| # | Story Title | Core Plot Summary | Notable Features | | -- | -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | 1 | | A bored millionaire, Mark Sanderson, falls for a married woman and hires a hitman to kill her husband. A freak rainstorm leads the hitman to kill both the husband and the wife, ensuring "no comebacks." | Dramatic irony; darkly comic ending | | 2 | There Are No Snakes in Ireland | A Punjabi medical student, mistreated by a racist demolition crew, exacts a complex revenge by planting cobras at their work site. | Edgar Award winner; theme of bigotry | | 3 | The Emperor | An ordinary, middle-aged banker battles a giant blue marlin in a fishing duel, gaining a new sense of identity and self-worth. | Homage to Hemingway; transformation story | | 4 | There Are Some Days... | A bumbling group of Irish hijackers steal a truck they think is loaded with expensive brandy, only to discover it is filled with foul rose fertilizer. | Dark comedy; classic case of irony | | 5 | Money with Menaces | A mild-mannered insurance executive is blackmailed over a single sexual transgression from his past, leading to a violent resolution. | Study of psychological pressure | | 6 | Used in Evidence | A man defends his condemned house from eviction. When the body of his long-missing wife is found bricked up behind the fireplace, he refuses to explain. | Gothic atmosphere; silent protagonist | | 7 | Privilege | A businessman is libeled by a careless journalist, but discovers there is little legal recourse, so he takes matters into his own hands. | Theme of power and accountability | | 8 | Duty | A dedicated public official faces a moral dilemma that pits his professional duty against a personal tragedy. | Ethical conflict | | 9 | A Careful Man | A man's extreme meticulousness in life dictates the final revenge he exacts upon his enemies from beyond the grave. | Delayed revenge; legacy of obsession | |10 | Sharp Practice | On a train journey in Ireland, a poker game between strangers becomes a psychological battle where the stakes are far higher than money. | Taut, suspenseful card game |
In the style of Frederick Forsyth, the short story "No Comebacks" centers on a meticulously planned murder-for-hire scheme that descends into tragic irony, highlighting the fatal consequences of unforeseen human variables. The plot involves a cold, calculating hitman whose attempt to create a perfect crime goes wrong, proving the futility of escaping one's actions, a theme common to Forsyth's work. The original story features a wealthy man hiring a hitman, which culminates in a shocking, irreversible twist. No Comebacks Frederick Forsyth.pdf
Frederick Forsyth's 1982 collection No Comebacks presents a series of meticulously plotted thriller stories centered on themes of greed, vengeance, and the inescapable irony of fate. Featuring iconic tales like the title story and "There Are No Snakes in Ireland," the anthology showcases Forsyth’s signature blend of journalistic realism and twist-driven narrative. For a legal and high-quality reading experience, consider accessing the e-book through public library apps or official retailers rather than unauthorized PDF links. Share public link | # | Story Title | Core Plot
To appreciate "No Comebacks," one must first understand its creator. Frederick McCarthy Forsyth was born on August 25, 1938, in Ashford, Kent, England, and passed away on June 9, 2025. His life was as thrilling as his fiction. Before becoming a novelist, he was a journalist and a former RAF pilot. He also worked as a spy for MI6, an experience that gave his stories a chilling authenticity. | Homage to Hemingway; transformation story | |
The phrase "no comebacks" means that no one can trace an action back to you—that there will be no repercussions. Across ten stories, Forsyth explores this concept from every angle, always arriving at shockingly clever and ironic endings.
Moreover, the variety of settings and scenarios gives readers a comprehensive tour of Forsyth's thematic obsessions: the underdog who refuses to break, the hidden reserves of strength within ordinary people, the terrible consequences of underestimating a quiet man.
Purchase the Kindle edition of No Comebacks . Once downloaded, you can convert a Kindle file to PDF using free software like Calibre. This gives you the legal PDF you want without breaking the law.