The Devil's Payback: Under Siege in The City

by David Goodlett

The Devil’s Payback takes place in San Francisco in 1971 and has three main characters, two women and a man, as they join together in an attempt to prevent a deliberately planned mass catastrophe in San Francisco. Much of the novel involves those three trying to uncover exactly what this plan is and then stop it, while striving desperately to stay alive. Jimmy Beckett is on the run from Los Angeles to San Francisco because he has become vaguely aware of a plot to cause massive havoc in San Francisco, and he flees north to try to find out what that plot is and stop it, while also trying to avoid arrest for a crime he didn't commit. After arriving, through an accident he encounters Phil(omena) Maka and Bea(trice) Aurelius, two law clerks working for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

From the beginning, these three face enormous difficulties. They know through Jimmy that a mass murder is being planned, but they have no idea exactly where or when in San Francisco the event is supposed to take place, or even what type it is, and, for a complex reason regarding Jimmy, they can't afford to go to the police with what little knowledge they do possess. Their opponents have numerous they already know when, where and how the attack will occur, in addition to their being more numerous and ruthless. The other three do have some significant strengths, their own courage, to a degree most of them did not grasp in advance; the appearance of unexpected allies; and the conflicting goals and personalities of their opponents.

By the time the story reaches its climax, a sizable number of violent deaths will have occurred, and they won't stop even with that climax. From the beginning, there is much that needs to be settled between individuals in both groups, a dynamic that plays itself out through the end of the novel. Overall, it's a story of hatred, courage, madness, trust, avarice undiluted by concern for other human beings, and even love with all of its complexity and contradictions. For most of the characters, it's an exhausting, painful, and eye-opening journey, as well as, for many of them, a deadly one.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2023

Reviews

[Phoebe Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil’s Payback pulled me in from the first few pages and never let go. Set in 1971 San Francisco, it perfectly captures the tension and paranoia of a city on the brink. Jimmy, Philomena, and Beatrice make an unlikely but compelling trio, each flawed, brave, and deeply human. I loved how their fear and courage intertwine as they race to stop a disaster they barely understand.

The suspense feels real, and the moral struggles hit hard. By the time the story reaches its climax, you’re not just hoping they survive, you’re completely invested in who they become. David Goodlett has crafted a thriller that’s both intelligent and heartfelt.

A powerful, cinematic read that stays with you long after the last page.

[Lioren Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Goodlett’s The Devil’s Payback completely transported me to early ‘70s San Francisco, a city trembling on the edge of chaos. You can feel the tension in every shadow, every ticking second of the plot. Jimmy Beckett is a brilliantly written, conflicted hero haunted, desperate, and human. I loved how Goodlett balanced the political and psychological undercurrents of the era with a heart-stopping thriller rhythm. The trio of Jimmy, Philomena, and Beatrice felt like real people thrown into impossible danger. It’s cinematic, intelligent, and eerily plausible. I couldn’t put it down.

[Claire Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy books that combine historical authenticity with a nail-biting sense of suspense, this one’s for you. The Devil’s Payback reads like a blend of classic noir and social commentary. I was hooked not just by the mystery of the planned mass catastrophe, but by how deeply Goodlett makes you care about the characters. Each of them is driven by fear, guilt, and courage in equal measure. I also adored the backdrop of 1971 San Francisco it’s gritty, beautiful, and vividly real. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a reminder of how fragile our world has always been.

[Megan Hollister · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has that rare combination: suspense and emotional depth. The pacing is tight, the writing crisp, and the dialogue feels natural. I was especially drawn to the moral ambiguity Jimmy’s running not just from danger, but from his own past. The women he meets, Phil and Bea, bring intelligence and empathy to the chaos. The story kept surprising me, and I found myself reading late into the night because I had to know if they could stop what was coming. Think Three Days of the Condor meets The Parallax View, but with more heart.