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Revenge is Not Enough: A Paranormal Mystery and Suspense
2025 Global Book Bronze Medal Winner
Revenge can’t undo what was done.
When young psychic Emma Jackson experiences a terrifying vision of a teenage girl being attacked, she is shaken to the core. As her husband, David Harris, tries to comfort her, his worry increases when her shattered voice whispers, “Her name was Maggie.” David questions the wisdom of his team of investigators using the paranormal to solve cold cases.
Emma and David, and Bryan, a retired police officer and his wife, Laura, have been working together with New Elgan Police Service to solve cold cases.
They learn that Maggie was a young woman who went missing twenty years ago and has moved on to the afterlife.
During a powerful séance, she takes over Emma’s body and demands the investigative team take on her case to find her children.
Except, at sixteen years of age at the time of her disappearance she had no children.
When the team uncovers a sinister baby ring where young women are kidnapped and forced to breed made-to-order children for the elite, they are shocked to learn their nemesis, the Dark Hands of Anubis is behind the human trafficking.
Emma insists on continuing the case, but isn’t Emma’s sanity and peace of mind worth more than solving a cold case from the beyond?
Revenge may not be enough … when the cost is way too high.
Revenge can’t undo what was done.
When young psychic Emma Jackson experiences a terrifying vision of a teenage girl being attacked, she is shaken to the core. As her husband, David Harris, tries to comfort her, his worry increases when her shattered voice whispers, “Her name was Maggie.” David questions the wisdom of his team of investigators using the paranormal to solve cold cases.
Emma and David, and Bryan, a retired police officer and his wife, Laura, have been working together with New Elgan Police Service to solve cold cases.
They learn that Maggie was a young woman who went missing twenty years ago and has moved on to the afterlife.
During a powerful séance, she takes over Emma’s body and demands the investigative team take on her case to find her children.
Except, at sixteen years of age at the time of her disappearance she had no children.
When the team uncovers a sinister baby ring where young women are kidnapped and forced to breed made-to-order children for the elite, they are shocked to learn their nemesis, the Dark Hands of Anubis is behind the human trafficking.
Emma insists on continuing the case, but isn’t Emma’s sanity and peace of mind worth more than solving a cold case from the beyond?
Revenge may not be enough … when the cost is way too high.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Angela P. Van Breemen
5 books49 followersAngela van Breemen is a graduate of the University of Guelph with a degree in management economics and was a co-owner of a dental supply company. After the company was sold, she turned her focus to writing, music, and volunteering her time as a website administrator at a wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Angela van Breemen is the author of the David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery series, weaving together crime thrillers and paranormal suspense. She is also a poet, soprano soloist, and recording artist.
A member of the Crime Writers of Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada, Angela brings a unique voice to mystery and suspense fiction.
Her Celtic-inspired debut music album, In The Breeze (2024), showcases several original songs based on her poetry.
She lives in Loretto, Ontario, with her husband, Peter Thomas Pontsa, author of Outfoxed: An Inspector William Fox Adventure.
Angela van Breemen is the author of the David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery series, weaving together crime thrillers and paranormal suspense. She is also a poet, soprano soloist, and recording artist.
A member of the Crime Writers of Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada, Angela brings a unique voice to mystery and suspense fiction.
Her Celtic-inspired debut music album, In The Breeze (2024), showcases several original songs based on her poetry.
She lives in Loretto, Ontario, with her husband, Peter Thomas Pontsa, author of Outfoxed: An Inspector William Fox Adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 4, 2025
Revenge is Not Enough by Angela van Breemen
This is book two in the David Harris & Emma Jackson Mystery series and I enjoyed it as much as book one, Past Life’s Revenge. This delightful husband and wife investigation team solve cold cases using Emma‘s paranormal abilities.
Although there are others that help them with their investigations, it is Emma’s psychic abilities and the loving and respectful relationship between her and David that makes this series so special in my opinion.
The focus in this well-researched story is on a disturbing case of human trafficking. The spirit of a deceased woman named Maggie contacts Emma during a séance and asks her to find her missing children. Maggie was kidnapped when she was a young girl and entrapped in a sinister baby ring.
The author writes in a beautiful but easy to read style and knows how to skillfully build suspense. I flew through the pages, desperate to know if the husband-wife team would succeed in finding the missing children before it was too late…
I look forward to book three in this crime thriller series with a twist of spiritualism—Revenge Not Taken Lightly.
This is book two in the David Harris & Emma Jackson Mystery series and I enjoyed it as much as book one, Past Life’s Revenge. This delightful husband and wife investigation team solve cold cases using Emma‘s paranormal abilities.
Although there are others that help them with their investigations, it is Emma’s psychic abilities and the loving and respectful relationship between her and David that makes this series so special in my opinion.
The focus in this well-researched story is on a disturbing case of human trafficking. The spirit of a deceased woman named Maggie contacts Emma during a séance and asks her to find her missing children. Maggie was kidnapped when she was a young girl and entrapped in a sinister baby ring.
The author writes in a beautiful but easy to read style and knows how to skillfully build suspense. I flew through the pages, desperate to know if the husband-wife team would succeed in finding the missing children before it was too late…
I look forward to book three in this crime thriller series with a twist of spiritualism—Revenge Not Taken Lightly.
November 7, 2025
Revenge Is Not Enough is the second novel in Angela Van Breemen’s David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery Series. Picking up where Past Life’s Revenge left off, the team has now left their day jobs to launch a cold-case investigative service. The members include a former police detective, a real estate attorney, a fashion designer, and a web developer. The web developer, Emma, is a gifted psychic whose visions guide the group as they seek answers to solve these cold cases.
The backbone of this story involves Emma encountering a spirit named Maggie, who disappeared over twenty years ago when she was a teenager. Maggie finds out that her sister is a waitress at her favorite coffee shop. Led by visions from Maggie, the team soon discovers that there is a horrific baby trafficking operation run by the evil organization known as the Dark Hands of Anubis. Maggie’s spirit won’t rest until her children are found and united with her family. The suspense is heightened because of the danger these children are in.
The organization will stop at nothing, including murder, to ensure that its secrets remain hidden. They destroy their compound in Canada and take off down to Nicaragua. The team must follow. One of the enigmatic leaders is drawn to Emma, not only because of her beauty but also because of her abilities. He wants to use them for nefarious reasons. This adds an interesting twist to his motivation and puts her in danger. The tension is palpable as the team races to find answers before more lives are lost, including those of the children.
Revenge Is Not Enough by Angela Van Breemen is a fast-paced paranormal thriller that is sure to be enjoyed by all who enjoy suspense with a touch of the extraordinary. Having read Past Life’s Revenge, which is the first novel in the series, I enjoyed being able to follow these characters into their latest adventure. While the characters continue to undergo development, it was also interesting to see the relationships that formed. This novel stands alone well, so it can be just read by itself; however, I feel readers will enjoy working their way through this intriguing series.
The backbone of this story involves Emma encountering a spirit named Maggie, who disappeared over twenty years ago when she was a teenager. Maggie finds out that her sister is a waitress at her favorite coffee shop. Led by visions from Maggie, the team soon discovers that there is a horrific baby trafficking operation run by the evil organization known as the Dark Hands of Anubis. Maggie’s spirit won’t rest until her children are found and united with her family. The suspense is heightened because of the danger these children are in.
The organization will stop at nothing, including murder, to ensure that its secrets remain hidden. They destroy their compound in Canada and take off down to Nicaragua. The team must follow. One of the enigmatic leaders is drawn to Emma, not only because of her beauty but also because of her abilities. He wants to use them for nefarious reasons. This adds an interesting twist to his motivation and puts her in danger. The tension is palpable as the team races to find answers before more lives are lost, including those of the children.
Revenge Is Not Enough by Angela Van Breemen is a fast-paced paranormal thriller that is sure to be enjoyed by all who enjoy suspense with a touch of the extraordinary. Having read Past Life’s Revenge, which is the first novel in the series, I enjoyed being able to follow these characters into their latest adventure. While the characters continue to undergo development, it was also interesting to see the relationships that formed. This novel stands alone well, so it can be just read by itself; however, I feel readers will enjoy working their way through this intriguing series.
November 5, 2025
Psychic Emma Jackson has a vision of a young girl being attacked. Alongside her husband, mother, and stepfather, the four embark on a journey to discover what happened to Maggie – a girl who wants revenge on the men and adoption ring that kidnapped, impregnated, and eventually killed her. Maggie will do anything she can to get her vengeance from the grave, even if it means risking Emma’s life, but first Emma must find her children. Things go from bad to worse as Emma’s connection to the spirit world becomes shaky just when she needs it most.
A riveting sequel to van Breemen’s Past Live’s Revenge, Revenge is Not Enough continues Emma, David, Laura, and Bryan’s story as they work together to solve cold cases with the help of Emma’s psychic abilities. What’s more is that readers won’t miss a beat if they haven’t read the first instalment of the series - van Breemen isn’t afraid to recap previous events.
Revenge is Not Enough is beautifully paced, making it an easy page-turner, and explores themes of pure love, loss, revenge, forgiveness, and trust. Pair this with an engaging, multi-faceted, and involved (without being too complex) plot and paranormal world, and you have the perfect book to add to your fall reading list.
Unfortunately, some of the dialogue felt exposition-like, especially since van Breemen tells the reader exactly what’s happening rather than showing it, losing the book a star. For example, when introducing a new aspect of the plot, such as how Interpol works, the information is presented through dialogue rather than the third-person narrative, which would read more naturally in this genre.
The slightly anti-climactic conclusion also loses the book a star. What it (and readers, too) craves is a more satisfying confrontation between our beloved heroes and the depraved villains that van Breemen has successfully primed readers to dislike passionately.
However, van Breemen has created wonderfully lovable, unforgettable characters. There’s a deeply emotional connection and dynamic between the four main characters, as well as a host of intriguing background characters, making Emma and David’s story and world fascinating and comforting. Ultimately, van Breeman has created a world filled with characters that readers will happily root for and turn to, likely ensuring a lifelong following.
So, if you’re looking for a paranormal mystery that has intrigue, great characters, and comforting vibes, then this is the book for you. Revenge Is Not Enough is a compelling story of revenge that demonstrates that this can take many forms. A satisfying continuation of this promising series, this book will thrill fans of suspenseful paranormal worlds with friendly, entertaining, and relatable characters.
Disclaimer: An ARC was provided by Reedsy Discovery. You can find my original review here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/rev...
Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, violence.
A riveting sequel to van Breemen’s Past Live’s Revenge, Revenge is Not Enough continues Emma, David, Laura, and Bryan’s story as they work together to solve cold cases with the help of Emma’s psychic abilities. What’s more is that readers won’t miss a beat if they haven’t read the first instalment of the series - van Breemen isn’t afraid to recap previous events.
Revenge is Not Enough is beautifully paced, making it an easy page-turner, and explores themes of pure love, loss, revenge, forgiveness, and trust. Pair this with an engaging, multi-faceted, and involved (without being too complex) plot and paranormal world, and you have the perfect book to add to your fall reading list.
Unfortunately, some of the dialogue felt exposition-like, especially since van Breemen tells the reader exactly what’s happening rather than showing it, losing the book a star. For example, when introducing a new aspect of the plot, such as how Interpol works, the information is presented through dialogue rather than the third-person narrative, which would read more naturally in this genre.
The slightly anti-climactic conclusion also loses the book a star. What it (and readers, too) craves is a more satisfying confrontation between our beloved heroes and the depraved villains that van Breemen has successfully primed readers to dislike passionately.
However, van Breemen has created wonderfully lovable, unforgettable characters. There’s a deeply emotional connection and dynamic between the four main characters, as well as a host of intriguing background characters, making Emma and David’s story and world fascinating and comforting. Ultimately, van Breeman has created a world filled with characters that readers will happily root for and turn to, likely ensuring a lifelong following.
So, if you’re looking for a paranormal mystery that has intrigue, great characters, and comforting vibes, then this is the book for you. Revenge Is Not Enough is a compelling story of revenge that demonstrates that this can take many forms. A satisfying continuation of this promising series, this book will thrill fans of suspenseful paranormal worlds with friendly, entertaining, and relatable characters.
Disclaimer: An ARC was provided by Reedsy Discovery. You can find my original review here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/rev...
Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, violence.
July 14, 2025
The Review
Right from the start, this novel was incredibly compelling and rich with world-building that readers will instantly become pleasantly lost in. The realism of the investigative aspect of cold cases was perfectly balanced by the paranormal/supernatural elements of Emma’s psychic abilities and the spirits that come forth to seek justice. The visceral nature of the crimes themselves and the haunting coldness of the criminals will chill readers to the bone as they dive deeper and deeper into this novel’s lore.
The character dynamics and the essential themes were the heart of this novel. The love and care that David and Emma share for one another as they traverse this new business and delve into the dangerous world of cold cases, angered spirits, and shady and warped organizations for the wealthy elite, was heartwarming and inspired, and brought balance to the more mysterious and action-driven parts of the story. The way the book focused on the horrific realities of human trafficking and its connection to so many missing persons’ cases, and how the wealthy often benefit at the expense of those without the same privileges, made this a dark yet important narrative to explore without compromising the overall mythos of this series.
The Verdict
Memorable, haunting, and engaging, author Angela Van Breemen’s “Revenge is Not Enough” is a must-read mystery thriller this fall. The twists and turns in the narrative, the emotional complexity that cold case investigations often stir, and the heart of the two protagonists and their connection with one another, as well as their dedication to their cases, make this one book to look out for this fall.
Right from the start, this novel was incredibly compelling and rich with world-building that readers will instantly become pleasantly lost in. The realism of the investigative aspect of cold cases was perfectly balanced by the paranormal/supernatural elements of Emma’s psychic abilities and the spirits that come forth to seek justice. The visceral nature of the crimes themselves and the haunting coldness of the criminals will chill readers to the bone as they dive deeper and deeper into this novel’s lore.
The character dynamics and the essential themes were the heart of this novel. The love and care that David and Emma share for one another as they traverse this new business and delve into the dangerous world of cold cases, angered spirits, and shady and warped organizations for the wealthy elite, was heartwarming and inspired, and brought balance to the more mysterious and action-driven parts of the story. The way the book focused on the horrific realities of human trafficking and its connection to so many missing persons’ cases, and how the wealthy often benefit at the expense of those without the same privileges, made this a dark yet important narrative to explore without compromising the overall mythos of this series.
The Verdict
Memorable, haunting, and engaging, author Angela Van Breemen’s “Revenge is Not Enough” is a must-read mystery thriller this fall. The twists and turns in the narrative, the emotional complexity that cold case investigations often stir, and the heart of the two protagonists and their connection with one another, as well as their dedication to their cases, make this one book to look out for this fall.
December 6, 2025
Revenge Is Not Enough pulls you in right away, almost before you’ve realized what’s happening. Angela van Breemen has a way of easing you into the story so naturally that you look up and discover you’ve been holding your breath. Emma’s visions in this book (Book 2) are stronger, sharper, and they hit with a kind of emotional weight that surprised me—in a good way.
The mix of cold-case detective work, paranormal threads, and regular life, like cooking dinner and coordinating schedules, shouldn’t work as seamlessly as it does, but somehow Angela makes it feel effortless. The mystery keeps widening—just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, the ground shifts, and you realize there’s something deeper going on. I found myself genuinely invested in the team, their relationships, and the way they’re all still figuring out how to function after everything they went through in the first book.
It’s spooky in places, heartbreaking in others, but always forward-moving. The story sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. By the time the Big Bad starts to reveal itself, you’re already fully invested.
The David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery books are the first supernatural thrillers I’ve read, and, like any thrillers, they can be a bit gritty at times. But the addition of the supernatural elements makes the books feel both grounded and otherworldly.
Revenge is Not Enough is a terrific continuation of the series. Gripping, atmospheric, and full of heart.
The mix of cold-case detective work, paranormal threads, and regular life, like cooking dinner and coordinating schedules, shouldn’t work as seamlessly as it does, but somehow Angela makes it feel effortless. The mystery keeps widening—just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, the ground shifts, and you realize there’s something deeper going on. I found myself genuinely invested in the team, their relationships, and the way they’re all still figuring out how to function after everything they went through in the first book.
It’s spooky in places, heartbreaking in others, but always forward-moving. The story sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. By the time the Big Bad starts to reveal itself, you’re already fully invested.
The David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery books are the first supernatural thrillers I’ve read, and, like any thrillers, they can be a bit gritty at times. But the addition of the supernatural elements makes the books feel both grounded and otherworldly.
Revenge is Not Enough is a terrific continuation of the series. Gripping, atmospheric, and full of heart.
November 5, 2025
Revenge Is Not Enough is a thoroughly satisfying follow-up to Angela Van Breemen's debut mystery, Past Life's Revenge. Emma Jackson and David Harris have now launched their own private investigation firm, and are working with the New Elgan Police Service looking into cold cases. The story opens with Emma's disturbing vision of the rape of a teenage girl, and the suspense builds from there. Using her psychic abilities, Emma identifies the victim as 16-year-old Maggie Stacey. David and their two partners follow up with solid detective work, and learn that Maggie was one of several Ontario girls who went missing two decades earlier. The investigation takes the team to British Columbia, and to the mountains of Nicaragua for the novel's action-packed climax. The Emma Jackson and David Harris paranormal mysteries are off to a great start and have a promising future. I was delight to read that the third instalment will be released in the fall of 2026.
November 18, 2025
This sequel surpasses the first in every way. It’s a true page-turner—just when you think you’ve pieced things together, a plot twist hits and leaves you reeling in the best possible way. Gripping, surprising, and expertly paced, this book is an absolute must-read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews