A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot

August 8th, 2018 Kimberly Review 27 Comments

8th Aug
A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot
A Merciful Secret
by Kendra Elliot
Series: Mercy Kilpatrick #3
Genres: Mystery
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

A pair of ritual murders could expose Mercy Kilpatrick to something terrifying: her own past…

Raised off the grid by survivalists, Mercy Kilpatrick believed in no greater safeguard than the backwoods of Oregon. Unforgiven by her father for abandoning the fold for the FBI, Mercy still holds to her past convictions. They’re in her blood. They’re her secrets—as guarded as her private survival retreat hidden away in the foothills.

In a cabin near her hideaway, Mercy encounters a young girl whose grandmother is dying from multiple knife wounds. Hundreds of miles away, a body is discovered slashed to death in a similar way. The victims—a city judge and an old woman living in the woods—couldn’t be more different. With the help of police chief Truman Daly, Mercy must find the killer before the body count rises. Mercy knows that the past has an edge on her. So does her family. How can she keep her secrets now…when they’re the only things that can save her?

MURDERMYSTERY Family Law ROMANCE

I am continuing my quest to read all the Mercy Kilpatrick novels available in Kindle Unlimited before my three-month deal expires. A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot is the third book of the series. Set in Oregon, it features an FBI Agent who grew up in a survivalist household. Mercy, the FBI and Police Chief Truman Daly, investigate the murder of an old woman rumored to be a witch.

I am really enjoying this series from the rural setting, to tidbits about preppers included in these suspenseful and deadly cases. As Mercy is returning from her cabin in the wood, a young girl jumps out in front of her car. She lives in a remote wood cabin with her grandmother and mother. The mother isn’t home, but the little girl’s grandmother dies as Mercy tries to aid her. The killer in a rage slashed the poor woman with a blade. When a similar murder occurs the FBI steps in.

This was a fantastic case with a likely suspect and people with secrets. While other agents are quick to point fingers, Mercy continues to dig. I loved how Elliot tied in secondary threads and characters to weave a believable tale and timeline.

The series has romance as Mercy learns to open-up and trust. Elliot serves the developing relationship as a side dish along with a nice helping of Mercy’s estranged family. I adore Mercy’s sister Rose and enjoyed getting updates and seeing a possible love interest for her.

While arc in the series develops the relationships and shows character growth, they will work on their own. Each book has a case that the author takes us through and wraps up before the end. The flow to the stories are easy and I can usually read them in one or two sittings. I can usually deduce who the killer is, but not always, the why, until it’s revealed.

Fans of crime thrillers, small-town series and those interested in learning more about survivalist will enjoy A Merciful Secret and the Mercy Kilpatrick series.

 

A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot offered a thrilling murder-mystery and life developments for FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick #thriller, #mystery Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

27 Responses to “A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot”

  1. Anne

    I’ve been enjoying this series also.l I like the self sufficiency and the planning aspect of the preppers. Anne – Books of My Heart

    • Kimberly

      Agreed, I am reading the 4th one now. Although I have Magic Triumphs on audio and have set it down for the moment..because…. KATE!

  2. ShootingStarsMag

    Sounds like another good addition to the series. I like mystery series that are like this – the characters grow throughout but each book has a new mystery.

    -Lauren