Revenge is a Must

by David Brautigam

Prepare yourself for a gritty and pulse-pounding journey deep into the underworld of crime. A riveting story about family, deceit, and devastation, as “Revenge is a Must,” thrusts you headfirst into a world where every choice carries staggering consequences within the syndicate of the Gravane family.

At the story's core stands Bobby Mancini, whose fate is inextricably linked to the ominous legacy of his father, Elliot. As Bobby has earned his role within the impenetrable New Jersey Mafia, they are about to face an adversary unlike any other—the juggernaut that is the United States Government.

With a cunning FBI director harboring a personal vendetta, a cataclysmic clash erupts between mob boss, Richard Gravane, and a ruthless drug lord from South Beach, Florida, Philipe Moralez. Lives hang in the balance, and Bobby must bear witness to the unimaginable loss of those he cherishes most. As the flames of retaliation ignite within him, he embarks on a ruthless path, knowing he may become a version of himself that he swore he’d never become.

In this high-octane odyssey where family loyalty knows no bounds, devastating losses spiral into a relentless pursuit of vengeance, while “Revenge is a Must” turns into the end game.

178 pages, Hardcover

Published April 3, 2024

Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of organized crime. The fight over turf and/or revenge was well done. Then throw in the FBI and law enforcement and you have some tense situations. People were dropping like flies. This is being made into a Netflix movie and I plan to watch it.

[Blake Crutchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge Is a Must-READ!!

In his debut crime thriller David Brautigam takes us into the criminal underbelly of New Jersey in a way very few books do!

Clocking in at a lean 178 pages Brautigam manages to pack more life into a novella-length story than most books that run 300 pages and up. Seriously! David’s skills from screenwriting show in how he masterfully layers the plot with volatile action, immersion, and characters with lived-in depth.

Betrayal, the Dark Side of family legacy, street violence, retribution, gritty winter urban settings - this is a fast-moving ride you do NOT want to miss, folks! It’s worth the admission price and then some.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story really reads like a script. The fast paced plot driven story focuses on Bobby Mancini as he is forced by fate into a criminal underworld. Tragedy and brutality exist on every turn of the page. Combine this with a vendetta from the FBI director, a mob war and you have this entertaining story.

I would have enjoyed this more if the characters were better hashed out, and the aftermath of each event played out for the reader to experience. This was one action after another. I would have liked to see the book better developed into a longer complete novel. It will make a fanatic show/movie and would certainly watch.

[Jordan Batey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always seemed like things would quiet down and order would come, but then an unsuspecting twist would reveal that to be a distant past. Captivating to say the least.

[Rheanna Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great fast paced book. Just when you think you like a character, there is a twist that leaves you wanting more. It has you asking yourself whose side are you on?

[Jeff Hevener · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced action packed read. I finished in two sittings and it didn't even have pictures to color. Looking forward to future installments from this talented author.

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: "Revenge is a Must" by David Brautigam

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉Prepare to dive into the dark and unforgiving world of organized crime in Revenge is a Must by David Brautigam! This gripping mafia saga will take you on a high-stakes journey through betrayal, loss, and the relentless pursuit of vengeance. From the very first page, Brautigam thrusts us into the dangerous streets of New Jersey, where loyalty is fragile, and every decision can mean life or death. 🥰🥰📚

👉At the heart of the story is Bobby Mancini, whose fate is tightly woven into his family's violent legacy. Bobby's father, Elliot, left behind a dangerous and influential reputation within the Gravane Mafia. As Bobby rises through the ranks of this powerful crime syndicate, he finds himself caught in a storm that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. The tension between his loyalty to the Gravane family and his desire for revenge after unimaginable personal losses keeps you hooked, turning pages with bated breath. 🤩🤩📚

👉Brautigam's storytelling shines in his portrayal of characters grappling with complex moral dilemmas. Bobby’s internal struggle is fascinating – will he stick to his principles, or will the drive for vengeance push him into the dark, destructive world he swore to avoid? The author masterfully captures Bobby’s emotional journey, making him both relatable and tragic. The deeper he descends into the shadows of the mafia, the harder it becomes for him to hold on to the version of himself that once existed. 😍📚📚

👉The action is intense and fast-paced, with suspense that builds to an explosive climax. The conflict between mob boss Richard Gravane and the rival drug lord, Philipe Moralez, is thrilling, especially with the looming presence of the U.S. government, determined to bring the mafia down. Brautigam creates a world where betrayal is always just a whisper away, and the tension leaves you questioning every character’s loyalty. 🥰🥰📚

👉Yet, amidst the high-octane action, Revenge is a Must digs deeper, exploring themes of family, loyalty, and the cost of vengeance.

Happy reading 😁

[Rett Weissenfels · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate that I have to suggest this. But I'm not unconvinced that this book wasn't just generated by AI. Bought it to support a local writer and it seems to start pretty strong. But the deeper I got, the stranger some of the things I noticed. There legit seems to be prompts left in, or perhaps some type of AI hallucinations.There appears to be a few bizarre continuity errors paragraph to paragraph that I think can only be explained by AI generation. The cover is clearly AI generated which isn't a deal breaker. But all promotional images appear to be AI generated as well. There's no dedication or acknowledgements, which maybe that's just a symptom of self publishing, but I've never read a book , even a self published one, let alone a debut, that didn't have a dedication or an acknowledgement. I can't decide if that's because there's no one to thank except chatgpt or not. Perhaps that's an insane leap for me to make. But the closer I look the less human this book seems.

Author claims that this book is an adaptation of a screenplay that Netflix is developing, so there's a chance that some of the peculiarities I noticed are an artifact of copying a screenplay into a novel. But not sure if it accounts for all the issues I found.

[Shay loves books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fast paced thrill ride. It was action from the beginning to the end.

When the mafia and dirty cops and FBI agents collide, bodies drop and a family dynamic is forever changed, but never forget Family loyalty never wavers or forgets and Revenge is a Must!

I really enjoyed this book, I got kinda confused and had to re-read a few pages but in the end it all came back around and made sense. I loved how action packed it was and the twists and turns had my jaw dropping.

I definitely recommend this book. Esp if you like to read about true crime and the mafia having turf wars.

[Brandy Sumpter]

loved this book, great storyline. I couldn't put it down

[Carley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bookclub pick. This book reads as if it was written by a man who seeks every opportunity to quote The Sopranos (derogatory).