What do you think?
Rate this book
Payback
What happens when billions are ransomed for the deaths of American politicians?
Does a leaderless Russia still pose a threat?
What's the expiration date for revenge?
When payback's in play, anything is possible . . .
Cal Stokes and his team have their hands full. Not only is every American politician in the crosshairs of the anonymous Operation Bounty Killer, but multiple parties are waiting for the right opportunity to come down on Cal's friends. How long will the American crisis last and which of Cal's friends will become collateral damage?
Does a leaderless Russia still pose a threat?
What's the expiration date for revenge?
When payback's in play, anything is possible . . .
Cal Stokes and his team have their hands full. Not only is every American politician in the crosshairs of the anonymous Operation Bounty Killer, but multiple parties are waiting for the right opportunity to come down on Cal's friends. How long will the American crisis last and which of Cal's friends will become collateral damage?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2022
785 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
C.G. Cooper
87 books394 followersC. G. Cooper is the USA TODAY and AMAZON BESTSELLING author of the CORPS JUSTICE novels, several spinoffs and a growing number of stand-alone novels.
One of his novels, CHAIN OF COMMAND, won the 2020 James Webb Award presented by the Marine Heritage Foundation for its portrayal of the United States Marine Corps in fiction. Cooper doesn't chase awards, but this one was special.
Cooper grew up on a steady diet of Dungeons & Dragons and the travels of a Navy family.
Upon graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Foreign Affairs, Cooper was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and went on to serve six years as an infantry officer. C. G. Cooper's final Marine duty station was in Nashville, Tennessee, where he fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle of Music City.
His first published novel, BACK TO WAR, came out of a desire to link back to his time in the Marine Corps. That novel, written as a side project, spawned many follow-on novels, several exciting spinoffs, and catapulted Cooper's career.
Cooper lives just south of Nashville with his wife, three children, and their German shorthaired pointer, Liberty, who's become a popular character in the Corps Justice novels.
One of his novels, CHAIN OF COMMAND, won the 2020 James Webb Award presented by the Marine Heritage Foundation for its portrayal of the United States Marine Corps in fiction. Cooper doesn't chase awards, but this one was special.
Cooper grew up on a steady diet of Dungeons & Dragons and the travels of a Navy family.
Upon graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Foreign Affairs, Cooper was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and went on to serve six years as an infantry officer. C. G. Cooper's final Marine duty station was in Nashville, Tennessee, where he fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle of Music City.
His first published novel, BACK TO WAR, came out of a desire to link back to his time in the Marine Corps. That novel, written as a side project, spawned many follow-on novels, several exciting spinoffs, and catapulted Cooper's career.
Cooper lives just south of Nashville with his wife, three children, and their German shorthaired pointer, Liberty, who's become a popular character in the Corps Justice novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 2, 2022
A great read.
Read this story in one go. Loved the story lines. Was great to get reaquainted with the characters. Pleased the good guys came out on top
Read this story in one go. Loved the story lines. Was great to get reaquainted with the characters. Pleased the good guys came out on top
April 18, 2022
This is the 15th book in the series.
This one follows on from the last book where the Russian President was killed. However, it’s now the US under attack - from within.
Our buddies from the Jefferson Group, are called in to help with what’s seeming like the world has gone mad. Yup many of us who’ve felt this was for the past number of years makes it into this book.
Our whole group is there and they get help in areas where they weren’t expecting. When you think you know where the story is heading it takes a detour which is why the rating is what it is.
You get side stories from other people within the US which is interesting, but it’s done where it enhances the story. We get t learn about Wilcox more and he seems to want to become a hero and it seems like a work in progress this way. Lena is still learning, but now I’m starting to wonder if she’s learning off of someone that will turn her.
It took a bit for me to remember who all the main characters were as it’s been awhile since one of these book had come out. Hint hint Carlos!
Further, there was talk of one of the main characters being killed, but it wasn’t so thankfully. One of the sub characters does come to the rescue and helps save Cal and the guys though. I hated the thought we would lose one of the main guys though.
This one follows on from the last book where the Russian President was killed. However, it’s now the US under attack - from within.
Our buddies from the Jefferson Group, are called in to help with what’s seeming like the world has gone mad. Yup many of us who’ve felt this was for the past number of years makes it into this book.
Our whole group is there and they get help in areas where they weren’t expecting. When you think you know where the story is heading it takes a detour which is why the rating is what it is.
You get side stories from other people within the US which is interesting, but it’s done where it enhances the story. We get t learn about Wilcox more and he seems to want to become a hero and it seems like a work in progress this way. Lena is still learning, but now I’m starting to wonder if she’s learning off of someone that will turn her.
It took a bit for me to remember who all the main characters were as it’s been awhile since one of these book had come out. Hint hint Carlos!
Further, there was talk of one of the main characters being killed, but it wasn’t so thankfully. One of the sub characters does come to the rescue and helps save Cal and the guys though. I hated the thought we would lose one of the main guys though.
April 26, 2022
I have read most of C.G. Cooper's books about Cal, Daniel, and the Jefferson Group and enjoyed them all. For some reason, PAYBACK seems like it was written by somebody else. The action was sporadic, and too many things were going on within the storyline. I usually enjoy the banter between team members, which was missing here. The Dir. of the CIA, Mr. Flap, seemed to be an over-the-top character, it's unbelievable that he was able to manage the bounty program and that the president was so blind to what he was doing. A nuclear bomb detonates in the U.S. and it seems like nobody cared. I would have expected common citizens to panic, yet, there was no mention.
The story was slow-moving and I found myself skimming pages. It ended well, but what hard to finish. I' already have too much invested in this author and won't let PAYBACK turn me off to future offerings
The story was slow-moving and I found myself skimming pages. It ended well, but what hard to finish. I' already have too much invested in this author and won't let PAYBACK turn me off to future offerings
April 21, 2022
Cooper delights me! Payback is no exemption in its delightful rhetoric. The gang is back and they are off…running into intrigue within our own corrupt government. Yes, this is fiction, but Cooper sends a poisoned arrow into the heart of our corrupt government, the world monetary systems, and Russians! I’m just thankful Top fed them before they went to war! Oh, Higgins. I’m so thankful Higgins got a section in this one, dissecting the bad guy! Yeah, Cooper!
This is a must read! I could read it as a stand-alone, as the characters are seemingly known to me, but it’s so much better being the latest Corps Justice next novel, read in sequence to the other Coros Justice novels.
In a nutshell, Cooper hits another “home run” and runs the bases 3 times for snicks and grins!
This is a must read! I could read it as a stand-alone, as the characters are seemingly known to me, but it’s so much better being the latest Corps Justice next novel, read in sequence to the other Coros Justice novels.
In a nutshell, Cooper hits another “home run” and runs the bases 3 times for snicks and grins!
April 8, 2022
A very original concept in today's mishmash of terrorists and the zombie apocalypse. That is so pervasive out there for novels these days. Holding elected officials to the job they do, is a very unique concept. Especially the end result noted throughout the novel. The suspense and action are ratcheted up as one progresses from chapter to chapter. There are some great twists and turns, not really sure whom to root for. And that just adds to the enjoyment of reading this author. This author really has a style that just grabs the reader's attention and does not let go. This was one of the few novels this year, that once you start. You just have to finish in one sitting.
May 10, 2022
A somewhat routine adventure story about a shady group of individuals who assassinate people they think need to be removed. No background is given on them and one is never sure how many people are in this group or who they work for. The most notable feature of the book is the offering by the director of the CIA of huge monetary rewards to anyone and everyone who will kill any elected official in the USA, using money given to hime by the president of Russia. This story thread stays mostly in the background unfortunately when it could have been expanded into a much more interesting plot line.
April 9, 2022
Chaos unleashed. Evil and Good? Who decides?
When a deranged figure is given $500 billion dollars to see chaos in the USA, Cal and Daniel need to accept help from unlikely sources. Will this be the final chapter of the Jefferson Group and maybe even our way of life? C. G. Cooper spins a tale that keeps us on edge from start to finish.
When a deranged figure is given $500 billion dollars to see chaos in the USA, Cal and Daniel need to accept help from unlikely sources. Will this be the final chapter of the Jefferson Group and maybe even our way of life? C. G. Cooper spins a tale that keeps us on edge from start to finish.
April 22, 2022
Another exciting book about Cal, Daniel and gang. Someone has put a huge bounty on politicians with the intent to cause chaos. It has all the politicians hiding with security including the President. Cal and his team are tasked with helping to stop the chaos. We have Wilcox showing up to cause his own mischief which has the effect of helping the president and Cal. Great reading thanks
June 1, 2022
Loved the banter Matt Wilcox and lack of brevity and his new partner, how similar they were in thoughts and actions. The premise of the book was so out there yet virtually possible it became a horrifically wicked splendid thriller. Cooper pulled out all the tricks of his trade - and then more. Worth a re-read.
June 19, 2023
winner
For me, this was an absolute winner in the series. I am a big fan of Cal and Company, but Wilcox adds just that extra something that makes me absolutely love to see what happens next. (Actually, Wilcox adds reminds me a little of Zach Hightower in Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series!)
As always, this is an excellent, fast paced story that I could hardly put down .
For me, this was an absolute winner in the series. I am a big fan of Cal and Company, but Wilcox adds just that extra something that makes me absolutely love to see what happens next. (Actually, Wilcox adds reminds me a little of Zach Hightower in Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series!)
As always, this is an excellent, fast paced story that I could hardly put down .
December 20, 2025
C.G. Cooper _ Payback, one of his best
As always, intense and fast paced. The entwined fusion of bringing Matthew Wilcox and Cal and company together in a much more aligned alliance as to purpose is ingenious. Of all his books closures at the end, this one IMO, had one if the smoothest transition to conclusion. And now the next chapter begins....
As always, intense and fast paced. The entwined fusion of bringing Matthew Wilcox and Cal and company together in a much more aligned alliance as to purpose is ingenious. Of all his books closures at the end, this one IMO, had one if the smoothest transition to conclusion. And now the next chapter begins....
April 1, 2022
Hidden in Plain Sight
What happens when the fiend funding chaos is a master of minipulation and someone who seems to be above the law?
Find out by reading this twisty, turning tome! Another great read by C.G. Cooper!
What happens when the fiend funding chaos is a master of minipulation and someone who seems to be above the law?
Find out by reading this twisty, turning tome! Another great read by C.G. Cooper!
April 8, 2022
enjoyed
This was a little different, but still
Enjoyable. It was just a little unbelievable where the other books were more in tune with a possibility. The Flap character was a little far fetched
This was a little different, but still
Enjoyable. It was just a little unbelievable where the other books were more in tune with a possibility. The Flap character was a little far fetched
April 8, 2022
Exciting
An unbelievable plot yet not surprising in today's world. It was hard to stop reading and Wilcox was difficult to get used to at first but came through at the end. Good to see everybody back together with Higgins such an integral part.
An unbelievable plot yet not surprising in today's world. It was hard to stop reading and Wilcox was difficult to get used to at first but came through at the end. Good to see everybody back together with Higgins such an integral part.
April 10, 2022
Compelling Thriller
Great continuation of Cal Stokes and the Jefferson Group as they pursue a traitor who's bent on eliminating politicians and Congressional members to gain power, prestige and revenge against Cal Stokes. Great read!
Great continuation of Cal Stokes and the Jefferson Group as they pursue a traitor who's bent on eliminating politicians and Congressional members to gain power, prestige and revenge against Cal Stokes. Great read!
April 10, 2022
This is such a fun and exciting series!
C. G. Cooper has become one of my favorite authors! His character development is intriguing and believable. The excitement in every novel is well plotted and organized. I can’t wait till the next novel is released!
C. G. Cooper has become one of my favorite authors! His character development is intriguing and believable. The excitement in every novel is well plotted and organized. I can’t wait till the next novel is released!
April 14, 2022
Another great addition to the Corps Justice series
This book had so many plots going on at once! Exciting from start to finish! Cal and Daniel were in their element and Top and Gaucho still crack me up every time!
This book had so many plots going on at once! Exciting from start to finish! Cal and Daniel were in their element and Top and Gaucho still crack me up every time!
April 14, 2022
This is another great from this author. He will keep you guessing throughout the book. The characters are great and the regular one never disappoint. The story is believable and keep you interested. I will be waiting for his next book.
April 19, 2022
Excellent as usual
Loved the book! Great excitement and adventure. The whole team is together in this Russian / CIA leadership evil plot to do harm. Even Wilcox makes a return, but you begin to love him more in this book. An excellent read.
Loved the book! Great excitement and adventure. The whole team is together in this Russian / CIA leadership evil plot to do harm. Even Wilcox makes a return, but you begin to love him more in this book. An excellent read.
April 19, 2022
Splendid
As with the rest of this series the writing was excellent and spellbinding. Great character interaction. It was hard to put down and hated to come to the end. Can't wait for the next book.
As with the rest of this series the writing was excellent and spellbinding. Great character interaction. It was hard to put down and hated to come to the end. Can't wait for the next book.
April 22, 2022
Carlos does it again.
Payback is a page turner. It also makes you not want to go to work because you need to find out what is happening next. As always, Carlos is a great writer and has a wonderful imagination.
Payback is a page turner. It also makes you not want to go to work because you need to find out what is happening next. As always, Carlos is a great writer and has a wonderful imagination.
May 3, 2022
Another good story from Cooper. This one seems a little choppy as you read it, going from one character to another, which moves you around the world. The story though holds throughout. I don’t believe it is near his best, but it still is worthy. 5
May 9, 2022
Another great book
As always Mr Cooper knocked it out the park. Keeps a reader on the edge of his seat and you don't want to stop until the story is finished. The only down side will be waiting for the next one. Love the writing love the story line. Great read
As always Mr Cooper knocked it out the park. Keeps a reader on the edge of his seat and you don't want to stop until the story is finished. The only down side will be waiting for the next one. Love the writing love the story line. Great read
May 15, 2022
Another fantastic additional to the series.
I look forward to every story written by C. G. Cooper. Definitely keeps the intrigue going. I look forward to seeing the next book in the series.
I look forward to every story written by C. G. Cooper. Definitely keeps the intrigue going. I look forward to seeing the next book in the series.
July 15, 2022
As good as ever
I do love C. G. Cooper books as you know you are in for a gread read. 18 books in and although the Characters are now very familiar, the stories are still fresh and readable as book 1.
Another great read, well done C.G. please keep them coming.
I do love C. G. Cooper books as you know you are in for a gread read. 18 books in and although the Characters are now very familiar, the stories are still fresh and readable as book 1.
Another great read, well done C.G. please keep them coming.
August 2, 2022
Wow. Great story.
This was a pretty amazing continuation to the story. More than a few twists and turns. Plus it leaves lots of opportunity for much more future development. While the book stands alone, it is much more fun to have read the entire series.
This was a pretty amazing continuation to the story. More than a few twists and turns. Plus it leaves lots of opportunity for much more future development. While the book stands alone, it is much more fun to have read the entire series.
September 11, 2022
As always, I am never disappointed in a Cal Stokes and friends book. All the storylines are tied together where you don’t have to constantly check to see who someone is. I have enjoyed all the books by Mr. Cooper. He never shortcut’s the reader.
October 27, 2022
awesome story line
This book was terrific and as always I can’t wait for the next one to come along .I’ve read all Coopers books and each time I’m amazed at the story and how real they seem to become believable.
This book was terrific and as always I can’t wait for the next one to come along .I’ve read all Coopers books and each time I’m amazed at the story and how real they seem to become believable.
September 8, 2023
thrilling
I sincerely believe this series should be on TV
It is better than Jack Reacher and Jack Ryan
If you like political thrillers this the series for you
Just when you think the new book will not be not different or as good you find yourself wrong
Enjoy the read.
I sincerely believe this series should be on TV
It is better than Jack Reacher and Jack Ryan
If you like political thrillers this the series for you
Just when you think the new book will not be not different or as good you find yourself wrong
Enjoy the read.
February 22, 2025
Payback
A lot of people got their payback in this book . It was fun to see. It was kind of interesting to see how some politicians got theirs. This would probably not happen in the real world.
A lot of people got their payback in this book . It was fun to see. It was kind of interesting to see how some politicians got theirs. This would probably not happen in the real world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews