Rating: 
Summary: His 'New' Paperback
Review: I have read a lot of Jack Higgins books - I am always been into them from the first paragraph. This one, however, I found very difficult to get into and nearly gave up. Most unusual, but then I found that it had been written nearly 40 years ago, under the name Harry Patterson, and never made it to a paperback. So, I suppose the publishers are in order to call it 'His NEW paperback'. Bit of a con really. Anyway, found it most enjoyable once it got going - unusual to have an Irish story without Devlin or Dillon. I was totally engrossed by the end. Set in Ireland in the 19th Century, it precedes the IRA stories in his later books. Overall, a good read, but not his best
Rating: 
Summary: Fast paced, easy to read
Review: I read this book in two days. The story is very quick. Higgins introduces the main character very quickly. They are easy to identify with.This is the classic story of good v evil. Might v Right. The lowly Irish peasants against the aristocratic English gentry. Into all of this is thrown a Confederate cavalry officer with American ideals about freedom and liberty. He must choose sides. A good book if you are in a hurry. Not a lot of depth to the story or the characters. Higgins has left the ending open for a followup with some of the same characters if he so chooses.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but certainly not his best.
Review: I thought this was a new book until reading other reviews stating that it was actually written back in 1963. For all that, however, it is still classic Higgens. Actually, I thought the plot line was kind of refreshing as he does tend to get stuck around WWII and Brigadier Ferguson scenarios. Still, all in all, if you like Higgens, you should like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: The Original Romance Paperback
Review: I was very disappointed in this book -- unlike most of the Higgins' novels, it read like a cheesy romance paperback. The hero arrives in rural Ireland, where everyone knows everyone else's business, and becomes a Zorro-like secret hero. Really, now, how gullible do you think we are? No one puts two and two together, when Clay's (famous blood line) horse is part of the action?
Rating: 
Summary: Great for a 15 year old
Review: I was very disappointed in this book, as the story seemed stolen from a Disney movie ("Zorro" or "Scarecrow"). It was rushed at best and made no attempt to explore the history of the English occupation of Ireland. Nor did it deal at all with the Finnians in North America (their attempt to invade and capture Canada, and negotiate with England for its exchange for Ireland). I only noted one interesting fact, and that was that an acre of land planted with potatoes can feed many more people than if planted with wheat. If a potential reader is a fan of Sean Dillon, he/she may better spend their time elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Far from his best work.
Review: I've read a number of Higgin's works -- On Dangerous Grounds, Drink With the Devil, The Eagle Has Landed and A Season In Hell to name a few. This short novel however, did not share the depth and intrigue that I found in his other efforts. The boy meets girl; boy gets girl plot was shallow and the storyline had an ending that was predictable after the first three chapters. Needless to say, I was disappointed in this most recent effort. It was almost like the author was behind in a deadline to get a book out and this was it. I can say however, that I do have a better understanding of the origins of the Protestant/Catholic conflict in Northern Ireland.
Rating:
Summary: Confederate Cavalryman-Doctor Acts from the Heart in Ireland
Review: If you enjoy seeing unusual combinations of characters and locales, this book will intrigue you. A son of the old South, born in Georgia, accompanies General Lee just before he surrenders to Grant. Learning of the impending surrender, Colonel Clay Fitzgerald (formerly temporary brigadier Fitzgerald) heads out to escape the Yankee net. He discovers that he is an heir, and decides to take a break from four years of fighting to see his family's home in Ireland. He dreams of a land of peace and respite. But his hopes are dashed when he and his black servant arrive there. The English and Irish gentry are cruelly abusing the Irish peasants, and the Colonel is warned that anyone who stays will have to take sides. He finds his heart stirred by a young woman and by the injustices that are occurring all around him. Like Superman, the Lone Ranger or Zorro, he takes on the wrongdoers and makes gallant gestures that inspire the downtrodden. His opponents are some of the most despicable villains you will ever meet. One is driven by a raging lust vented at girls. Another has a desire to destroy as many peoples' lives as possible. Few will have any sympathy for the villains. The book's heroine is one of those amazingly capable female characters, having all of the good features of women and men and fully being worthy of the hero's affections. As the title suggests, this is an old-fashioned morality play with the forces of good and evil squaring off against one another. The conflicts mostly occur out of chivalrous instincts by the hero. The book's strengths are in imaginative action scenes. The book's weaknesses are in portraying the characters too purely as all good or all evil, and the hero and heroine are just too perfect to be fully believable. In addition, the book labors under an overuse of the same incidental actions. How many times do you want to read about someone smoking a cheroot, or taking a swallow of whiskey? You will feel emotionally rewarded to see evil trumped by good. I suspect you will also come away with a better sense of the basis for the groundswell behind Irish independence from England in the 19th century. After you enjoy this story, perhaps you would also enjoy acting from your heart and playing a heroic role in the life of another person. Someone out there needs a helping hand today who will not get it unless you act from your heart. Look around, and act on your true feelings! I applaud your heroism!
Rating:
Summary: Confederate Cavalryman-Doctor Acts from the Heart in Ireland
Review: If you enjoy seeing unusual combinations of characters and locales, this book will intrigue you.
A son of the old South, born in Georgia, accompanies General Lee just before he surrenders to Grant. Learning of the impending surrender, Colonel Clay Fitzgerald (formerly temporary brigadier Fitzgerald) heads out to escape the Yankee net. He discovers that he is an heir, and decides to take a break from four years of fighting to see his family's home in Ireland. He dreams of a land of peace and respite. But his hopes are dashed when he and his black servant arrive there. The English and Irish gentry are cruelly abusing the Irish peasants, and the Colonel is warned that anyone who stays will have to take sides. He finds his heart stirred by a young woman and by the injustices that are occurring all around him. Like Superman, the Lone Ranger or Zorro, he takes on the wrongdoers and makes gallant gestures that inspire the downtrodden. His opponents are some of the most despicable villains you will ever meet. One is driven by a raging lust vented at girls. Another has a desire to destroy as many peoples' lives as possible. Few will have any sympathy for the villains. The book's heroine is one of those amazingly capable female characters, having all of the good features of women and men and fully being worthy of the hero's affections. As the title suggests, this is an old-fashioned morality play with the forces of good and evil squaring off against one another. The conflicts mostly occur out of chivalrous instincts by the hero. The book's strengths are in imaginative action scenes. The book's weaknesses are in portraying the characters too purely as all good or all evil, and the hero and heroine are just too perfect to be fully believable. In addition, the book labors under an overuse of the same incidental actions. How many times do you want to read about someone smoking a cheroot, or taking a swallow of whiskey? You will feel emotionally rewarded to see evil trumped by good. I suspect you will also come away with a better sense of the basis for the groundswell behind Irish independence from England in the 19th century. After you enjoy this story, perhaps you would also enjoy acting from your heart and playing a heroic role in the life of another person. Someone out there needs a helping hand today who will not get it unless you act from your heart. Look around, and act on your true feelings! I applaud your heroism!
Rating:
Summary: How much?
Review: One of Jack Higgins' earlier novels, "Pay the Devil" is nevertheless an entertaining if uneven read. Unlike his later novels, "Pay the Devil" weaves not the same level of intrigue, but this is tempered by frequent bouts of action.
The narrative involves the return of Colonel Clay Fitzgerald to Ireland following the American Civil War to inherit the house left by his Uncle. Once in Ireland, however, Clay fast becomes outraged at the unfair treatment of the tenant workers. Adopting the mantle of the legendary outlaw Captain Swing, the Colonel sets out to avenge the peasant workers. Unfortunately, for all its pace, the novel has its fair share of inconsistencies. Firstly, the syntax is simple and often without sufficient description. Secondly, the plot is uneven and often unsatisfactory, with the reader left without the knowledge of "Who was the original Captain Swing?" All facets considered, While certainly an interesting diversion, "Pay the Devil" has too many flaws to recommend.
Rating:
Summary: How much?
Review: One of Jack Higgins' earlier novels, "Pay the Devil" is nevertheless an entertaining if uneven read. Unlike his later novels, "Pay the Devil" weaves not the same level of intrigue, but this is tempered by frequent bouts of action. The narrative involves the return of Colonel Clay Fitzgerald to Ireland following the American Civil War to inherit the house left by his Uncle. Once in Ireland, however, Clay fast becomes outraged at the unfair treatment of the tenant workers. Adopting the mantle of the legendary outlaw Captain Swing, the Colonel sets out to avenge the peasant workers. Unfortunately, for all its pace, the novel has its fair share of inconsistencies. Firstly, the syntax is simple and often without sufficient description. Secondly, the plot is uneven and often unsatisfactory, with the reader left without the knowledge of "Who was the original Captain Swing?" All facets considered, While certainly an interesting diversion, "Pay the Devil" has too many flaws to recommend.
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