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Revenge

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REVENGE by Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Martina Cole is an unflinching novel that exposes a world that many would rather ignore. The 'undisputed queen of crime writing' (Guardian), Martina's unique, powerful storytelling will appeal to fans of Karin Slaughter and Patricia Cornwell.

Michael Flynn is untouchable. He's the boss of a dangerous empire, the biggest the criminal world has ever seen. No one crosses him, no one gets in his way, and everyone does what he says - including the law.

But you don't get to where Michael is without making enemies. Someone is out for revenge. And it's best served when least expected.

612 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

273 people are currently reading
1907 people want to read

About the author

Martina Cole

112 books1,728 followers
Martina Cole was born and brought up in Essex. She is the bestselling author of fourteen novels set in London's gangland, and her most recent three paperbacks have gone straight to No. 1 in the Sunday Times on first publication. Total sales of Martina's novels stand at over eight million copies.


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5 stars
2,050 (42%)
4 stars
1,427 (29%)
3 stars
874 (18%)
2 stars
284 (5%)
1 star
154 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,555 reviews255 followers
April 14, 2022
This author never disappoints me.

Great story lines and three dimensional characters. Love peering into the underworld and very much gives me that Essex vibe. I feel at home in these books.

Four stars.
Profile Image for Elaine.
504 reviews72 followers
April 28, 2014
5 Crazy Martina Cole At Her Best Stars

This was my first Martina Cole book in 3 years and it was good to be back.

Michael Flynn is the Face. He is untouchable and he's worked hard for that position. From a young lad he is taken under the control of the feared Patrick Costello.
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‘Always walk into a place like you already own it, and the chances are that eventually you fucking will.’ It was good advice, and something that he had never forgotten.

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When Patrick is killed, Michael takes over the reigns. No one messes with Michael. Trust and loyalty is what he is all about.

Michael has it all....

Then the unthinkable happens....



Set over a period of 30 Years its gritty, violent and fast paced, I enjoyed everything about this book.
I did like Michael believe it or not and the plot did keep you guessing until the end.

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Profile Image for Elley Campy.
46 reviews
January 21, 2014
Total 'Snoredom'! So shocked by the lack of creativity in this book, Martina has let herself down. Repetitive, repetitive, repetitive... You get my point?! So angry because of how expensive it was, a waste of a whole weeks reading, it took me so long because I never got into it, such flat writing and un imaginative characters.
This review might strike you as over negative, it isn't I promise, it's honest. If I hadn't enjoyed Martina's earlier books I wouldn't have even given it the second star, it's a lazy attempt and I feel ripped off! £6! I've read far superior storys for under £1.
End result, I shall never pick up another of Martina Cole's books.
8 reviews
April 26, 2014
Utterly tedious. The same old story regurgitated. Coles books are formulaic with similar characters, abuse blah de blah. Somebody needs to heavily edit her books. At least 100 pages could be deleted because of her constant repetition. I won't be buying anymore of her books. She clearly has no pride in her writing and can't be bothered to write something new. No imagination whatsoever. Everybook has: Irish folk, female abuse, lots of swear words, drugs/alcohol zzzz and violence which after a while have no impact. TRASH!
Profile Image for Sheila Fitzgerald.
1 review
January 30, 2014
I finished this book because I hate to be beaten! However I thought this was dreadful and could have done with a good editing. I thought the writing lacked imagination and was very predictable
Profile Image for Jodie.
535 reviews37 followers
November 1, 2013
I liked this book as I always do with martina books my only downside was I didn't connect with the characters like I normally do not sure why so I can't give a reason.storyline is normal martina cole storyline and I didn't find it as gritty as her other books. I know I have picked a couple of faults but I would recommend it as a martina cole fan like I am I did like the book.
Profile Image for Jane Shambler.
799 reviews31 followers
October 24, 2019
Well!!

This one took me a little while to get into. It wasn't the writing it was the way you were dropped in at the deep end. But as the story evolved you understood more.
Another great read. After the initial first few chapters, every thing falls into place and you can't put it down.
Enjoy
Profile Image for Trevor.
40 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2013
Was disappointed with the last Martina Cole book and was hoping I would enjoy this one more. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. I couldn't warm to any of the characters, I thought the story line was weak but my biggest problem was so much was repeated. The book could have been half as long if there wasn't so many repeated descriptions etc
Profile Image for Ken.
2,562 reviews1,375 followers
September 15, 2025
I always enjoy slipping into the gritty and dark world of Martina Cole.
There's plenty of bad language, criminal and drug shenanigans with so many short two page chapters that make them so readable.

The manner in which the story opens in the recent presant as Michael's daughter Jess going missing to the jumping back to the late 80's as he first gets into business.

The ruthless nature and the way he would hurt people inevitably leads to someone from Michael's past wishing to seek revenge (as the title suggests) and hurt him just as much.

I do agree that there's a lot of reputation and you know exactly what your getting with the choice of works.
A book that has nearly 150 chapters is always going to feel like it's best read in small chuncks.
Enjoyable, but certainly not her best.
Profile Image for Vicki - I Love Reading.
961 reviews56 followers
December 24, 2013
I went off reading MC, But again found myself buying it after telling myself for the first few weeks I wasn't going to bother.
Still-I read a few of the reviews and thought i'd give it a try.
I'm glad i did.
It was definitely better than the last few MC books I have read. But I am still finding the books quite repetitive.
That said, this was still quite a good story with the right balance of good and bad, - and bloody evil.
I've seen a few complaints on foul language, but if you don't like that in a book, then these sort of books should not be what you are reading.
I'm glad to see Martina's getting back up there, as there is so much competition out there now.
And i still have to add my all time fav Martina book is still The LadyKiller.


Michael Flynn is untouchable in a world of power, money and violence. He fights for what he wants and he takes it, whatever the cost. He learns the rules of the Life from the best and when his mentor, legendary Face Patrick Costello, is taken out, no one questions that Michael Flynn is his natural successor. For Michael, loyalty - and crime - pay.

Michael rises to heights beyond anything the criminal underworld has seen. He owns everyone and he rules his empire with an even but fierce hand. No one would dare challenge him.
Then the unthinkable happens.

Perhaps Michael Flynn is not so untouchable after all, and he must learn that...
Profile Image for Bill.
95 reviews13 followers
August 20, 2014
An excellent story, as befits Martina Cole. My only reservation is the prolific use of the most common four-letter risqué word, extended to seven and used too frequently as an adjective to numerous different words. In mitigation, however, this is perhaps the sort of language used by low life within the criminal community, of which Martina has a personal knowledge.

The narrative covers a wide spectrum of human emotions, including a very caring (dare I say loving) attitude within family life - to extreme violence within the criminal fraternity, demonstrated in particular by the main character in the plot.

Although fiction, this book demonstrates the power of top criminals over various sections of the community, with torture and cold blooded murder the norm in subduing rivalry and lack of respect. The profound negative psychological effect that this injects on the peripheral friends and family isn’t remotely counterbalanced by the high living standards enjoyed from the proceeds of crime.

The book is an interesting but sad reflection on this type of life. Worth reading.
Profile Image for Amie Louise.
1 review
January 4, 2015
As always Martina never fails to intrigue me with her foul language and intimate details and I did enjoy the book; however, it irritates me how repetitive and tedious her writing is. I know I'm contradicting myself greatly here, but I have found that the only real reason I enjoy her books so much is because she's not afraid to write what's on her mind, (even if it is the same thing for more than 10 book). Her character variation is feeble. If you really think about her characters in each book, they're all the complete same. Most in fact, with the same name; as is her location, era, and scenario. Hey, don't get me wrong, the woman's used this strategy to her advantage and I respect that, she's discovered her target audience and she's again playing them to her advantage. The woman knows what she's doing. I would recommend this book if your preference is London gangs and violence. But don't be expecting an enjoyable read if you greatly dislike reading the same sentences frequently. But I enjoyed it anyway, if that makes the slightest bit of difference.
Profile Image for Harry Steenson.
15 reviews
June 30, 2024
I had mixed opinions about this book. At times I hated it and it was boring and wanted it to be over, but other times it was getting interesting and enjoyable. This was a genre I usually don't read, it was about Michael Flynn and how he is the boss of one of the biggest criminal empires.

It was also one of the longest books I've read and to be honest it didn't really entertain me that much. Although the occasional moments were it was good had deep moments and was engaging. the amount of swearing was kind of pissing me off though "fucking" was used in every other line, not even exaggerating.

The lives that these characters were living was described vividly by the author though:

"Her ankles were so painful, the shackles had rubbed most of her skin away, and she could actually see her ankle bones poking out, the metal rings that held her in place were covered with dried blood and hardened lumps of her skin, a constant reminder of her predicament."

This stood with me while reading this book.

Overall, I give it 2 stars.
Profile Image for Noelle.
Author 8 books288 followers
January 7, 2014
I was not disappointed after finally deciding to treat myself to this book and read over Christmas/New year. I was praying that it would not seem like the same old recycled gangster stories that often happens with authors who have written countless books. I really did enjoy this one. My favourite part of reading is picturing the characters in my mind and living the stories alongside the words on the pages and I was certainly able to do that with this book. For any Martina Cole fans out there who may have been a little unsure after reading The Life whether this one would be worth getting...it is.
12 reviews
October 2, 2025
First Martina Cole book I’ve read in a while and I couldn’t put it done. Amazing story teller and she just gets better with every book. Yes the language could be choice but it served the purpose of the characters of the gritty criminal underworld portrayed. Will definitely be reading more Martina Cole books in the future
Profile Image for Suzette.
34 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2018
Another enjoyable read from Martina Cole. Strong characters and an interesting storyline, an insight into another world far removed from mine.
9 reviews
October 12, 2025
I usually love MC but I've read a few of her books recently and found them a bit repetitive or same-same. I wasn't overly enthusiastic about this one but already had it on the nightstand so thought I'd read this and move on to a different author for a while. I really enjoyed this one though!

It got a bit long and drawn-out so only 4 stars, but probably the best MC book I've read recently. I loved how developed the characters were, you could understand the why of each character.
Profile Image for Jack Gulliver.
12 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2023
So unbelievably boring. only finished it in a single sitting because i couldn’t bear trying to pick it up again. every single character is a terrible person, and the author seems remarkably callous towards violence against women.

Almost every woman in this book is treated awfully, and our “heroes” consist of a psychopathic cradle-snatcher, a domestic abuser, and a womaniser who treats attachment as a fatal flaw. All these heroes are incredibly hypocritical towards their partners and the people around them, and never get called out for it.

And yes, I am aware it’s a gangster novel, so the characters don’t have to be nice. But the characters I’m expected to root for just have no reason for me to care for them besides the fact that I’m reading this story from their perspective.

The greatest sin this book commits is treating sexual activity between a minor and a 30-something adult as sexy. i was reading smut that should put me on a watch list and felt dirty as hell.

tl;dr: switches between boring and misogynistic at breakneck pace, sometimes both. there are better gangster novels than this. don’t bother
Profile Image for Clare.
93 reviews2 followers
October 6, 2016
This is Martina Cole at her absolute best! Anyone who has read at least two of her books pretty much knows what they're going to get in the way of future reads: London gangland/underworld stories. Ruthless, brutal, power driven characters who stop at nothing to get what they want. I've read a few reviews on here before writing my own and I understand the frustration of some people who say this is the same old, same old. If I read three books of hers back to back then I would be yawning thinking "Next!" This is the reason why I give her a break for at least a couple of years before picking up another of her books. Read some books by other authors, different genres before going back to her. I find the subject matter of her books fascinating and that's why I always come back to her, but I have to be in the mood, as all readers of Martina Cole know what her next book will be about whether it's the Madame of a brothel or the Kray twins style gangland stories set around London. I've read quite a few of her books over the years - with great gaps in between - but what seemed different with this one was how she went into the psychology of the characters, how they became affected by the events that unfolded in their lives and how, regardless of how much money and power these people may have, it really doesn't buy happiness. Out of her huge back catalogue that I hadn't read, I chose to read this one next as my dad's name was Michael Flynn and my daughter's name is Jessica. I'm happy to say that both were/are nothing like their namesakes in this book but I'm so glad I chose to read this one on the back of that. Out of all of her books I've read so far, this is only the second one I've given 5 out of 5. The other one was the first of hers I ever read - The Ladykiller. I never thought another of her books could ever match that one until now. For anyone who isn't familiar with Martina Cole I wholeheartedly recommend you read this, although you may be peaking a little too quickly.
19 reviews
November 28, 2023
This is the just the third M Cole book I've ever tried to read. The first was probably 20 years ago and I remember it being good enough to hook and keep my attention. Next, I started Maura's Game a year ago and found it dull, repetitive and realised then that the author is not very talented and only had one gear to her name.

I badly wanted to read and to like this book. I'll start with saying MC has written a proper villain, he is real and relatable and as much as you hate his actions you can't help but fall a little bit in love with Michael Flynn. But I'm partial to a naughty Paddy, truth be told.

There are 141 short chapters in this book, not only did that help keeping me turning the pages but it also kept the pace going even when the exposition was too much, it definitely helped. I read this in one day and night, with breaks in between but couldn't wait to finish it.

I couldn't help but like Michael Flynn, I was rooting for him pretty much the whole way through and by the end I did manage to question my own sanity for it. It was disappointing that none of the women had any substance or strength in them but then the other females MC created are just plain annoying and unrelatable (from what I remember of her other stories).

In short, maybe the people who've slated this book have suffered overkill with MC's English gangland genre but then she's never written historical romance or fantasy so quite what they were expecting is anyone's guess. I'm glad I didn't have to read several books in order to find one good one. This was it, I can die happy.
Profile Image for ReaderSP.
831 reviews12 followers
January 20, 2014
I love Martina Cole and she is easily one of my favourite authors but I, like many others, have been left really disappointed with most of her recent work. The quality of storyline and writing seems to have reduced over the last few books. As a loyal fan, I purchased this book but approached it with low expectations and some trepidation. I am pleased to say that Cole seems to be back on top form! The storyline and characters were great, the plot kept you guessing until the end and all the loose ends in the story were tied up at the end.

The story follows Michael Flynn, a gangster leader in London through his early teens into his older years. One of the things I like most about Cole’s books is that they are all set over a longer period of time and other many generations of the same family and Revenge is no exception to this. Michael is seemingly untouchable in a world of power, money and violence. He has risen from the ranks by following his mentor, the legendary Patrick Costello but when Patrick is killed, Michael has to take over and expand the business. It seems that being a big-time gangster is not without his problems and it also seems that most of his problems are at home. His daughter and wife become a constant headache and Michael soon learns that his not as invincible as he thinks.

If you loved Cole’s earlier books, this is a must-read for you. Overall, a great book and I can’t wait until her next one.
10 reviews
July 29, 2016
A read for book club. This is not something that I thought I would be moved or challenged by. And it wasn't. The book is extremely repetitive with multiple narrators saying virtually the same thing again and again. And then when the story cycles back to a narrator they seem to say the same thing again which was so frustrating.

I'll admit I sped-read the book though. I probably read about 30% of the actual words on each page, if that. But this didn't impede my understanding of the story; I followed the narrative perfectly well. And I actually enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. Perhaps because I felt by speed-reading it that I was being efficient, with the main aim to finish the book before the club meeting. Had there not been that motivation, I doubt I would have continued with it.

The actual story and characters are mediocre in my opinion. I didn't connect with any of them. I had no sympathy for them and seeing Michael escape at the end, starting a new life with his new girlfriend and baby didn't gall me in a way that I think might have been intended.

This might also be because I think that Declan, one of the characters that seems to be Michael's right hand man, is behind the revenge. And I think Michael's comeuppance is still waiting for him. But I think I might be reading far too much into it. No other reader has made a similar suggestion from what I can see.

Ho hum. It's done. It was done quickly. On to the next book.
Profile Image for Eric.
7 reviews2 followers
November 2, 2015
The only reason I read this book was because of my sheer amazement at how incredibly bad the start of it was.
The amazing badness of the start of this book was the only reason I read it.
At the start the book was so bad that it made me amazed and then I want to read some more.
Reading more of this amazingly bad book was because the start was so amazingly bad.
Start. Bad. Read. More.
Bad. Read. More. Start.
More. Read. Bad. Start
Read. Start. More. Bad.

If you like this review then by all means read this absolute moronic tale of repetitive cliched bullshit.
The only thing this exercise in personal lobotomisation achieved was to make me wonder how bad a Martina Cole book has to be to get rejected.
So em, enjoy I guess.

P.s. 'Heart sore'. You'll understand
Profile Image for Paige-lee.
32 reviews
January 16, 2015
well i have to say that Michael Flynn was much more bearable than Danny Cadogan was in Faces but the overall writing is still repetitive and the characters are hard to sympathise with. I really didn't feel bad at any of the deaths because they were so unlikeable as people. I think the only character i liked was little Jake Flynn and thats saying something considering he's only in about 10 of the 551 pages.

i keep seeing that people loved her earlier works maybe i'll have to track down some of them.
Profile Image for Kanza Jamil.
19 reviews
September 5, 2019
It was good except the ending. I was hoping for a plot twist somewhere and there was none. The book was too straight. Everything was expected.. what I did love was the writing style and the journey and the effort put in to the side characters. It was beautiful.

It was probably realistic, Karma doesn't always work. Bad people get away with no consequences, specially when they are intelligent bad people.
Profile Image for Zoe Hall.
292 reviews8 followers
September 13, 2015
Not my favourite Martina Cole book but still a good read nonetheless. Sometimes I get confused with Martina's book as so many books have similar characters and similar stories but I actually enjoyed this book as a standalone.

Can't wait for Martina's new book either!

'The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble'.
Profile Image for Grace.
507 reviews11 followers
Read
August 9, 2019
This was classic Martina Cole and the story built nicely to it's conclusion.

I love a good Martina Cole book and thought that this was a good one. All the characters, whether you loved or hated them were superbly drawn and I found myself drawn into their lives and waiting to see how all the chips would fall.

If you like this author then you will enjoy this.
Profile Image for Lakota Schultz.
389 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2013
YES!!!! So this time, it's not all about the women. It's about the King of all Gangsters. And it works. It's gritty, and emotional, and everything you think is going to happen in a Martina Cole novel DOESNT!! An awesomely refreshing change. Loved it!!!!
Profile Image for Loryn Smith.
91 reviews6 followers
April 11, 2014
I hate giving Martina Cole less then 4 stars... But this time it had to be done. I still think she had a ghost writer for this book. I couldn't connect with any of the characters like I normally do. It's a shame to say this, as not long ago I could of said hands down that MC was my fave author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews

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