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Mercy Kilpatrick #6
A Merciful Promise
The Wall Street Journal bestselling series continues as Mercy Kilpatrick becomes embedded in the nightmare of a terrorist conspiracy.
The job: infiltrate a militia amassing illegal firearms in an isolated forest community. FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick is the ideal candidate. She knows Oregon. She’s near the compound. And having been raised among survivalists, Mercy understands the mind-set of fanatics. Lay low, follow rules, do nothing to sound an alarm, and relinquish all contact with the outside world. She’s ready to blend in.
As Mercy disappears into the winter hills, something just as foreboding emerges. Mercy’s fiancé, Eagle’s Nest police chief Truman Daly, is faced with a puzzling series of murders—three men dumped in random locations after execution-style shootings.
Now, for Mercy, trapped in a culture where suspicion is second nature, and betrayal is punishable to the extreme, there is no way out. No way to call for help. And as plans for a catastrophic terrorist event escalate, there may be no way to stop them. Even if Mercy dies trying.
The job: infiltrate a militia amassing illegal firearms in an isolated forest community. FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick is the ideal candidate. She knows Oregon. She’s near the compound. And having been raised among survivalists, Mercy understands the mind-set of fanatics. Lay low, follow rules, do nothing to sound an alarm, and relinquish all contact with the outside world. She’s ready to blend in.
As Mercy disappears into the winter hills, something just as foreboding emerges. Mercy’s fiancé, Eagle’s Nest police chief Truman Daly, is faced with a puzzling series of murders—three men dumped in random locations after execution-style shootings.
Now, for Mercy, trapped in a culture where suspicion is second nature, and betrayal is punishable to the extreme, there is no way out. No way to call for help. And as plans for a catastrophic terrorist event escalate, there may be no way to stop them. Even if Mercy dies trying.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2019
7949 people are currently reading
4704 people want to read
About the author
Kendra Elliot
38 books6,214 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 927 reviews
May 20, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up
For the second time in three books, Mercy is dealing with a militia. Now, I know that militias are a staple in this area of the country, but it’s getting a little old. So, it’s probably a good thing this was the last book in the series. That said, this book kept me engaged and I was turning pages as fast as I could.
I like the characters and Elliot continues to give them depth. We get to see some resolution to issues that have plagued Mercy for the entire series.
My thanks to netgalley and Montlake for an advance copy of this book
For the second time in three books, Mercy is dealing with a militia. Now, I know that militias are a staple in this area of the country, but it’s getting a little old. So, it’s probably a good thing this was the last book in the series. That said, this book kept me engaged and I was turning pages as fast as I could.
I like the characters and Elliot continues to give them depth. We get to see some resolution to issues that have plagued Mercy for the entire series.
My thanks to netgalley and Montlake for an advance copy of this book
August 11, 2020
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is requested to replace a sick ATF agent for an undercover assignment at an isolated militia compound. The request is last minute, giving her only 24 hours to prepare and she can’t tell anyone in her personal life any details about what she’s doing. Mercy’s instincts had her turning it down but the ATF made it clear that the group was amassing illegal arms for a secret event and the agency needed to infiltrate quickly. Against her better judgment, Mercy accepts the assignment and joins another undercover ATF agent who is already embedded and waiting for his “girlfriend.” What could go wrong?
For the life of me, I’ll never understand why government agencies and law enforcement give these groups such latitude as they cherry-pick aspects of the constitution and laws they will comply with... or not. Most are dangerous and follow extreme doctrines of a sort, preferring lifestyles that subordinate women at best. This compound was as bad as it could get for women and children so Mercy’s adjustment was problematic from the onset. The tension arose in the story from the moment she entered the group and didn’t ease until Mercy came home. There’s so much that happens in between and connects to Eagle’s Nest but it’s best to get the details on your own. Just know that this was as exciting as any other book in that preceded it and was often terrifying.
I thought this was going to be the final book in the series until I recently learned the author is working on another for release in 2021. It makes a difference as you’re reading, knowing whether or not this ends here or will go forward. Even though there are many elements that feel like the series is concluding, there are also parts that had me wanting to see more and follow what might happen. As usual, Teri Schnaubelt delivered another exceptional narration performance, infusing the right emotions, pacing and character distinctions. I’ll be signing up for the next audio version, too. This was a great story that kept me on edge and breathless. 4.5 stars
For the life of me, I’ll never understand why government agencies and law enforcement give these groups such latitude as they cherry-pick aspects of the constitution and laws they will comply with... or not. Most are dangerous and follow extreme doctrines of a sort, preferring lifestyles that subordinate women at best. This compound was as bad as it could get for women and children so Mercy’s adjustment was problematic from the onset. The tension arose in the story from the moment she entered the group and didn’t ease until Mercy came home. There’s so much that happens in between and connects to Eagle’s Nest but it’s best to get the details on your own. Just know that this was as exciting as any other book in that preceded it and was often terrifying.
I thought this was going to be the final book in the series until I recently learned the author is working on another for release in 2021. It makes a difference as you’re reading, knowing whether or not this ends here or will go forward. Even though there are many elements that feel like the series is concluding, there are also parts that had me wanting to see more and follow what might happen. As usual, Teri Schnaubelt delivered another exceptional narration performance, infusing the right emotions, pacing and character distinctions. I’ll be signing up for the next audio version, too. This was a great story that kept me on edge and breathless. 4.5 stars
June 18, 2019
In Kendra Elliot’s A Merciful Promise the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) needs a replacement undercover agent for their investigation into a survivalist/militia group in possession of a unknown quantity of firearms. Past history already shows us how well that will end. No spoiler here.
FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick seems a perfect fit as a trained agent; knowledgeable of Oregon, raised by preppers, and still partially sharing their mindset. With only two days for learning her role Mercy is sent to join another agent already embedded in the survivalist compound. Mercy is totally isolated, no way to communicate with the outside world, unable even to tell her fiancé, Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly where she will be or for how long.
Mercy’s career as an undercover for ATF quickly ends for various reasons, including her inability to keep her mouth shut about the appalling conditions surrounding the children of the compound. More than her career is about to end until she finds some surprising help. Unfortunately she goes from frying pan into fire, a very cold fire. At least this way she has a chance to survive.
Meanwhile, Truman is confronted by bodies of men being found scattered around the area. He has three bodies to contend with, acting as a partial distraction to Mercy’s absence.
When Truman is finally notified about Mercy’s situation, he goes on the hunt for Mercy himself after being horrified by the federal response to in cancelling the search for Mercy. Quelle surprise!
Elliot writes fascinating characters and original plots, she brings the reader right into the thick of things. I never felt like a passive reader. Throughout the series of Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly she has introduced a whole new world to me of location, people and mindsets. A Merciful Promise is no exception
The series might be marketed as romantic suspense, but some of the relationships, crimes and characters have been extremely painful and hardcore, not much soft or cozy to be found. Not to say there isn’t strong love in its various guises, but it is the quiet theme running throughout the background.
Most of the relationship issues that Mercy has with her family are solved in this final book of this outstanding series. Unfortunately the secondary characters who have been so important to the series are rarely in evidence.
Oh yes, the silver threads of fate that Mercy first sees in A Merciful Secret and tying her forever to Truman, are in evidence, bringing this series to a lovely end.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick seems a perfect fit as a trained agent; knowledgeable of Oregon, raised by preppers, and still partially sharing their mindset. With only two days for learning her role Mercy is sent to join another agent already embedded in the survivalist compound. Mercy is totally isolated, no way to communicate with the outside world, unable even to tell her fiancé, Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly where she will be or for how long.
Mercy’s career as an undercover for ATF quickly ends for various reasons, including her inability to keep her mouth shut about the appalling conditions surrounding the children of the compound. More than her career is about to end until she finds some surprising help. Unfortunately she goes from frying pan into fire, a very cold fire. At least this way she has a chance to survive.
Meanwhile, Truman is confronted by bodies of men being found scattered around the area. He has three bodies to contend with, acting as a partial distraction to Mercy’s absence.
When Truman is finally notified about Mercy’s situation, he goes on the hunt for Mercy himself after being horrified by the federal response to in cancelling the search for Mercy. Quelle surprise!
Elliot writes fascinating characters and original plots, she brings the reader right into the thick of things. I never felt like a passive reader. Throughout the series of Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly she has introduced a whole new world to me of location, people and mindsets. A Merciful Promise is no exception
The series might be marketed as romantic suspense, but some of the relationships, crimes and characters have been extremely painful and hardcore, not much soft or cozy to be found. Not to say there isn’t strong love in its various guises, but it is the quiet theme running throughout the background.
Most of the relationship issues that Mercy has with her family are solved in this final book of this outstanding series. Unfortunately the secondary characters who have been so important to the series are rarely in evidence.
Oh yes, the silver threads of fate that Mercy first sees in A Merciful Secret and tying her forever to Truman, are in evidence, bringing this series to a lovely end.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
January 18, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
A MERCIFUL PROMISE (Mercy Kilpatrick Book #6) by Kendra Elliot is another edge-of-your-seat mystery/suspense/FBI thriller and I am sad to say the final book in the series. If you love an action-packed series with a uniquely strong female protagonist then this is the series for you.
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is asked to go undercover by the ATF when their agent becomes ill. She will be paired with another ATF agent already infiltrated into an anti-government group they believe have stolen firearms to sell for some unknown plot.
At the same time that Mercy has gone undercover, Truman is made aware of a puzzling series of murders. They are all men, shot once in the head and dumped in random locations. When the third victim turns out to be the agent Mercy was with on assignment, the ATF, FBI and Truman all come together to find Mercy and shut down the camp.
I have been putting off reading and reviewing this book because I have not wanted to leave Mercy and Truman’s world behind. Mercy has changed so much over these six books. She was so isolated starting in book one and now she has so many people she loves and that care about her. Truman is the perfect match for her. He has always understood what makes Mercy unique. All the characters, good and bad are realistic and seem as though they could walk right off the page. The plot pulls you in and the tension continues to build with unexpected twists while moving at a faster and faster pace to the ultimate climax. I was very happy when I read the last chapter that tied up Mercy and Truman’s lives together moving into the future even as I still want to visit.
I highly recommend this Mercy Kilpatrick book, the entire series and this author!
A MERCIFUL PROMISE (Mercy Kilpatrick Book #6) by Kendra Elliot is another edge-of-your-seat mystery/suspense/FBI thriller and I am sad to say the final book in the series. If you love an action-packed series with a uniquely strong female protagonist then this is the series for you.
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is asked to go undercover by the ATF when their agent becomes ill. She will be paired with another ATF agent already infiltrated into an anti-government group they believe have stolen firearms to sell for some unknown plot.
At the same time that Mercy has gone undercover, Truman is made aware of a puzzling series of murders. They are all men, shot once in the head and dumped in random locations. When the third victim turns out to be the agent Mercy was with on assignment, the ATF, FBI and Truman all come together to find Mercy and shut down the camp.
I have been putting off reading and reviewing this book because I have not wanted to leave Mercy and Truman’s world behind. Mercy has changed so much over these six books. She was so isolated starting in book one and now she has so many people she loves and that care about her. Truman is the perfect match for her. He has always understood what makes Mercy unique. All the characters, good and bad are realistic and seem as though they could walk right off the page. The plot pulls you in and the tension continues to build with unexpected twists while moving at a faster and faster pace to the ultimate climax. I was very happy when I read the last chapter that tied up Mercy and Truman’s lives together moving into the future even as I still want to visit.
I highly recommend this Mercy Kilpatrick book, the entire series and this author!
June 18, 2019
I loved the idea of a female FBI Agent slash closet Prepper out there solving cases. Mercy was ousted from her family at eighteen when her views clashed with her father’s but she’s back in her hometown, after fifteen years, to solve a case. That’s how the first book introduces us to Mercy’s world and how she and Truman Daly, Eagle Nest’s Police Chief, meet and start their romance. Each book has centered on its own mystery which wraps up, but Mercy’s personal relationships with her family and with Truman were continuing arc throughout the series. I was captivated by both aspects, as well as intrigued by the whole Prepper concept. I like the idea of being self-sufficient and being able to survive if the world as we know it collapses.
This was probably the most nerve-wracking cases Mercy has taken on, and I was on the edge of my seat for her chapters, seriously worried about how it’d all work out! Being undercover in an isolated militia group with no outside contact and without backup easily available was a dangerous situation for sure! I felt for Truman, Kaylie and Owen as Mercy’s fate is unknown to them. Truman had his own murder case to solve: a naked man killed execution style. Britta Vale, from the last book, figures into this story as well as Detective Bolton, and I wonder if there might be a spinoff featuring the two of them in the future?
I came to the Mercy Kilpatrick series when five books were already out and binge read them, one right after the other, the series is that good! Didn’t know this was the last book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series and I’m really sad, but I will say the series ended on a lovely high note and I see potential for a spinoff or two. I’m crossing my fingers that’ll happen!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review.
This was probably the most nerve-wracking cases Mercy has taken on, and I was on the edge of my seat for her chapters, seriously worried about how it’d all work out! Being undercover in an isolated militia group with no outside contact and without backup easily available was a dangerous situation for sure! I felt for Truman, Kaylie and Owen as Mercy’s fate is unknown to them. Truman had his own murder case to solve: a naked man killed execution style. Britta Vale, from the last book, figures into this story as well as Detective Bolton, and I wonder if there might be a spinoff featuring the two of them in the future?
I came to the Mercy Kilpatrick series when five books were already out and binge read them, one right after the other, the series is that good! Didn’t know this was the last book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series and I’m really sad, but I will say the series ended on a lovely high note and I see potential for a spinoff or two. I’m crossing my fingers that’ll happen!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2019
I’m so sad that this is the last Mercy book! The mystery in this one is really good! Mercy and Truman finally get married, but I want more! I would love more books about Mercy and Truman! Also I would love stories for Britta and Evan Bolton, Kaylie, Ollie and more about Rose and Nick! I wanted to see Mercy and Truman have a baby!!! I will keep my fingers crossed for more🤞🏻
March 26, 2024
A Merciful Promise was an excellent conclusion to the Mercy Kilpatrick series with an exciting plot and wonderful progression for the characters.
FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick has a different background than most FBI agents which makes her the perfect candidate to infiltrate a militia. Having been raised by survivalists, Mercy understands the mind-set of those in the compound and knows how to blend in. Just as Mercy cuts off all contact with the outside world, her fiancé Truman Daly, Eagle’s Nest chief of police, is dealing with a bizarre set of murders where the victims are shot execution style before being dumped in random locations around town. With time running out for Mercy to stop a terrorist attack before it’s too late, it will take all of her wits to find the culprit before she’s discovered.
Of the two plotlines in this book, I found the militia plot with Mercy to be the more interesting of the two, however I did enjoy them both. Mercy is given very little time to acclimate to the idea of going undercover as she is only given a day’s notice before she’s sent in. I found the fast-paced aspect of the story works in the book’s favor though as it kept things interesting and kept the suspense up. Truman’s plot with the murders is a bit slower and the book doesn’t spend as much time on it. However as the book went on I liked how the author slowly started to tie the two plots together before eventually merging them in an action-packed finale. I thought the ending was very well done and I really enjoyed the way everything played out.
For a large portion of this book Mercy is isolated on the compound which means we see a lot less of the side characters we’ve come to know throughout the series. I was happy whenever we shifted to Truman’s point of view as that usually meant we’d get to see more of the characters, Ollie and Kaylie particularly who are favorites of mine. It was interesting seeing Mercy so isolated as she’s come to rely more and more on those closest to her. As a result of her isolation and the fact she’s supposed to be blending in, a lot of Mercy’s personality is muted in this book which I thought was a shame as I’ve gotten used to her directness and take charge attitude.
A Merciful Promise as well as the rest of the series are fantastic reads and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for romantic suspense with more of a focus on the suspense.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick has a different background than most FBI agents which makes her the perfect candidate to infiltrate a militia. Having been raised by survivalists, Mercy understands the mind-set of those in the compound and knows how to blend in. Just as Mercy cuts off all contact with the outside world, her fiancé Truman Daly, Eagle’s Nest chief of police, is dealing with a bizarre set of murders where the victims are shot execution style before being dumped in random locations around town. With time running out for Mercy to stop a terrorist attack before it’s too late, it will take all of her wits to find the culprit before she’s discovered.
Of the two plotlines in this book, I found the militia plot with Mercy to be the more interesting of the two, however I did enjoy them both. Mercy is given very little time to acclimate to the idea of going undercover as she is only given a day’s notice before she’s sent in. I found the fast-paced aspect of the story works in the book’s favor though as it kept things interesting and kept the suspense up. Truman’s plot with the murders is a bit slower and the book doesn’t spend as much time on it. However as the book went on I liked how the author slowly started to tie the two plots together before eventually merging them in an action-packed finale. I thought the ending was very well done and I really enjoyed the way everything played out.
For a large portion of this book Mercy is isolated on the compound which means we see a lot less of the side characters we’ve come to know throughout the series. I was happy whenever we shifted to Truman’s point of view as that usually meant we’d get to see more of the characters, Ollie and Kaylie particularly who are favorites of mine. It was interesting seeing Mercy so isolated as she’s come to rely more and more on those closest to her. As a result of her isolation and the fact she’s supposed to be blending in, a lot of Mercy’s personality is muted in this book which I thought was a shame as I’ve gotten used to her directness and take charge attitude.
A Merciful Promise as well as the rest of the series are fantastic reads and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for romantic suspense with more of a focus on the suspense.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
August 13, 2023
Mercy finds herself seconded to the ATF to infiltrate an anti-government militia. Intelligence suggests they have illegal firearms and explosives and plan on acting against the government.
Meanwhile her fiancé, Truman, is investigating a series of execution style murders in his town.
The Mercy Kilpatrick books are a rare pleasure for me. These are the books I wait for and when I finally get them I just want them to go on forever. A Merciful Promise is another seat of your pants adventure in a series that is yet to disappoint me.
Many thanks to Montlake Romance for providing me with this review copy.
Meanwhile her fiancé, Truman, is investigating a series of execution style murders in his town.
The Mercy Kilpatrick books are a rare pleasure for me. These are the books I wait for and when I finally get them I just want them to go on forever. A Merciful Promise is another seat of your pants adventure in a series that is yet to disappoint me.
Many thanks to Montlake Romance for providing me with this review copy.
June 17, 2019
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
This book is an amazing end to the Mercy Kilpatrick Series, a series that I have thoroughly loved and enjoyed. Mercy is a unique character full of quarks and her fair share of flaws. She is relentless and very good at her job and that relentless trait is what saves her in this book. I've got to say, if this wasn't a romantic-suspense and I knew there would be an HEA it so easily could have been written with a different ending, which is what kept me reading far into the night.
Mercy's life is good, her favorite sister, Rose, has just had a beautiful baby boy and gotten married, Mercy is healing in body and spirit and is busy with her job as an FBI agent, she and Truman, with Kaylie and Ollie, are looking forward to becoming a real family with Mercy and Truman's wedding in three months. She doesn't want the emergency assignment, but the ATF and FBI have no one else to turn to and the danger from the dissident militia group is real.
Mercy's fiancé, Eagle's Nest police chief, Truman Daly is very concerned about Mercy's new assignment, but he has his own cases and the murders of three men whose bodies have been dumped after their execution style shootings has him and neighboring lawman, Bolton, with few clues to follow.
Life in the militia is hard and Mercy has to curb her natural instincts and play the part of the submissive girlfriend in order to blend in, but she does it, or tries, in order to gather information on the groups plans for a terrorist plot and to save the children being kept in the compound. When the assignment goes terribly wrong, Mercy is left with no way to call for help and must rely on her survivalist instincts and her FBI training to save herself and survive so she an Truman can have the HEA they deserve.
This book is an amazing end to the Mercy Kilpatrick Series, a series that I have thoroughly loved and enjoyed. Mercy is a unique character full of quarks and her fair share of flaws. She is relentless and very good at her job and that relentless trait is what saves her in this book. I've got to say, if this wasn't a romantic-suspense and I knew there would be an HEA it so easily could have been written with a different ending, which is what kept me reading far into the night.
Mercy's life is good, her favorite sister, Rose, has just had a beautiful baby boy and gotten married, Mercy is healing in body and spirit and is busy with her job as an FBI agent, she and Truman, with Kaylie and Ollie, are looking forward to becoming a real family with Mercy and Truman's wedding in three months. She doesn't want the emergency assignment, but the ATF and FBI have no one else to turn to and the danger from the dissident militia group is real.
Mercy's fiancé, Eagle's Nest police chief, Truman Daly is very concerned about Mercy's new assignment, but he has his own cases and the murders of three men whose bodies have been dumped after their execution style shootings has him and neighboring lawman, Bolton, with few clues to follow.
Life in the militia is hard and Mercy has to curb her natural instincts and play the part of the submissive girlfriend in order to blend in, but she does it, or tries, in order to gather information on the groups plans for a terrorist plot and to save the children being kept in the compound. When the assignment goes terribly wrong, Mercy is left with no way to call for help and must rely on her survivalist instincts and her FBI training to save herself and survive so she an Truman can have the HEA they deserve.
April 28, 2019
I received a digital ARC of this novel from Montlake Romance via NetGalley. My unbiased review is my way of thanking the publisher and the author, Kendra Elliot.
This was a buddy-read with my GR friend, Luli. I want to thank her for introducing this author to me. We had already read the previous five stories. *I recommend reading them in order.* We knew A Merciful Promise was the final one and would wrap up the series. We were ready for closure.
~~~~~
After an unusual opening (I was initially confused!), I discovered FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick was recruited by the ATF for an undercover mission. Police chief Truman Daly, Mercy’s fiancee, trusted her to return safely within a few days. The operation was secret; he knew few details.
A dramatic, suspenseful novel is a favorite form of entertainment to me. It’s a pleasure to get lost in the tension. I want to be on the edge of my seat and anxious to guess what will happen next. And it is especially nice to catch my breath with a developing romance. That said, I expected some climatic twists and eagerly awaited Truman’s and Mercy’s wedding day.
It’s important to remember that this is a story. I thought some of ’the mission’ was far-fetched. For me, a few issues were a bit of a stretch. But I also respected Ms. Elliot for building the suspense in such a way that she didn’t lose me. Mercy was never stupid. Truman’s feelings in his gut were realistic. Honestly? Though the actual romance in the series was light, this couple was one of the most intelligent twosome I have read in quite awhile. And how would the story have ended without Kaylie and Owen?
May 4, 2019
Noooooooooo!
My dismay is not for the events of the book nor for a dreaded cliffhanger but because I read in the author’s note at the end that this will be the last Mercy Kilpatrick book. That’s a shame, but Elliot does her characters justice in their final adventure.
Months shy of her much-anticipated wedding to Truman, Mercy is sent off on a secret undercover mission to infiltrate a group of antigovernment militants in an isolated compound. Needless to say, things do not go smoothly and she finds herself in deep trouble, cut off from all friends and colleagues. The story is told from Mercy’s POV, facing dangers from people and from nature, and also from Truman’s, desperate to find her and bring her home. While there are some minor incongruities in the story, the wrap-up to the main plot and the personal denouement are very satisfying.
Over the course of the series I’ve come to like and care about the characters, from Mercy and Truman to Kylie, Ollie, Rose, and others. One of the strengths of the series has been the personal growth of those characters, and this final book completes that nicely. In her afternote, Elliot says that Mercy and company might make some guest appearances in other stories. While this ending is bittersweet, I will look forward to that.
My dismay is not for the events of the book nor for a dreaded cliffhanger but because I read in the author’s note at the end that this will be the last Mercy Kilpatrick book. That’s a shame, but Elliot does her characters justice in their final adventure.
Months shy of her much-anticipated wedding to Truman, Mercy is sent off on a secret undercover mission to infiltrate a group of antigovernment militants in an isolated compound. Needless to say, things do not go smoothly and she finds herself in deep trouble, cut off from all friends and colleagues. The story is told from Mercy’s POV, facing dangers from people and from nature, and also from Truman’s, desperate to find her and bring her home. While there are some minor incongruities in the story, the wrap-up to the main plot and the personal denouement are very satisfying.
Over the course of the series I’ve come to like and care about the characters, from Mercy and Truman to Kylie, Ollie, Rose, and others. One of the strengths of the series has been the personal growth of those characters, and this final book completes that nicely. In her afternote, Elliot says that Mercy and company might make some guest appearances in other stories. While this ending is bittersweet, I will look forward to that.
August 12, 2020
The ATF has asked that FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick go undercover and join a militia group who is selling illegal firearms at their compound. The ATF has one agent imbedded in the compound. They want Mercy to pose as his girlfriend and help gather evidence against the group. With only one day of prepping, Mercy arrives at the compound to find a charismatic leader and a group of people who are willing to do his bidding. When she hears talk of getting even with the government and no way to contact the FBI or her fiance, Police Chief Truman Daly, Mercy must find some evidence against the militia group immediately.
Make sure you have a lot of time available to read this book. I stayed up till 3:00 am because I couldn't put it down. Not only do we have Mercy working undercover in this book; Truman is helping investigate a series of murders in the county where he resides.
This book had lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Happily, this is not the end of the Mercy Kilpatrick series. The author has another book planned for the future. It’s going to be a long wait. My rating: 5 Stars.
Make sure you have a lot of time available to read this book. I stayed up till 3:00 am because I couldn't put it down. Not only do we have Mercy working undercover in this book; Truman is helping investigate a series of murders in the county where he resides.
This book had lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Happily, this is not the end of the Mercy Kilpatrick series. The author has another book planned for the future. It’s going to be a long wait. My rating: 5 Stars.
July 24, 2024
Audiobook = 1 star – The narrator, Teri Schnaubelt, butchered one of the agents’ last names (Aguirre) as well as misread so many words. Most of her male voices sounded the same. She narrated this whole series and I wasn’t impressed at all.
Story = 5 stars! This book was intense!! It flowed so well and moved quickly. I loved every minute of it! The last three chapters had me crying. While this was the end of the official Mercy Kilpatrick series, she shows up in several other books. A few of the Columbia River series books are continuations of Mercy’s story.
I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of crime stories/mysteries. Kendra Elliot is very skilled at her craft and accurate with her police procedures. I have enjoyed every one of her books.
Story = 5 stars! This book was intense!! It flowed so well and moved quickly. I loved every minute of it! The last three chapters had me crying. While this was the end of the official Mercy Kilpatrick series, she shows up in several other books. A few of the Columbia River series books are continuations of Mercy’s story.
I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of crime stories/mysteries. Kendra Elliot is very skilled at her craft and accurate with her police procedures. I have enjoyed every one of her books.
June 17, 2019
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is asked to infiltrate an isolated militia group, when an undercover ATF agent becomes ill. Her first instinct is to say no, but when she learns, there are children in the forested compound she has no choice but to go.
The ATF have a man in place and Mercy will pose as his girlfriend. There will be zero contact. Sworn to secrecy she can’t even tell Truman where she will be or details about the case. Meanwhile, Truman investigates a possible serial killer, as the bodies of dead men are being found.
The tale that unfolds is brutal and terrifying. Mercy must keep herself alive and help the children she finds in the camp. The story alternates between Mercy and Truman’s POVs. As they work both cases, the tension builds until it meets a crescendo that kept me reading until the bitter end.
We get closure but also with the characters, family relationships and the romance that’s been an arc in the overall series. I closed A Merciful Promise, with a smile. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The ATF have a man in place and Mercy will pose as his girlfriend. There will be zero contact. Sworn to secrecy she can’t even tell Truman where she will be or details about the case. Meanwhile, Truman investigates a possible serial killer, as the bodies of dead men are being found.
The tale that unfolds is brutal and terrifying. Mercy must keep herself alive and help the children she finds in the camp. The story alternates between Mercy and Truman’s POVs. As they work both cases, the tension builds until it meets a crescendo that kept me reading until the bitter end.
We get closure but also with the characters, family relationships and the romance that’s been an arc in the overall series. I closed A Merciful Promise, with a smile. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
October 23, 2019
If you are a fan of this series, you know about Mercy's past. Being raised by survivalists and leaving that life behind, and now an FBI agent, she is the go-to person for any dealings with survivalists or militia type organizations. In this story, she is recruited by the ATF (Bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearms) to go undercover to replace an agent that had a medical emergency prior to entering the cult. She has a difficult time following orders and keeping a low profile, so you know she is going to get herself in trouble. Meanwhile, back in Eagle's Nest and the surrounding area, dead bodies are turning up, naked and shot. You can surmise that these two plotlines are connected, but how?
I really enjoy this series. Mercy is a great protagonist and hero. She is gutsy, smart, independent, talented and always stands up for the underdog/victims. This story is no different. In her undercover role, she comes into contact with a pregnant woman, a seriously ill child and a teenager who doesn't want to be there. She sticks her neck out for medical care and even taking the child to the doctor which does not put her in the leader's best graces. She plays the role of girlfriend who just wants to be with her boyfriend well, but when he is sent on a mission and she is left back at the camp with no way to communicate with the outside world, it becomes very tense. I do not want to spoil the story here, but suffice it to say, there is a lot of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. Once again Truman is involved in the murders as well as the investigation of the cult as he finds out about the danger that Mercy is in. This is the final book in this series and I am sad to say goodbye to the characters, not just Mercy and Truman, but the secondary characters that we have come to know along the way. This book is referred to as Romantic Suspense, but it is so much more. It deals with families, all types of them, the issue of survivalists and militia (they are not the same at all), trust and more. I definitely recommend this series, but you might want to go back and read the series in order as their is a lot of development along the way.
I really enjoy this series. Mercy is a great protagonist and hero. She is gutsy, smart, independent, talented and always stands up for the underdog/victims. This story is no different. In her undercover role, she comes into contact with a pregnant woman, a seriously ill child and a teenager who doesn't want to be there. She sticks her neck out for medical care and even taking the child to the doctor which does not put her in the leader's best graces. She plays the role of girlfriend who just wants to be with her boyfriend well, but when he is sent on a mission and she is left back at the camp with no way to communicate with the outside world, it becomes very tense. I do not want to spoil the story here, but suffice it to say, there is a lot of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. Once again Truman is involved in the murders as well as the investigation of the cult as he finds out about the danger that Mercy is in. This is the final book in this series and I am sad to say goodbye to the characters, not just Mercy and Truman, but the secondary characters that we have come to know along the way. This book is referred to as Romantic Suspense, but it is so much more. It deals with families, all types of them, the issue of survivalists and militia (they are not the same at all), trust and more. I definitely recommend this series, but you might want to go back and read the series in order as their is a lot of development along the way.
August 9, 2020
I'm such a fan of this series and love the characters. Mercy goes undercover in a vigilante cult and no one knows where she is. She suddenly finds herself in grave danger with no one to rely on but herself. Truman knows she's on a mission, but has no idea where or why. Meantime, bodies are showing up in his domain and his hands are full. When things fall apart, it becomes clear there's a tie between Mercy's operation and Truman's murder cases. Only then does he realize he may lose the one thing he can't live without. This was a great story, but I do think this one is a bit over-the-top with some really unbelievable moments and actions by our heroine. It's the only reason this is a 3.5 star read for me but I rounded up to 4 because it's an awesome series. Highly recommended!
July 1, 2019
4.5*
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is recruited to join ATF agent Chad Finn, already working undercover in an anti government, arms selling militia group called America’s Preserve. She is to pose as his girlfriend and between them find out what the group have planned with a cache of stolen weapons. Mercy has two days to learn the ATF created history for Jessica Polk, and the very dangerous role she is about to play in an environment where women are decidedly inferior to the men.
In Mercy’s favour was the fact she’d grown up with survivalist prepper parents and knew the likely mindset of the group. The condition Mercy was really struggling with was the no contact rule. She couldn’t tell anyone, even police chief Truman Daly, the man she was about to marry, where she was going. There were no mobile phones allowed in the compound and she had no backup, only herself to rely on.
Meanwhile Truman was kept busy as first one body, then another is discovered dumped, both bearing similar gunshot injuries, indicating executions, which also raises the question of a serial killer. Despite all this going on his thoughts were never far away from Mercy, desperate for her assignment to be over. When a third body is found it changes the whole dynamic of both cases.
As with all these stories, the romance element takes a backseat to the action, investigation and Mercy’s assignment. There seems to be an alarming trend for anti government militia/patriot groups in America, breeding racism and hate, making this story and the associated dangers all the more realistic. It’s fast paced, shocking and intense, with an interesting, engaging cast of main characters. The well devised storyline flows well, from Mercy’s and Truman’s perspectives, with some surprising twists in the plot.
Sadly, A Merciful Promise is the last in the Mercy Kilpatrick series, but it’s ended on a high with everything tied up nicely, and it’s very good to know the characters may be popping up in future books. I’ve enjoyed the series very much.
FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is recruited to join ATF agent Chad Finn, already working undercover in an anti government, arms selling militia group called America’s Preserve. She is to pose as his girlfriend and between them find out what the group have planned with a cache of stolen weapons. Mercy has two days to learn the ATF created history for Jessica Polk, and the very dangerous role she is about to play in an environment where women are decidedly inferior to the men.
In Mercy’s favour was the fact she’d grown up with survivalist prepper parents and knew the likely mindset of the group. The condition Mercy was really struggling with was the no contact rule. She couldn’t tell anyone, even police chief Truman Daly, the man she was about to marry, where she was going. There were no mobile phones allowed in the compound and she had no backup, only herself to rely on.
Meanwhile Truman was kept busy as first one body, then another is discovered dumped, both bearing similar gunshot injuries, indicating executions, which also raises the question of a serial killer. Despite all this going on his thoughts were never far away from Mercy, desperate for her assignment to be over. When a third body is found it changes the whole dynamic of both cases.
As with all these stories, the romance element takes a backseat to the action, investigation and Mercy’s assignment. There seems to be an alarming trend for anti government militia/patriot groups in America, breeding racism and hate, making this story and the associated dangers all the more realistic. It’s fast paced, shocking and intense, with an interesting, engaging cast of main characters. The well devised storyline flows well, from Mercy’s and Truman’s perspectives, with some surprising twists in the plot.
Sadly, A Merciful Promise is the last in the Mercy Kilpatrick series, but it’s ended on a high with everything tied up nicely, and it’s very good to know the characters may be popping up in future books. I’ve enjoyed the series very much.
June 4, 2019
Loved the book, especially the ending!! This was definitely my favorite book in the series. After I finished reading it, I couldn't wait for the next one. THEN I read the author's note and found out it's the last book in the series (insert sad face). No more Mercy or Truman and all their friends and family. Mercy and Truman have definitely gone through their share of trouble in the last year. I can't believe all they have been through in the short amount of time they knew each other.
Loved the story in this book. I would never have wanted to be an undercover agent in that crazy off the grid compound. all those children, not taught to read or even given medicine. The people were scary, they blindly believed and followed whatever their leader told them. The book held my attention from the first chapter until the very last. I just knew something bad would happen. I couldn't believe how the militia group found out Mercy's true identity. Loved how it alternated between Mercy and Truman.
Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. I look forward to reading more books by the author, maybe some starring Rowan and Thor!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Loved the story in this book. I would never have wanted to be an undercover agent in that crazy off the grid compound. all those children, not taught to read or even given medicine. The people were scary, they blindly believed and followed whatever their leader told them. The book held my attention from the first chapter until the very last. I just knew something bad would happen. I couldn't believe how the militia group found out Mercy's true identity. Loved how it alternated between Mercy and Truman.
Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. I look forward to reading more books by the author, maybe some starring Rowan and Thor!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 11, 2019
Over the course of six books I've really grown to like Mercy and Truman and the family they have created. It's hard to say goodbye as this is the last book in the series.
I was a little disappointed with the militia plot, as it isn't a favorite of mine, but it did pull me in and it really seemed like Mercy was in real danger. I really like a lead male who is true blue and goes the extra mile, which is exactly what Truman is and does.
I enjoyed this one and will be interested in seeing what Ms. Elliot brings next.
I was a little disappointed with the militia plot, as it isn't a favorite of mine, but it did pull me in and it really seemed like Mercy was in real danger. I really like a lead male who is true blue and goes the extra mile, which is exactly what Truman is and does.
I enjoyed this one and will be interested in seeing what Ms. Elliot brings next.
July 14, 2021
A very exciting and satisfying conclusion to the Mercy Kilpatrick series.
May 28, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Mercy Kilpatrick series feels more crime/ mystery suspense than a romance. You do want to read the series in order. There is kissing but the sex is off page. I've enjoyed the world-building of this small town in a rural mountain area with many survivalists. The preppers are fascinating to me and cool; I love DYI and self-sufficient people.
I was just going to start this at bedtime and ended up reading it in one sitting, ending at 2:40am. It was a fast, suspenseful ride with plenty of raking my emotions over the coals.
A Merciful Promise has a many different law enforcement people working together - Truman for the local town, Evan Bolton on the county front, Mercy for the FBI and some ATF folks. I had a bad feeling about the case from the beginning and so did Mercy. It was as expected - bad. Most of the book, Mercy is undercover and cut off from everyone.
Mercy was her usual resourceful self. The events went as I anticipated but the motivations and catalysts were more of a surprise. The family and personal growth are great to experience and wrap up some little loose ends. I can't believe this is the final one - I'll miss these people. There is a hint of a novella or Mercy showing up in some other books and I hope it happens.
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Mercy Kilpatrick series feels more crime/ mystery suspense than a romance. You do want to read the series in order. There is kissing but the sex is off page. I've enjoyed the world-building of this small town in a rural mountain area with many survivalists. The preppers are fascinating to me and cool; I love DYI and self-sufficient people.
I was just going to start this at bedtime and ended up reading it in one sitting, ending at 2:40am. It was a fast, suspenseful ride with plenty of raking my emotions over the coals.
A Merciful Promise has a many different law enforcement people working together - Truman for the local town, Evan Bolton on the county front, Mercy for the FBI and some ATF folks. I had a bad feeling about the case from the beginning and so did Mercy. It was as expected - bad. Most of the book, Mercy is undercover and cut off from everyone.
Mercy was her usual resourceful self. The events went as I anticipated but the motivations and catalysts were more of a surprise. The family and personal growth are great to experience and wrap up some little loose ends. I can't believe this is the final one - I'll miss these people. There is a hint of a novella or Mercy showing up in some other books and I hope it happens.
June 19, 2019
I have to give myself a break from these heart-stopping, breath stealing books!
I have loved this series and the two main characters, Mercy and Truman, from the very first book. Yep. I was hooked from the beginning. I had never met another character quite like Mercy. She was so intriguing. The life she knew before she stepped away from it was something I was totally unfamiliar with. With each book, I continued to admire her strength, convictions, determination, wonder, love of family and, above all, that risk she took with her heart with Truman. Truman was just so perfect for her with his dogged determination to win this guarded, hurt woman and make her a part of his life. Couple those two with inventive and terrific mysteries, along with a host of secondary characters who each added so much to each individual story, and the whole reading experience was a joy.
I HATE that this is the conclusion to such an outstanding series with such wonderful, unique characters. It was brilliantly done. At least I know I can go back and re-read the series again in the future and visit with two of my favorite characters once again. There is solace in that. ;)
I have loved this series and the two main characters, Mercy and Truman, from the very first book. Yep. I was hooked from the beginning. I had never met another character quite like Mercy. She was so intriguing. The life she knew before she stepped away from it was something I was totally unfamiliar with. With each book, I continued to admire her strength, convictions, determination, wonder, love of family and, above all, that risk she took with her heart with Truman. Truman was just so perfect for her with his dogged determination to win this guarded, hurt woman and make her a part of his life. Couple those two with inventive and terrific mysteries, along with a host of secondary characters who each added so much to each individual story, and the whole reading experience was a joy.
I HATE that this is the conclusion to such an outstanding series with such wonderful, unique characters. It was brilliantly done. At least I know I can go back and re-read the series again in the future and visit with two of my favorite characters once again. There is solace in that. ;)
June 30, 2019
A great ending to the Mercy Kilpatrick series. I had enjoyed all the books in this series and I'm sad to see it end. I recommend reading her previous books before reading this one. This was a well-written story with great characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for a copy of Kendra Elliot's "A Merciful Promise" in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for a copy of Kendra Elliot's "A Merciful Promise" in exchange of an honest review.
November 4, 2024
Fantastic ending to this series, I could not have asked for more. High stakes mystery/suspense plot, but also a beautiful conclusion to the romance and all the relationships among the side characters. Absolutely fantastic, will be diving right into more by Kendra Elliot.
June 5, 2019
A deep undercover assignment that cuts her off from everything ups the ante in this final, daring entry in the Mercy Kilpatrick series. As usual, I felt the danger close by, hoped all would turn out well, and relished the love between Mercy, Truman, and her family.
As I pointed out, A Merciful Promise is the last in the series and the sixth installment. It worked best getting it in order because Mercy and Truman's romance and Mercy's relationship with her family grew through the series even if each book posed a different case for Mercy and Truman.
A Merciful Promise starts out with Mercy being segundoed to work on an ATF assignment that takes her undercover into a militia compound where she has no outside contact to Truman or even her own FBI office. She has to figure out if they have stolen weapons and verify the details of rumors of some big plot involving the weapons' cache.
Meanwhile, Truman encounters a series of murders that have him dreading that a serial killer is loose. The wedding draws nearer and he worries about what could be going on with Mercy.
I love this series and I slid easily into this latest book. Mercy and Truman are great characters and I enjoy how they are both smart and capable in their respective law enforcement fields, her prepper background, and have a loving relationship full of respect and friendship besides the attraction. They were separated for most of the book, but because of the circumstances, it worked- though of course, I would have loved more time with them together.
I had a weird reaction to this book. I enjoyed it and I was all in as I whipped through the pages, but I felt a mild disappointment in how the big mission wrapped up.
It had the sort of plot that got intense fast because it starts with Mercy being plunged into a mission with barely a day's warning and little preparation. She's in a compound of extremists who feel more like a cult with the men waving weapons about and everyone living on the edge of deprivation with little to no survival or preparation skills with crazy conspiracy notions. Crazy, but still dangerous as a mob with a charismatic leader.
Truman's side investigating murders seemed almost blase in comparison. In a previous book, Truman was off in danger and Mercy was left fearful, this time the shoe was on the other foot and Truman was helplessly on the sidelines having to hope for the best in the face of tough odds. This situation did allow for some tender moments when Truman is able to slide into a real father role with Mercy's orphaned teenage niece and the orphaned youth Ollie. They all draw close while Mercy is away and in danger.
I enjoyed the updates on Mercy's family and to get some closure there since this was the end book.
I was fine switching back and forth between Mercy and Truman's side of the story since they are apart, but then that stopped working for me in the last third of the story. For example, without too much detail, Mercy is literally in a life or death moment, then the narration switches to Truman, but when it comes back the moment is over and the time has jumped ahead and what came during the narration switch is summarized quickly in past tense. This all served to take me out of the story rather than heightening the tension for me until it could build when a new situation came.
And, then my one true niggle, and this could be semi-spoilery so skip if you want.
I don't mean to say that it was dull or that I didn't like it, because I would even say I loved it with a few caveats. The final scenes leading to the big climax had my heart in my throat so to speak and offered a great finish with a nice denouement to wrap things up nicely. Mercy was her usual tough self and Truman had to find the courage to trust in her to keep herself safe, but now it is finally time for them to become a family with Kaylie and Ollie.
I will really miss this series and I'm glad the author said there will likely be cameos in later series. Meanwhile I must go hit her backlist and anticipate the new releases in her other ongoing series. This is a fab romantic suspense series that I can heartily recommend.
I rec'd this book from Montlake via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt 'book title that contained reader's initials' 4 points
As I pointed out, A Merciful Promise is the last in the series and the sixth installment. It worked best getting it in order because Mercy and Truman's romance and Mercy's relationship with her family grew through the series even if each book posed a different case for Mercy and Truman.
A Merciful Promise starts out with Mercy being segundoed to work on an ATF assignment that takes her undercover into a militia compound where she has no outside contact to Truman or even her own FBI office. She has to figure out if they have stolen weapons and verify the details of rumors of some big plot involving the weapons' cache.
Meanwhile, Truman encounters a series of murders that have him dreading that a serial killer is loose. The wedding draws nearer and he worries about what could be going on with Mercy.
I love this series and I slid easily into this latest book. Mercy and Truman are great characters and I enjoy how they are both smart and capable in their respective law enforcement fields, her prepper background, and have a loving relationship full of respect and friendship besides the attraction. They were separated for most of the book, but because of the circumstances, it worked- though of course, I would have loved more time with them together.
I had a weird reaction to this book. I enjoyed it and I was all in as I whipped through the pages, but I felt a mild disappointment in how the big mission wrapped up.
It had the sort of plot that got intense fast because it starts with Mercy being plunged into a mission with barely a day's warning and little preparation. She's in a compound of extremists who feel more like a cult with the men waving weapons about and everyone living on the edge of deprivation with little to no survival or preparation skills with crazy conspiracy notions. Crazy, but still dangerous as a mob with a charismatic leader.
Truman's side investigating murders seemed almost blase in comparison. In a previous book, Truman was off in danger and Mercy was left fearful, this time the shoe was on the other foot and Truman was helplessly on the sidelines having to hope for the best in the face of tough odds. This situation did allow for some tender moments when Truman is able to slide into a real father role with Mercy's orphaned teenage niece and the orphaned youth Ollie. They all draw close while Mercy is away and in danger.
I enjoyed the updates on Mercy's family and to get some closure there since this was the end book.
I was fine switching back and forth between Mercy and Truman's side of the story since they are apart, but then that stopped working for me in the last third of the story. For example, without too much detail, Mercy is literally in a life or death moment, then the narration switches to Truman, but when it comes back the moment is over and the time has jumped ahead and what came during the narration switch is summarized quickly in past tense. This all served to take me out of the story rather than heightening the tension for me until it could build when a new situation came.
And, then my one true niggle, and this could be semi-spoilery so skip if you want.
I don't mean to say that it was dull or that I didn't like it, because I would even say I loved it with a few caveats. The final scenes leading to the big climax had my heart in my throat so to speak and offered a great finish with a nice denouement to wrap things up nicely. Mercy was her usual tough self and Truman had to find the courage to trust in her to keep herself safe, but now it is finally time for them to become a family with Kaylie and Ollie.
I will really miss this series and I'm glad the author said there will likely be cameos in later series. Meanwhile I must go hit her backlist and anticipate the new releases in her other ongoing series. This is a fab romantic suspense series that I can heartily recommend.
I rec'd this book from Montlake via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt 'book title that contained reader's initials' 4 points
June 12, 2019
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I still can’t believe this is the end! The last book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series is easily the most exciting. Mercy spends most of the story undercover in an isolated and secretive community. The book flips between Mercy’s increasingly terrifying experiences and Truman investigating a string of murders back home. It’s a frightening read and as Mercy’s situation became more dangerous, I found myself racing to the end in a single sitting.
I really enjoyed Mercy in this book but I was a little bit sad to see less of her family and friends. The interplay between Mercy and Truman in their respective jobs is usually one of my favourite elements to these stories and I really love their partnership. For most of this book, Mercy has no ability to contact anyone outside of the compound so we don’t get as much of the family and relationship time as we usually do. We do get to know the various cult members and we get to see more of the FBI agents who are usually on the periphery of the books.
From sick kids and pregnant women without medical treatment to the disturbingly charismatic leader and his heavily armed followers, the cult Mercy infiltrates is seriously creepy. And every time I started wondering if the whole scenario was a little exaggerated, the characters would reference similar groups and scenarios from real life. From the start of the series, I’ve found the preppers, survivalists and other isolated groups equal parts disturbing and fascinating. This final story makes these groups a central focus and it makes for riveting reading.
I’ve really loved this series. The rural Oregon setting is not something I’ve encountered in other crime series and I feel like the books introduced me to a whole new part of America that I’d never before considered. I’ve loved the characters from the start. Mercy is fabulous and the slightly hotchpotch chosen family she and Truman have cobbled together is pretty special. I also like that Mercy never compromises herself for her relationship with Truman.
I still can’t believe this is the end! The last book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series is easily the most exciting. Mercy spends most of the story undercover in an isolated and secretive community. The book flips between Mercy’s increasingly terrifying experiences and Truman investigating a string of murders back home. It’s a frightening read and as Mercy’s situation became more dangerous, I found myself racing to the end in a single sitting.
I really enjoyed Mercy in this book but I was a little bit sad to see less of her family and friends. The interplay between Mercy and Truman in their respective jobs is usually one of my favourite elements to these stories and I really love their partnership. For most of this book, Mercy has no ability to contact anyone outside of the compound so we don’t get as much of the family and relationship time as we usually do. We do get to know the various cult members and we get to see more of the FBI agents who are usually on the periphery of the books.
From sick kids and pregnant women without medical treatment to the disturbingly charismatic leader and his heavily armed followers, the cult Mercy infiltrates is seriously creepy. And every time I started wondering if the whole scenario was a little exaggerated, the characters would reference similar groups and scenarios from real life. From the start of the series, I’ve found the preppers, survivalists and other isolated groups equal parts disturbing and fascinating. This final story makes these groups a central focus and it makes for riveting reading.
I’ve really loved this series. The rural Oregon setting is not something I’ve encountered in other crime series and I feel like the books introduced me to a whole new part of America that I’d never before considered. I’ve loved the characters from the start. Mercy is fabulous and the slightly hotchpotch chosen family she and Truman have cobbled together is pretty special. I also like that Mercy never compromises herself for her relationship with Truman.
April 23, 2020
I am very sad that this series has ended. I'm even more sad that the author chose to have the H and h separated for about 90% of the book. The thought process on that is lost to me. You have two beloved characters who work well together and in the last book of the series you decide to have them apart for the majority of the book? It makes very little sense.
In all honesty, though, the book was very good and I will admit that having them apart for this story made the book even more intense, it just seems an odd thing to do for the final book. Truman was desperate to find Mercy and I was on the edge of my seat through that entire bit.
There were a couple of other things that bothered me. I list them below:
✔ It seemed a bit of a poor move to have the leader of the militia kill the ATF agent and dump his body where it was going to be found, because he had to know the ATF would come to his compound.
✔ Which leads me to the next point: he also had to know that having his men shoot one of his men who was arrested by the ATF, when he was surrounded by agents, was a pretty dumb move. He is portrayed as being smart but he didn't realize they would have SWAT and snipers around in the trees? Especially because he had an FBI agent in the compound. It seemed like an idiotic move on his part, mostly because the leader of the militia ended up dead, shot in the head. So, I guess that was a big fail on his part.
Anyway, it was still a good book and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that we saw their wedding at the end. Glad that her dad finally opened up to her and wanted to walk her down the aisle.
I had some good highlights but for some reason it didn't sync so they don't show up. Not happy about that. The scene where Mercy and Truman reunite was very heartfelt.
This is a good series and if you are looking for something romantic yet suspenseful but with a low-steam level, this series is definitely for you.
In all honesty, though, the book was very good and I will admit that having them apart for this story made the book even more intense, it just seems an odd thing to do for the final book. Truman was desperate to find Mercy and I was on the edge of my seat through that entire bit.
There were a couple of other things that bothered me. I list them below:
✔ It seemed a bit of a poor move to have the leader of the militia kill the ATF agent and dump his body where it was going to be found, because he had to know the ATF would come to his compound.
✔ Which leads me to the next point: he also had to know that having his men shoot one of his men who was arrested by the ATF, when he was surrounded by agents, was a pretty dumb move. He is portrayed as being smart but he didn't realize they would have SWAT and snipers around in the trees? Especially because he had an FBI agent in the compound. It seemed like an idiotic move on his part, mostly because the leader of the militia ended up dead, shot in the head. So, I guess that was a big fail on his part.
Anyway, it was still a good book and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that we saw their wedding at the end. Glad that her dad finally opened up to her and wanted to walk her down the aisle.
I had some good highlights but for some reason it didn't sync so they don't show up. Not happy about that. The scene where Mercy and Truman reunite was very heartfelt.
This is a good series and if you are looking for something romantic yet suspenseful but with a low-steam level, this series is definitely for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2019
Truman and Mercy are just three months away from their Christmas wedding when Mercy is tapped for an undercover assignment to look for stolen weapons and a plot to use them in a secretive militaristic compound deep in a rural area. She has less than a day to prepare since she is filling in for an agent who suddenly contracted Shingles. She can't tell anyone where she is going or how long she'll be gone.
Meanwhile, Truman who is left at home is suddenly involved in a case of his own when random dead bodies are turning up stripped to their underwear and shot in the head.
As Truman worries about Mercy, she finds herself in a compound where she isn't sure that she can trust her partner who seems to be proceeding much too slowly for Mercy's liking. Mercy's cover is that of someone with nursing experience which immediately gets her involved with a heavily pregnant woman and some sick children. Since the attitude of the group is that medical intervention is a government plot to control people, Mercy has a fight on her hands to get help for the sick child.
When her partner disappears and Mercy fears for him, she is left alone, unable to communicate with anyone outside, and with only a sixteen-year-old girl for an ally. Her identity betrayed to the leader, Mercy is in great danger when she gets help from an unexpected source that might be enough to save her. Meanwhile, after her partner's body is discovered, Truman learns where she is and the danger she's in and is determined to find her.
This was an action packed, intense conclusion to the Mercy Kilpatrick series. It was well written and fast-paced and, best of all, it looks like a happy ending for Mercy and Truman and the family that they have built.
Meanwhile, Truman who is left at home is suddenly involved in a case of his own when random dead bodies are turning up stripped to their underwear and shot in the head.
As Truman worries about Mercy, she finds herself in a compound where she isn't sure that she can trust her partner who seems to be proceeding much too slowly for Mercy's liking. Mercy's cover is that of someone with nursing experience which immediately gets her involved with a heavily pregnant woman and some sick children. Since the attitude of the group is that medical intervention is a government plot to control people, Mercy has a fight on her hands to get help for the sick child.
When her partner disappears and Mercy fears for him, she is left alone, unable to communicate with anyone outside, and with only a sixteen-year-old girl for an ally. Her identity betrayed to the leader, Mercy is in great danger when she gets help from an unexpected source that might be enough to save her. Meanwhile, after her partner's body is discovered, Truman learns where she is and the danger she's in and is determined to find her.
This was an action packed, intense conclusion to the Mercy Kilpatrick series. It was well written and fast-paced and, best of all, it looks like a happy ending for Mercy and Truman and the family that they have built.
May 19, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is book 6 and the final book of the Mercy Kilpatrick series and is the best of the series. Mercy is asked by the FBI to infiltrate a militia stockpiling stolen illegal firearms in an isolated forest community as part of a joint ATF/FBI operation. when their operative comes down with shingles and they need a last minute replacement. Given Mercy's history, she is the obvious choice to go in as Chad's girlfriend, who was to join him at the camp. Mercy cannot share with her fiancé, Truman, where she will be or what she will be doing and has no means of communicating with the outside world if things go bad. Mercy ruffles feathers with her questions and lack of humility from the first day and Chad warns her to hold back. When Chad does not return from a supply run, Mercy fears their cover has been blown. As the days of America's Preserve come to an end and Mercy goes missing, Truman is at his wits end trying to work with the FBI to find her, alive or dead. This was a great story that illustrated the obligation of duty before family and I loved the way Mercy and Truman continued to rely on each other even when they were separated. I will miss these characters and hope they will crossover into another book series at some point!
June 27, 2019
2.5 stars.
I'm not a fan of this story. Whenever the premise is a MC taking an optional (as in the powers that be told her she didn't need to do it) case that is probably going to be extremely dangerous, all without asking the significant other (in this case a fiance`) if he is alright with it, I'm going to have a problem. And it's totally not about asking permission or anything like that. But when you're in a relationship, you have to take into account another person's feelings; it can't just be only about you anymore. That in itself makes me worry about their fictional HEA.
However, other than the premise, the storytelling was engaging as always. Alternating between the MCs, Mercy and Truman, the pacing was good. The resolution to this series was nice as well.
Safety
I'm not a fan of this story. Whenever the premise is a MC taking an optional (as in the powers that be told her she didn't need to do it) case that is probably going to be extremely dangerous, all without asking the significant other (in this case a fiance`) if he is alright with it, I'm going to have a problem. And it's totally not about asking permission or anything like that. But when you're in a relationship, you have to take into account another person's feelings; it can't just be only about you anymore. That in itself makes me worry about their fictional HEA.
However, other than the premise, the storytelling was engaging as always. Alternating between the MCs, Mercy and Truman, the pacing was good. The resolution to this series was nice as well.
Safety
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