A Merciful Secret

In FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick’s third outing (after A Merciful Truth), she’s drawn into a murder investigation after one of the victims dies in her arms. Now Mercy and her boyfriend, police chief Truman Daly, must discover what links an elderly woman living deep in the Oregon woods and a once-famous Portland judge, both stabbed to death in what appears to be a ritualistic manner. As Mercy delves deep into the secrets and sins of several generations, she finds unexpected connections between the two families involved. Meanwhile, she continues to grow her social life and consider reconnection with her own estranged kin—an uncomfortable notion for a woman raised as a doomsday prepper. She’s not sure how to reconcile her need for security and self-protection with her love for Truman. Elliot delivers a fast-paced, tense thriller that plays up the small-town atmosphere and survivalist mentality, contrasting it against an increasingly connected world. The romantic angle is subtle, with the established relationship between Mercy and Truman slowly and satisfyingly maturing as they solve the mystery. [em](Jan.) [/em]