What do you think?
Rate this book
The Payback Girl
A Vigilante Justice Thriller
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Out For Vengeance
Amber-May Jackson wants to see justice done to the men who raped and beat her and left her for dead.
But they are rich and powerful. They have connections in high places. They can get away with anything.
The police won't help her.
The media won't either.
So Amber-May must make her own justice or forever live in fear.
Amber-May's mission will not be easy. For as she sets out on her quest for vengeance, she finds herself hunted in turn.
And if she gets caught, she will face a fate worse than death.
You will love The Payback Girl because it is a gripping thriller about revenge, love, justice, and the power of women.
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Out For Vengeance
Amber-May Jackson wants to see justice done to the men who raped and beat her and left her for dead.
But they are rich and powerful. They have connections in high places. They can get away with anything.
The police won't help her.
The media won't either.
So Amber-May must make her own justice or forever live in fear.
Amber-May's mission will not be easy. For as she sets out on her quest for vengeance, she finds herself hunted in turn.
And if she gets caught, she will face a fate worse than death.
You will love The Payback Girl because it is a gripping thriller about revenge, love, justice, and the power of women.
436 pages, ebook
First published September 20, 2018
161 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Dunsky
20 books215 followersJonathan Dunsky is the author of eight crime novels, seven of which -- Ten Years Gone, The Dead Sister, The Auschwitz Violinist, A Debt of Death, A Deadly Act, The Auschwitz Detective, and A Death in Jerusalem -- are mysteries taking place in the early days of the State of Israel and featuring private investigator Adam Lapid, a holocaust survivor and former soldier and Nazi hunter. He has also published a standalone thriller called The Payback Girl and a number of short stories in various genres.
Born in Israel, he served for four years in the Israeli Army. After his military service he worked as a team leader in various high-tech firms, ran his own Search Engine Optimization business, and lectured in the faculty of Business Management in Tel Aviv University. He holds a degree in computer sciences and business. He's lived for several years in Europe and currently resides in Israel with his wife and two sons.
You can contact him at http://jonathandunsky.com/contact/
Born in Israel, he served for four years in the Israeli Army. After his military service he worked as a team leader in various high-tech firms, ran his own Search Engine Optimization business, and lectured in the faculty of Business Management in Tel Aviv University. He holds a degree in computer sciences and business. He's lived for several years in Europe and currently resides in Israel with his wife and two sons.
You can contact him at http://jonathandunsky.com/contact/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 9, 2025
GIRL
Amber-May regained consciousness lying naked in a forest. She was in extreme pain, could neither nor talk. She had no idea where she was nor how she got there. She heard some noises and realized it was joggers talking to each other. She was able to moan and eventually the joggers heard her got medical aid. She ended up in the hospital where she required several surgeries.
She regained consciousness hours later and recalled the horrible attack. She was able to member the details of what happened when she talked to the nurse.
Amber-May’s parents had died when she was 11 years old. She was raised by her grandmother and had plans for her future. However, when she reached college age, her grandmother developed Alzheimer’s. Amber-May was the only one who could care for her. But eventually, as her grandmother deteriorated, she knew she would require more care than she could offer. She found a good dementia care center and managed to visit her almost every day. But the cost was prohibitive. She sold the house and used that money and her college fund to cover it pretty quickly ran out. With limited resources, she found it difficult to find a job that gave her time to visit her grandmother. Eventually, she became a stripper.
Later, when she woke up, there was a strange man seated in her room. Neatly dressed, he was a lawyer named Garland Pickens. He represented.
Later that morning when the police came, she said she didn’t remember any of the men, the rapes, the beatings.
THE PAYBACK GIRL details what she had to do to protect herself and her grandmother and the extremes which the Pickens, MacBaxter, and Amber- While the story was rather gory— MacBaxter was a very wealthy psychopath— it flowed well and did keep the reader’s interest. Amber-May discovered strength she didn’t know she had.
Amber-May regained consciousness lying naked in a forest. She was in extreme pain, could neither nor talk. She had no idea where she was nor how she got there. She heard some noises and realized it was joggers talking to each other. She was able to moan and eventually the joggers heard her got medical aid. She ended up in the hospital where she required several surgeries.
She regained consciousness hours later and recalled the horrible attack. She was able to member the details of what happened when she talked to the nurse.
Amber-May’s parents had died when she was 11 years old. She was raised by her grandmother and had plans for her future. However, when she reached college age, her grandmother developed Alzheimer’s. Amber-May was the only one who could care for her. But eventually, as her grandmother deteriorated, she knew she would require more care than she could offer. She found a good dementia care center and managed to visit her almost every day. But the cost was prohibitive. She sold the house and used that money and her college fund to cover it pretty quickly ran out. With limited resources, she found it difficult to find a job that gave her time to visit her grandmother. Eventually, she became a stripper.
Later, when she woke up, there was a strange man seated in her room. Neatly dressed, he was a lawyer named Garland Pickens. He represented.
Later that morning when the police came, she said she didn’t remember any of the men, the rapes, the beatings.
THE PAYBACK GIRL details what she had to do to protect herself and her grandmother and the extremes which the Pickens, MacBaxter, and Amber- While the story was rather gory— MacBaxter was a very wealthy psychopath— it flowed well and did keep the reader’s interest. Amber-May discovered strength she didn’t know she had.
February 5, 2023
Forced Justice
As with all books by Jonathan Dunsky, this one leaves you breathless and in suspense till the end. The protagonist character is strong, fearless, intelligent and gifted with a sense of survival. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one seating.
Dunsky is a such a talented author that you just immerse yourself in his plots and characters and empathize with them.
A master of suspense with characters one can identify with. I’ve read all his books and always wait eagerly for the next one.
In the meantime I plan to reread them all.
Thank you Mr. Dunsky for a most enjoyable time reading your book.
As with all books by Jonathan Dunsky, this one leaves you breathless and in suspense till the end. The protagonist character is strong, fearless, intelligent and gifted with a sense of survival. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one seating.
Dunsky is a such a talented author that you just immerse yourself in his plots and characters and empathize with them.
A master of suspense with characters one can identify with. I’ve read all his books and always wait eagerly for the next one.
In the meantime I plan to reread them all.
Thank you Mr. Dunsky for a most enjoyable time reading your book.
October 24, 2021
A Masterpiece if I may say so.
The completion of this novel is a bit sad for me. I have now read everything this outstanding author has published.
This novel is indeed about payback. There are many low points for Amber-May but some good also. I found the writing to be so good that perhaps I was a fly on the wall. I could feel the moments of pain - I was immersed. I recommend all of Mr Dunsky's books. Save this one for when you have a feel for his writing style.
I will now impatiently await his next release. BRAVO and Shalom Jonathan.
The completion of this novel is a bit sad for me. I have now read everything this outstanding author has published.
This novel is indeed about payback. There are many low points for Amber-May but some good also. I found the writing to be so good that perhaps I was a fly on the wall. I could feel the moments of pain - I was immersed. I recommend all of Mr Dunsky's books. Save this one for when you have a feel for his writing style.
I will now impatiently await his next release. BRAVO and Shalom Jonathan.
January 29, 2023
An exciting page-turner with finely drawn characters. The protagonist is a determined individual who uses her intelligence and animal instincts to try to execute her vengeance against her assailants. Dunsky’s intricate plot takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride with many twists and turns. Don’t miss this suspense thriller!
September 29, 2018
Must Read!
The Payback Girl is a book you won’t want to put down. The character development and story line is very detailed. Despite the topic of this book, it deals with right vs wrong. You are almost cheering the victim on. Jonathan Dunsky has written a truly engaging story!
The Payback Girl is a book you won’t want to put down. The character development and story line is very detailed. Despite the topic of this book, it deals with right vs wrong. You are almost cheering the victim on. Jonathan Dunsky has written a truly engaging story!
August 17, 2024
What a story! keeps you on edge, wanting to continue reading to get to know what the end awaits!
This is so much different than the other Jonathan Dunsky’s books.
The story was very shocking in the beginning, but the build up of the plot made me adamant about knowing what the end awaits.
Will surely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading and being kept on edge!
This is so much different than the other Jonathan Dunsky’s books.
The story was very shocking in the beginning, but the build up of the plot made me adamant about knowing what the end awaits.
Will surely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading and being kept on edge!
April 14, 2022
A good book..eye for an eye
This book was very emotional throughout. It was terrible what was done and no one held responsible and the lives it messed up. It also makes you realize their are real monsters like this in life. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This book was very emotional throughout. It was terrible what was done and no one held responsible and the lives it messed up. It also makes you realize their are real monsters like this in life. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
February 14, 2023
This book was written in a much different style than most of Mr. Dunsky's books. It was a great story, written with no less skill than any of the Adam Lapid stories. I read this several years ago and the story has stayed with me. It was a great read!
April 18, 2024
great read
This was a good read,enjoyable thought provoking,
Certainly different from your other books,nevertheless ,certainly worth reading ,I couldn’t put it down
Well done again Jonathan
Keep going!
This was a good read,enjoyable thought provoking,
Certainly different from your other books,nevertheless ,certainly worth reading ,I couldn’t put it down
Well done again Jonathan
Keep going!
May 11, 2024
An Unforgettable Masterpiece!!!
Jonathan Dunsky’s done it again!!! The Payback Girl - Amber-May goes right to your heart. I couldn’t put the book down! This is one of my favorite books, and I still think about the lives of the characters.
Jonathan Dunsky’s done it again!!! The Payback Girl - Amber-May goes right to your heart. I couldn’t put the book down! This is one of my favorite books, and I still think about the lives of the characters.
September 29, 2018
Excellent!
November 8, 2018
Did not like this book as well as I had hoped.
February 17, 2019
Good Book
I liked reading this book. I really really enjoyed it. His writing was very good. Now I want to look for more book by this author. 👍👍
I liked reading this book. I really really enjoyed it. His writing was very good. Now I want to look for more book by this author. 👍👍
July 27, 2021
This book was riveting… could not put it down….a very interesting story that is not too plausible but reads smoothly…
June 24, 2022
Definitely a page turner!
February 23, 2024
What an excellent thriller. Well written, easy to read, suspense through out the entire book. Great from page one until the very last page. I loved it.
May 4, 2024
Well written story of the kind you find thirteen in a dozen.
November 5, 2024
I am a huge fan of Mr. Dunsky's Adam Lapin series. Although very different, The Payback Girl was a real page turner, the action was non-stop, and I enjoyed it very much.
May 13, 2025
Easily 4.5 stars. What a page turner this was. Disturbing for sure. Dark too. But I do love a good revenge story done right. This is it.
September 2, 2025
Sitting one on the edge of my chair
A well told story of evil done and justice and revenge follow in a nail biting story. Amber was a great protagonist as she prevails.
A well told story of evil done and justice and revenge follow in a nail biting story. Amber was a great protagonist as she prevails.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews