A Merciful Death: Mercy Kilpatrick, Book 1

Although I did read the entire book, I found myself looking forward to being finished. I thought it was rather predictable.

This is a great read! It will keep you guessing until almost the very end as to who the culprit is. Kendra Elliott is a fantastic author who is able to weave a story that enters your soul and makes you become best friends with the characters.

The book keeps you guessing until the end. Must read & the next book should be good also. I will let you know

I enjoyed this book - it wasn't perfect, but it put a different spin on the romantic suspense trope by setting the story in Oregon and saturating the story with survivalist/prepper culture which I found really interesting. Mercy is an FBI agent for the Portland office. When a series of murders of preppers are handed over to her to investigate as part of her domestic terrorism department, she's forced to return to Eagle's Nest, her hometown that she hasn't stepped foot in for over a decade. When elements of the murder strike a startling resemblance to crimes from her youth, the danger might be closer than Mercy expects. She teams up with the local police chief, Truman, whose uncle was also one of the victims, to try and get to the bottom of the murders.I found the book easy to read and entertaining. The story had a couple of problems for me. Mercy's estrangement from her family was a frustrating point, particularly since it was only referred to, with little explanation, for a good chunk of the book with little breadcrumbs dropped here and there to give the backstory. I felt that the author still didn't fully explain the falling out with Mercy and her family with an appropriate amount of detail so overall it just made me dislike her family. The murders themselves were well portrayed with just the right amount of 'ick' but the who dunnit was a bit of let down with some of the investigation more fallen into than given a proper explanation and process to really draw in the reader. The perpetrator was also a bit of a fizzer and while there was closure, it's not a sunshine and rainbows ending and Mercy reuniting with her family didn't end all rosey.I really like how the author revolved the story around survivalist culture (e.g. doomsdayers, militia and anti-government individuals and groups) and the sovereign citizen loons. It put a really fresh twist on the story and Mercy's background in the prepper life added to this. I really loved her character. I didn't find her a blubbering mess as a I saw mention of in a couple of other reviews - trust me, this would have been an immediate turn off for me as I hate a helpless victim for a lead. I thought the author did a great job of making her a strong FBI agent that had family issues going on and who tried to maintain a balance between how she was raised and who she had made herself become as she reconnected with her family. I also liked Truman, who becomes a love interest. He was a strong character that had his own past demons to deal with that led him to heading out to work in a small town. I would have liked a little more chemistry and build up with their relationship because all of a sudden they were interested in each other without there being much dialogue or background emotion to support this. Their character development just seemed a little isolated for them to be so attracted to each other. The story was told from both of their point of views with a few flashbacks thrown in for good measure.Overall, I really liked and will definitely read the next book. It reminded me of the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh. It could have done with extra detail to flesh out the story to make elements of the novel more poignant and it was predictable in parts but it was still a solid 4 stars for me.

The first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mystery kept me guessing whodunit. A real page-turner and looking forward to the next book. I'm hooked on Mercy Kilpatrick.

There is not much more I can say about this excellent author, that hasn’t been said better by others. She paints such realistic characters that you not only identify with them, but you become emotionally involved. They are all three dimensional, and complexly congruent and believable. Her intricate plots are diabolical, in their ability to stump the most seasoned reader. Kendra Elliot has been one of the first authors to make my Favorite Authors listing. I’ve read her work for years now, and her stories only improve with age. Filled with action, adventure, and just a wee bit of romance for the good of your soul. Read it!

So I’ve read the like fourth one in the series because it overlaps into a different series. It already read, and I wanted to find out more about the characters. I enjoy this author and will continue to read all their books. I also find that their books that I can come in and out of if I need to use them on a drive for work

I can’t say that anything really wowed me with this story, but it was a solid read. The suspense was good. The budding romance added a nice element. The prepper storyline was interesting. Truman was such a likable leading man. He was the best part of the book for me. Mercy’s sister Rose was equally as lovable. I loved her strength and resilience. This was a good starting point for a series. I’d definitely read more from this series.

4.5*Mercy Kilpatrick returns to her home town of Eagle’s Nest, a small rural town in Oregon, fifteen years after she fled the fallout from several disastrous events. She hasn’t seen or spoken to her family since then. Now a special agent with the FBI she has been sent to Eagle’s Nest with fellow agent, Eddie Peterson, to help the local police force in their investigation of a spate of murders. Someone has been targeting the community of preppers and stock piling stolen weapons in what could be the preparation for a domestic terrorism event.Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly has a vested interest in the murders, his uncle was one of the victims. Truman didn’t grow up in Eagle’s Nest but spent several summers with his uncle, so he knows many of the townspeople. Nevertheless, it’s taking time for him to be completely accepted.Truman and Mercy join forces and in the course of the investigation it becomes apparent there are similarities and the recent murders have echoes from the past.I’ve enjoyed Kendra Elliot’s books previously and this was no exception. The protagonists’ intriguing backstories are woven into the twisty plot line, connecting the dots until a picture begins to emerge, with plausible trails leading the reader in various directions. Both Mercy and Truman are trying to come to terms with their pasts, the damage done and events that have shaped them, bringing them to where they are. Due to her upbringing and reason for leaving town, especially as it would have implications regarding her job, Mercy is wary of Truman and reluctant to let herself trust. Truman realises Mercy is a survivalist, despite her attempts to hide it, and almost against her will a bond begins to build between them. He, on the other hand, has no such reservations and is attracted to Mercy almost from the start. Having said that, the romance aspect is very much in the background and doesn’t overwhelm the main storyline.The story flow is smooth, with a well crafted plot and rounded, believable characters. Mercy and Truman are both likeable, although Truman is more relatable. His level-headed and easy going personality is a good foil for Mercy’s more edgy and complex one. Mercy’s story is drip fed as the story unfolds, which makes her more sympathetic. I enjoyed the prepper aspect, which adds an extra layer to the narrative. It was interesting to learn more about their way of thinking and community, which is still male dominated, and the lengths they go to in preparation for a major disaster. Kendra Elliot also paints a vivid picture of the area. Looking forward to the next instalment.

A series of murders bring FBI agent Mercy back to her home town. A place she swore never to return to, for to do so she may have to revisit a past she would prefer to forget for ever. With murders to close to home, an estranged family and a seriously hot Chief of Police who she can't stop thinking about Mercy has her hands full. She really doesn't need a target on her back to. Can she trust anyone, even herself, that is the question she needs to answer. The wrong choice could cost her everything including her life. Another tense thriller from Kendra, one of my favourite romantic suspense authors.

This is the first time I have read a book by this author. I have to say it was completely different from other police/thrillers I have read in the past. I found it a very enjoyable but gentle read with a surprising end and difficult book to put down. Looking forward to read the next in the series

This was my first read by Kendra Elliot and i bought book 2 in this series before even writing my review i enjoyed it so much.So Mercy Kirkpatrick is an FBI Agent and alongside her partner ends up back at the small time village where she grew up investigating the murders of 3 men... little did she know she would end up being part of the investigation herself.Great charcters... great story... great writing.. look forward to reading book 2 to see where Mercys life takes her next!

Kendra Elliot really is a fantastic author. It's the first series iv ever read that was centered around preper communities and I found it really interesting. I don't often see a woman as an FBI agent either. I really enjoyed that about the book. The writing was really good and engaging and the storyline drew you in from the very start. The characters are great and I especially loved Mercy and Truman. All in all it was a fantastic read and well deserving of the 5 stars.