have to endure and the attitude of the landowners, he slowly begins to side against the owners and becomes involved in the local confrontations. An interesting period piece playing on the inequalities of the social classes of the time.

[Richard]

Jack Higgins - “Pay the Devil”

A Confederate Colonel, at the end of the US Civil War, moves to Ireland, having inherited a country estate and considerable wealth. Instead of the peace and tranquility that he was looking for, after 4 years of brutal warfare, he finds civil strife and conflict.

As is natural in any story, our swashbuckling hero, despite his best intents, becomes involved on the side of the oppressed and downtrodden.

A lively little story, with hints of Zorro (no bad thing in my view).

On a rainy day, this book achieves what it sets out to do - entertain the reader. Don’t look too deeply into the plot (one wonders what happened to Eithne Fallon and her kin once the story ends) and accept the story as light entertainment.

A book I’m happy to recommend to others.