A Merciful Death

Mercy Kilpatrick, Book 1

By: Kendra Elliot

Narrated by: Teri Schnaubelt

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

FBI special agent Mercy Kilpatrick has been waiting her whole life for disaster to strike. A prepper since childhood, Mercy grew up living off the land — and off the grid — in rural Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Until a shocking tragedy tore her family apart and forced her to leave home. Now a predator known as the cave man is targeting the survivalists in her hometown, murdering them in their homes, stealing huge numbers of weapons, and creating federal suspicion of a possible domestic terrorism event. But the crime scene details are eerily familiar to an unsolved mystery from Mercy’s past.

Sent by the FBI to assist local law enforcement, Mercy returns to Eagle’s Nest to face the family who shunned her while maintaining the facade of a law-abiding citizen. There, she meets police chief Truman Daly, whose uncle was the cave man’s latest victim. He sees the survivalist side of her that she desperately tries to hide, but if she lets him get close enough to learn her secret, she might not survive the fallout....

©2017 Kendra Elliot. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

I look forward to more in this series

Three stars - which is not a bad rating.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to the second book, at least, in this series. I am reminded of the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. A former community member, shunned by her family, who returns as a law enforcement officer - in that case, the local police chief. In this series, Mercy returns to her hometown after a long absence as an FBI agent.

Such secrets! They find a way to come back to haunt. I especially liked the chief of police in this book. I want to know more about him. And then there’s Mercy. I came to like her by the end of the book but it took some work. There are multiple murders to be solved and Mercy links them to events 15 years ago.

I enjoyed the audiobook.

i dont think this was written by kendra elliot

The constant use of the characters thoughts is so distracting that it took me over a month to finish this book. Completing this book became more of a task than a desire. It was a decent plot but the writting was awful and uncharacteristic of Kendra Elliott. kendra elliot is a better writer than this. the storyline was slow and as if she was writing to fulfill the publishers demands without telling the story. Oh Kendra im still a fan but i will never read another book of yours written in this format. Stick with what works for you. i like picking up a book and knowing its yours without reading the cover. this is not you!

This was not a well written book.

The idea for the story was interesting but nit well executed. Characters were flat. Kind of a waste of time.

predictable mystery

This predictable mystery was engaging at times, and dragged at other times. I never really believed the main character, Mercy. She left home at age 18, and never had any contact with her family after that. She ended out with the FBI. More interesting than the murder mystery she was investigating was what happened with her and her rural survivalist family. And there is a big secret she is hiding. And then there is a romantic interest with the local sheriff. I almost quit this two-thirds of the way through. I'm glad I stayed with it, because the last third is the best. It devolves somewhat into a chick lit thriller, but that was when the novel was the most fun. I think this is more a woman's novel than a man's, yet I (a guy) liked it enough to finish.

Ok

But there are better books/authors in this genre. Could have benefited from some editing and shortening

Excruciating

A torturous book that could have been summed up in three pages of a patriarchal, backwards thinking, back woods stereotype, misogynistic, incestuous, upbringing where the FBI heroin leaves her home town only to return to investigate murders of "preppers" that she herself was involved. The story repeats itself in ever chapter. Think of paint drying and multiply that by 40. Now, you have this book.

A great start to a series

Teri Schnaubelt narrates this book with a highly engaging voice. She adds tremendously to the story.

A Merciful Death is the first book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series by Kendra Elliot. Mercy Kilpatrick is an FBI agent returning home to work a case. She left years ago on bad terms due to an argument with her parents and siblings about women's role. Returning as an independent, FBI agent, is not going to go well with her father, and therefore, the community.

Mercy Kilpatrick is a unique character. Her early development makes me wonder what else is in store for her in the future. In addition to the police procedural, Mercy tries to bridge the gap with her family. As their relationship unfolds, there are reasons to believe that her past might relate to the current events.

Truman Daly is the police chief in Eagles Nest. FBI agent Kilpatrick meets Truman when she comes to Eagles Nest. While Mercy is trying to avoid the townsfolk, Truman is trying to figure out why. They work well together. The romance is a very slow burn, mainly because they are working the same case, but the chemistry is burning in the background.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the perfect start to a new series. In this first book the mystery is the primary focus. The story, the setting, the characters are all well done. A Merciful Death whets the appetite for more Mercy Kilpatrick. Kendra Elliot is a new author to me. I'm grateful that she was recommended. In turn, I recommend this book too. It is a good time to start as the book and audio are included in a KU subscription. It is also on sale at a bargain price of $1.99 if you prefer to purchase books.

Crazy and Crazier

Mercy Kilpatrick has a skeleton rattling around in her past. She just doesn't know where it is. Not a good thing for an FBi agent.

The characters in this entertaining tale seemed to fall into one of two categories: you either like 'em or loathe 'em. In a town that has more than its share of doomsday preppers, you need to choose your friends wisely. Unfortunately, you can't choose your family.

When Mercy finds herself thrown back into the small town she grew up in to work on a case, she's not entirely sure how she'll be received. After all, she left 15 years ago and never looked back. Now she's working on a case that hits a bit too close to home.

This was a very enjoyable tale for me, as all of Kendra Elliot's remarkable works are. The plot flowed nicely, with plenty of intrigue, suspense, and small town drama. The side story of Mercy's attraction to Truman, the local police chief, was an added bonus: it added a slight sizzle without overwhelming the main story line. I especially appreciated the fact that both characters maintained a professional role throughout the case rather than falling into insta-love and then immediately into bed with each other.

I plan to continue this intriguing series since Mercy is a pretty awesome character.

Slow at first but picks up

Took me a while to get into this but once I did I didn’t put down until finished. Not a fan of romance but the love interest was more of a side bar so it didn’t get in the way (for me).

Story is good but narration is a snooze

Two stars give for effort and time give to read this book, but the narrator sounded like a sleepy Alexa or Seri - mechanical. I am glad I had this in both book and audio format. I hope the narration isn't the same in the rest of the books. This listen put me to sleep a couple of times.

Good storyline

Took a little while to pick up but built nicely and steadily. It wasn't nail biting edge of you seat gripping stuff but was still engaging and kept me hooked. Was a. It disappointed that some things weren't quite resolved or discussed but I guess it's the author's way of building up to next book. I'm in no hurry to grab it but will eventually get to it. Give it a go

Not forgotten.

A series of murders bring FBI Agent Mercy back to her home town. A place and a past she swore to forget forever.

With the murders to close to home, an estranged family and one seriously hot Chief of Police, Mercy has her hands full. The last thing she needs is a target on her back. But she has one.

She must decide if she can trust anyone, even herself in this deadly game. The wrong choice could cost her everything, including her life.

I loved listening to this tense thriller from Kendra, one of my favourite romantic suspense authors.

Five stars

My first Kendra Elliot book and I just say that I loved it. Having completed David Baldacci's offerings i was looking for another fbi themed set. I am so pleased i found these. Well written, great naration. A must for all who enjoy fbi crime thrillers.

Great Book

what great book the narrator was really good and lots of suspense wanting to know more and more as you go through the story I will definitely be reading the next one in this series

A Merciful Death (Mercy Kilpatrick Book 1)

A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot is the first book in this ‘Mercy Kilpatrick series, of which I already have most the others lined up. This This story is a great starter & can be read separately but preferably read in order. An excellent narration by Teri Schnaubelt which was really appreciated by myself, an English Audio listener, because her diction is so enjoyable it leaves you wanting more. What will Mercy do next? A good traditional start, thrilling middle and a super satisfactory ending. Just my 🇬🇧 ‘cup of tea’.

Excellent

I throughly enjoyed this book.
Excellent narrator and story. I cannot agree with the families attitude to Mercy, especially the father and brother but Rose shone through them all

Good

Gripping story with twists and turns in story line. Intriguing family dynamics and life style of the prepers

A merciful death

Loved this book couldn't put down content and narration excellent looking forward to next one