An incomparable "legal" con man's well-ordered life crashes into a bizarre montage of the unexpected following his misguided involvement with a mobster. An elaborate web of deceit leads to an unusual love story, and a hammer-like climax.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Most people do not realize the wide-spread nature of "legal" crime in American business They do not recognize the behavior paterns that point to it, much less the enormous societal impact of it.
To expose it--this is why Jack Payne felt it important to come out of retirement to write this book. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
Jack Payne was the founder and first editor / publisher of the newsletter, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST. He has authored 55 business books--both hardback and paperback--which have racked up total sales of more than 1,100,000 copies. His HOW TO MAKE A FORTUNE IN FINDERS' FEES remained in print 25 years.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, he now lives in Northern California and is a widower, after 50 years of marriage and the raising of 3 sons.
Known for his intensity, this is his first novel. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Jack Payne understands the dollar, has professional experience in dealing with it, in understanding the mythology of it, has observed the volcanic eruption of obsession with it. This kind of insider's knowledge, when coupled with the ability to write terse imagery and pull exaggerated characters out of a seemingly endless barrage of imagination, places Payne in a fully loaded position to deliver a gripping and harshly brutal novel out of that peculiar period of time from 1966 to 1968 that changed our world indelibly.
SIX HOURS PAST THURSDAY pummels us along the journey of the transformation of a character - Steve Draves - whose double life (the 1966 standard of married man with kids and wife enjoying a successful climb up the ladder of success versus the deceptive lothario who would cheat anyone at anything if he ended up on top) leads him to the Don Juanian end. This story makes big time crime understandable, adultery seem mild, greed and lust seem almost passé, and the insatiable desires of a man obsessed with his own delusions feel like someone we know.
Payne writes very well. His use of blending sentence fragments and extended flow of thought adds to the pounding rhythm of a story that the fact that we don't like the main character an incidental finding in the manner in which this story seduces and unfolds at breakneck speed.
Many of his secondary characters are well fleshed out and identifiable as they intersect in Draves self-forged path toward destruction. But the more important aspect of what Payne has done in writing this novel is make us all take a closer look at what was happening in our lives, and what has happened TO our lives, since that fission that occurred between 1966 and 1968. And that is an aspect of any book, let alone a first novel, that signals the arrival of a writer of distinction. One hopes that next time around the main character, here the 'Don Juan' of the bedroom and the moneybags, will be more a character about whom we can feel some empathy. But then that may be another of Payne's intended points..... Grady Harp, January 2005
SIX HOURS PAST THURSDAY pummels us along the journey of the transformation of a character - Steve Draves - whose double life (the 1966 standard of married man with kids and wife enjoying a successful climb up the ladder of success versus the deceptive lothario who would cheat anyone at anything if he ended up on top) leads him to the Don Juanian end. This story makes big time crime understandable, adultery seem mild, greed and lust seem almost passé, and the insatiable desires of a man obsessed with his own delusions feel like someone we know.
Payne writes very well. His use of blending sentence fragments and extended flow of thought adds to the pounding rhythm of a story that the fact that we don't like the main character an incidental finding in the manner in which this story seduces and unfolds at breakneck speed.
Many of his secondary characters are well fleshed out and identifiable as they intersect in Draves self-forged path toward destruction. But the more important aspect of what Payne has done in writing this novel is make us all take a closer look at what was happening in our lives, and what has happened TO our lives, since that fission that occurred between 1966 and 1968. And that is an aspect of any book, let alone a first novel, that signals the arrival of a writer of distinction. One hopes that next time around the main character, here the 'Don Juan' of the bedroom and the moneybags, will be more a character about whom we can feel some empathy. But then that may be another of Payne's intended points..... Grady Harp, January 2005
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There's something about a conman. From the charming but conniving Starbuck in N. Richard Nash's classic play `The Rainmaker,' to Milo Minderbinder, the larcenous Army Mess Officer in Joseph Heller's `Catch 22,' there's just something about a smooth-talking swindler.
Jack Payne's new novel, Six Hours Past Thursday, brings a new face to the pantheon of tricksters. Move over Henry Gondorff, here comes Steve Draves. Steve has it all: a beautiful wife, wonderful children, a fat bank account, and the sort of best friend that he can trust with his life. What more could a man want? In Steve's case - everything. More money, more booze, and every attractive woman who crosses his path. Steve is the master of the tricky deal, and a maestro of the doublecross. It's amazing to watch him work, as he skims, squeezes and strong arms his way to a fortune, all without ever quite breaking the law. Everything is going great until the mob gets involved...
Jack Payne brings a lifetime of exceptional business acumen to this novel, and his insider knowledge comes through in the details of every shady deal. His writing is smooth, engaging, and deceptively powerful. But you won't recognize the true nature of Jack Payne's skill until you realize that you love Steve Draves, even as you're compiling your list of reasons to despise him.
Jeff Edwards, author of "Torpedo: A Surface Warfare Thriller"
Jack Payne's new novel, Six Hours Past Thursday, brings a new face to the pantheon of tricksters. Move over Henry Gondorff, here comes Steve Draves. Steve has it all: a beautiful wife, wonderful children, a fat bank account, and the sort of best friend that he can trust with his life. What more could a man want? In Steve's case - everything. More money, more booze, and every attractive woman who crosses his path. Steve is the master of the tricky deal, and a maestro of the doublecross. It's amazing to watch him work, as he skims, squeezes and strong arms his way to a fortune, all without ever quite breaking the law. Everything is going great until the mob gets involved...
Jack Payne brings a lifetime of exceptional business acumen to this novel, and his insider knowledge comes through in the details of every shady deal. His writing is smooth, engaging, and deceptively powerful. But you won't recognize the true nature of Jack Payne's skill until you realize that you love Steve Draves, even as you're compiling your list of reasons to despise him.
Jeff Edwards, author of "Torpedo: A Surface Warfare Thriller"
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Six Hours Past Thursday," by Jack Payne, USA, Impact Books J+J, 2004 - ISBN 1-59113-503-8 - pbk, 304 pp., is an intense and troubling revelation of an imperious, conniving, flauting but outwardly successful business broker, Steve Draves, who wants it all and who risks being out on a limb and at risk of cutting too many of the wrong branches. Unbeknownst to his wife Betty, he secretly amasses a small fortune he boastfully reveals to his best but inept straggler friend Mark.
Though "happily" married with children, Steve has one too many addictions: he (1) is a fantasizing philanderer with a proclivity for Junoesque bosomy women he meets in bars or the workplace, (2) becomes regularly immersed in Martinis, (3) has inventive machiavellian hustler skills and (4) is overly narcissistic.
As is true with most addicts and addictions, "just one or two more and it's quits," Steve manages to jump most of the hurdles and run most of the bases -- but he is stopped short at home plate. And, as in Nature, there can be that eerie calm before the storms.
Payne's novel is itself addicting. It provides an interesting itinerary of places, a litany of characters and revealing of some tragic consequences of the imperfections of the human condition. Steve is somebody you would like to hate but you also almost come to love this bastard whose Ego got laid by his Id. The story line is not one to be easily forgotten. The author is very well-published but this is his 1st novel which comes off well -- I found but 4 minor mispellings. The price is right. We don't learn the meaning of the title until the last chapter...do read this book!
Though "happily" married with children, Steve has one too many addictions: he (1) is a fantasizing philanderer with a proclivity for Junoesque bosomy women he meets in bars or the workplace, (2) becomes regularly immersed in Martinis, (3) has inventive machiavellian hustler skills and (4) is overly narcissistic.
As is true with most addicts and addictions, "just one or two more and it's quits," Steve manages to jump most of the hurdles and run most of the bases -- but he is stopped short at home plate. And, as in Nature, there can be that eerie calm before the storms.
Payne's novel is itself addicting. It provides an interesting itinerary of places, a litany of characters and revealing of some tragic consequences of the imperfections of the human condition. Steve is somebody you would like to hate but you also almost come to love this bastard whose Ego got laid by his Id. The story line is not one to be easily forgotten. The author is very well-published but this is his 1st novel which comes off well -- I found but 4 minor mispellings. The price is right. We don't learn the meaning of the title until the last chapter...do read this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The sixties again
This novel well mirrored the way things were back then. The bars filled at four, what room was left because some were still there from lunch. Read more
Published on July 1, 2006 by David A. Spearman
Exquisite twists and turns weave a very interesting tale!
"Six Hours Past Thursday" is excellent reading. It is a story about a man on the brink of having it all, having realized his successes by somewhat scurrilous methods, and... Read more
Published on February 19, 2006 by Randi Odierno
Simple Emotions
There is an old Wall Street truism. Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered.
Jack Payne sets his tale in a different age - 1966. Read more
Jack Payne sets his tale in a different age - 1966. Read more
Published on February 6, 2006 by Craig L. Howe
Very Good Staff!!!
Number of lessons can be learned from this novel and I have a personal experience with such situations, such as:
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published on January 16, 2006 by C.C.
Scruples are for suckers
A fictional account of a scummy, womanizing con-man that explains in boastful detail how crooks can legally manipulate the system to defraud their victims in business and... Read more
Published on July 31, 2005 by Les Henderson
Six Hours Past Thursday
Steve Draves is a man obsessed with money and women, even though he loves his wife. He's not even sure why he wants the other women, just knows that he does. Read more
Published on March 16, 2005 by Anne K. Edwards
Titilating psychological thriller!
Payne really delivers an action-packed look into the life of a business broker who lives just above the law -- and at times, a bit below. Read more
Published on March 12, 2005 by Andrea Egger, author of Grave Accusations
Turgid prose and one dimensional characters - great ending
Many years ago, when I did some folk singing, there was a number by Shel Silverstein that I enjoyed performing. Read more
Published on March 2, 2005 by David H. Birley
an exciting yet cautionary tale -
1966 was the end of The Age of Innocence, according to author Jack Payne. He's right, of course. To be sure there were lots of scams before then, but this book could be considered... Read more
Published on February 22, 2005 by kellytwo
Best-laid plans often go awry
SIX HOURS PAST THURSDAY is a morality tale for the new millennium if anyone, who's wheelin' an' dealin' and acquiring Stuff, has the time and inclination to read it. Read more
Published on January 18, 2005 by Joseph Haschka
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Steve Draves wondered if she did or didn't. Further appraisal seemed to be in order. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
pussy cat, bar chair Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Johnny Patiense, Nina Patiense, Mark Brightly, Steve Draves, One-Eyed Pussy Cat, Chester Carlin, Fred Quimby, Arkin Brothers, Green Goose, Tina Landon, Michigan Avenue, Sandy Serrell, Betty Draves, New York, Commercial Opportunities Unlimited, Fort Lauderdale, Mermaid Motel, Pelican Room, Better Business Bureau, George Skinner, Kensington Mining, Aunt Harriet, Deby Collinger, Ilona Quimby, Lew Weeks New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Steve Draves wondered if she did or didn't. Further appraisal seemed to be in order. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
pussy cat, bar chair Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Johnny Patiense, Nina Patiense, Mark Brightly, Steve Draves, One-Eyed Pussy Cat, Chester Carlin, Fred Quimby, Arkin Brothers, Green Goose, Tina Landon, Michigan Avenue, Sandy Serrell, Betty Draves, New York, Commercial Opportunities Unlimited, Fort Lauderdale, Mermaid Motel, Pelican Room, Better Business Bureau, George Skinner, Kensington Mining, Aunt Harriet, Deby Collinger, Ilona Quimby, Lew Weeks New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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