Coke with a Twist

Mercy Watts Mysteries #0.5

by A.W. Hartoin

Mercy Watt's P.I. father ropes her into another investigation, this time to find the truth behind a young woman's rape. The case takes her from a dive bar to sorority row to the gutter, and unless she solves it fast, the case will be her last.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Short Stories, Amazon

36 pages, Unknown Binding

First published June 6, 2012

About the author

USA Today bestselling author A.W. Hartoin grew up in rural Missouri, but her grandmother lived in the Central West End area of St. Louis. The CWE fascinated her with its enormous houses, every one unique. She was sure there was a story behind each ornate door. Going to Grandma’s house was a treat and an adventure. As the only grandchild around for many years, A.W. spent her visits exploring the many rooms with their many secrets. That’s how Mercy Watts and the fairies of Whipplethorn came to be.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.

Reviews

[LLona Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series belongs on the TV screen -- and I'll set my alarm to make sure I don't miss it. It's the kind of short piece that can hold the fast action without wearing out the reader's attention, and uses the kind of characters that will keep me looking for the next one. Giving the protagonist a nursing career and a PI's license is pure genius in my opinion.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story that packs a lot in so you feel as though it is a full length book. The characters are well written and full of depth. I can't wait to read more of this author's work!

[Toi Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your basic detective story run down with a pretty woman in the lead. Mercy, a Marilyn look-a-like, goes undercover at shady bar to help her dad solve a missing person’s case, which turns out to be pointless in her efforts, but does serve a purpose near the end of the story. It’s a very short read that packs in quite a bit of detail, stats, and imagery, leaving the reader feeling as if it has been a longer and equally satisfying read.

The story line was pretty good with just the right amount of twists, right down to the pun in the title. A guy goes missing after a girl he’s involved with is drugged and abandoned and then brutally assaulted. Everyone wants to know what part the missing beau had to play in the girl’s attack, since he was the last one she was seen with before the violence ensued.

I’m pretty good at solving tv and movie crimes and mysteries, so I wasn’t disappointed when I figured out “who done it” before the big reveal… beside it was still a pretty good reveal. This is a great read for sitting in waiting rooms, traffic, or any other waiting scenario.

I think this is a good short read for any mature teen, pending parental approval, and adult who wants an easy read filled with suspense.

[Miss Myles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I read this book after reading the first 2 in the series. You really don't have to read "Coke with a Twist" first. I actually recommend reading "A Good Man Down" first because you get a better idea of who the characters are in this series. I like Mercy and her crew. I recommend this book for readers who like Janet Evanovich, Elise Sax, and Jana DeLeon.

[Ron Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Quirky little short story mystery
~I liked it, even though it is a very short story. It was the perfect bit of reading material between full length books. This is the first in a series of short stories featuring the nurse, Marilyn Monroe look-a-like, amateur detective, Mercy Watts. Mercy gets conned into helping her father, who is a P.I. on a variety of undercover adventures. I was not impressed with the boyfriend, who could not seem to keep his promises to meet Mercy. She doesn’t seem to be high on his list of priorities.
~Even in such a short story, there was a good twist to the plot. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. The story moved right along . I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light…but not a cozy…mystery

[Quenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read other Mercy Watts books and decided to catch up and read this little prequel. The book is short and doesn’t waste any time introducing us to Mercy, Pete, Chuck, and Mercy’s cat. The mystery is engaging but it is very predictable when it comes to the finale. What is not predictable is how Mercy reacts to the situation she is in, and the author did a great job of showing just what kind of character Mercy is. This story leads well into the series.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. I bought the book set because I needed something to read and it was cheap. I didn't expect much but I liked this short story. It's a good introduction to Mercy's world and it really sets up the books nicely.

[Jodie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story came with a box set of books 1-3 of the Mercy Watts series. I thought it was a fun read - it was easy to get into & gave a brief introduction to Mercy & the cast of characters that I'm sure will be in future books. I'm now looking forward to reading the first book.

[Lucretia Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great appetizer into Mercy's crazy world.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very short story, but a good beginning with an interesting main character.
Has a lot of possibilities.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it! I'll have to add their other books to my "to read" list!

[Lunyzbreid Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short engaging story

It has a good blend of crime, mystery, romance and action. I think I'll read book number two to see how Mercy progresses as a private investigator.

[Carolyn S. Balderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet

It was a very quick read. It did hold your interest and the ending was pleasant. I would recommend it if you want a quick read .

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery with great characters. The main character, Mercy Watts, will win your heart from page one. She has no problem filling in for her dad as a spy for one of his cases or for getting in trouble because of her task.

The book is short, but packs a great story into the few pages. I enjoyed the book and the characters. If you are looking for a good mystery with a new "twist," check out this book. Enjoy!!

[Jennifer Jimmerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book for free on Amazon, and liked the cover, so I thought I would give it a try. It was pretty good. Strong, smart female solving a crime as backup for her dad's PI company. Good story line. Quick ending. I would have liked to hear more about what happened when the criminal got caught. Good ending though, lighthearted. I'd recommend it.

[Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This early on short story features the ever lovable Mercy Watts accidently solving a sorority/fratenity crime while introducing us to Skanky the cat, lecherous "cousin" Chuck and other of Hartoin's delightful characters. A good quick read.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy, a Marilyn Monroe look alike is again helping her father with another case. Now she is trying to find out who drugged a college girl and set her up to be attacked at a party. This is a cozy mystery with many surprises....including the ending.

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Mercy Watts Story that I read. I enjoyed reading it and wanted to read more.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short read. Love that sassy Mercy. It will be fun to read more in this series.

[Kristyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read. Funny and so reminds me of Stephanie Plum series. I just wish her series for Mercy Watts was a series and not just short stories.

[Skeeter Jorgensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story, not Bad reading, just too short. I will read more A.W Hartoin

[Victor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this story. I didn't find the point of the story and in my opinion it had no real ending.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing riveting. Okay for a short story.

[Julie Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

Another great book

Great book or short story, you have got to love mercy watt and all of her family and the adventures she has

[Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept hearing Jack Webb's voice in my head as I read this story. Female Dragnet.

[Rinku Geeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the narrative style, and I have started to like the protagonist. It has hooked me on and am planning to read #1 in the series. Let's see how it goes.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. A nice easy read, short story...

[Charlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercy Watts is a Marilyn Monroe lookalike, a nurse, and currently getting groped repeatedly while working undercover at a dive bar in order to help her P.I. dad solve a missing persons case.

A very quick read, this short cozy mystery is fast paced and fills its super small page count with as much detail as possible. Mercy Watts is a likeable character who is smart and quick on her feet. The mystery wasn't too hard to figure out but it was well written and engaging. If you need something to read to fill a few minutes, check this one out.