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Atlee Pine #4
Mercy
* Duration: 11:57:35 *
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s harrowing search for her long-lost sister Mercy reaches a boiling point in this breakneck thriller from number one 'New York Times' best-selling author David Baldacci.
For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy’s disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee’s parents inexplicably abandoned her.
Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents’ abandonment and Mercy’s kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago.
Though Atlee is tantalizingly close to her family at last, the final leg of her long road to Mercy will be the most treacherous yet. Mercy left at least one dead body behind before fleeing her captors years before. Atlee has no idea if her sister is still alive, and if so, how she has been surviving all this time. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything.
©2921 David Baldacci (P)2021 Hachette Audio
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s harrowing search for her long-lost sister Mercy reaches a boiling point in this breakneck thriller from number one 'New York Times' best-selling author David Baldacci.
For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy’s disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee’s parents inexplicably abandoned her.
Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents’ abandonment and Mercy’s kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago.
Though Atlee is tantalizingly close to her family at last, the final leg of her long road to Mercy will be the most treacherous yet. Mercy left at least one dead body behind before fleeing her captors years before. Atlee has no idea if her sister is still alive, and if so, how she has been surviving all this time. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything.
©2921 David Baldacci (P)2021 Hachette Audio
12 pages, Audiobook
First published November 16, 2021
4808 people are currently reading
7784 people want to read
About the author
David Baldacci
245 books123k followersDavid Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.”)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,543 reviews
June 1, 2023
Atlee Pine #4: The formidable Atlee Pine, 5' 11" ex world class weightlifter and MMA fighter and now FBI agent with Carol Blum her 'PA' in sixties, finds herself somewhat satisfied with the information they retrieved in the previous volume Daylight to now finding themselves hot on the trail of Atlee's sister; a sister she last saw seconds before someone tried very hard to kill her before they abducted her twin, when they were just six years old. Is Mercy Pine alive, and if she is, what hurdles lie in the way of their reunion? 570+ pages indicates hurdles galore!
With what appears to be the final instalment of the series Baldacci multiple layers the overall conspiracy around the Pine family, introduces a seemingly unbeatable antagonist and manages to tug at the heartstrings throughout with the twins. An extremely impressive commercial thriller in which Baldacci as ever seems to take that bit more time and craft in creating and sharing his story. A well deserved 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
2023 read
With what appears to be the final instalment of the series Baldacci multiple layers the overall conspiracy around the Pine family, introduces a seemingly unbeatable antagonist and manages to tug at the heartstrings throughout with the twins. An extremely impressive commercial thriller in which Baldacci as ever seems to take that bit more time and craft in creating and sharing his story. A well deserved 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
2023 read
January 15, 2022
A satisfying conclusion to Mercy's plotline.
Okay, I take it back. Baldacci writes pretty darn good female leads. Atlee Pine, FBI from Grand Canyon station, and her assistant Carol Blum make a great team. In Mercy we're introduced to two additional strong females who help right the wrongs. I am hoping to see more of them again in the future.
Is this the end of Pine's story or will there be the next? There hasn't been much of an FBI story as Pine has taken a leave to find her twin sister since book 2. If there's book #5, I hope the author takes us back to the Grand Canyon area. Or give us a new heroine who's been introduced in this book. Yesss, I'll definitely read that!
The audiobook was excellent with two narrators, Brittany Pressley and Kyf Brewer. Kyf voice though was too "handsome" when he's voicing the bad guys. It's just weird... but I loved it anyway.
Okay, I take it back. Baldacci writes pretty darn good female leads. Atlee Pine, FBI from Grand Canyon station, and her assistant Carol Blum make a great team. In Mercy we're introduced to two additional strong females who help right the wrongs. I am hoping to see more of them again in the future.
Is this the end of Pine's story or will there be the next? There hasn't been much of an FBI story as Pine has taken a leave to find her twin sister since book 2. If there's book #5, I hope the author takes us back to the Grand Canyon area. Or give us a new heroine who's been introduced in this book. Yesss, I'll definitely read that!
The audiobook was excellent with two narrators, Brittany Pressley and Kyf Brewer. Kyf voice though was too "handsome" when he's voicing the bad guys. It's just weird... but I loved it anyway.
November 1, 2021
David Baldacci neatly ties up all the threads in this series where FBI agent Atlee Pine, based in Arizona, has been desperately searching for her twin sister, Mercy, abducted at 6 years old from their bedroom. The main points are summarised at the beginning, a great reminder of the twists and turns that have occurred, including the discovery that Atlee's father is not Tim, but actually Jack Lineberry, and that Mercy had been imprisoned, exploited, tortured and abused by her 'adoptive' parents, Joe and Desiree Atkins, and had possibly escaped. Atlee is once again aided by her FBI administrative assistant, Carol Blum, a woman who has become like a mother to her, as she tries to follow all leads to learn if Mercy survived. She reluctantly accepts the substantial resources, financial and otherwise, offered by Lineberry in the quest to locate Mercy.
For the first time, the author gives Mercy's perspective, and through this we learn what happened to her once she was free, a naive young woman who had never been to school and knew nothing of the world. Almost inevitably she is used by others who take advantage of her, falling into poor relationships and the partaking of drugs. However, she has an inner strength that pulls her through the hard times and she has survived, damaged physically and emotionally, but she has lived to be working several very low paid jobs to just get by. She has read widely by spending time in libraries, and learned to look after herself by training, becoming talented in the mixed martial arts, which is where we meet her as she fights an opponent for the much needed $1000 dollar prize money. She is a loner, helping others when she has money, and living in insecure poor accommodation, but she has many of qualities of her twin sister, Atlee.
It is when she helps a woman escape a abusive man that Mercy makes an enemy. It is this villain who brings deadly danger to Atlee, Mercy and Carol. This is an entertaining and engaging read that I enjoyed, but it felt like the weakest book in the series, where it felt like the author was under heavy pressure to conclude everything, and in the rush to do this, the plotting and the characterisation became a little too formulaic for my tastes. Nevertheless, this is a series I have enjoyed, I am assuming this is the end, although I might be interested in seeing how Mercy and Atlee develop as strong women working together from the beginning on intricate and complex investigations. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
For the first time, the author gives Mercy's perspective, and through this we learn what happened to her once she was free, a naive young woman who had never been to school and knew nothing of the world. Almost inevitably she is used by others who take advantage of her, falling into poor relationships and the partaking of drugs. However, she has an inner strength that pulls her through the hard times and she has survived, damaged physically and emotionally, but she has lived to be working several very low paid jobs to just get by. She has read widely by spending time in libraries, and learned to look after herself by training, becoming talented in the mixed martial arts, which is where we meet her as she fights an opponent for the much needed $1000 dollar prize money. She is a loner, helping others when she has money, and living in insecure poor accommodation, but she has many of qualities of her twin sister, Atlee.
It is when she helps a woman escape a abusive man that Mercy makes an enemy. It is this villain who brings deadly danger to Atlee, Mercy and Carol. This is an entertaining and engaging read that I enjoyed, but it felt like the weakest book in the series, where it felt like the author was under heavy pressure to conclude everything, and in the rush to do this, the plotting and the characterisation became a little too formulaic for my tastes. Nevertheless, this is a series I have enjoyed, I am assuming this is the end, although I might be interested in seeing how Mercy and Atlee develop as strong women working together from the beginning on intricate and complex investigations. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 15, 2021
Yikes, that was pretty full on. Mercy is the 4th book in the Atlee Pine series by David Baldacci. The whole series is pretty much about Pine looking for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted about 30 years ago when they were both 6 years old. Atlee herself was left for dead and had a serious head injury. Now Pine and her redoubtable admin assistant, the 60 something Carol Blum, are on a sabbatical from the FBI and are following every little clue to find Mercy
In this book Pine has come closer than ever before to finding her sister and she learns who her biological father is. The first part of the book focuses, for the first time, on Mercy herself. We learn how she escaped captivity, how abused she was, how she struggled in the early years of her ‘freedom’ with further abuse and addictions and how, finally, she has made a life for herself, albeit not an easy one. She is very tall and phenomenally strong and earns some of her income by cage fighting in which she is a formidable opponent.
Pine has managed to track down Desiree Atkins, the wife in the couple with whom Mercy was forced to live for many years and who was her main abuser. Another step closer and the two sisters are getting closer to actually meeting. Mercy is now calling herself El (Eloise) Cain. One day she makes a serious mistake. She beats up a man who was beating up his girlfriend. After he pulled a knife and then a gun on her she has no qualms about thrashing him in self defence but she did make sure to leave him alive. Unfortunately the man later died in hospital and his brother is a very wealthy and influential man - now seriously bent on revenge.
The rest of the story is about how that plays out. I was almost too scared to read on at this point as I thought it would be brutal. And I was not wrong. Baldacci certainly knows how to write suspense and action scenes. There was a lot of fighting but when I saw what the man chasing Mercy was planning for his revenge, I quailed. Yep I’m a scaredy-cat! But I also had to find out how it would end. Of course!
Baldacci’s characters are often either good guys or bad guys but Mercy was, certainly because of the harsh life she’d lived, very much in the grey zone. Carol Blum is a delight as she is almost motherly but also very smart, intuitive and efficient. People underestimate her at their peril. This was very much an action book and it was fast paced throughout. If you want to catch your breath you have to stop reading. Without giving away the ending I DO think this will be the last book in the series, although I would be happy to read more about Pine and her wonderful ‘minder’, Blum. Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
In this book Pine has come closer than ever before to finding her sister and she learns who her biological father is. The first part of the book focuses, for the first time, on Mercy herself. We learn how she escaped captivity, how abused she was, how she struggled in the early years of her ‘freedom’ with further abuse and addictions and how, finally, she has made a life for herself, albeit not an easy one. She is very tall and phenomenally strong and earns some of her income by cage fighting in which she is a formidable opponent.
Pine has managed to track down Desiree Atkins, the wife in the couple with whom Mercy was forced to live for many years and who was her main abuser. Another step closer and the two sisters are getting closer to actually meeting. Mercy is now calling herself El (Eloise) Cain. One day she makes a serious mistake. She beats up a man who was beating up his girlfriend. After he pulled a knife and then a gun on her she has no qualms about thrashing him in self defence but she did make sure to leave him alive. Unfortunately the man later died in hospital and his brother is a very wealthy and influential man - now seriously bent on revenge.
The rest of the story is about how that plays out. I was almost too scared to read on at this point as I thought it would be brutal. And I was not wrong. Baldacci certainly knows how to write suspense and action scenes. There was a lot of fighting but when I saw what the man chasing Mercy was planning for his revenge, I quailed. Yep I’m a scaredy-cat! But I also had to find out how it would end. Of course!
Baldacci’s characters are often either good guys or bad guys but Mercy was, certainly because of the harsh life she’d lived, very much in the grey zone. Carol Blum is a delight as she is almost motherly but also very smart, intuitive and efficient. People underestimate her at their peril. This was very much an action book and it was fast paced throughout. If you want to catch your breath you have to stop reading. Without giving away the ending I DO think this will be the last book in the series, although I would be happy to read more about Pine and her wonderful ‘minder’, Blum. Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
December 15, 2021
The fourth and I would imagine the final book in the series as the search for Mercy Pine reaches its conclusion.
The whole book is action packed and would make a very satisfying movie. There are explosions and hand to hand combat and guns going off every which way. By the end all the baddies are dead and the good guys are recovering in hospital. Baldacci does not hold back!
It is hard to say much more without going into spoiler land so I will just say it is an excellent book to round off a great series. All of the loose ends are neatly tie up and the author saves one nice surprise to the last few pages. Recommended.
The whole book is action packed and would make a very satisfying movie. There are explosions and hand to hand combat and guns going off every which way. By the end all the baddies are dead and the good guys are recovering in hospital. Baldacci does not hold back!
It is hard to say much more without going into spoiler land so I will just say it is an excellent book to round off a great series. All of the loose ends are neatly tie up and the author saves one nice surprise to the last few pages. Recommended.
September 10, 2023
This is the conclusion to the Atlee Pine series.
If you have read the first 3 books, you know Atlee is an FBI agent. She is also a great fighter and an even better weightlifter. At the age of six, someone came into her room and kidnapped her twin sister Mercy and hurt Atlee badly enough that she ended up in the hospital for a while.
Clues discovered during the prior books have led Atlee and her friend Carol Blum to believe that Mercy might be alive and that she was able to escape her captors.
Atlee knows she needs to find out the truth and she hopes her sister is alive and she can get to her before it's too late.
Mercy was a great way to end the series. Baldacci has created great female characters in this last installment. The novel was action-filled and the suspense continued to increase all the way to the end.
I'm sad this is the end of the road for Atlee. I wouldn't mind reading more books about her solving cases.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
If you have read the first 3 books, you know Atlee is an FBI agent. She is also a great fighter and an even better weightlifter. At the age of six, someone came into her room and kidnapped her twin sister Mercy and hurt Atlee badly enough that she ended up in the hospital for a while.
Clues discovered during the prior books have led Atlee and her friend Carol Blum to believe that Mercy might be alive and that she was able to escape her captors.
Atlee knows she needs to find out the truth and she hopes her sister is alive and she can get to her before it's too late.
Mercy was a great way to end the series. Baldacci has created great female characters in this last installment. The novel was action-filled and the suspense continued to increase all the way to the end.
I'm sad this is the end of the road for Atlee. I wouldn't mind reading more books about her solving cases.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
October 31, 2021
A new David Baldacci book - both hands in the air!! Thank you MacMillan Australia for sending me this advanced copy of Mercy to read and review.
The Atlee Pine series by David Baldacci has been an absolute winner for me. After reading the previous book Daylight I was so eager to get to book 4, Mercy. It has a been a long and dangerous search for the FBI agent to find her sister and I have been there for every twist and turn. It is a hard book to review without massive danger to discover the truth.
It has been 30 years since Atlee has seen her twin sister Mercy and she is now closer than ever to finding her. Nothing is ever easy though and she will have to use all the tricks of the trade. Another fast paced and action filled book that I couldn't stop reading. David Baldacci makes you feel as if you are there on the journey with Atlee and Carol and you feel every emotion along the way.
Another outstanding book. Released in Australia October 26th.
The Atlee Pine series by David Baldacci has been an absolute winner for me. After reading the previous book Daylight I was so eager to get to book 4, Mercy. It has a been a long and dangerous search for the FBI agent to find her sister and I have been there for every twist and turn. It is a hard book to review without massive danger to discover the truth.
It has been 30 years since Atlee has seen her twin sister Mercy and she is now closer than ever to finding her. Nothing is ever easy though and she will have to use all the tricks of the trade. Another fast paced and action filled book that I couldn't stop reading. David Baldacci makes you feel as if you are there on the journey with Atlee and Carol and you feel every emotion along the way.
Another outstanding book. Released in Australia October 26th.
March 21, 2022
A satisfying conclusion to the Atlee Pine series.
There is a lot going on in this read, but there was finally an answer to missing twin sister Mercy's 30-year disappearance. Strong female characters dominate the storytelling. The trio of Atlee, Mercy and Carol Blum would make for a great spin-off series, but that remains to be seen.
Glad I saw this one to its conclusion.
There is a lot going on in this read, but there was finally an answer to missing twin sister Mercy's 30-year disappearance. Strong female characters dominate the storytelling. The trio of Atlee, Mercy and Carol Blum would make for a great spin-off series, but that remains to be seen.
Glad I saw this one to its conclusion.
May 8, 2022
Always eager to read the works of David Baldacci, I chose the latest in one of his most intense current series. Atlee Pine has long been searching for her twin sister, abducted one night when they were six. As things come to a head, Baldacci paints a tense and thrilling story that series fans will surely enjoy. There’s something about this series that is sure to spark intrigue for the curious reader and proves that Baldacci has all the ingredients for ongoing success.
After her twin sister was abducted from their childhood home at age six, Atlee Pine has been searching for her. With added tools as an FBI agent, Atlee has been able to stay on the trail, though it’s been fairly cold. Mercy’s disappearance left not only Atlee in an emotional state, but led her parents to turn away from their surviving child. After a time, Atlee was left to fend for herself with a great deal of confusion and piles of questions left unanswered.
After years of slowly trying to find answers, Atlee has something with which to work. The explanation not only puts into perspective what her parents did, but proves that Mercy is still alive and was able to get away from those who kidnapped. Her. It will be a race to turn these answers into something more, but Atlee Pine is nothing if not determined.
So close to getting answers she’s sought for decades, Atlee will have to locate Mercy to see what’s become of her. All the while, Mercy has been living under an assumed name and has no idea that Atlee has been missing her. There is a lot going on and Mercy’s past is anything but pristine. The final chapter of this familial horror story is full of twists and dangers that neither Mercy nor Atlee could have expected. Now, it’s time to see how it will play out and whether this will be the happy reunion of two long-lost sisters. Baldacci does well to keep the story moving and the reader engaged.
In my many years reading David Baldacci’s work, I have often found myself in the middle of the story, wondering what awaits me around the corner. Baldacci does well with this latest instalment of the Atlee Pine series, keeping things engaging and full of mystery. Strong writing and a plot that is anything but predictable, Baldacci proves why he is at the top of his genre and never seems to run out of ideas. I can only wonder if there is more to the Atlee/Mercy saga after finishing this story.
Atlee Pine has developed quite effectively over the four novels of this series. With a sister torn from her life at age six, Atlee remembers the night of the abduction vividly, which emerges at various points of the series. With the backing of her FBI tools, Atlee shows a great deal of grit and determination throughout, making her someone the reader can enjoy watching as the series progresses. While there is no telling what awaits her in the future, Atlee Pine is someone well worth the invested time readers have put into the series.
I have long enjoyed the writing of David Baldacci, as series emerge and develop from numerous ideas. His writing is on point and shows that there is a great deal to be said in the genre, using a formula that is anything but ‘cookie cutter’. Baldacci’s narrative is always developing and he appears to have a clear path, though he purposely tosses in some twists to keep things from being too predictable. This novel in the series introduced many characters, both to flavour the story and offer some foundation for the topic at hand, while the plot builds throughout. I can only wonder if there is more to the story yet to be revealed or if Baldacci is onto new and better stories. Either way, it’s a great instalment in the Atlee Pine series and proves just how solid Baldacci is at his craft.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another successful novel. You have been a reliable go-to when I need a book that I can enjoy and this was no exception.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After her twin sister was abducted from their childhood home at age six, Atlee Pine has been searching for her. With added tools as an FBI agent, Atlee has been able to stay on the trail, though it’s been fairly cold. Mercy’s disappearance left not only Atlee in an emotional state, but led her parents to turn away from their surviving child. After a time, Atlee was left to fend for herself with a great deal of confusion and piles of questions left unanswered.
After years of slowly trying to find answers, Atlee has something with which to work. The explanation not only puts into perspective what her parents did, but proves that Mercy is still alive and was able to get away from those who kidnapped. Her. It will be a race to turn these answers into something more, but Atlee Pine is nothing if not determined.
So close to getting answers she’s sought for decades, Atlee will have to locate Mercy to see what’s become of her. All the while, Mercy has been living under an assumed name and has no idea that Atlee has been missing her. There is a lot going on and Mercy’s past is anything but pristine. The final chapter of this familial horror story is full of twists and dangers that neither Mercy nor Atlee could have expected. Now, it’s time to see how it will play out and whether this will be the happy reunion of two long-lost sisters. Baldacci does well to keep the story moving and the reader engaged.
In my many years reading David Baldacci’s work, I have often found myself in the middle of the story, wondering what awaits me around the corner. Baldacci does well with this latest instalment of the Atlee Pine series, keeping things engaging and full of mystery. Strong writing and a plot that is anything but predictable, Baldacci proves why he is at the top of his genre and never seems to run out of ideas. I can only wonder if there is more to the Atlee/Mercy saga after finishing this story.
Atlee Pine has developed quite effectively over the four novels of this series. With a sister torn from her life at age six, Atlee remembers the night of the abduction vividly, which emerges at various points of the series. With the backing of her FBI tools, Atlee shows a great deal of grit and determination throughout, making her someone the reader can enjoy watching as the series progresses. While there is no telling what awaits her in the future, Atlee Pine is someone well worth the invested time readers have put into the series.
I have long enjoyed the writing of David Baldacci, as series emerge and develop from numerous ideas. His writing is on point and shows that there is a great deal to be said in the genre, using a formula that is anything but ‘cookie cutter’. Baldacci’s narrative is always developing and he appears to have a clear path, though he purposely tosses in some twists to keep things from being too predictable. This novel in the series introduced many characters, both to flavour the story and offer some foundation for the topic at hand, while the plot builds throughout. I can only wonder if there is more to the story yet to be revealed or if Baldacci is onto new and better stories. Either way, it’s a great instalment in the Atlee Pine series and proves just how solid Baldacci is at his craft.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for another successful novel. You have been a reliable go-to when I need a book that I can enjoy and this was no exception.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 26, 2021
It was good
January 4, 2022
This review has spoilers, so proceed at your own risk.
This series has been one of my least favorite from David Baldacci. The only thing that has kept me along for the ride is wanting to find out what happened to Mercy. So for finally getting the answer to that, I am glad I stuck with it.
Even though I was happy to finally meet the Mercy of today -- and was also satisfied with the ending of the book -- I couldn't bring myself to give this book three stars for one reason. The addition of yet another megalomaniac with no end to his financial resources to put his diabolical plan into effect to seek revenge against Mercy for her maybe, possibly, sort of being responsible for the death of a brother he didn't even like and was in agreement that he probably deserved to get the shit kicked out of him by Mercy. There was absolutely no reason for this douche bag to be added to the story other than to stretch the book out to a longer length. Then there was the whole cage match thing between the sisters. Really??? Your evil plot device to stick it to the government for taking down your cult leader father decades ago is to have two women duke it out in a cage? I just can't. I have read pretty much every book this author has published, and I have never been as disappointed in one of his books as I was this one.
If you wanted to extend this book to your 400 page requirement, I would much rather have seen something along the lines of Atlee and Mercy teaming up to take down the woman who had abused Mercy all those years after they found out she was running a child trafficking ring or something like that. That type of plot would have made much more sense to me than the mess this book turned out to be.
This series has been one of my least favorite from David Baldacci. The only thing that has kept me along for the ride is wanting to find out what happened to Mercy. So for finally getting the answer to that, I am glad I stuck with it.
Even though I was happy to finally meet the Mercy of today -- and was also satisfied with the ending of the book -- I couldn't bring myself to give this book three stars for one reason. The addition of yet another megalomaniac with no end to his financial resources to put his diabolical plan into effect to seek revenge against Mercy for her maybe, possibly, sort of being responsible for the death of a brother he didn't even like and was in agreement that he probably deserved to get the shit kicked out of him by Mercy. There was absolutely no reason for this douche bag to be added to the story other than to stretch the book out to a longer length. Then there was the whole cage match thing between the sisters. Really??? Your evil plot device to stick it to the government for taking down your cult leader father decades ago is to have two women duke it out in a cage? I just can't. I have read pretty much every book this author has published, and I have never been as disappointed in one of his books as I was this one.
If you wanted to extend this book to your 400 page requirement, I would much rather have seen something along the lines of Atlee and Mercy teaming up to take down the woman who had abused Mercy all those years after they found out she was running a child trafficking ring or something like that. That type of plot would have made much more sense to me than the mess this book turned out to be.
November 14, 2021
I think I am just about over Baldacci….his stories more and more strain credibility and I am not one for fantasy. From the very beginning, Atlee connecting with her biological father who offers his private jet, Porsche SUV, and unlimited credit card in her search for Mercy (also his biological daughter) was a bit much for me….and then it got worse!
This is a fast read. Some parts were VERY fast for me as descriptions of two women cage fighting and other violence are not at all appealing to me and I skipped more than skimmed over it.
There is brutality and incredulity. Despite that, Baldacci does spin an intriguing tale and I couldn’t put the book down!
If you are OK with the aforementioned traits and like Baldacci or action packed novels, you will like this.
This is a fast read. Some parts were VERY fast for me as descriptions of two women cage fighting and other violence are not at all appealing to me and I skipped more than skimmed over it.
There is brutality and incredulity. Despite that, Baldacci does spin an intriguing tale and I couldn’t put the book down!
If you are OK with the aforementioned traits and like Baldacci or action packed novels, you will like this.
February 2, 2022
Mercy is the fourth of the Atlee Pine adventures, who along with her side kick Carol Blum work for the FBI. The disappearance of her twin sister when age six, continues to be her real mission in life and she is on special leave to investigate. With the exhumation of a coffin comes DNA confirmation expected by Atlee and new leads to pursue. For those who have been following this series, there will be many surprises amongst the action and hopefully some resolution to the mystery. With its gripping tension and explosive finale, comes this typical enjoyable Baldacci story with a five-star read rating.
April 7, 2023
This fast-paced thriller is the culmination of 3 previous books in a search for Atlee Pine’s sister, Mercy. Naturally, any book from a series can be read as a stand-alone but I would seriously advise against attempting to read this without reading at least one of the previous books. Sure, it’ll be entertaining but without the crucial context of what has gone before there will be a great deal that will be missed.
Atlee Pine, the FBI agent, along with her trusted assistant Carol Blum has been on the trail of the twin sister who was abducted from their bedroom 30 years earlier and it has taken them on a string of harrowing and dangerous escapades until ultimately plonking us hot on the trail of what appears to be a tearful and satisfying reunion.
But, of course, that’s far from how Mercy plays out. In true David Baldacci thriller style, there are a couple of whack-jobs standing in the way of any type of reunion with the lives of both Pine women, not to mention Blum, in grave danger.
As we learned way back in the first book of the series, Long Road To Mercy, Atlee Pine’s sister was kidnapped and Atlee was given a fractured skull as the remaining twin. We then found out that Mercy was being held in deplorable conditions and was subjected to the most horrifying of torture and degradation. So the question on our minds (as well as Atlee’s mind) is whether Mercy has come out of it totally mentally scarred.
This is only one of the questions that are answered in this resolutionary volume.
Rather than simply find her sister and enjoy a tearful reunion, things get rather complicated thanks to an earlier confrontation in which Mercy played savior to a domestic abuse situation. Her actions have put someone on her tail who has the means and motivation to seek his own kind of retribution. Rather predictably, just as contact between the sisters is to be made, the fly in the ointment makes himself known and chaos ensues.
While I’m satisfied that there was always going to be an edge of the seat confrontation taking place in what has been a thrilling series so far, I wasn’t particularly happy with the motives of the bad guy here. Now, I know this is fiction and it’s all made up, but this just felt too made up. He just wasn’t a believable villain…at all. Not only that, I felt his motivations for pursuing Mercy and Atlee were weak and his actions were illogical
And this wasn’t helped by one particular fight scene towards the very end of the book which was just too ludicrous for words. The quad-series deserved a stronger ending than this.
This last part aside, I have enjoyed this series a great deal and was very satisfied with the full explanation that is provided after the dust has settled. We’re provided with a suitable outcome that serves to form a well-composed 30 year long tragic mystery.
Atlee Pine, the FBI agent, along with her trusted assistant Carol Blum has been on the trail of the twin sister who was abducted from their bedroom 30 years earlier and it has taken them on a string of harrowing and dangerous escapades until ultimately plonking us hot on the trail of what appears to be a tearful and satisfying reunion.
But, of course, that’s far from how Mercy plays out. In true David Baldacci thriller style, there are a couple of whack-jobs standing in the way of any type of reunion with the lives of both Pine women, not to mention Blum, in grave danger.
As we learned way back in the first book of the series, Long Road To Mercy, Atlee Pine’s sister was kidnapped and Atlee was given a fractured skull as the remaining twin. We then found out that Mercy was being held in deplorable conditions and was subjected to the most horrifying of torture and degradation. So the question on our minds (as well as Atlee’s mind) is whether Mercy has come out of it totally mentally scarred.
This is only one of the questions that are answered in this resolutionary volume.
Rather than simply find her sister and enjoy a tearful reunion, things get rather complicated thanks to an earlier confrontation in which Mercy played savior to a domestic abuse situation. Her actions have put someone on her tail who has the means and motivation to seek his own kind of retribution. Rather predictably, just as contact between the sisters is to be made, the fly in the ointment makes himself known and chaos ensues.
While I’m satisfied that there was always going to be an edge of the seat confrontation taking place in what has been a thrilling series so far, I wasn’t particularly happy with the motives of the bad guy here. Now, I know this is fiction and it’s all made up, but this just felt too made up. He just wasn’t a believable villain…at all. Not only that, I felt his motivations for pursuing Mercy and Atlee were weak and his actions were illogical
And this wasn’t helped by one particular fight scene towards the very end of the book which was just too ludicrous for words. The quad-series deserved a stronger ending than this.
This last part aside, I have enjoyed this series a great deal and was very satisfied with the full explanation that is provided after the dust has settled. We’re provided with a suitable outcome that serves to form a well-composed 30 year long tragic mystery.
January 31, 2024
I finished this book very quickly and this is one of my favorite authors. Also, this series has become one of my favorites also and this is the 4th book in the series so far. I hope he continues. Atlee Pine is a female FBI agent with lots of history from her family and beyond. This whole series was about her finding and reuniting with her sister who was kidnapped when they were children. But I feel he can continue with many more stories about Atlee, and hope he does. Definitely recommend and maybe because I am a female, this is why I like Atlee so much as he does not have that many female heroes.
September 27, 2021
This is the 4th book in the Atlee Pine series by author David Baldacci.
FBI Agent Atlee Pine is a troubled soul, she is tormented by not knowing what happened to her twin sister Mercy. Mercy was abducted from her bed at the age of six and has not been seen since. Now Pine is at the end of her long journey to finally discover what happened to her twin sister, Mercy, an incident which destroyed her family and left Atlee physically and mentally scarred.
Atlee is now aware that her sister and parents are out there and she needs to find them whether they are dead or alive. With the help of her assistant, Carol Blum she seeks the truth. The road to uncovering the truth has been tough and she has encountered lies, greed, fear and revenge along the way. Now with one final push the goal is insight, but this challenge is more deadly and dangerous than they could ever have imagined.
I enjoy reading David Baldacci novels but have found this series difficult to fully engage but thought that this novel is the best of the series. I thought the pace in this novel was turned up a notch and there is plenty of suspense throughout. So glad I decided to follow this series to the end.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
FBI Agent Atlee Pine is a troubled soul, she is tormented by not knowing what happened to her twin sister Mercy. Mercy was abducted from her bed at the age of six and has not been seen since. Now Pine is at the end of her long journey to finally discover what happened to her twin sister, Mercy, an incident which destroyed her family and left Atlee physically and mentally scarred.
Atlee is now aware that her sister and parents are out there and she needs to find them whether they are dead or alive. With the help of her assistant, Carol Blum she seeks the truth. The road to uncovering the truth has been tough and she has encountered lies, greed, fear and revenge along the way. Now with one final push the goal is insight, but this challenge is more deadly and dangerous than they could ever have imagined.
I enjoy reading David Baldacci novels but have found this series difficult to fully engage but thought that this novel is the best of the series. I thought the pace in this novel was turned up a notch and there is plenty of suspense throughout. So glad I decided to follow this series to the end.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2024
I read this awhile ago, but it is about time that I put this review on Goodreads.
This is the fourth and final book in the series in which FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her long ago abducted twin sister through the last 3 novels. And her sister happens to be named Mercy. Which means...we (us readers) can finally have closure with the long-awaited ending to this long ago crime.
Yes, we have been waiting this long.
Not that we have had cliff-hangers in the last three novels, so to speak. Well, kind of.
Mercy wasn't found, but major clues were given - and we were always led to believe that she was probably still alive.
Now, let me be clear, I am a long-time Baldacci fan. Any time a new book of his is coming out, I am in line at my local library to check it out. And I did give this one 4 stars (although maybe it is 3.5 stars as I write this - I am still debating).
For the longest time, especially as I realized we still didn't know where Mercy was (dead or alive) and Baldacci wasn't resolving it in book 1, 2, or 3, I was wondering how he was going to write himself out of this convoluted overarching storyline. Oh dear, that sounded mean. I'm sorry Mr. Baldacci. Is my frustration showing through?
I just felt like the tension of the chase to finding Mercy was running out. How could you keep us readers hanging on through 4 books?
However, on the positive side...with new villains in this book, and with typical Baldacci writing flair, he conned me again, and I was in it - wanting to read myself through and find out - what happened to Mercy and will Atlee and she be reunited in the end?
And then... I slammed the book down.
Let me just say this...there is resolution.
But, why do I feel ambivalent about it?
Okay, 3.5 stars for sure. Rounded up to 4 stars.
This is the fourth and final book in the series in which FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her long ago abducted twin sister through the last 3 novels. And her sister happens to be named Mercy. Which means...we (us readers) can finally have closure with the long-awaited ending to this long ago crime.
Yes, we have been waiting this long.
Not that we have had cliff-hangers in the last three novels, so to speak. Well, kind of.
Mercy wasn't found, but major clues were given - and we were always led to believe that she was probably still alive.
Now, let me be clear, I am a long-time Baldacci fan. Any time a new book of his is coming out, I am in line at my local library to check it out. And I did give this one 4 stars (although maybe it is 3.5 stars as I write this - I am still debating).
For the longest time, especially as I realized we still didn't know where Mercy was (dead or alive) and Baldacci wasn't resolving it in book 1, 2, or 3, I was wondering how he was going to write himself out of this convoluted overarching storyline. Oh dear, that sounded mean. I'm sorry Mr. Baldacci. Is my frustration showing through?
I just felt like the tension of the chase to finding Mercy was running out. How could you keep us readers hanging on through 4 books?
However, on the positive side...with new villains in this book, and with typical Baldacci writing flair, he conned me again, and I was in it - wanting to read myself through and find out - what happened to Mercy and will Atlee and she be reunited in the end?
And then... I slammed the book down.
Let me just say this...there is resolution.
But, why do I feel ambivalent about it?
Okay, 3.5 stars for sure. Rounded up to 4 stars.
November 20, 2021
Super engaging and loads of action. 4.5 STARS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There’s nothing like a bad ass FBI agent doing their thing. But when said agent is female it certainly takes on a whole new dimension. Balducci sets the stage with a fantastic story with the search for a missing twin sister – the FBI agents sister.
In the story we gain intimate knowledge of both sets of twins on their own, but when they connect, that’s when the story really gets explosive.
I love the way the author has depicted these hard-core women. Take no prisoners and make no apologies, these women have led a hard life, especially Mercy, and we come to know them intimately for all of their flaws and goodness.
There is serious depth to this plot and he writes it in such a manner that there are multiple subplots revolving through continually until they all intersect.
The ending was fabulous, offering extreme detail throughout. Balducci gives us edge of your seat action, and unexpected plot twists, then beautifully wrapped everything up. Engaging and exciting with every page turn!
* copy received for review consideration
* Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/mercy-by-dav...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There’s nothing like a bad ass FBI agent doing their thing. But when said agent is female it certainly takes on a whole new dimension. Balducci sets the stage with a fantastic story with the search for a missing twin sister – the FBI agents sister.
In the story we gain intimate knowledge of both sets of twins on their own, but when they connect, that’s when the story really gets explosive.
I love the way the author has depicted these hard-core women. Take no prisoners and make no apologies, these women have led a hard life, especially Mercy, and we come to know them intimately for all of their flaws and goodness.
There is serious depth to this plot and he writes it in such a manner that there are multiple subplots revolving through continually until they all intersect.
The ending was fabulous, offering extreme detail throughout. Balducci gives us edge of your seat action, and unexpected plot twists, then beautifully wrapped everything up. Engaging and exciting with every page turn!
* copy received for review consideration
* Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/mercy-by-dav...
January 14, 2022
A better effort with forward movement in this series. 7 of 10 stars
January 14, 2022
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s twin sister was abducted when they were six years old, and Altee has never stopped searching for her. Since the last book Atlee has been on leave from the Bureau, with their blessing and resources, to follow up on the crucial leads she’s found. With the help of her trusty assistant Carol Blum, they’re finally getting somewhere!
I read the book in one 24-hour period because I had to know how it all turned out! It was a harrowing journey at times, and painful to read in spots as what happened to Mercy is recounted. The story was action packed and boy were there some tough situations, but just when I thought Atlee was backed into a corner she couldn’t get out of, she came out fighting!
Mercy is the fourth book in the Atlee Pine series and I’m so happy to finally have all the answers and closure! It was a satisfying conclusion to a thrilling series. Total recommend!
A copy was kindly provided by Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I read the book in one 24-hour period because I had to know how it all turned out! It was a harrowing journey at times, and painful to read in spots as what happened to Mercy is recounted. The story was action packed and boy were there some tough situations, but just when I thought Atlee was backed into a corner she couldn’t get out of, she came out fighting!
Mercy is the fourth book in the Atlee Pine series and I’m so happy to finally have all the answers and closure! It was a satisfying conclusion to a thrilling series. Total recommend!
A copy was kindly provided by Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2022
The fourth book in the the Atlee Pine series and Atlee's search for her twin sister, Mercy, kidnapped when they were six reaches it's conclusion. Mercy was never seen again and the family was destroyed. Atlee has been on a mission to find out what happened to her sister and locate her ... if she is still alive.
Atlee is on leave from her job as an FBI agent. With the help of her administrative assistant, Carol Blum, they have been searching for Mercy. In the previous book, Daylight, they learned the identity of her kidnapper and that she escaped her captors many years ago. Now they set out to find out what happened after she escaped.
The first half of the story swithches between Atlee on her quest and a new character, El Cain. Cain is a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter living on the fringes. The MMA fights are low level and held in abandoned buildings. She also drives a fork lift and works as a security guard. She is barely surviving and lives paycheck to paycheck. But she is a fighter and a survivor. She may be living on the fringes but that doesn't stop her from helping others. When she wins a MMA fight she shares some of her winnings with others. When a man is beating a woman she comes to her rescue. Who is El Cain?
The story takes us to where the captors who held Mercy all those years ago are now living. The forces converge in a climatic battle. The truth is revealed. I had mixed feelings about this story when I first started reading it but by the end I was thoroughly enjoying it. I think the author did a fine job in wrapping up the story of Atlee Pine's search for Mercy.
The question left is will we see more of Atlee Pine? Now that the serch for Mercy has ended it is time for Atlee to go back to work as a FBI agent.
Atlee is on leave from her job as an FBI agent. With the help of her administrative assistant, Carol Blum, they have been searching for Mercy. In the previous book, Daylight, they learned the identity of her kidnapper and that she escaped her captors many years ago. Now they set out to find out what happened after she escaped.
The first half of the story swithches between Atlee on her quest and a new character, El Cain. Cain is a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter living on the fringes. The MMA fights are low level and held in abandoned buildings. She also drives a fork lift and works as a security guard. She is barely surviving and lives paycheck to paycheck. But she is a fighter and a survivor. She may be living on the fringes but that doesn't stop her from helping others. When she wins a MMA fight she shares some of her winnings with others. When a man is beating a woman she comes to her rescue. Who is El Cain?
The story takes us to where the captors who held Mercy all those years ago are now living. The forces converge in a climatic battle. The truth is revealed. I had mixed feelings about this story when I first started reading it but by the end I was thoroughly enjoying it. I think the author did a fine job in wrapping up the story of Atlee Pine's search for Mercy.
The question left is will we see more of Atlee Pine? Now that the serch for Mercy has ended it is time for Atlee to go back to work as a FBI agent.
May 3, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶
Another will written FBI mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by David Baldacci (Atlee Pine book four of four). Atlee Pine and Carole Bloom are searching for Atlee's missing sister Mercy across several southern states. They end up finding her an rescue her from a man 🚹 who wants her dead. I would highly recommend this series and others by this author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 👒😤😮🏡
David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors I have never been disappointed with his novels. Happy reading and have fun 🌙
Another will written FBI mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by David Baldacci (Atlee Pine book four of four). Atlee Pine and Carole Bloom are searching for Atlee's missing sister Mercy across several southern states. They end up finding her an rescue her from a man 🚹 who wants her dead. I would highly recommend this series and others by this author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 👒😤😮🏡
David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors I have never been disappointed with his novels. Happy reading and have fun 🌙
December 5, 2021
Mercy makes for an entertaining read for the most part but it’s good the author decided not to draw out the story any longer. On the other hand it’s a bit slow for my taste with all those flash backs and the main characters constantly going over the story we read in the first three books. I loved the way the tension was built up in the first three books but sadly I’m missing that tension in this final part of the story.
I do hope we will read more about Atlee Pine and Carol Blum, once they have returned to their own little FBI office. They make a wonderful pair of detectives – although Carol is strictly seen only an assistant. Now the story about Atlee and her missing sister Mercy has come to an end, Atlee and Carol can safely return – and who knows, maybe they will make an interesting trio in solving FBI-matters together.
Thanks to NetGalley for this digital review copy.
I do hope we will read more about Atlee Pine and Carol Blum, once they have returned to their own little FBI office. They make a wonderful pair of detectives – although Carol is strictly seen only an assistant. Now the story about Atlee and her missing sister Mercy has come to an end, Atlee and Carol can safely return – and who knows, maybe they will make an interesting trio in solving FBI-matters together.
Thanks to NetGalley for this digital review copy.
December 7, 2021
I'll start by saying I'm a huge Atlee Pine fan, although I liked the first three books a little better than this one. It was hard to read in spots due to the childhood Mercy had to endure. Amazing what she has overcome.
Atlee Pine is currently in Georgia on a leave of absence from the FBI. She's with her administrative assistant Carol Blum and they are still searching for Pine's twin sister Mercy who was kidnapped when she was six years old. We meet El Cain in this story. Obvious from the beginning who she is.
Even though it was painful to read, El's background is an important part of the story and who she is today. Baldacci has created some good villains in this book. While there's a lot of dialogue, there's also heaps of action. With the way this one wrapped up, I wonder if it's the last in the series. If it is over, it's been a good ride.
Atlee Pine is currently in Georgia on a leave of absence from the FBI. She's with her administrative assistant Carol Blum and they are still searching for Pine's twin sister Mercy who was kidnapped when she was six years old. We meet El Cain in this story. Obvious from the beginning who she is.
Even though it was painful to read, El's background is an important part of the story and who she is today. Baldacci has created some good villains in this book. While there's a lot of dialogue, there's also heaps of action. With the way this one wrapped up, I wonder if it's the last in the series. If it is over, it's been a good ride.
February 9, 2022
Mercy is the fourth - and probably final - book in the Atlee Pine series, about an FBI Special Agent on a mission to find her twin sister, which began in 2018 with Long Road to Mercy. While these work best when read in order, you do get all the necessary backstory to be able to enjoy this as a stand-alone. We listened to the audiobook in the car, and enjoyed it with some reservations. This review will contain spoilers for the earlier books.
Having finally discovered the truth about what happened to Mercy when they were six, Atlee and her assistant Carol continue their quest, now aided by Jack’s wealth, to find out whether she survived after escaping from captivity. They track down Wanda and Len Atkins, who had given her to their son and his evil wife Desiree to raise, but they claim ignorance of what happened to her. Meanwhile in another state, El Kane, a very tall, very strong woman with terrible physical and emotional scars, scrapes a living as a MMA fighter. When El saves a young woman from her brutal boyfriend, she ends up making a terrible enemy. Will Atlee ever find her sister - or will this investigation finally defeat her?
I found the third instalment of this series a bit dull, but had seen good reviews of this one and wanted to find out how it all ended. This had a more exciting storyline and the addition of (minor spoiler alert) (but if you haven’t guessed this, you really haven’t been paying attention) El/Mercy’s perspective fleshed out the story. If we thought Atlee was brutal to the poor unsuspecting thugs who try to take her on, El is next level. I’m not bothered by descriptive violence when it’s merited, as in most of the fight scenes, but found the repeated references to the torture Mercy endured as a child distressing in their overly graphic detail. I get that we need to know how much she has suffered to understand her character, but this was too much. I also found the Buckley character and story arc was a ridiculous and probably unnecessary addition to the plot, especially the highly contrived fight scene towards the end. I was however intrigued by Britt Spector, and would love to see her get her own spin-off series.
Overall this was a satisfying end to the mystery and I was pleased to have it all wrapped up - some series go on too long for their own good - although it might be nice to meet Atlee again as a support character in another book - perhaps Carol deserves her own series too? The audiobook format was excellent - I like having one narrator for each gender, and enjoyed the range of Southern accents. This was a solid 4 star read but please note trigger warnings for extreme violence and horrific descriptions of past child abuse.
Having finally discovered the truth about what happened to Mercy when they were six, Atlee and her assistant Carol continue their quest, now aided by Jack’s wealth, to find out whether she survived after escaping from captivity. They track down Wanda and Len Atkins, who had given her to their son and his evil wife Desiree to raise, but they claim ignorance of what happened to her. Meanwhile in another state, El Kane, a very tall, very strong woman with terrible physical and emotional scars, scrapes a living as a MMA fighter. When El saves a young woman from her brutal boyfriend, she ends up making a terrible enemy. Will Atlee ever find her sister - or will this investigation finally defeat her?
I found the third instalment of this series a bit dull, but had seen good reviews of this one and wanted to find out how it all ended. This had a more exciting storyline and the addition of (minor spoiler alert) (but if you haven’t guessed this, you really haven’t been paying attention) El/Mercy’s perspective fleshed out the story. If we thought Atlee was brutal to the poor unsuspecting thugs who try to take her on, El is next level. I’m not bothered by descriptive violence when it’s merited, as in most of the fight scenes, but found the repeated references to the torture Mercy endured as a child distressing in their overly graphic detail. I get that we need to know how much she has suffered to understand her character, but this was too much. I also found the Buckley character and story arc was a ridiculous and probably unnecessary addition to the plot, especially the highly contrived fight scene towards the end. I was however intrigued by Britt Spector, and would love to see her get her own spin-off series.
Overall this was a satisfying end to the mystery and I was pleased to have it all wrapped up - some series go on too long for their own good - although it might be nice to meet Atlee again as a support character in another book - perhaps Carol deserves her own series too? The audiobook format was excellent - I like having one narrator for each gender, and enjoyed the range of Southern accents. This was a solid 4 star read but please note trigger warnings for extreme violence and horrific descriptions of past child abuse.
October 8, 2021
I'm always on the look out for Baldacci's latest offering as he's my favourite author and this book doesn't disappoint. This is the fourth book in the Atlee Pine series with all the usual characters.
FBI Agent Atlee Pine has been trying to find out what has happened to her twin sister who was abducted 30 years ago when she was six years old. She's finally getting to the end of her journey and needs to put the pieces together, but nothing is ever that simple and there's lots going on, leading to more danger and discovery for all concerned.
If you haven't read the rest of this series and want to read them all, I'd suggest you start at the beginning as this book does give you a reminder of what's already happened in the first couple of chapters which is great if its been a while since you read them, but if you enjoyed it and want to go back and the read the rest, you'll know a little to much, so would recommend starting with Long Road to Mercy, which is a great book (first in the series) and set in the Grand Canyon and introduces Atlee and her trail to discover what has happened.
A fast paced and exciting thriller to complete the series. Well done on another great book.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for allowing me the chance to read and review this book.
FBI Agent Atlee Pine has been trying to find out what has happened to her twin sister who was abducted 30 years ago when she was six years old. She's finally getting to the end of her journey and needs to put the pieces together, but nothing is ever that simple and there's lots going on, leading to more danger and discovery for all concerned.
If you haven't read the rest of this series and want to read them all, I'd suggest you start at the beginning as this book does give you a reminder of what's already happened in the first couple of chapters which is great if its been a while since you read them, but if you enjoyed it and want to go back and the read the rest, you'll know a little to much, so would recommend starting with Long Road to Mercy, which is a great book (first in the series) and set in the Grand Canyon and introduces Atlee and her trail to discover what has happened.
A fast paced and exciting thriller to complete the series. Well done on another great book.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for allowing me the chance to read and review this book.
October 6, 2025
3.5 RTC
March 8, 2022
The fourth and final book in the special agent Atlee Pine series is another adrenaline filled thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum are once again on the trail of finding out what happened to Atlee's twin sister Mercy, who was kidnapped almost three decades ago. When new information emerges Atlee's determination to find Mercy, dead or alive, is renewed.
I thought I had it all figured out in book #3 and reading this book would just be a matter of confirming my suspicions. Well, did I have that all wrong!
This final book is mainly about finding out what happened to Mercy. However, the introduction of a big time criminal, who has a vendetta against the FBI, makes for plenty of nail-biting moments and a shoot-out to rival the Alamo.
Atlee is as tough and unrelenting as ever as she is pitched in the ring for a fight to the death. Assistant Carol Blum really comes to the fore in this book where she not only uses her smarts but also has to endure some deadly situations.
Baldacci includes plenty of backstory which helps refresh the memory and also makes this final book read well as a standalone.
Mercy is not only a chilling, fast-paced thriller it also had me a little teary towards the end. I enjoyed this final wrap-up of the Atlee Pine, Mercy, series it was well plotted and compulsive reading.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum are once again on the trail of finding out what happened to Atlee's twin sister Mercy, who was kidnapped almost three decades ago. When new information emerges Atlee's determination to find Mercy, dead or alive, is renewed.
I thought I had it all figured out in book #3 and reading this book would just be a matter of confirming my suspicions. Well, did I have that all wrong!
This final book is mainly about finding out what happened to Mercy. However, the introduction of a big time criminal, who has a vendetta against the FBI, makes for plenty of nail-biting moments and a shoot-out to rival the Alamo.
Atlee is as tough and unrelenting as ever as she is pitched in the ring for a fight to the death. Assistant Carol Blum really comes to the fore in this book where she not only uses her smarts but also has to endure some deadly situations.
Baldacci includes plenty of backstory which helps refresh the memory and also makes this final book read well as a standalone.
Mercy is not only a chilling, fast-paced thriller it also had me a little teary towards the end. I enjoyed this final wrap-up of the Atlee Pine, Mercy, series it was well plotted and compulsive reading.
*I received a copy from the publisher
September 6, 2024
Like 2 female Jack Reachers except they’re twin sisters separated at a young age. The one sister, an FBI agent, tries to find the other 30 years later when she gets a lead. The other sister is a badass kickboxer, living pretty much a solitary life. The story is well written and highly rated but for some reason just didn’t captivate me.
October 30, 2021
Watch the review on Youtube https://youtu.be/BvsSmDxCAJk
The 'Long Road to Mercy' series comes to an end with 'Mercy'.
Minor spoilers ahead.
For those who haven't read the series yet, here's a synopsis. Atlee Pine is a FBI agent in Colorado, who is trying to track down her twin sister - 'Mercy', who was abducted when they were six. The four books in the series meander all over the place, with some books placing more emphasis on this storyline than others. There is some sort of movement only in the last couple of books with 'Mercy' bringing a resolution to the series.
'Mercy' is the best book in this series. For the most part, the pacing is quite good and the writing decent. I never felt that the book was a drag, until the end. The new characters introduced in the book are also interesting, and in the initial portions of the book, they left me curious as to what they would do.
We finally get to experience 'Mercy' as a character and she doesn't disappoint. It is great to see another strong female character - in this case, both literally and figuratively. Mercy is a professional fighter and can beat almost anyone. I liked her strength of spirit - going from a lost, naive and illiterate girl in the woods to becoming a smart, strong and kind woman. Baldacci makes this character evolution smooth and it is pleasure to read how she overcomes the trauma of her childhood.
That said, there is a huge flaw with all the three main woman characters - they are too alike and share similar skills. Baldacci could have spent more time in crafting more unique personas for these three women. It feels like he wanted to create a strong feminine character (Atlee Pine) and then he copy/pasted this template a couple of more times with minor modifications.
Coming back to the book. The main protagonist starts off memorably. While he is a criminal, he gets what he wants by using the carrot (i.e. money) rather than the stick. He talks well and has a soft spot for the working class. He is quite different from the archetypical criminal overlord and I really liked the way this character had been written. Alas, this character suddenly changes direction towards the end and becomes a stereotypical cartoonish megalomaniac towards the end. And that brings me to the next problem.
The climax is super-weak and rushed. The set-up is quite dumb, the bad guys are a horde and yet, they are all taken care of in a few pages. The protagonist's motivation also changes dramatically around this point. Maybe Baldacci was running out the book length or losing energy, but there is a clear place in the book where this story stops being good and starts becoming ridiculous.
Some closing thoughts - the series ends on a happy note, with loose ends tied up. I am in two minds about this - on the one hand, it is too sappy and melodramatic, on the other - I am happy that it is done and dusted with. The reunion between Atlee & Mercy is also dealt with well - it takes a while for them to get to feeling like sisters again. They have to work to get this kind of bond going again. There are a couple of characters in this book who might end up having a spin-off of their own (and be more interesting than Atlee) - Mercy and the other woman character.
In conclusion, while Mercy is a decent read (average by Baldacci standards), the series is probably the worst by David Baldacci. I suppose he too, will be glad that it is finally over.
The 'Long Road to Mercy' series comes to an end with 'Mercy'.
Minor spoilers ahead.
For those who haven't read the series yet, here's a synopsis. Atlee Pine is a FBI agent in Colorado, who is trying to track down her twin sister - 'Mercy', who was abducted when they were six. The four books in the series meander all over the place, with some books placing more emphasis on this storyline than others. There is some sort of movement only in the last couple of books with 'Mercy' bringing a resolution to the series.
'Mercy' is the best book in this series. For the most part, the pacing is quite good and the writing decent. I never felt that the book was a drag, until the end. The new characters introduced in the book are also interesting, and in the initial portions of the book, they left me curious as to what they would do.
We finally get to experience 'Mercy' as a character and she doesn't disappoint. It is great to see another strong female character - in this case, both literally and figuratively. Mercy is a professional fighter and can beat almost anyone. I liked her strength of spirit - going from a lost, naive and illiterate girl in the woods to becoming a smart, strong and kind woman. Baldacci makes this character evolution smooth and it is pleasure to read how she overcomes the trauma of her childhood.
That said, there is a huge flaw with all the three main woman characters - they are too alike and share similar skills. Baldacci could have spent more time in crafting more unique personas for these three women. It feels like he wanted to create a strong feminine character (Atlee Pine) and then he copy/pasted this template a couple of more times with minor modifications.
Coming back to the book. The main protagonist starts off memorably. While he is a criminal, he gets what he wants by using the carrot (i.e. money) rather than the stick. He talks well and has a soft spot for the working class. He is quite different from the archetypical criminal overlord and I really liked the way this character had been written. Alas, this character suddenly changes direction towards the end and becomes a stereotypical cartoonish megalomaniac towards the end. And that brings me to the next problem.
The climax is super-weak and rushed. The set-up is quite dumb, the bad guys are a horde and yet, they are all taken care of in a few pages. The protagonist's motivation also changes dramatically around this point. Maybe Baldacci was running out the book length or losing energy, but there is a clear place in the book where this story stops being good and starts becoming ridiculous.
Some closing thoughts - the series ends on a happy note, with loose ends tied up. I am in two minds about this - on the one hand, it is too sappy and melodramatic, on the other - I am happy that it is done and dusted with. The reunion between Atlee & Mercy is also dealt with well - it takes a while for them to get to feeling like sisters again. They have to work to get this kind of bond going again. There are a couple of characters in this book who might end up having a spin-off of their own (and be more interesting than Atlee) - Mercy and the other woman character.
In conclusion, while Mercy is a decent read (average by Baldacci standards), the series is probably the worst by David Baldacci. I suppose he too, will be glad that it is finally over.
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