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Mercy Kilpatrick #3
A Merciful Secret
A pair of ritual murders could expose Mercy Kilpatrick to something terrifying: her own past…
Raised off the grid by survivalists, Mercy Kilpatrick believed in no greater safeguard than the backwoods of Oregon. Unforgiven by her father for abandoning the fold for the FBI, Mercy still holds to her past convictions. They’re in her blood. They’re her secrets—as guarded as her private survival retreat hidden away in the foothills.
In a cabin near her hideaway, Mercy encounters a young girl whose grandmother is dying from multiple knife wounds. Hundreds of miles away, a body is discovered slashed to death in a similar way. The victims—a city judge and an old woman living in the woods—couldn’t be more different. With the help of police chief Truman Daly, Mercy must find the killer before the body count rises. Mercy knows that the past has an edge on her. So does her family. How can she keep her secrets now…when they’re the only things that can save her?
Raised off the grid by survivalists, Mercy Kilpatrick believed in no greater safeguard than the backwoods of Oregon. Unforgiven by her father for abandoning the fold for the FBI, Mercy still holds to her past convictions. They’re in her blood. They’re her secrets—as guarded as her private survival retreat hidden away in the foothills.
In a cabin near her hideaway, Mercy encounters a young girl whose grandmother is dying from multiple knife wounds. Hundreds of miles away, a body is discovered slashed to death in a similar way. The victims—a city judge and an old woman living in the woods—couldn’t be more different. With the help of police chief Truman Daly, Mercy must find the killer before the body count rises. Mercy knows that the past has an edge on her. So does her family. How can she keep her secrets now…when they’re the only things that can save her?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2018
5797 people are currently reading
5119 people want to read
About the author
Kendra Elliot
41 books6,497 followersAn Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 14 Million books and been on the WSJ best seller more than a dozen times.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
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January 11, 2026
Kendra Elliot’s third book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series,
A Merciful Secret,
combines a crime novel, a police procedural, and a little romantic suspense into a novel full of action and drama. Mercy is an FBI special agent and has recently transferred from Portland to the Bend, Oregon office. She was raised across the Cascade Mountains in Eagle’s Nest. Her family lived off the land and prepared for a catastrophe where they would have food, water, guns, medical supplies, and more. However, her family was torn apart when she was eighteen causing her to leave her town, home, and family for fifteen years.
Mercy’s relationship with her family is improving, but her father is still a hold-out, but that’s not the only conflict in the Central Oregon area. On her way home from a visit to her cabin, Mercy encounters a young girl whose grandmother has been attacked by someone with a knife. Hundreds of miles away, a city judge has died from similar wounds. With the help of Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly and the Deschutes County sheriff’s department, the FBI must find the killer.
Mercy is always prepared with food, water, and necessities. She’s dedicated to her job, self-reliant, confident, hardworking, driven, and intelligent. She loves assembling the puzzle pieces of a case and is slightly unsocial. Truman is direct, serious, a good listener, observant, and cares about the people in his town. He uses humor as a coping tool and is claustrophobic.
This third book starts soon after the end of the second book in the series. As usual, this author grabbed my attention with the first chapter. She takes little time in getting things moving and engaging readers in the investigation. While the story is largely from Mercy’s point of view, there are also scenes from other characters’ points of view as well. I thought it was interesting to see how Mercy’s confidence was shaken in this storyline. It also showed some character growth in her as well.
Those who enjoy crime mysteries and detective stories with a little romance in it will likely enjoy this novel with a small town and rural settings and an intriguing plot that has a relatively fast pace. However, this story seemed a little repetitive in places. This author employs vivid imagery; making it easy to visualize the people and the setting. She also knows how to tug on the reader’s emotions as the scenes unfold with an insightful and moving narrative. The characterization is also well-done by mixing both the personal and professional lives of the characters into the storyline. I loved the tension and the intensity of the story. However, for such a small town and rural surrounding area, there’s a lot of crime and big cases.
Once again, the author balances deep family drama, police murder investigations, and a bit of romance with shocking revelations and events. It’s a story with plenty of layers and suspenseful moments that keep readers glued to the page. Themes include murder, secrets, survivalists, family relationships, and much more.
Overall, this was a tense, gripping, and suspenseful novel with dynamic characters that should continue to grow in depth as the series progresses. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was originally published on January 16, 2018.
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My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Mercy’s relationship with her family is improving, but her father is still a hold-out, but that’s not the only conflict in the Central Oregon area. On her way home from a visit to her cabin, Mercy encounters a young girl whose grandmother has been attacked by someone with a knife. Hundreds of miles away, a city judge has died from similar wounds. With the help of Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly and the Deschutes County sheriff’s department, the FBI must find the killer.
Mercy is always prepared with food, water, and necessities. She’s dedicated to her job, self-reliant, confident, hardworking, driven, and intelligent. She loves assembling the puzzle pieces of a case and is slightly unsocial. Truman is direct, serious, a good listener, observant, and cares about the people in his town. He uses humor as a coping tool and is claustrophobic.
This third book starts soon after the end of the second book in the series. As usual, this author grabbed my attention with the first chapter. She takes little time in getting things moving and engaging readers in the investigation. While the story is largely from Mercy’s point of view, there are also scenes from other characters’ points of view as well. I thought it was interesting to see how Mercy’s confidence was shaken in this storyline. It also showed some character growth in her as well.
Those who enjoy crime mysteries and detective stories with a little romance in it will likely enjoy this novel with a small town and rural settings and an intriguing plot that has a relatively fast pace. However, this story seemed a little repetitive in places. This author employs vivid imagery; making it easy to visualize the people and the setting. She also knows how to tug on the reader’s emotions as the scenes unfold with an insightful and moving narrative. The characterization is also well-done by mixing both the personal and professional lives of the characters into the storyline. I loved the tension and the intensity of the story. However, for such a small town and rural surrounding area, there’s a lot of crime and big cases.
Once again, the author balances deep family drama, police murder investigations, and a bit of romance with shocking revelations and events. It’s a story with plenty of layers and suspenseful moments that keep readers glued to the page. Themes include murder, secrets, survivalists, family relationships, and much more.
Overall, this was a tense, gripping, and suspenseful novel with dynamic characters that should continue to grow in depth as the series progresses. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was originally published on January 16, 2018.
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My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
May 27, 2018
I’m becoming a bit of a Goldilocks with audiobooks. And the formula that’s just right for me involves a steady pace and a straight forward plot. This series fits the bill, although this book was not as strong as the prior two. While I really enjoy Mercy and Truman and it warms my heart to see their developing relationship, I felt there was too much of their looking longingly at each other. It detracted from the story and made me wonder if I was listening to a romance novel or a mystery.
The plot involves the murder of two seemingly unrelated people. One, a local woman, was considered a witch by many in Eagle Rock. We hear chapters from her daughter, Salome, giving the history of her teenage years.
I don’t recommend reading this as a stand alone. You need the background, especially Mercy’s, provided in the earlier books.
While I wasn’t as enthralled with this book as the prior two, it’s still a decent mystery and I will definitely read book four.
I’ve got to give kudos to Teri Schnaubelt. She does a masterful job as the narrator.
The plot involves the murder of two seemingly unrelated people. One, a local woman, was considered a witch by many in Eagle Rock. We hear chapters from her daughter, Salome, giving the history of her teenage years.
I don’t recommend reading this as a stand alone. You need the background, especially Mercy’s, provided in the earlier books.
While I wasn’t as enthralled with this book as the prior two, it’s still a decent mystery and I will definitely read book four.
I’ve got to give kudos to Teri Schnaubelt. She does a masterful job as the narrator.
March 31, 2018
This is the third book in the series about Mercy Kilpatrick, a FBI agent, raised by a family of survivalists. I've enjoyed all three Mercy books and look forward to future books about Mercy and Truman. Mercy is involved in the search for the murderer of two very different types of people, while also continuing her prepper lifestyle that must allow for her job as a FBI agent. With the help of her Police Chief boyfriend and two character from books in other series, Mercy must to unravel the mystery despite the differences between the victims. I didn't want to put the book down until I reached the finish and now I can't to read the next book in the series.
Thanks to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Thanks to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
August 31, 2018
You can take the girl out of the family circle but you can’t take the prepper out of the girl. Mercy Kilpartrick is an FBI agent who has a hidden cabin in the woods and is a secret prepper. On the way back from a late night visit to her cabin she almost runs over a child desperately seeking help for her dying grandmother.
Morrigan Sabin’s grandmother, Olivia, isn’t just dying, she has been slashed to death and Morrigan has been alone with her. Her mother, Salome, left before the crime and Morrigan doesn’t know where or for how long, or why.
The family’s isolation isn’t for the same reason as Mercy’s hidden cabin; the Sabins stay hidden because they are healers, herbalists and maybe other spooky things. They have been ostracized for generations, unless of course someone needs their help. Then they come sneakin’ ‘round that back door.
Mercy has been told in no uncertain terms that she is a witness, nothing else. Yeah, like she is going to listen, especially since a judge in Portland, OR has just been found murdered. The Judge has slash marks in the same pattern as Olivia Sabin. He also has family connections to the area. Since he is a federal judge, this brings the FBI into the picture. The murder also brings a welcome appearance of two characters from Elliot’s Bone Secrets series.
Mercy, along with her lover, Police Chief Truman Daly inserts themselves into the investigation of the two connected murders. Truman does so as local law enforcement who knows everyone, even the missing Salome, a fact he doesn’t wish to acknowledge. Mercy has her own personal connections to some of the suspects.
Mercy is a complex and conflicted character. How she made it into the FBI is amazing and would probably not have happened in reality. She has an absolute need for her secret cabin, dating back to her being raised by a family of preppers. Her upbringing is still an integral part of her, despite being banned from the family by her father. Mercy thinks she is prepared for any eventuality with her cabin, except for what really happens.
Mercy has been estranged from her family for eighteen years but recently has reestablished contact with some members. Her blind sister Rose still remains Mercy’s closest friend and relative. It is disquieting to read about Rose’s happiness with her pregnancy, even though the baby was conceived in a violent rape.
The information presented in the book about preppers, their communities and other survivalists is so fascinating. The mindset seems so stupid, or it did until recently. First thing Mercy does is check the morning news. Think about that for a moment. Think about N. Korea. Think about Hawaii and its recent scare. Who’s the crazy one?
Chief Daly is still a steady character, providing loving balance for Mercy. He continues to learn as much as possible about the unusual people of Eagle Rock and the surrounding area.
The more I read about Bend. OR or the fictional Eagle Rock, the more I want to move there. Right after I move for awhile to Three Pines and Virtue Falls. Elliot paints a picture of her settings that equals her unusual characters, both major and minor. Eagle Rock and its citizens is a whole ‘nother world.
Twists and turns abound in this book, just as they do on the mountain road to Mercy’s cabin. The story draws you in and keeps you guessing.
There is a hint of the supernatural in A Merciful Secret with a lovely scene between Mercy and Salome.
Of course A Merciful Secret can be read as a standalone, but then it would be like missing a visit with weird neighbors and catching up with them.
Thanks to NetGalley for and ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Morrigan Sabin’s grandmother, Olivia, isn’t just dying, she has been slashed to death and Morrigan has been alone with her. Her mother, Salome, left before the crime and Morrigan doesn’t know where or for how long, or why.
The family’s isolation isn’t for the same reason as Mercy’s hidden cabin; the Sabins stay hidden because they are healers, herbalists and maybe other spooky things. They have been ostracized for generations, unless of course someone needs their help. Then they come sneakin’ ‘round that back door.
Mercy has been told in no uncertain terms that she is a witness, nothing else. Yeah, like she is going to listen, especially since a judge in Portland, OR has just been found murdered. The Judge has slash marks in the same pattern as Olivia Sabin. He also has family connections to the area. Since he is a federal judge, this brings the FBI into the picture. The murder also brings a welcome appearance of two characters from Elliot’s Bone Secrets series.
Mercy, along with her lover, Police Chief Truman Daly inserts themselves into the investigation of the two connected murders. Truman does so as local law enforcement who knows everyone, even the missing Salome, a fact he doesn’t wish to acknowledge. Mercy has her own personal connections to some of the suspects.
Mercy is a complex and conflicted character. How she made it into the FBI is amazing and would probably not have happened in reality. She has an absolute need for her secret cabin, dating back to her being raised by a family of preppers. Her upbringing is still an integral part of her, despite being banned from the family by her father. Mercy thinks she is prepared for any eventuality with her cabin, except for what really happens.
Mercy has been estranged from her family for eighteen years but recently has reestablished contact with some members. Her blind sister Rose still remains Mercy’s closest friend and relative. It is disquieting to read about Rose’s happiness with her pregnancy, even though the baby was conceived in a violent rape.
The information presented in the book about preppers, their communities and other survivalists is so fascinating. The mindset seems so stupid, or it did until recently. First thing Mercy does is check the morning news. Think about that for a moment. Think about N. Korea. Think about Hawaii and its recent scare. Who’s the crazy one?
Chief Daly is still a steady character, providing loving balance for Mercy. He continues to learn as much as possible about the unusual people of Eagle Rock and the surrounding area.
The more I read about Bend. OR or the fictional Eagle Rock, the more I want to move there. Right after I move for awhile to Three Pines and Virtue Falls. Elliot paints a picture of her settings that equals her unusual characters, both major and minor. Eagle Rock and its citizens is a whole ‘nother world.
Twists and turns abound in this book, just as they do on the mountain road to Mercy’s cabin. The story draws you in and keeps you guessing.
There is a hint of the supernatural in A Merciful Secret with a lovely scene between Mercy and Salome.
Of course A Merciful Secret can be read as a standalone, but then it would be like missing a visit with weird neighbors and catching up with them.
Thanks to NetGalley for and ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
May 11, 2020
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is on her way to her hideaway cabin outside of Eagle’s Nest, Oregon when a little girl emerges from the forest pleading for help. She takes her to a cabin deep into the woods and Mercy discovers the girl’s grandmother, Olivia, dying from knife woods. Upon further investigation, Mercy learns that a city judge was killed in a similar manner. She and other agents work to find out how these two people could be connected, living over 100 miles away from each other and who would want both of them dead.
This was a puzzling case, complicated by the rather mystical life of Olivia Sabin and her daughter, Salome. I loved the paranormal elements, which was rather fitting in this setting amongst a town of preppers. While I found it fairly easy to hone in on the probable suspects, the motives were elusive. Meanwhile, Mercy’s boyfriend, Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly, is doing his own inquiry into Olivia and Salome’s background as he has his own history with Salome. The two investigations dovetailed nicely as his helped clarify issues even while simultaneously creating more.
I listened to the story and continue to love the narrator’s performance. Her focus is more heavily on the storytelling rather than character distinction, which in its own way provides the definition. I also enjoyed the personal aspects of the story as Mercy and Truman’s relationship deepens and she grows closer to her estranged family. That’s moving at a slow pace, as it should, while the murder mystery raced along. It had an incredible climax that kept me glued to my headphones. Another great story in this series that I wasn’t ready to have end. 4.5 stars
This was a puzzling case, complicated by the rather mystical life of Olivia Sabin and her daughter, Salome. I loved the paranormal elements, which was rather fitting in this setting amongst a town of preppers. While I found it fairly easy to hone in on the probable suspects, the motives were elusive. Meanwhile, Mercy’s boyfriend, Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly, is doing his own inquiry into Olivia and Salome’s background as he has his own history with Salome. The two investigations dovetailed nicely as his helped clarify issues even while simultaneously creating more.
I listened to the story and continue to love the narrator’s performance. Her focus is more heavily on the storytelling rather than character distinction, which in its own way provides the definition. I also enjoyed the personal aspects of the story as Mercy and Truman’s relationship deepens and she grows closer to her estranged family. That’s moving at a slow pace, as it should, while the murder mystery raced along. It had an incredible climax that kept me glued to my headphones. Another great story in this series that I wasn’t ready to have end. 4.5 stars
January 29, 2018
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is not only a dedicated agent, she is also a 'prepper' ... a person who believes a catastrophic disaster or emergency is likely to occur in the future and makes active preparations for it, typically by stockpiling food, ammunition, and other supplies. Raised off the grid by her survivalist parents, this way of living is something very normal for her.
She has a cabin deep in the woods where she goes every chance she gets. It's in these woods where a young girl hails her and asks for help. Her grandmother needs help. She finds the girl's grandmother dying of multiple stab wounds.
Calling her Police Chief Truman Daly, they discover that a judge, miles away. was also killed in the same way. What is the collection between the judge and an elderly woman known as a with, complete with potions and spells?
This is the 3rd in a series of 4 books featuring Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly. Although this one is okay as a stand alone, I highly recommend starting at the beginning. This has been a highly suspenseful series. The 4th book is due out June 2018.
The book is well written with a great plot and many credible characters. Categorized as a Romantic Suspense, this is much more suspense than romance. The suspense builds and builds until the surprising, explosive ending.
Many thanks to the author / Montlake Romance / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 17, 2023
Not safe! Or at least for me.
2 stars cause I still like the series.
So far I’m liking this series but I’m super FREAKING 😡 MAD at the author for throwing unnecessary OW into this.
Why on earth would this author write a scene with a explicit detailed sexual encounter that the H had with OW in the past BUT NOT HAVE ANY SEX SCENES AT ALL IN THE ENTIRE SERIES FOR THE H and THE h!?
How does that make sense. Also do I need his constant LUSTY thoughts about OW.
He had ONE sexual encounter w OW 20 years ago! And he can remember the softness of her lips and her luscious curves to a tea!? Are you freaking kidding me!
Ok ok so it was 20yrs ago but I’m reading it as if it’s real time…..AND since we don’t get ANY sex or even FTB scenes of the H and h it makes it all the worse! We don’t hear how lusty he is for the h!!!! EVER!
Rubbish!
Oh and the OW is a victim but if you want to make her a victim that I root for then make her likable. She’s manipulate, she purposely seduces OW men. She run scams on people. She vile. Ugh to many people die cause of her.
AND the H keeps it a secret from the h that he knows the OW!!!!!!!!!!! Like why? This is the woman you want to marry but you keep a secret past from her when you are both working on a case w OW🔪🔪🔪. Dude! What are you hiding? Is it maybe that you have some serious attraction still to OW? Cause if not what do you need to hide it for. Fuck this.
This series was great until this BS
This is some bullshit move.
2 stars cause I still like the series.
So far I’m liking this series but I’m super FREAKING 😡 MAD at the author for throwing unnecessary OW into this.
Why on earth would this author write a scene with a explicit detailed sexual encounter that the H had with OW in the past BUT NOT HAVE ANY SEX SCENES AT ALL IN THE ENTIRE SERIES FOR THE H and THE h!?
How does that make sense. Also do I need his constant LUSTY thoughts about OW.
He had ONE sexual encounter w OW 20 years ago! And he can remember the softness of her lips and her luscious curves to a tea!? Are you freaking kidding me!
Ok ok so it was 20yrs ago but I’m reading it as if it’s real time…..AND since we don’t get ANY sex or even FTB scenes of the H and h it makes it all the worse! We don’t hear how lusty he is for the h!!!! EVER!
Rubbish!
Oh and the OW is a victim but if you want to make her a victim that I root for then make her likable. She’s manipulate, she purposely seduces OW men. She run scams on people. She vile. Ugh to many people die cause of her.
AND the H keeps it a secret from the h that he knows the OW!!!!!!!!!!! Like why? This is the woman you want to marry but you keep a secret past from her when you are both working on a case w OW🔪🔪🔪. Dude! What are you hiding? Is it maybe that you have some serious attraction still to OW? Cause if not what do you need to hide it for. Fuck this.
This series was great until this BS
This is some bullshit move.
January 20, 2018
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
This is a really, really great mystery. It has a lot of layers and a lot of secrets to uncover to get to the baddie. Just a great old school mystery. Sorry you romance fans, the romance that is here is the cozy variety, but the mystery is off the charts good.
Mercy is flagged down in the middle of the night, near her hidden, prepper, mountain cabin, by a young girl whose grandmother has been attacked. The woman dies holding Mercy's hand and Mercy is determined to bring her killer to justice, even though as a witness and an FBI agent, she has no authority at all. The night before a Judge in Portland, OR was killed in a similar manner. That is enough to being in the FBI and FBI Special Agent Ava McLane (Callahan and McLane Series). Ava, Mercy and Truman must all work to find this killer before more people die. What is the possible connection between a sitting Judge and an old woman living in the wild woods of Oregon?
This is a really, really great mystery. It has a lot of layers and a lot of secrets to uncover to get to the baddie. Just a great old school mystery. Sorry you romance fans, the romance that is here is the cozy variety, but the mystery is off the charts good.
Mercy is flagged down in the middle of the night, near her hidden, prepper, mountain cabin, by a young girl whose grandmother has been attacked. The woman dies holding Mercy's hand and Mercy is determined to bring her killer to justice, even though as a witness and an FBI agent, she has no authority at all. The night before a Judge in Portland, OR was killed in a similar manner. That is enough to being in the FBI and FBI Special Agent Ava McLane (Callahan and McLane Series). Ava, Mercy and Truman must all work to find this killer before more people die. What is the possible connection between a sitting Judge and an old woman living in the wild woods of Oregon?
January 22, 2018
Good story.
Author created characters we care great deal what happens to them and that makes us read this series. Knifed and killed two completely different people. Mercy and her boyfriend police chief Truman, finds many family secrets.
Author created characters we care great deal what happens to them and that makes us read this series. Knifed and killed two completely different people. Mercy and her boyfriend police chief Truman, finds many family secrets.
November 26, 2020
This is the 3rd book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series and it is still going well.
Mercy finds a murder too close for comfort when she follows a frightened young girl through the woods. She finds a cabin quite close to her 'secret bolt hole' being mentally groomed by her family all her life to be a 'prepper'.
Mercy finds herself involved in a case that appears to be based on witch craft. It then becomes a case of separating reality from rumor and hearsay.
Not a standalone book, it really requires the first two books to appreciate the position Mercy finds herself in as an FBI agent with a family who choses to live off the grid.
Mercy finds a murder too close for comfort when she follows a frightened young girl through the woods. She finds a cabin quite close to her 'secret bolt hole' being mentally groomed by her family all her life to be a 'prepper'.
Mercy finds herself involved in a case that appears to be based on witch craft. It then becomes a case of separating reality from rumor and hearsay.
Not a standalone book, it really requires the first two books to appreciate the position Mercy finds herself in as an FBI agent with a family who choses to live off the grid.
May 1, 2020
This is a fabulous series! And A Merciful Secret is my favorite thus far! It's a great blend of suspense & romance with neither overwhelming the other. I'm loving the audiobooks as the narration adds a deeper dimension to the story and can't wait to continue the series. Fans of mystery, suspense, and/or thrillers will love this book! Highly Recommended!
4.5 Stars
4.5 Stars
April 1, 2020
A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot is book 3 in the Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly series and so far I've said they've all been exciting but this one has just hopped up a notch (and a 🌟).
It's got murder, witches, more murder, fire, a little more murder and a hole bunch of cat and mouse guessing games going.
The character's grow with each book so you begin to understand and look forward to reading them.
The storyline's get more gripping, intense and nerve tingling with each book which makes them a quick,easy and fun to read.
In this one Mercy and her friends have to find out the connection between a murdered witch and judge (you'll never guess it 😏) before more people die (like I said more murders).
Definitely worth reading 📖
It's got murder, witches, more murder, fire, a little more murder and a hole bunch of cat and mouse guessing games going.
The character's grow with each book so you begin to understand and look forward to reading them.
The storyline's get more gripping, intense and nerve tingling with each book which makes them a quick,easy and fun to read.
In this one Mercy and her friends have to find out the connection between a murdered witch and judge (you'll never guess it 😏) before more people die (like I said more murders).
Definitely worth reading 📖
March 19, 2019
I'm addicted to this series! I can't wait to start the next book! Review, maybe.
January 20, 2019
A MERCIFUL SECRET (Mercy Kilpatrick #3) by Kendra Elliot returns you to Mercy Kilpatrick’s world of rural central Oregon. This series gives you intriguing mystery/suspense plots and a view into the world of preppers, survivalists and anti-government sovereign citizens.
FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is surprised at night on a rural road close to her hidden cabin by a young girl who flags her down from the side of the road. Mercy is led through the woods to a cabin where the girl’s grandmother is dying from multiple stab wounds. The Sabins, three generations of women; grandmother, mother and daughter have lived isolated in the woods and are rumored to be witches.
Mercy is later to learn a judge, hundreds of miles away is found slain in the exact same way brings her friend and fellow FBI agent from Portland to investigate both murders. Not one to be kept on the sidelines, Mercy along with Chief of Police Truman Daly insert themselves into the investigation. An old friend from Mercy’s high school days is implicated along with the daughter of the slain woman.
Rumors and secrets keep hindering the investigation until the explosive surprise climax.
This series just keeps getting better and better. The mystery plot in this third book is fast paced and the resolution was a surprise to me. This book also contains some flashback scenes from one of the suspects which add depth and understanding to her character and others. Mercy and Truman’s relationship takes a big leap after the climax of this story and I cannot wait to read more. I found it difficult to put this book down and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!
FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is surprised at night on a rural road close to her hidden cabin by a young girl who flags her down from the side of the road. Mercy is led through the woods to a cabin where the girl’s grandmother is dying from multiple stab wounds. The Sabins, three generations of women; grandmother, mother and daughter have lived isolated in the woods and are rumored to be witches.
Mercy is later to learn a judge, hundreds of miles away is found slain in the exact same way brings her friend and fellow FBI agent from Portland to investigate both murders. Not one to be kept on the sidelines, Mercy along with Chief of Police Truman Daly insert themselves into the investigation. An old friend from Mercy’s high school days is implicated along with the daughter of the slain woman.
Rumors and secrets keep hindering the investigation until the explosive surprise climax.
This series just keeps getting better and better. The mystery plot in this third book is fast paced and the resolution was a surprise to me. This book also contains some flashback scenes from one of the suspects which add depth and understanding to her character and others. Mercy and Truman’s relationship takes a big leap after the climax of this story and I cannot wait to read more. I found it difficult to put this book down and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!
July 8, 2018
I really loved this series when it first came out in 2017; giving A Merciful Death (book #1) 4 stars and A Merciful Truth (book #2) 5 stars. I'm also a big fan of Kendra Elliott and I've enjoyed a number of her books.
With that said, this book just didn't work for me as well as the first two in the series. I was actually hugely disappointed. Most of the disappointment is due to personal preferences. I don't like 1st POV and I don't like hopping POVs. These personal preferences definitely impacted not only my reading enjoyment but how I starred the book. A lot of readers don't mind and some like these elements so I'll be a little more specific about what didn't work. I did read an ARC provided by Net Galley so there may have been changes between the ARC I read and the final publication.
Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel as the mystery itself is stand alone, the nuances of the characters including their relationships, personalities and lifestyles are more easily appreciated and understood if you start with book #1 in the series.
The daughter of a murder victim, Salome, is one of the primary characters in this book and when she is starring in the narrative, it's in 1st POV. There is almost a dear diary element as she does a self-diagnosis of her emotions, her family relationships and the attempt to hide from a dangerous person(s). She looks back historically so we get past/present jumping. I didn't really enjoy these sections of the book.
Mercy and her significant other Truman Daly are pulled into the murder investigation mostly due to personal involvements versus legal jurisdiction. There were some times where I had issues with how the investigation elements flowed. I started wondering if things would have been handled that way in real life. Again, I wasn't as engrossed into the suspense plot as I wanted to be. Truman is one of my favorite beta heroes. Strong but caring, he's a capable law man without excessive chest thumping. However, there were a couple of incidents where he came off more bumbling than capable…it was disappointing. He however, does make the awesome heroic effort at the end. Mercy is a strong and independent female which is a huge plus in my book.
One of my other stumbling blocks with the book was the witch/other worldly elements of the story. These elements also didn't work for me.
The murder mystery was actually very good. Who killed Salome's mother and wanted Salome and her daughter dead? I did guess the killer and the motive early so the important element for me was the story telling. With hopping POVs, the story telling felt a little choppy.
Will I keep reading this series? Definitely! This is just one book that didn't work me. I like the setting and the primary characters. And I usually like Ms. Elliott's writing style and I'm still a big fan. I look forward to the next book in the series.
With that said, this book just didn't work for me as well as the first two in the series. I was actually hugely disappointed. Most of the disappointment is due to personal preferences. I don't like 1st POV and I don't like hopping POVs. These personal preferences definitely impacted not only my reading enjoyment but how I starred the book. A lot of readers don't mind and some like these elements so I'll be a little more specific about what didn't work. I did read an ARC provided by Net Galley so there may have been changes between the ARC I read and the final publication.
Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel as the mystery itself is stand alone, the nuances of the characters including their relationships, personalities and lifestyles are more easily appreciated and understood if you start with book #1 in the series.
The daughter of a murder victim, Salome, is one of the primary characters in this book and when she is starring in the narrative, it's in 1st POV. There is almost a dear diary element as she does a self-diagnosis of her emotions, her family relationships and the attempt to hide from a dangerous person(s). She looks back historically so we get past/present jumping. I didn't really enjoy these sections of the book.
Mercy and her significant other Truman Daly are pulled into the murder investigation mostly due to personal involvements versus legal jurisdiction. There were some times where I had issues with how the investigation elements flowed. I started wondering if things would have been handled that way in real life. Again, I wasn't as engrossed into the suspense plot as I wanted to be. Truman is one of my favorite beta heroes. Strong but caring, he's a capable law man without excessive chest thumping. However, there were a couple of incidents where he came off more bumbling than capable…it was disappointing. He however, does make the awesome heroic effort at the end. Mercy is a strong and independent female which is a huge plus in my book.
One of my other stumbling blocks with the book was the witch/other worldly elements of the story. These elements also didn't work for me.
The murder mystery was actually very good. Who killed Salome's mother and wanted Salome and her daughter dead? I did guess the killer and the motive early so the important element for me was the story telling. With hopping POVs, the story telling felt a little choppy.
Will I keep reading this series? Definitely! This is just one book that didn't work me. I like the setting and the primary characters. And I usually like Ms. Elliott's writing style and I'm still a big fan. I look forward to the next book in the series.
August 8, 2018
I am really enjoying this series from the rural setting, to tidbits about preppers included in these suspenseful and deadly cases. As Mercy is returning from her cabin in the wood, a young girl jumps out in front of her car. She lives in a remote wood cabin with her grandmother and mother. The mother isn't home, but the little girl's grandmother dies as Mercy tries to aid her. The killer in a rage slashed the poor woman with a blade. When a similar murder occurs the FBI steps in.
This was a fantastic case with a likely suspect and people with secrets. While other agents are quick to point fingers, Mercy continues to dig. I loved how Elliot tied in secondary threads and characters to weave a believable tale and timeline.
The series has romance as Mercy learns to open-up and trust. Elliot serves the developing relationship as a side dish along with a nice helping of Mercy's estranged family. I adore Mercy's sister Rose and enjoyed getting updates and seeing a possible love interest for her.
While arc in the series develops the relationships and shows character growth, they will work on their own. Each book has a case that the author takes us through and wraps up before the end. The flow to the stories are easy and I can usually read them in one or two sittings. I can usually deduce who the killer is, but not always, the why, until it's revealed. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
This was a fantastic case with a likely suspect and people with secrets. While other agents are quick to point fingers, Mercy continues to dig. I loved how Elliot tied in secondary threads and characters to weave a believable tale and timeline.
The series has romance as Mercy learns to open-up and trust. Elliot serves the developing relationship as a side dish along with a nice helping of Mercy's estranged family. I adore Mercy's sister Rose and enjoyed getting updates and seeing a possible love interest for her.
While arc in the series develops the relationships and shows character growth, they will work on their own. Each book has a case that the author takes us through and wraps up before the end. The flow to the stories are easy and I can usually read them in one or two sittings. I can usually deduce who the killer is, but not always, the why, until it's revealed. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
June 20, 2020
I love reading these books!
Kendra Elliot is great at creating these scenarios of mystery and intrigue, even if they are relatively simple.
And this was no exception!
Kendra Elliot is great at creating these scenarios of mystery and intrigue, even if they are relatively simple.
And this was no exception!
December 13, 2023
4.5 Stars!
A Merciful Secret is even more action-packed and exciting than the first two books in the series with an intriguing case for Mercy and some great development for the characters.
Mercy Kilpatrick was raised in the backwoods of Oregon by a family who believed in being prepared for the end of the world. Now an FBI agent, Mercy still believes in being prepared but hasn't held on to her father's distrust of government agencies. Late one night after leaving her hidden cabin in the woods, Mercy nearly hits a girl who runs out into the road. The girl is desperate for Mercy's help and leads her to her grandmother who is dying from several knife wounds. When this woman's murder is linked to the murder of a high powered judge in Portland, Mercy realizes she will have her work cut out for her if she wants to stop the killer before they strike again.
Mercy struggles a bit with this case as due to her being a witness, she cannot be allowed to officially work the case. Of course Mercy finds her way around such restrictions and ultimately becomes fully involved when it becomes clear she won't stay on the sidelines. As to Mercy's personal life, her relationship with her niece Kaylie develops nicely and I enjoy the scenes where they're together. We also get a few scenes with Mercy's sister Rose who is an amazing character that I love seeing pop up.
I enjoyed watching Mercy and Truman work together again as I feel their styles complement each other very well and allow them to explore different avenues to the case they might not have tried otherwise. Mercy and Truman's relationship continues to progress at a good pace with the only thing slowing it down being Mercy. I liked how much progress they made by the end of the book though and I look forward to seeing their relationship develop further in the next book.
I was curious from the beginning how the author would tie together two murders of people from vastly different circumstances and I was quite pleased with the way things worked out. I felt the story had just the right amount of surprises to keep things interesting and the plot was believable which is something that is sometimes lacking in suspense books. There is a bit less of a focus in this book on the prepper lifestyle compared to the first two books, but it is something that comes up as being a prepper is very much part of who Mercy is.
Overall the pacing in A Merciful Secret is great and I flew through the book fairly quickly. This book has been my favorite of the series so far and I'm looking forward to future books in the series. I would definitely recommend this series for fans of romantic suspense that are looking for books that are a bit lighter on the romance aspect.
**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
A Merciful Secret is even more action-packed and exciting than the first two books in the series with an intriguing case for Mercy and some great development for the characters.
Mercy Kilpatrick was raised in the backwoods of Oregon by a family who believed in being prepared for the end of the world. Now an FBI agent, Mercy still believes in being prepared but hasn't held on to her father's distrust of government agencies. Late one night after leaving her hidden cabin in the woods, Mercy nearly hits a girl who runs out into the road. The girl is desperate for Mercy's help and leads her to her grandmother who is dying from several knife wounds. When this woman's murder is linked to the murder of a high powered judge in Portland, Mercy realizes she will have her work cut out for her if she wants to stop the killer before they strike again.
Mercy struggles a bit with this case as due to her being a witness, she cannot be allowed to officially work the case. Of course Mercy finds her way around such restrictions and ultimately becomes fully involved when it becomes clear she won't stay on the sidelines. As to Mercy's personal life, her relationship with her niece Kaylie develops nicely and I enjoy the scenes where they're together. We also get a few scenes with Mercy's sister Rose who is an amazing character that I love seeing pop up.
I enjoyed watching Mercy and Truman work together again as I feel their styles complement each other very well and allow them to explore different avenues to the case they might not have tried otherwise. Mercy and Truman's relationship continues to progress at a good pace with the only thing slowing it down being Mercy. I liked how much progress they made by the end of the book though and I look forward to seeing their relationship develop further in the next book.
I was curious from the beginning how the author would tie together two murders of people from vastly different circumstances and I was quite pleased with the way things worked out. I felt the story had just the right amount of surprises to keep things interesting and the plot was believable which is something that is sometimes lacking in suspense books. There is a bit less of a focus in this book on the prepper lifestyle compared to the first two books, but it is something that comes up as being a prepper is very much part of who Mercy is.
Overall the pacing in A Merciful Secret is great and I flew through the book fairly quickly. This book has been my favorite of the series so far and I'm looking forward to future books in the series. I would definitely recommend this series for fans of romantic suspense that are looking for books that are a bit lighter on the romance aspect.
**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
July 19, 2019
This was a tough one for me. I really wish the author hadn’t given Truman a past with one of the side characters. He met the OW years before he ever knew Mercy- he was a teenager when he made out with and almost had sex with the OW. This was so disappointing because he has never seemed like the type of guy to randomly hookup. I really didn’t need to know his POV during that encounter- his lusty thoughts about this gal were not needed. The whole thing was gross and to top it off he never mentioned to Mercy that he had already met this woman in the past.
December 15, 2017
Mercy Kilpatrick is on her way back from checking on her wilderness cabin when she almost runs down a girl. Morrigan is desperately searching for someone to help her grandmother. When Mercy gets to their isolated home, she find the grandmother dying after a brutal knife attack. Being out of cellphone range she takes Morrigan and drives to somewhere she can get reception before going back and waiting for the police. Morrigan's mother Salome is away from home and can't be contacted.
Meanwhile, boyfriend and Chief of Police Truman Daly is getting worried about Mercy because she wasn't planning to be gone all night. He goes off to try to track her down and discovers her at the crime scene where she's being interviewed by the police.
When Mercy learns that Oliva Sabin's death is very similar to the death of Judge Malcolm Lake which happened nearly the same time in Portland, the FBI takes over jurisdiction for the investigation of both deaths. Mercy can't be directly involved but her good friend Ava is put in charge. Both she and Truman are interested in the investigation but neither are legally involved. That doesn't stop either of them from doing what they can to investigate.
Since Olivia and her daughter Salome are both considered to be witches by many in the community of Eagle's Nest, it is thought that there might be some connection there. But that doesn't explain the judge. Although the judge did live in Bend for a while years ago and a connection is found between him and Olivia which could explain why she has been hiding in the woods for many years.
This story was a fast-paced mystery with flashbacks to a time when Salome was a teenager and knew both Truman and Judge Lake's son Christian. It also has some sections from Salome's point of view. I am especially fond of Mercy who has a unique background. She was raised by preppers and, although she has left the group, she is still doing her own prepping in case the world as we know it falls apart. Her supplies and her isolated cabin give her a feeling of security. She is also finding a new sense of security with her niece and with Truman that is causing her to open herself up more than she has in years.
This was a great story with plenty of action and excitement as well as being the story of two people who are committing themselves to each other.
Meanwhile, boyfriend and Chief of Police Truman Daly is getting worried about Mercy because she wasn't planning to be gone all night. He goes off to try to track her down and discovers her at the crime scene where she's being interviewed by the police.
When Mercy learns that Oliva Sabin's death is very similar to the death of Judge Malcolm Lake which happened nearly the same time in Portland, the FBI takes over jurisdiction for the investigation of both deaths. Mercy can't be directly involved but her good friend Ava is put in charge. Both she and Truman are interested in the investigation but neither are legally involved. That doesn't stop either of them from doing what they can to investigate.
Since Olivia and her daughter Salome are both considered to be witches by many in the community of Eagle's Nest, it is thought that there might be some connection there. But that doesn't explain the judge. Although the judge did live in Bend for a while years ago and a connection is found between him and Olivia which could explain why she has been hiding in the woods for many years.
This story was a fast-paced mystery with flashbacks to a time when Salome was a teenager and knew both Truman and Judge Lake's son Christian. It also has some sections from Salome's point of view. I am especially fond of Mercy who has a unique background. She was raised by preppers and, although she has left the group, she is still doing her own prepping in case the world as we know it falls apart. Her supplies and her isolated cabin give her a feeling of security. She is also finding a new sense of security with her niece and with Truman that is causing her to open herself up more than she has in years.
This was a great story with plenty of action and excitement as well as being the story of two people who are committing themselves to each other.
April 10, 2019
Once again, FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick taps into danger when she unexpectedly helps a little girl during the dark hours of night. I can’t let it pass without mentioning that the small community of Eagle’s Nest, Oregon and the surrounding area contain an abundant amount of law-breaking residents. This time around, Mercy along with her lover and local police chief, Truman, have their hands full trying to link the deaths of an elderly ‘witch’ and a judge.
Momentum built with new secondary characters, subplots and just enough of the Kilpatrick clan to keep things interesting. Like others, I would love more romance but my gut tells me the author respects Mercy and Truman and leaves it to the reader to figure out what goes on behind closed doors. If you need more than this, look for another series.
The suspense was very good. When Mercy or Truman are on the page, I am invested with their actions. Mercy’s niece, Kaylie, provided just enough freshness so the darker tropes weren’t overwhelming. I don’t want to say much else because if the sovereign citizen and prepper themes or Karl Kilpatrick haven’t turned you off yet, you will find yourself holding your breath on what will happen next.
Momentum built with new secondary characters, subplots and just enough of the Kilpatrick clan to keep things interesting. Like others, I would love more romance but my gut tells me the author respects Mercy and Truman and leaves it to the reader to figure out what goes on behind closed doors. If you need more than this, look for another series.
The suspense was very good. When Mercy or Truman are on the page, I am invested with their actions. Mercy’s niece, Kaylie, provided just enough freshness so the darker tropes weren’t overwhelming. I don’t want to say much else because if the sovereign citizen and prepper themes or Karl Kilpatrick haven’t turned you off yet, you will find yourself holding your breath on what will happen next.
May 10, 2020
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is driving on a deserted road when a young girl flags her down. Morrigan Sabin says her grandmother has been hurt. When Mercy arrives at the cabin, she sees an elderly woman who has been slashed several times with a knife. Tragically, Mercy cannot save her. When the GBI learns about this case, they take it over. They are currently investigating the death of a Portland judge. He was found with the same identical slashes as this victim. Mercy and Police Chief Truman Daly search for the killer, hoping to find him before more bodies turn up.
This is another excellent addition to the Mercy Kilpatrick series. The mystery/suspense story was top notch. I stopped reading several times to think about where the clues were leading me and what really happened. As usual, the characters are well developed. We get a lot of details about Mercy's background as a prepper, and the work she is doing at her cabin which lays outside of town. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is another excellent addition to the Mercy Kilpatrick series. The mystery/suspense story was top notch. I stopped reading several times to think about where the clues were leading me and what really happened. As usual, the characters are well developed. We get a lot of details about Mercy's background as a prepper, and the work she is doing at her cabin which lays outside of town. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
January 3, 2018
You can find this review in English below.
**Esta reseña es de una ARC recibida gratuitamente y sólo refleja mi opinión personal sobre la historia.**
Esta es la tercera entrega de la serie y es necesario leer las anteriores para disfrutar completamente de la historia. Aunque el suspense es independiente en cada una, las relaciones entre los personajes son una continuación de los libros anteriores.
Fantástico suspense, sutil romance y el siempre omnipresente drama familiar, aunque en esta entrega, todo ha quedado relegado a un atractivo segundo plano en favor del suspense, que como ya he dicho antes, ha sido interesante, original y definitivamente inquietante.
En esta ocasión, la autora hace un cameo con personajes de otras series, aparece Ava, la agente del FBI protagonista de la serie “Callahan &McLane”, otra de mis favoritas y el periodista Brody, que aparece también en la serie “BoneSecrets “. Junto con Mercy, son los encargados de resolver dos asesinatos crueles y estremecedores que tan sólo tienen en común su perpetrador. O eso parece…
Pero todo el mundo esconde algo, todos tienen un secreto y la verdad resulta incómoda y difícil de asumir. Y cuando todo sale a la luz…bien…vaya con los giros del suspense. Me ha gustado y sobre todo, ha mantenido mi atención desde la primera página hasta la última.
El romance, como en las entregas anteriores, es algo muy, muy sutil. Maduro, sin dramas. Adultos comprometidos el uno con el otro y que se lo toman con calma. He echado de menos más momentos de ellos juntos. Me gustan Mercy y Truman y no he tenido bastante de ellos.
Una de las cosas que más aprecio de esta autora es su capacidad de agarrase a la realidad y tejer una historia que nunca se aleja demasiado de ella, con todas las complicaciones que ello conlleva. Esta vez, Mercy Kilpatrick no es la investigadora a cargo del caso, sino una testigo. Navegar las aguas de la investigación desde el otro lado es difícil, pero la señora Elliot lo consigue. Y de una manera realista. Y además, la protagonista tiene que seguir lidiando con sus demonios y su familia, que es como para volverse loca.
Cada vez entiendo mejor a Mercy. Recuerdo que cuando empezó la serie me resultó complicado conectar con ella. Para mí la noción de los survivalistas era totalmente desconocida, y rozaba un pelín el comportamiento obsesivo compulsivo, y de repente, en este libro me encuentro con el alma encogida y agobiada cuando Mercy tiene que lidiar con algo que sacude los cimientos de su existencia, aunque para el resto de los mortales no tenga mayor consecuencia. Impresionante. No suelo dejarme llevar tanto con las historias y aquí lo he hecho. He disfrutado de ella.
No voy a decir que es perfecta, pero sí que es exactamente lo que busco cuando quiero leer un buen suspense con un toque de romance.
Merece la pena darle una oportunidad a esta serie.
***
**This is a review of an ARC and only shows my personal opinion about the story.**
This is the third instalment in the series and you need to read the former ones to completely enjoy the story. Although the suspense is a stand-alone in each book, the relationships between the characters continue since the first one.
Fantastic suspense, subtle romance and the omnipresent family drama, although in this episode all is suggestively relegated to the background in favor of the suspense, which, as I said above, has been interesting, original and definitively troubling.
On this occasion, the author had a cameo of a few characters from another series of hers: it appears Ava, the FBI agent in the “Callahan & McLane” series, one of my favorites, and Brody, the journalist who starred in one of the installments in the “Bone Secrets “ series. Together with Mercy, they are in charge of solving two cruel and unsettling murders which only has in common their perpetrator, or so it seems…
But everybody has secrets, everybody hides something, and the truth is uncomfortable and hard to acknowledge. And when all come out into the open, well, talk about twists…
I loved it. It has grabbed my attention from beginning to end.
The romance, like in the previous books is so, so subtle. Mature, without drama. Adults committed to each other and who are taking their relationship slowly and calmly. I have missed more of them together. I love Mercy and Truman and I can´t get enough of them.
One of the things I really appreciate about this author is her ability to grab the reality and hatch a story that never goes far from it, with all the complications it entails. This time Mercy Kilpatrick isn´t the chief investigator in the murders, she is a witness.
Navigate the investigation from the other side is a tricky thing to do, but Ms. Elliot do it famously. And in a realistic way. To top it all, Mercy must deal with her own demons and her family, and the later is, to put it mildly, to make you go nuts.
With each book, I understand Mercy better. I remember from the first book I hardly could relate with her. The notion of a survivalist was alien to me and I thought it OCD borderline, but now, this story finds me with my heart in my mouth when Mercy has to deal with a situation which shakes the foundations of her existence although it´s next to nothing to the rest of the world. Usually I don´t get swept up in a story so much but here I did. And I enjoyed it immensely.
I´m not going to say it was perfect but it was what I look for when I want a suspense with a bit of romance on the side.
This series it´s worth a try.
**Esta reseña es de una ARC recibida gratuitamente y sólo refleja mi opinión personal sobre la historia.**
Esta es la tercera entrega de la serie y es necesario leer las anteriores para disfrutar completamente de la historia. Aunque el suspense es independiente en cada una, las relaciones entre los personajes son una continuación de los libros anteriores.
Fantástico suspense, sutil romance y el siempre omnipresente drama familiar, aunque en esta entrega, todo ha quedado relegado a un atractivo segundo plano en favor del suspense, que como ya he dicho antes, ha sido interesante, original y definitivamente inquietante.
En esta ocasión, la autora hace un cameo con personajes de otras series, aparece Ava, la agente del FBI protagonista de la serie “Callahan &McLane”, otra de mis favoritas y el periodista Brody, que aparece también en la serie “BoneSecrets “. Junto con Mercy, son los encargados de resolver dos asesinatos crueles y estremecedores que tan sólo tienen en común su perpetrador. O eso parece…
Pero todo el mundo esconde algo, todos tienen un secreto y la verdad resulta incómoda y difícil de asumir. Y cuando todo sale a la luz…bien…vaya con los giros del suspense. Me ha gustado y sobre todo, ha mantenido mi atención desde la primera página hasta la última.
El romance, como en las entregas anteriores, es algo muy, muy sutil. Maduro, sin dramas. Adultos comprometidos el uno con el otro y que se lo toman con calma. He echado de menos más momentos de ellos juntos. Me gustan Mercy y Truman y no he tenido bastante de ellos.
Una de las cosas que más aprecio de esta autora es su capacidad de agarrase a la realidad y tejer una historia que nunca se aleja demasiado de ella, con todas las complicaciones que ello conlleva. Esta vez, Mercy Kilpatrick no es la investigadora a cargo del caso, sino una testigo. Navegar las aguas de la investigación desde el otro lado es difícil, pero la señora Elliot lo consigue. Y de una manera realista. Y además, la protagonista tiene que seguir lidiando con sus demonios y su familia, que es como para volverse loca.
Cada vez entiendo mejor a Mercy. Recuerdo que cuando empezó la serie me resultó complicado conectar con ella. Para mí la noción de los survivalistas era totalmente desconocida, y rozaba un pelín el comportamiento obsesivo compulsivo, y de repente, en este libro me encuentro con el alma encogida y agobiada cuando Mercy tiene que lidiar con algo que sacude los cimientos de su existencia, aunque para el resto de los mortales no tenga mayor consecuencia. Impresionante. No suelo dejarme llevar tanto con las historias y aquí lo he hecho. He disfrutado de ella.
No voy a decir que es perfecta, pero sí que es exactamente lo que busco cuando quiero leer un buen suspense con un toque de romance.
Merece la pena darle una oportunidad a esta serie.
***
**This is a review of an ARC and only shows my personal opinion about the story.**
This is the third instalment in the series and you need to read the former ones to completely enjoy the story. Although the suspense is a stand-alone in each book, the relationships between the characters continue since the first one.
Fantastic suspense, subtle romance and the omnipresent family drama, although in this episode all is suggestively relegated to the background in favor of the suspense, which, as I said above, has been interesting, original and definitively troubling.
On this occasion, the author had a cameo of a few characters from another series of hers: it appears Ava, the FBI agent in the “Callahan & McLane” series, one of my favorites, and Brody, the journalist who starred in one of the installments in the “Bone Secrets “ series. Together with Mercy, they are in charge of solving two cruel and unsettling murders which only has in common their perpetrator, or so it seems…
But everybody has secrets, everybody hides something, and the truth is uncomfortable and hard to acknowledge. And when all come out into the open, well, talk about twists…
I loved it. It has grabbed my attention from beginning to end.
The romance, like in the previous books is so, so subtle. Mature, without drama. Adults committed to each other and who are taking their relationship slowly and calmly. I have missed more of them together. I love Mercy and Truman and I can´t get enough of them.
One of the things I really appreciate about this author is her ability to grab the reality and hatch a story that never goes far from it, with all the complications it entails. This time Mercy Kilpatrick isn´t the chief investigator in the murders, she is a witness.
Navigate the investigation from the other side is a tricky thing to do, but Ms. Elliot do it famously. And in a realistic way. To top it all, Mercy must deal with her own demons and her family, and the later is, to put it mildly, to make you go nuts.
With each book, I understand Mercy better. I remember from the first book I hardly could relate with her. The notion of a survivalist was alien to me and I thought it OCD borderline, but now, this story finds me with my heart in my mouth when Mercy has to deal with a situation which shakes the foundations of her existence although it´s next to nothing to the rest of the world. Usually I don´t get swept up in a story so much but here I did. And I enjoyed it immensely.
I´m not going to say it was perfect but it was what I look for when I want a suspense with a bit of romance on the side.
This series it´s worth a try.
July 16, 2025
This was a solidly good crime procedural. Kendra Elliot rarely misses! While Columbia river series is a personal favorite of mine, Mercy Kilpatrick is quickly joining that list. I loved the story in this book especially, dipping toes a little into the supernatural world and how people perceive that. Overall, a fantastic book that I flew through in a day.
4 stars 🌟
4 stars 🌟
June 30, 2024
Best of the series so far!
Lot's more mystery and intrigue, I couldn't wait to see what would happen.
Lot's more mystery and intrigue, I couldn't wait to see what would happen.
January 16, 2018
Another great addition to the series! This is the 3rd book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series but it can also be read as a stand-alone.
Mercy Kilpatrick is an FBI agent trying to repair the damage with her estranged family. Raised within a family of preppers, she has a soul-deep need to always be prepared in case of TEOTWAWKI, the end of the world as we know it. She has a secret cabin where she goes to stock supplies for an emergency. On her drive back home from the cabin, she almost hits a young girl that runs into the street that is desperately looking for help. Morrigan Sabin’s grandmother has been stabbed multiple times and Mercy helplessly watches her die. Hundreds of miles away, a judge has been found dead with similar stab wounds. Mercy is on the hunt to discover how the two deaths are related.
Excellent story with a great cast of well developed characters. While reading it, I wanted to go out and buy a couple of cases of water and canned food. I definitely recommend this very suspenseful thriller. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for supplying me a copy of Kendra Elliot's "A Merciful Secret" in exchange for an honest review.
Mercy Kilpatrick is an FBI agent trying to repair the damage with her estranged family. Raised within a family of preppers, she has a soul-deep need to always be prepared in case of TEOTWAWKI, the end of the world as we know it. She has a secret cabin where she goes to stock supplies for an emergency. On her drive back home from the cabin, she almost hits a young girl that runs into the street that is desperately looking for help. Morrigan Sabin’s grandmother has been stabbed multiple times and Mercy helplessly watches her die. Hundreds of miles away, a judge has been found dead with similar stab wounds. Mercy is on the hunt to discover how the two deaths are related.
Excellent story with a great cast of well developed characters. While reading it, I wanted to go out and buy a couple of cases of water and canned food. I definitely recommend this very suspenseful thriller. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for supplying me a copy of Kendra Elliot's "A Merciful Secret" in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2017
The thrilling start to this story sets the stage beautifully for the rest of the exciting, suspenseful tale. When two seemingly unrelated victims are killed in a similar manner, Mercy and Truman find themselves drawn into the hunt for their cruel murderer. With hints of the supernatural, this tension filled story will defiantly keep you guessing. It has lots of breath holding, on the edge of your seat moments, great twists and plenty of action. It is my favourite of the Mercy Kilpatrick books so far, it’s exciting and I love the character development. Mercy has grown with each book; slowly opening her heart and allowing others in. The ongoing romance between Mercy and Truman is beautiful, it’s nice to watch her painstakingly built walls slowly come down. Even though there are threads that run from one book to the next, each novella can easily be read as a stand-alone. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion or review.
July 17, 2018
I didn’t like this one as much. There were some explicit memories of the H doing sexual things with OW in the distant past (20 years ago). This is way before he met the h, but I didn’t like it, especially since it wasn’t balanced out by anything intimate between him and the h in the present. I don’t understand why the author wrote the story this way. The H had such a nice, non-manho vibe about him. Why did the author have to include a character with whom the H had a history, no matter how brief? Ah well.
I also don’t enjoy reading first person narratives and this book includes the OW’s POV told in the first person.
On the up side, the mystery aspect of this story was strong and the H’s cat was cute.
Trigger warning: some violence and murder.
I also don’t enjoy reading first person narratives and this book includes the OW’s POV told in the first person.
On the up side, the mystery aspect of this story was strong and the H’s cat was cute.
Trigger warning: some violence and murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2018
This is my first Mercy Kilpatrick book but I'm so hooked. I cannot wait to go back and read the first two books.
A crazy web of secrets and pain and death. This book is both three tragic ending of lives and relationships and the beginnings of new ones.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A crazy web of secrets and pain and death. This book is both three tragic ending of lives and relationships and the beginnings of new ones.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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