“A brutal abduction. Two scared kids. One desperate fugitive.
Struggling with the guilt she feels for shooting and killing a drug dealer during her freshman case, Special Agent Shannon Ames is thrown back in the deep end when former federal prosecutor Lucy Donato goes missing.
The case takes a surprising turn when Lucy’s bookish husband Bob is caught on camera fleeing the state with his two small children. Has he done something to his wife? Is he a danger to the kids?
There’s definitely something off about Bob, because it soon becomes clear he isn’t stopping for anyone. He’s smart, he’s ruthless, and he steamrolls over anyone who gets in his way.
Desperate to protect the kids, Shannon pursues Bob cross-country, following a trail of stolen cars, brutal bar fights, and dangerous drug dealers. But something isn’t sitting right with her – why would a meek office worker suddenly blaze a trail of chaos across several states? What does he want? Where is he going?
The answer to those questions is truly shocking and puts Shannon at the heart of a case she’ll never forget…
Road to Mercy is a gripping mystery thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as it races towards its electrifying finish. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Robert Dugoni and Lisa Regan.“
Hello and welcome to the blog. I am delighted to be handing the damppebbles keys over for the third and final time (for now!) to my guest reviewer, Ryan. Today Ryan is sharing his thoughts on the second book in T.J. Brearton’s Shannon Ames series, Road to Mercy. Road to Mercy will be published by Inkubator Books on 6th September 2020. Ryan chose to read and review a free eARC of Road to Mercy but that has in no way influenced his review.
When a former Federal Prosecutor is kidnapped with her son, it leads to murder. When the prosecutor’s husband also disappears taking the couple’s young children with him, the police have a target to find and a chase across the USA against the clock ensues.
This is my first Shannon Ames book, and it was easily read as a standalone. Shannon Ames is unexpectedly dropped into the investigation of the kidnapping of Lucy Donato, the Federal Prosecutor. She arrives on the scene to find local cops friendly with the local business owners, who seem keen to avoid disruption rather than understand what’s happened.
Whilst this is happening we find Bob Donato pressing his way across country, avoiding police detection and getting involved in behaviour which puts him squarely on the wrong side of the law. The parts of the story involving Bob are told from the perspective of Lily, the couple’s eldest child, who is watching her father behave in more outlandish ways and putting her and her brother, Silas, at risk. Even from a child’s way of thinking, Bob’s behaviour seems odd.
Shannon doesn’t lack support throughout the investigation but there is certainly a healthy dose of scepticism from the various local police forces. They don’t feel the FBI knows what they are doing, believing Ames unlikely to make a breakthrough. Her support in the FBI comes from Bufort, a relaxed and thoughtful partner who contrasts nicely with Shannon’s wired style. Ames is a well written character and whilst the first novel is referenced in Road to Mercy, I still felt she was introduced well to new readers. One of the aspects I really liked in this story is that there were no bolts from the blue. No massive Eureka moments. Rather we saw well drawn characters struggle with a lack of evidence and make slow progress in finding Bob, the children, and Lucy’s kidnappers. This did not mean a slow story though. Brearton has laced Road to Mercy with misdirection, red herrings and subplots that keep you racing through this book.
I can see Ames being a fan favourite for many readers. The hard working, dogged detective who won’t back down until she has cracked the case is brilliantly written. Road to Mercy has a cracking atmosphere which carries the reader swiftly through a fast-paced and well-plotted story.
Ryan chose to read and review an eARC of Road to Mercy. The above review is his own unbiased opinion.
Road to Mercy by T.J. Brearton was published in the UK by Inkubator Books on 6th September 2020 and is available in digital format (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | amazon.com | Goodreads |
T.J. Brearton’s books have reached half a million readers around the world and have topped the Amazon charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in Manhattan, Brearton first worked in film before focusing on novels. His books are visually descriptive with sharp dialog and underdog heroes. When not writing, Brearton does whatever his wife and three children tell him to do. They live happily in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate, New York. Yes, there are bears in the Adirondacks. But it’s really quite beautiful when you’re not running for your life.
TJ is the author of Into Darkness, book 1 in the Shannon Ames series. ROAD TO MERCY will be his second novel published with Inkubator Books.
