What do you think?
Rate this book
Dennis Milne #3
The Payback
TWO COPS, ONE CITY, NO MERCY
Dennis Milne is a man with a past, and a past that involves murder.
A former cop, he's earned his living killing the bad guys - drug-dealers, corrupt business men - people who, in his opinion, deserve to die. For the past two days, he's been in Manila, waiting for his next target: a young woman who's made herself some poor life-choices, and some even worse enemies.
DI Tina Boyd is a woman on a mission.
Tough, spiky and determined, she's looking for the man she holds responsible for the death of her lover. She knows this man's ruthless. She knows he's dangerous. But he's in Manila, and she's determined to find him - before he finds her.
Two cops with pasts that haunt them - and a present that could see them both dead. They are about to meet.
And when they do, it's payback time ...
Dennis Milne is a man with a past, and a past that involves murder.
A former cop, he's earned his living killing the bad guys - drug-dealers, corrupt business men - people who, in his opinion, deserve to die. For the past two days, he's been in Manila, waiting for his next target: a young woman who's made herself some poor life-choices, and some even worse enemies.
DI Tina Boyd is a woman on a mission.
Tough, spiky and determined, she's looking for the man she holds responsible for the death of her lover. She knows this man's ruthless. She knows he's dangerous. But he's in Manila, and she's determined to find him - before he finds her.
Two cops with pasts that haunt them - and a present that could see them both dead. They are about to meet.
And when they do, it's payback time ...
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2011
109 people are currently reading
762 people want to read
About the author
Simon Kernick
73 books1,158 followersSimon Kernick (born 1966 in Slough, Berkshire) is a British thriller/crime writer now living in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. He attended Gillotts School, a comprehensive in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Whilst he was a student his jobs included fruitpicker and Christmas-tree uprooter. He graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in 1991 with a degree in humanities. Kernick had a passion for crime fiction writing from a young age and produced many short stories during his time at polytechnic. After graduating Kernick joined MMT Computing in London in early 1992, where a relative was the Chairman and Managing Director. Kernick was a key member of the sales team and was very highly regarded. However, he left the company after 4 years in the hope of trying to secure a publishing deal. Despite interest from a number of publishers Kernick was unable to secure a deal, so he joined the sales force of the specialist IT and Business Consultancy Metaskil plc in Aldermaston, Berkshire in 1998 where he remained until he secured his first book deal (The Business of Dying) in September 2001. His novel Relentless was recommended on Richard & Judy's Summer book club 2007. It was the 8th best-selling paperback, and the best-selling thriller in the UK in the same year
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
May 20, 2019
Action packed thriller, with former London policeman Dennis still in the murder-for-hire business. Our anti-hero is on a collision course with Tina Boyd, who's on the trail of a super rich, super bad guy based in the Phillipines, Milne's old stomping grounds.
February 5, 2017
4.5 Stars. This was by far the best book in the trilogy and introduced me to the character of Tina Boyd (who figures in her own Simon Kernick Series). I liked the way Simon merged the two different parts of the story from Dennis's end and Tina's, both taking place in different parts of the world. Dennis as a former policeman is quite a different and intriguing character. It was good how they eventually worked together in the case after an interesting introduction to each other! This book certainly moved along at pace and rounded off the themes across the three books. Plenty of tension and exciting action at the end of the book. I would certain recommend Simon Kernick as a writer! I now look forward to reading the Tina Boyd series.
October 8, 2018
at the beginning i felt it is a bit cold and detached thriller starting with an killer on demand who is an ex-police with not a very clear back ground. but as the plot get speed so is the reader goes into a fascinating thriller which deal with the evil of human traffic in south east asia and with a very high level of moral stand of the author. i missed a bit the true smells and small touches from places like manila and luang prabang which stayed detached and not with real life beside of served the plot. but on the whole it is an action packed very good thriller
March 30, 2012
Ok I admit, I am hooked after reading only two books from this author, I have been drawn from the start into the excitement of Mr. Kernick’s fast moving action packed dramas. “The Payback” drags you into the gory and mystery filled action right from the first murder and with each new victim the suspense intensifies, the constant twists and turns make it a hard novel to put aside.
This latest caper set in the Philippines highlights two of Mr. Kernick’s most popular protagonists: Tina Boyd, the exciting and feisty police office and Dennis Milne, a former cop who is now earning his living by accepting contract killings. A third player is Paul Wise a recurring villain, he is well known as an international crime boss and cruel pedophile.
It opens when Dennis is sent to Manila to carry out an “assignment” for his employer Bertie Schagel (Paul Wise’s right hand man), his target is a journalist. Tina is also in the city, on leave from the force with the hope of settling accounts. She has scheduled a meeting with the same journalist to gather information as to the whereabouts of Paul Wise, the man who left her for dead and killed her ex-lover. When Paul realises he is targeted by Tina, he gives the order to have Dennis eliminate her also. When Dennis realises his second target is a beautiful, innocent woman and a police officer he is unable to fulfill his boss’ wishes and knows by doing this he has put an even bigger target on himself. His only alternative is to join forces with Tina and go after the head of the snake. Their encounter is completely explosive and when you add to the mix a notorious villain you have a fast-paced and action-packed plot that is guaranteed to put boredom at bay for another day.
Mr. Kernick’s characterization is outstanding, Dennis, for one is portrayed as a cold-blooded murderer but he has so much depth and heart it is hard not to empathize with him at times, the others characters are equally well developed in their own roles. The author has provided a lot of Dennis’ back history to make this novel exciting on its own and has brought to light some loose ends from previous installments. However my gut feeling is I should have started with “A Good Day To Die”, all of his novels are definitely on my TBR list, time will tell.
This latest caper set in the Philippines highlights two of Mr. Kernick’s most popular protagonists: Tina Boyd, the exciting and feisty police office and Dennis Milne, a former cop who is now earning his living by accepting contract killings. A third player is Paul Wise a recurring villain, he is well known as an international crime boss and cruel pedophile.
It opens when Dennis is sent to Manila to carry out an “assignment” for his employer Bertie Schagel (Paul Wise’s right hand man), his target is a journalist. Tina is also in the city, on leave from the force with the hope of settling accounts. She has scheduled a meeting with the same journalist to gather information as to the whereabouts of Paul Wise, the man who left her for dead and killed her ex-lover. When Paul realises he is targeted by Tina, he gives the order to have Dennis eliminate her also. When Dennis realises his second target is a beautiful, innocent woman and a police officer he is unable to fulfill his boss’ wishes and knows by doing this he has put an even bigger target on himself. His only alternative is to join forces with Tina and go after the head of the snake. Their encounter is completely explosive and when you add to the mix a notorious villain you have a fast-paced and action-packed plot that is guaranteed to put boredom at bay for another day.
Mr. Kernick’s characterization is outstanding, Dennis, for one is portrayed as a cold-blooded murderer but he has so much depth and heart it is hard not to empathize with him at times, the others characters are equally well developed in their own roles. The author has provided a lot of Dennis’ back history to make this novel exciting on its own and has brought to light some loose ends from previous installments. However my gut feeling is I should have started with “A Good Day To Die”, all of his novels are definitely on my TBR list, time will tell.
July 19, 2014
Very fond of Simon Kernick as a thriller/crime writer and this does not disappoint. Yes, it has to be said there is little in the way of deep character development but what this book lacks in deep intelligent literary thought it makes up for in the ferocious action that starts on page one and does not let up until the end....so if you want to escape from the toils and tribulations of daily life...let facebook go....forget emails...switch off the telly and settle down to good old fashioned storytelling....come on you know you want to and you will not be disapponted :)) The Payback sees the pairing of Tina Boyd and Dennis Milne in a fast and exciting romp in The Phillippines, both characters are flawed and frankly appear to put very little value on life some might even say hiding a death wish but this only notches up the action for the reader. The book is brought to a great conclusion and neatly closed some of the running storylines and themes and there is an excellent little postscript from the author.
August 7, 2020
I’ve been curious about Simon Kernick’s Dennis Milne for a while and have been desperate to dive into the series. Although this is the last book in the series, it’s the first of the series I have read. I hate to read series out of order, but the library has been giving me the books in no particular order. Despite not knowing the details of the prior books, I was able to enjoy this one.
The Payback had me hooked from the start, and I was happy to power through it in no time. There were a few moments that felt like clichés, with the characters and behaviours feeling like the stereotypical action movie, but this was not enough to lessen my enjoyment. There was plenty packed into it, the pieces came together well, and I devoured it in no time.
I’ll certainly be giving the prior books a read when I get my hands on them. I just wish I’d read the author’s books in order, as this one contained a lot of spoilers for the author’s Tina Boyd series, which I have yet to finish.
The Payback had me hooked from the start, and I was happy to power through it in no time. There were a few moments that felt like clichés, with the characters and behaviours feeling like the stereotypical action movie, but this was not enough to lessen my enjoyment. There was plenty packed into it, the pieces came together well, and I devoured it in no time.
I’ll certainly be giving the prior books a read when I get my hands on them. I just wish I’d read the author’s books in order, as this one contained a lot of spoilers for the author’s Tina Boyd series, which I have yet to finish.
October 27, 2017
Das ist das erste Buch von Simon Kernick, dass ich gelesen habe. Er hat einen sehr leisen Schreibstil, der viel Raum braucht um auf Hochtouren zu kommen. Was an sich nicht negativ sein muss, aber für einen Thriller in meinen Augen eher unpassend ist. Nichtsdestotrotz fand ich die Story nicht schlecht, durchaus spannend erzählt. Aber die Phasen in denen irgendwie nichts passierte überwiegen eindeutig. Deshalb gut gemeinte 3 Sterne.
March 27, 2020
4*
It's a good plot but very unbelievable with some of the antics. What I did find was realistic truths that in some parts of the world, there is a lot of corruption within their own countries upper echelons.
Good but not blown away
It's a good plot but very unbelievable with some of the antics. What I did find was realistic truths that in some parts of the world, there is a lot of corruption within their own countries upper echelons.
Good but not blown away
May 29, 2021
The final volume of the Dennis Milne trilogy sees the enjoyably amoral cop turned hitman team up with Kernick’s other series character, DI Tina Boyd, a hard-bitten loner so unconcerned with the rule book that she makes Jack Regan look like a particularly soft version of Dixon of Dock Green. It’s no quite as narratively satisfying as the previous Milne outings, but it’s pacy as all hell and the slam-bang finale delivers the goods.
February 12, 2025
Como me surpreendeu este policial. Adorei toda a trama, e no final não ser o que estávamos a pensar.
June 19, 2012
I am a huge fan of Kernick's after reading Relentless. I also found previous book The Last Ten Seconds was a corker of a read. With this one I feel like it was a bit flat in comparison. The story itself was okay, and we get to see Tina Boyd and her obsessions once again. I just felt it wasn't as good in comparison to his last one.
Like I said before Tina Boyd once again makes an appearance and all of her obsessions are highlighted even more in this book. She is a really good character and with the double up along with Dennis Milne they made for great lead characters. Dennis Milne has appeared in previous Kernick books but I have yet to read them. Even if you haven't read past books of his, this book can still be read as a stand alone.
The story is mainly set in Manila and as usual the story starts out at breakneck speed. This is one of the main things that sets Kernick apart from other authors. He managed to pick you up and chuck you headfirst straight into the thick of it. The pace hardly lets up throughout the whole book and as usual you will be turning the pages quicker than you can read.
The story itself was okay, but just okay. I loved the writing and the characters but just felt there was something missing with this book. I couldn't even tell you what it was, just that it doesn't read as well as some of his other books. As usual the crime scenes are gory and gritty and frighteningly realistic. This is definitely a no holds barred author when it comes to the graphic descriptions of how people die. Having said that, it is done brilliantly and just ends up drawing you further into the story.
Overall I felt a little bit mixed about this book. On the whole it was as usual a great book from Kernick, just not as good as others he has written and was lacking that usual magic sparkle. I would still recommend and look forward to reading his other books still on my to read pile!
Like I said before Tina Boyd once again makes an appearance and all of her obsessions are highlighted even more in this book. She is a really good character and with the double up along with Dennis Milne they made for great lead characters. Dennis Milne has appeared in previous Kernick books but I have yet to read them. Even if you haven't read past books of his, this book can still be read as a stand alone.
The story is mainly set in Manila and as usual the story starts out at breakneck speed. This is one of the main things that sets Kernick apart from other authors. He managed to pick you up and chuck you headfirst straight into the thick of it. The pace hardly lets up throughout the whole book and as usual you will be turning the pages quicker than you can read.
The story itself was okay, but just okay. I loved the writing and the characters but just felt there was something missing with this book. I couldn't even tell you what it was, just that it doesn't read as well as some of his other books. As usual the crime scenes are gory and gritty and frighteningly realistic. This is definitely a no holds barred author when it comes to the graphic descriptions of how people die. Having said that, it is done brilliantly and just ends up drawing you further into the story.
Overall I felt a little bit mixed about this book. On the whole it was as usual a great book from Kernick, just not as good as others he has written and was lacking that usual magic sparkle. I would still recommend and look forward to reading his other books still on my to read pile!
July 27, 2011
I love Simon Kernick. Ever since I picked up Target I have been hooked.
Don't get me wrong when I give The Payback three stars. I really liked it, but it felt very samey to his others. I know its natural to have similarities, but I felt that others I have read have been more inventive and exciting, especially his earlier ones. They were grittier and more violent, maybe not believeable, but more possible.
I love the two characters Tina Boyd and Dennis Milne, and the two of them in the same novel was a great bonus.
Paul Wise a recurring character is the bad guy once again and finally gets his comeuppance. When this happened I thought, hold on, whats he going to do next?! I also felt it was shame to lose a major criminal and also one of his main characters...which for those avid readers have grown to love. A great end to the character, but an end none the less.
It was a fast paced, interesting plot that weaved together very well as always, which I am amazed by again, but I felt that it lacked a good oomph to it. I think his earlier ones are the best, but I will forever be grateful that I picked up Target as I love to read a good British author, especially crime.
Don't get me wrong when I give The Payback three stars. I really liked it, but it felt very samey to his others. I know its natural to have similarities, but I felt that others I have read have been more inventive and exciting, especially his earlier ones. They were grittier and more violent, maybe not believeable, but more possible.
I love the two characters Tina Boyd and Dennis Milne, and the two of them in the same novel was a great bonus.
Paul Wise a recurring character is the bad guy once again and finally gets his comeuppance. When this happened I thought, hold on, whats he going to do next?! I also felt it was shame to lose a major criminal and also one of his main characters...which for those avid readers have grown to love. A great end to the character, but an end none the less.
It was a fast paced, interesting plot that weaved together very well as always, which I am amazed by again, but I felt that it lacked a good oomph to it. I think his earlier ones are the best, but I will forever be grateful that I picked up Target as I love to read a good British author, especially crime.
November 10, 2013
Hi,
Another first author for me. Recently reading and really enjoying finding these exciting authors and their novels, with Allan Folsom, Vince Flynn and now Simon Kernick.
This book is very fast paced, gripping and tense, and all the characters come together.
With locations in London and the Phillipines.
Really exciting, last few chapters read today as I could not put the book down.
Now looking forward to reading his next book Relentless.
Highly recommended
regards
Sean
Another first author for me. Recently reading and really enjoying finding these exciting authors and their novels, with Allan Folsom, Vince Flynn and now Simon Kernick.
This book is very fast paced, gripping and tense, and all the characters come together.
With locations in London and the Phillipines.
Really exciting, last few chapters read today as I could not put the book down.
Now looking forward to reading his next book Relentless.
Highly recommended
regards
Sean
July 12, 2013
Well this is my first Simon Kernick book and I can't wait to read another!
I thought this book was a phenomenal read. The pace never let's up and is a real page turner. The chapters were a good length and i really felt like I knew the characters.
Highly recommended!
I thought this book was a phenomenal read. The pace never let's up and is a real page turner. The chapters were a good length and i really felt like I knew the characters.
Highly recommended!
October 4, 2012
Very good read and seems to be the end of Dennis Milne. There could however be a new main character emerging.
July 30, 2015
Superb.
January 21, 2019
Another stellar book from Simon Kernick - the third in the series involving Dennis Milne. We meet Dennis again several years after the events in 'A Good Day to Die', he seems to be trying to escape the life he has been leading after so many murders and sins throughout the years. Until he gets pulled back in by a debt owed to Bertie Schagel (a fixer) who reminds him that he owes him a debt due to rescuing Dennis and helping him escape London all those years ago.
Dennis is asked to kill Tina Boyd who has become a problem for a client of Schagel's - Dennis reluctantly accepts the task even though he has hesitations about killing a woman. He knows after this job he can retire in Laos. What entails is a thrill a minute, uncovering more and more behind the lies of the underworld and the cover-ups. Plenty of violence to keep you hooked, similar to all other Kernick books that I have read. Looking forward to reading more of his back catalogue.
Dennis is asked to kill Tina Boyd who has become a problem for a client of Schagel's - Dennis reluctantly accepts the task even though he has hesitations about killing a woman. He knows after this job he can retire in Laos. What entails is a thrill a minute, uncovering more and more behind the lies of the underworld and the cover-ups. Plenty of violence to keep you hooked, similar to all other Kernick books that I have read. Looking forward to reading more of his back catalogue.
November 16, 2023
I actually feel a bit bad giving this book 4 out of 5 and the previous book I read, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, only 3. But I've realised in my time of reading (since I was old enough to read and spent hours under the covers with a torch reading Roald Dahl) that no matter what other people think of a book, it's your reading experience that counts. I know this book is low brow and basically a blockbuster action movie in book form, I know I don't need to use my brain, or feel that the book might change my life. I just enjoyed reading it. I wanted to know what happened to the characters and wanted the bad guys to get their comeuppance in the end. I wanted fight scenes and stop-or-I'll-shoot and that's what I got. My life is not changed, I've learned nothing, but I was entertained.
December 19, 2017
I simply loved it. I like Kernick's style, so hooking and engaging. Once I start reading one of his books, I cannot stop. I'm glad I commute so I can have plenty of time to read, the only problem is to get off of the train at the wrong station!
I have quite a soft spot for Dennis Milne since Kernick has described him as a man with a dark past but still with a sense of the limit between what is wrong and what is right. Albeit he sometimes tends to forget this limit, his inner self knows how to lead him. And in this book he will definitely go through a lot together with DI Tina Boyd, a strong-willed detective who has not an easy past herself.
This pair is true dynamite and the plot so captivating that you will definitely look for the next Kernick's book to read!
I have quite a soft spot for Dennis Milne since Kernick has described him as a man with a dark past but still with a sense of the limit between what is wrong and what is right. Albeit he sometimes tends to forget this limit, his inner self knows how to lead him. And in this book he will definitely go through a lot together with DI Tina Boyd, a strong-willed detective who has not an easy past herself.
This pair is true dynamite and the plot so captivating that you will definitely look for the next Kernick's book to read!
March 10, 2019
This could have been 4 stars but I had a gap reading it due to review copies stacking up and so it took a while to get back into it. I actually did really enjoy it it was just the stop-start didn't help but also the main character is an assassin and I struggled a little bit with the fact halfway through the book he appeared to get a conscience...
After killing for years and some of them he knew were needless deaths it was a little strange how all of a sudden he just lowers the gun, metaphorically and literally! It remained a fast-paced read though and definitely kept my attention (once I'd got back into it!!). This was the last of this particular characters series and I felt the ending was appropriately done.
After killing for years and some of them he knew were needless deaths it was a little strange how all of a sudden he just lowers the gun, metaphorically and literally! It remained a fast-paced read though and definitely kept my attention (once I'd got back into it!!). This was the last of this particular characters series and I felt the ending was appropriately done.
October 19, 2017
Now here's the thing....I really don't know what to make of this author! I read "Relentless" & found it disappointing, followed it with "Deadline" which I quite enjoyed but I then really didn't like "Severed" . So the question is - what would I make of this one?
Well ,I'm surprised but happy to say, I really enjoyed it! Better storyline, good characters that were already known to me & action scenes that I could visualise (most of the time).
My thinking is now that if I come across a Dennis Milne or Tina Boyd tale I'll give it a go but will probably leave standalone books alone :o)
Well ,I'm surprised but happy to say, I really enjoyed it! Better storyline, good characters that were already known to me & action scenes that I could visualise (most of the time).
My thinking is now that if I come across a Dennis Milne or Tina Boyd tale I'll give it a go but will probably leave standalone books alone :o)
June 14, 2020
Ok, so the indiscriminate killing is probably a little too much to be necessary. I mean, really. A LOT of people die, needlessly so. In an almost Killing Eve sort of way.
Personally, I could have done without all the child abuse and paedophilia (A LOT), it’s a fairly brutal a read all in all. I found myself drifting away as the multiple narratives changed though, as the voices were not very distinctive from one another. Other than that, it’s a cracking read, along with the only other I read, Relentless. Which was better, I think.
I don't think reading this out of order from the others helped.
Personally, I could have done without all the child abuse and paedophilia (A LOT), it’s a fairly brutal a read all in all. I found myself drifting away as the multiple narratives changed though, as the voices were not very distinctive from one another. Other than that, it’s a cracking read, along with the only other I read, Relentless. Which was better, I think.
I don't think reading this out of order from the others helped.
September 25, 2022
More than lived up to expectations!
Oh yes, this was definitely a brilliant end to the trilogy. Everything nearly gets wrapped up in this novel but what a journey to get there.
Teaming up with another police officer who happens to be female was not his best idea, especially as he had been contracted to kill her. But this works really well as the pair have to get after and kill an evil man in the full sense of the word. A man who was presumed dead from the previous book.
Really enjoyed reading this series and will be seeking more reads from this author.
Oh yes, this was definitely a brilliant end to the trilogy. Everything nearly gets wrapped up in this novel but what a journey to get there.
Teaming up with another police officer who happens to be female was not his best idea, especially as he had been contracted to kill her. But this works really well as the pair have to get after and kill an evil man in the full sense of the word. A man who was presumed dead from the previous book.
Really enjoyed reading this series and will be seeking more reads from this author.
May 12, 2025
I picked up this book randomly from the library and I had no idea it was the third one in a series featuring the main character Dennis Milne. However it was still an interesting read without being familiar with the previous books (which are now on my list). The story was a bit more violent than what I’m used to and it put me up for an emotional challenge as in should I root for the main character or not. I felt pity for him but was still struggling to fully embrace him. Anyway it was a fast read and now I’m looking forward to read more from Simon Kernick.
November 15, 2024
The third and final book with Dennis Milne (this time there is no way he is coming back) with ubiquitous Tina Boyd. Evil Paul Wise meets his end at last. Almost all action happens in Philippines. Manila seems like very poor and depressing. Typical Simon Kernick fare with more soul searching than usual. I hope pedophile ring theme that figured so prominently in his previous novels finally put to rest.
February 23, 2021
You pretty much get what you pay for with Kernick, breakneck speed for writing and flow and a plot that is clear as mud until the final few chapters as they start to coalesce like an optical illusion starting to make sense. The format, however, seems to be becoming tired and a little worn. A good book, quick read but ultimately not quite satiating.
April 18, 2023
A great rollor coster ride of a read
I love Simon Kernick books as I am on a reading spread to aim to all his books by 2024. As ever this book is amazing and full of twists and turns with different outcome than expected. Great speed and pace of the story and now onto his next book. Best wishes Sean
I love Simon Kernick books as I am on a reading spread to aim to all his books by 2024. As ever this book is amazing and full of twists and turns with different outcome than expected. Great speed and pace of the story and now onto his next book. Best wishes Sean
November 18, 2023
This is the second book I've read by Simon Kernick (the other one was Severed), and I'm not really a fan. My mum loves them and keeps passing them on to me, but I find the characters shallow and the prose rather elementary. I appreciate that he is going for plot action rather than prizes, but I'm left feeling rather empty, and wishing I'd spent my time reading something else.
November 7, 2017
The first 200 pages are pretty dang good! I really like when the “good guy” is also a “bad” guy, in this case, an assassin for hire. But chapter 25 seems so unlikely that it kinda killed my buzz. The assassin goes from super tough guy, to tender hearted "nice" guy - really fast! I'd give the first half four stars and the second half one.
September 9, 2020
3.5
It's an amazing thriller. The action sequences were so descriptive that I could imagine it in front of my eyes like a movie. Only sad thing of finishing this book is that now I miss Dennis Milne and Tina Boyd.
It's an amazing thriller. The action sequences were so descriptive that I could imagine it in front of my eyes like a movie. Only sad thing of finishing this book is that now I miss Dennis Milne and Tina Boyd.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews