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Payback
When Bruno Pedace learns that his investment banking partners are setting him up to take the fall for their own corrupt practices, he does what he has always done—run away. But the documents he takes with him put a target on his back. He changes his name and, for nine years, goes underground, until an assassin tracks him down in California and badly injures him. Befriended by Janet Jenkins, a courageous woman who works in a battered women’s shelter, Bruno, for the first time in his life, with Janet’s help, fights back. He constructs an ingenious financial scheme to get payback for the crimes perpetrated by his former partners. In PAYBACK, award-winning, Amazon #1 best-selling author Joseph Badal weaves a story about a sympathetic protagonist who, when pushed too far, finally pushes back. This is a story about revenge that includes assassins, corrupt Wall Street investment bankers, a Mafia capo, Asian gangs, and heroic cops. And, to top it all off, it is a story about friendship and love.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2020
33 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Badal
31 books135 followers"Joe Badal has had a varied and successful career. After 6 years as a decorated commissioned Army officer, having served in Vietnam and Greece, he had a long banking and finance career. He has had 18 suspense novels published: 4 stand-alones (The Pythagorean Solution, Shell Game, Ultimate Betrayal, and Payback); 7 books in the Danforth Saga (Evil Deeds, Terror Cell, The Nostradamus Secret,The Lone Wolf Agenda, Death Ship, Sins of the Fathers, and The Carnevale Conspiracy); 4 books in the Lassiter/Martinez Case Files (Borderline, Dark Angel, Natural Causes, and Everything To Lose); and 3 books in the Curtis Chronicles (The Motive, Obsessed, and Justice).
He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author and has received numerous awards, including being recognized as "One of The 50 Best Writers You Should Be Reading." He is a two-time winner of the Tony Hillerman Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year and has received multiple Gold Medals from the Military Writers Society of America. He was named Write of the year by the Military Writers Society of America in 2021. His books have received Finalist honors in the International Book Awards contest and in the Eric Hoffer Awards.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in International Finance and Business Administration, is a graduate of the Stanford University Law School's Director College, and of the Defense Language Institute, West Coast.
Joe has also written dozens of articles that have been published in a variety of business magazines and trade journals, and is a frequent speaker at business and writers’ events. His blog, Everyday Heroes, highlights individuals just like you who are confronted with a challenge and rise to the occasion."
He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author and has received numerous awards, including being recognized as "One of The 50 Best Writers You Should Be Reading." He is a two-time winner of the Tony Hillerman Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year and has received multiple Gold Medals from the Military Writers Society of America. He was named Write of the year by the Military Writers Society of America in 2021. His books have received Finalist honors in the International Book Awards contest and in the Eric Hoffer Awards.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in International Finance and Business Administration, is a graduate of the Stanford University Law School's Director College, and of the Defense Language Institute, West Coast.
Joe has also written dozens of articles that have been published in a variety of business magazines and trade journals, and is a frequent speaker at business and writers’ events. His blog, Everyday Heroes, highlights individuals just like you who are confronted with a challenge and rise to the occasion."
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 27, 2020
Payback is a standalone book by thriller and mystery author Joseph Badal.
In the midst of the subprimes financial crash, Sy Rosen, the head of an New York investment banking company, and his two senior partners, forge documents to have Bruno Pedace, a junior partner and investment genius, take the fall for their misdeeds. Warned by his assistant, Pedace steals documents and disappear.
Nine years later, Janet Jenkins, a social worker for a women’s shelter in California, saves a disheveled but courteous man from a mugging in a back alley. This man later appears in front of her place of work to thank her in an unexpected manner. After Janet Jenkins falls victim of a vicious attack by one of her charges’ husband, Bruno Pedace patiently waits for her to get out from the hospital. Changed by her ordeal, experiencing anger at not being able to help more, she prompts Pedace to mount a scheme to profit the shelter. This relationship changes Pedace as well. After having hiding for years, a killer on his trail, his anger finally gets the better of his paralyzing fear, and Pedace decides to fight back against his former partners. Then begins one of the most thrilling con jobs I’ve had the pleasure to read, involving cops, organized crime, SEC, hired killers, hackers, and a financial genius.
Narrated in the third person, Payback let us follow an ensemble cast of rich characters, and two protagonists changed by catastrophic events taking back control of their lives. The book feels fast paced, even when it isn’t. Words flow from Joseph Badal’s pen weaving a tapestry as complex as his character’s revenge plan, while never losing the reader on the way. The evolution of the relationship between Bruno Pedace and Janet Jenkins, while not the main focus of the book (it’s titled Payback, after all) is quite a wild ride itself as, having a definite goal in sight for the first time in years, Pedace rebuilds himself from the ground up, and keeping pace with him quickly appears impossible. It better be, too, as many moves are made to bring him down, and the reader is constantly in fear of him missing a step.
Putting down this book is quite difficult, and I’ve surprised myself with bursts of frustration in not being able to pick it back up for a few days. I don’t remember having read a story of this kind since John Grisham’s The Firm, and it sure was refreshing.
Thanks to Suspense Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
In the midst of the subprimes financial crash, Sy Rosen, the head of an New York investment banking company, and his two senior partners, forge documents to have Bruno Pedace, a junior partner and investment genius, take the fall for their misdeeds. Warned by his assistant, Pedace steals documents and disappear.
Nine years later, Janet Jenkins, a social worker for a women’s shelter in California, saves a disheveled but courteous man from a mugging in a back alley. This man later appears in front of her place of work to thank her in an unexpected manner. After Janet Jenkins falls victim of a vicious attack by one of her charges’ husband, Bruno Pedace patiently waits for her to get out from the hospital. Changed by her ordeal, experiencing anger at not being able to help more, she prompts Pedace to mount a scheme to profit the shelter. This relationship changes Pedace as well. After having hiding for years, a killer on his trail, his anger finally gets the better of his paralyzing fear, and Pedace decides to fight back against his former partners. Then begins one of the most thrilling con jobs I’ve had the pleasure to read, involving cops, organized crime, SEC, hired killers, hackers, and a financial genius.
Narrated in the third person, Payback let us follow an ensemble cast of rich characters, and two protagonists changed by catastrophic events taking back control of their lives. The book feels fast paced, even when it isn’t. Words flow from Joseph Badal’s pen weaving a tapestry as complex as his character’s revenge plan, while never losing the reader on the way. The evolution of the relationship between Bruno Pedace and Janet Jenkins, while not the main focus of the book (it’s titled Payback, after all) is quite a wild ride itself as, having a definite goal in sight for the first time in years, Pedace rebuilds himself from the ground up, and keeping pace with him quickly appears impossible. It better be, too, as many moves are made to bring him down, and the reader is constantly in fear of him missing a step.
Putting down this book is quite difficult, and I’ve surprised myself with bursts of frustration in not being able to pick it back up for a few days. I don’t remember having read a story of this kind since John Grisham’s The Firm, and it sure was refreshing.
Thanks to Suspense Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
April 30, 2020
A story the grips you from the start. Beginning with the subprime mortgage, Bruno learns from his assistant that the top partners are setting him up to take the fall with the feds. Once he receives the information he begins to act. Next, it is nine years later and you are taken to Janet Jenkins house who is dealing with her mother in the morning. Then she deals with the cases that come up with St. Anne’s, she is a social worker dealing with families. Mainly abused women who don’t leave their husbands. Now, this afternoon she is dealing with on who put his wife in the hospital and killed his children. That man later is after Janet and she fights for her life.
Meanwhile, you are introduced to two detectives working the cases with Janet. One you can tell has the street smarts and the other Andrews is just wet behind the ears. Now you are brought back to Bruno who has come up on the radar of one of the old partners. He is looking to find him and be rid of the so-called problem once and for all.
All of these life’s intro sects throughout the story. You are taken from New York to L.A. then to New York back to L.A. and even to Vietnam. This is all done in a way that keeps you the reader going. You are constantly wanting to know what happens next. That is until the end. I was sad in the parking lot for the story was over, I was looking forward to the next page of the book was denied because it ended. Though I knew it would I wanted it to continue I was so wrapped up in the story I was not ready for it to be over.
This book for me was a journey of action with twists and turns. With different characters added and some were taken away. Each one though served a purpose for this story. I will say I was really surprised at just how much I really liked this book and for other people who like action you will not be disappointed. A very good book from start to finish. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Meanwhile, you are introduced to two detectives working the cases with Janet. One you can tell has the street smarts and the other Andrews is just wet behind the ears. Now you are brought back to Bruno who has come up on the radar of one of the old partners. He is looking to find him and be rid of the so-called problem once and for all.
All of these life’s intro sects throughout the story. You are taken from New York to L.A. then to New York back to L.A. and even to Vietnam. This is all done in a way that keeps you the reader going. You are constantly wanting to know what happens next. That is until the end. I was sad in the parking lot for the story was over, I was looking forward to the next page of the book was denied because it ended. Though I knew it would I wanted it to continue I was so wrapped up in the story I was not ready for it to be over.
This book for me was a journey of action with twists and turns. With different characters added and some were taken away. Each one though served a purpose for this story. I will say I was really surprised at just how much I really liked this book and for other people who like action you will not be disappointed. A very good book from start to finish. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
April 29, 2020
This was an action packets thriller nu Jospeh Badal. I liked the way out protagonist Bruno Pedace changes from being a runner and losing 9 years of his life to former partners who wanted to frame him for investment fraud to a guy that uses his unusual intelligence to fight back. Inspired by a social worker he meets by chance he takes charge and that is the start of a thrill ride to the satisfying end.
For readers who like a strong plot, assassins, the mob, SEC and the police this is well worth a read!
*** An ARC was provider by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***
For readers who like a strong plot, assassins, the mob, SEC and the police this is well worth a read!
*** An ARC was provider by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***
January 19, 2021
In PAYBACK, Joe Badal takes you back. All the way back to the global financial meltdown of 2008, created by bad paper (mortgage-backed securities) written by U.S. financial institutions. You don't have to know about the subprime mortgage crisis or necessarily understand it. By the time you finish this thriller you will know more than ya need to -- that the consumer was left holding the bag and that no one was held responsible for the global depression. Though make no mistake, Joe Badal does not write to give you a financial education; this book is about getting even, it's about payback.
Enter the Wall Street firm Rosen, Rice, and Stone, which is among the powerbrokers in NYC and at the forefront of shady deals with MBSs, knee-deep in the financial crisis. The letterhead three who run the joint come up with an ingenious plan to blame a smart employee for their misdeeds and keep the SEC at bay. The only problem: the employee does a vanishing act that would turn any John Grisham protagonist marble-green with envy.
Fast forward nigh a decade and relocate straight across the country to sunny California. Right into the life of Janet, an accidental badass disguised as an outreach social worker at a shelter for women and children. Needless to say that Janet and Cecil (the smart Wall Street cookie on the lam) shall cross paths and start working together, serendipitously. Where there is money there is murder. Thus, ruthless hitmen, valorous cops, a selfish DA and the Cosa Nostra are added into the mix and things turn explosive.
PAYBACK will make you laugh, cringe, cheer, and cry. Yes, cry. Whether you like your revenge hot, lukewarm or cold, in a world of injustice and corporate exploitation, PAYBACK delivers payback in a major way. Grab a copy and a plate and dig in.
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February 21, 2023MWSA Review
Joseph Badal’s Payback is an action-packed thriller of revenge—often gory murders—and deep friendship. Badal’s characters come to life. Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t wait to find out what happens. Then, just when you think the story is over there’s another twist in the road, and a whole new adventure.
Bruno Pedace’s investment banking bosses attempt to frame him, but he gets out by the skin of his teeth, taking “insurance” with him. For the next eight years he sits on millions of dollars’ worth of documents, bonds, and cash, living on the fringes of society, afraid of his own shadow. Enter Janet Jenkins, an advocate at a women’s shelter, who saves him during a mugging. From that day their friendship begins and Pedace embarks on a metamorphosis, from victim to avenger.
Bruno contrives a very dangerous, intricate, technologically ambitious plan to destroy his former employers. As brave as he is, however, his timidity precludes him from telling Janet that he loves her. Janet is dragged into Bruno’s life of conspiracies, corruption, blackmail, kidnapping, and assassinations. Bruno ingratiates himself into Janet’s life at the shelter, ultimately helping countless women, with his grandiose philanthropic plan.
Payback is a story about revenge and dignity, and the courage we amass from each other.
Review by Sue Rushford (February 2023)
Joseph Badal’s Payback is an action-packed thriller of revenge—often gory murders—and deep friendship. Badal’s characters come to life. Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t wait to find out what happens. Then, just when you think the story is over there’s another twist in the road, and a whole new adventure.
Bruno Pedace’s investment banking bosses attempt to frame him, but he gets out by the skin of his teeth, taking “insurance” with him. For the next eight years he sits on millions of dollars’ worth of documents, bonds, and cash, living on the fringes of society, afraid of his own shadow. Enter Janet Jenkins, an advocate at a women’s shelter, who saves him during a mugging. From that day their friendship begins and Pedace embarks on a metamorphosis, from victim to avenger.
Bruno contrives a very dangerous, intricate, technologically ambitious plan to destroy his former employers. As brave as he is, however, his timidity precludes him from telling Janet that he loves her. Janet is dragged into Bruno’s life of conspiracies, corruption, blackmail, kidnapping, and assassinations. Bruno ingratiates himself into Janet’s life at the shelter, ultimately helping countless women, with his grandiose philanthropic plan.
Payback is a story about revenge and dignity, and the courage we amass from each other.
Review by Sue Rushford (February 2023)
May 9, 2020
Thank you, Net Galley, for an advance copy for an honest review.
Bruno Pedace learns that his investment partners are setting him as the fall guy for a large fraud, he escapes with incriminating documents. After nine years he surfaces in California.
He meets Janet, a lady who works at a battered women’s organization
As the book continues, he is found by a private eye who is sent by his former partners. Several people are killed which make Bruno turn from always running away to going after them.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story which kept me reading –the writing was particularly good, and I really enjoyed meeting each person who helps Bruno take his partners down.
I recommend this book highly and give it 4 and half stars which I rounded up – I liked learning about each character- everyone had a story.
Bruno Pedace learns that his investment partners are setting him as the fall guy for a large fraud, he escapes with incriminating documents. After nine years he surfaces in California.
He meets Janet, a lady who works at a battered women’s organization
As the book continues, he is found by a private eye who is sent by his former partners. Several people are killed which make Bruno turn from always running away to going after them.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story which kept me reading –the writing was particularly good, and I really enjoyed meeting each person who helps Bruno take his partners down.
I recommend this book highly and give it 4 and half stars which I rounded up – I liked learning about each character- everyone had a story.
March 25, 2020
Excellent book from start to finish. The meek, mild-mannered protagonist is “the smartest man in the room”, so when he finally decides to take action, beware. Framed for a crime many years ago, he decides to go after a major investment firm. Along the way, he gains a love interest who gets threatened. Plots and sub-plots abound, and the action is non-stop, including organized crime, assassins, the SEC, Southern California police, NYPD police, and more. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2020
This novel gripped me immediately, and held my rapt attention from start to finish. An excellent plot, story line, character development. Hard to put down, highly recommend it. Mr. Badal always delivers, and it's much appreciated. Wish there was some way I could "payback!"
July 18, 2020
Great read. Interesting story, pretty much knew how it would end but the twists and turns along the way made it enjoyable.
December 3, 2020
Payback
Good plot, a little hard to follow at times. Expected more at the end. Another solid read by Mr Badal.
Good plot, a little hard to follow at times. Expected more at the end. Another solid read by Mr Badal.
January 9, 2022
A nice plot filled with very interesting characters. While some of the story may seem a bit over the top it works well in this narrative.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews