Another Mercy story. Thrilling read. Love a suspenseful series. As it allows me revisit characters. Still want to slap her dad. Love Ollie and Shep

A MERCIFUL FATE (Mercy Kilpatrick #5) by Kendra Elliot is the latest romantic suspense, mystery/suspense, FBI procedural, who cares what you call it, cannot put it down read featuring one of my favorite main characters! This is a series I recommend you read in order because each book builds on all of the characters’ relationships and secrets besides giving you new crimes and/or mysteries in each.
Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is thrown into a notorious, decades old bank robbery when the skeleton of one of the robbers is found in a decaying cabin. The mastermind of the team was captured and put in prison, but the money and the rest of the gang seem to have disappeared into thin air. Just as Mercy starts reinvestigating the robbery, a young tabloid reporter shows up in Eagle’s Nest asking questions that are threatening long buried secrets.
Police Chief Truman Daly gets pulled into the investigation when the reporter is found dead in her car. Some of the people have secrets and are not who they appear in the Eagle’s Nest community. Whether they are related to the old robbery or not, they want them kept secret. Mercy and Truman need to reveal them all to find the threat to their community and family. Some long held friends and neighbors are not who or what they seem.
This series just keeps getting better and better. The old, unsolved robbery is an intriguing crime plot that builds the suspense and threat level at a rapid rate throughout the story. I was very surprised throughout the resolution. I love Mercy and Truman’s relationship and how Mercy is learning to navigate their relationship while balancing everything with her long held prepper lifestyle. All of the secondary characters are becoming fully fleshed out characters that I look for now in each book.
My only slight criticism of this series is that I believe Mercy’s father may have a point. Not his indifference or stubbornness, but the people around Mercy seem to be injured or killed quite frequently. In most series the main character is injured or almost killed so many times you wonder how they can keep recovering and working, but it is those around Mercy who suffer this author’s wrath.
That said, I highly recommend this series and Mercy! I always look forward to reading these books and catching up with all of the Eagle’s Nest community.

This is the 5th book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series. Mercy Kilpatrick was raised in the prepper lifestyle, but grew up to become an agent for the FBI. The series takes place in and around Eagle's Nest, Oregon. She often works along side her fiance, Police Chief Truman Daly.

In this book, Ollie, who Truman has made a member of his family, has found some old human bones and empty bank bags in a run down shack. Turns out that the bones are connected to an old unsolved bank robbery. That puts in into Mercy's hand to investigate. Truman has his own puzzling case to investigate involving vandalism and graffiti. As they both continue to search for answers, they wonder if both cases are somehow connected. Throw in some highly suspicious people who are not too fond of federal law enforcement, you have some tense situations. Can Mercy find the killer before someone else dies, including those close to her? What long buried secrets will lead her to the answers she needs?

This book grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let you go. Once you think you know what is going on, it takes another turn.

Kendra Elliot knows how to spin a suspenseful tale. The Mercy Kilpatrick series is one I hope doesn't end for a while yet. The characters feel like old friends now. We enter the story with Ollie hiking through the woods with his dog Shep. When they come across skeletal remains, which look like they are connected to an old bank heist. As Mercy works the case, two local ladies are dealing with vandalism. Is it connected to the old case? Or something else? As the case unfolds someone is determined to stop it. As this is book 5 out of a series, I would strongly suggest reading the series in order. Highly recommended for fans of suspense. I requested this ARC from Net Galley, in exchange for a voluntary review.

Kendra Elliot knows how to write crime fiction. I have loved everyone of the Mercy Kilpatrick series. This book is maybe one of my favorite's in the series.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F thriller

This is a fast-paced story where it is very helpful if you've read the previous books in the series.

In this book, Mercy and her crew are up against a 30 year old crime. When a bank heist goes south, it will take everyone in the town to figure out what happened.

I loved how involved this book makes the reader. You want to cheer for someone, but because you're unsure who to cheer for, you end up skeptical of everyone.

Elliot didn't disappoint with the twists and turns in this book and I highly recommend reading this. It grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the very end. I hope there are more to come!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This series just gets better and better.

Ollie has found a skeleton and Mercy and others suspect it could be related to an old unsolved bank robbery. One of the gang is in prison, but the other four accomplices disappeared without a trace.

Not only is Truman trying to help Mercy figure who died in that remote cabin long ago, he's also trying to solve the new spate of vandalism that is happening over at Sandy's inn. Sandy isn't being very helpful as to who may behind it, until she realizes that unless she's honest, her whole life will come tumbling down around her.

Bree is also having problems. Someone tagged her car and barn with "Xs" and her son, Lucas, is furious. Truman at first thinks its related to Sandy's cases, but something doesn't quite fit.

Mercy is doing her best to keep the investigation moving regarding the old bank robbery, but it’s getting harder and harder to do. Her partner, Eddie, is shot while trying to interview a potential witness. Art, the former lead investigator on the case and now retired FBI agent, is being investigated as she shot the man who shot Eddie. And everyone else around her, has the flu.

When Mercy's niece is shot, Mercy is inconsolable. One of the things she prides herself on is being prepared but after Eddie's shooting, she didn't restock her med bag. Feeling foolish and helpless, she turns to the one person who has never let her down – Truman.

I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see where book six takes us next.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
After five books, this series is quickly becoming addictive. Mercy’s creepy backwoods community gets both stranger and more familiar with each story and this one kept me guessing right to the end.

This book starts slowly. A long dead skeleton. Graffiti. As always, Truman and Mercy’s cases overlap, and things start to escalate. I love the way this story only gets more complicated as Mercy and Truman uncover tiny pieces of information that link together to create bigger truths. And I love that it took me a long time to figure out Mercy’s case in this story. The ending of this story had me on the edge of my seat – I honestly couldn’t put it down.

When I think of Oregon, I think of Portland and hipsters. I think of a liberal corner of the US with values more similar to Canada or Europe than the American South. This series, with its preppers, independent citizens, and fugitives, is eye opening to say the least. I’m beginning to feel like I know the characters in Mercy and Truman’s community but there are so many secrets to keep track of. I love the contrast of small town charm and creepy backwoods nuttiness. And I love that it’s often impossible to tell them apart. I love how Mercy attempts to balance her professional role and her small town prepper upbringing.

I really love this series. On a basic level, the books are well plotted and well written crime thrillers. But there are lots of great crime thrillers. It’s the wonderfully complex characters and the overwhelming sense of place that makes the series special.

A Merciful Fate is the 5th book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series. It's not necessary to read the previous books but I recommend reading them before reading this one. In this book, Mercy is investigating a 30 year old bank robbery heist that went wrong. Great characters especially Mercy and Truman. Lots of mystery. Did not see that ending coming. Love this series and look forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for a copy of Kendra Elliot's "A Merciful Fate" in exchange of an honest review.

Love this series! The plot/story is always interesting. The characters are well written and enjoyable.

Mercy! and Truman, their family, the towns people, the preppers in Oregon, and BAD guys! This is definitely a great combination in my opinion of the Mercy Kilpatrick series. I have ventured through every emotion from the highs to the lows with each and every book. Kendra Elliot's writing made me veer into the mystery and suspense genre, and now, I can't get enough. This book. like the others, has dynamic characters and thoughtful plots and twists that keep you guessing (and thinking you know, but then you change your mind) until the climax. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of the Mercy K series.

I have little to say about Kendra Elliot’s fifth Mercy Kilpatrick novel, A MERCIFUL FATE-- I have seriously run out of superlatives to describe how awesome this character, series, and author are! Five books in, picking up a Mercy Kilpatrick novel feels like coming home and enjoying an action-packed, white-knuckle-thrill-ride of good time with great friends. No sign of series fatigue in place: despite all novels being centred around Mercy (whom I want to be when I grow up) and Truman (whom I seriously want to marry) taking on law enforcement cases that are not all that different from each other at their core, Ms. Eliot manages to make each instalment in the series feel fresh and exciting. And the ever-deepening relationship between Mercy and Truman? Be still, my heart! Those two are completely adorable in a very adult, understated kind of way; talk about couples goals. I’m already counting the days until the June release of the next book, A MERCIFUL PROMISE.

If you haven’t read any of the Mercy Kilpatrick novels, do yourself a favour and start right now.

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is my first book by Kendra Elliott. This one is fifth in a series and I had no trouble understanding this one. An investigation into a 30 year old robbery. A little romance and engaging characters make a good read. The story is lively and moves quickly. I wanted to know the ending. Kept my interest from beginning to end. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I always know I’m in for a treat with a new release from Kendra Elliott. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, I eagerly agreed to read and review the fifth book in her Mercy Kilpatrick series. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

As with all of Ms. Elliot’s books, the characters are real and flawed, the plot is intriguing and there’s plenty of emotions running high. One of the things I enjoy most about her books is the suspenseful scenes. She has a way of keeping me on the edge of my seat from the first page until the last.

I love Mercy’s character and in each of these books, it only grows stronger. While she’s complicated and has a lot of pent-up issues, she never lets them hold her back. She’s fierce in her determination to be the best FBI agent possible and protects her niece like a mama bear.

Truman is a drool-worthy hero any woman will love, and I’m one of them. He’s an honorable, caring man, and he’s so patient with Mercy. He never lets anything rattle him, whether it’s a case or Mercy.

While the romance is secondary in Merciful Fate, it’s still strong and adds a lot to the story. In Merciful Fate, Mercy and Truman’s relationship has progressed quite a lot, which pleased me immensely.

The suspense in this book builds as the tale of mystery and intrigue unfolds. Lots of good things to move the plot along. Ms. Elliott keeps her cards tight against her chest, so I was completely surprised by the characters involved in the heist.

If you enjoy a novel with plenty of high suspense with a great “who-done-it plot,” then you will love Merciful Fate. I do recommend reading the other books in this series before reading this one, so you’ll fully appreciate Mercy and Truman. Happy reading!

WOW! This latest installment in the Mercy Kilpatrick series will keep you guessing right up until the very end. Truman may have rubbed the rough edges off Mercy but she is still sharp as a tack. I was riveted from the first page until the last. I look forward to further mysteries with Mercy, Truman and the gang.

This series by Kendra Elliot has become comfort reading and I always look forward to the latest installment.

This was a fantastic book to read, full of twists and turns, well written and good descriptive writing. It kept me hooked and I didn't want to put the book down, wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Skeletal remains are discovered in a ramshackled cabin with some faded money bags from a bank. They are traced back to a robbery that happened 30 years ago where only 1 of the robbers was caught and 4 got away with 2 million in cash, 1 security guard died and 1 is suffering the truamatic event every day.

FBI Mercy Kilpatrick is tasked with tracing remaining robbers and any outstanding cash even though it does involve trying to get answers from that was caught and appears to be a very slippery character.

Have read a couple of Kendra Elliot books but the first in this series and will be looking to read more, I like her style of writing and I have liked the other books I read. Another author for me to keep an eye out for.

How well do you really know someone? That’s a question posed more than once in this intriguing thriller by Kendra Elliot, fifth in the Mercy Kilpatrick series about an FBI agent in Bend, Oregon. Raised by a family of off-the-grid survivalists, Mercy’s instincts die hard, but when you’ve known someone for a decade or more as a pillar of the community, it’s unimaginable they could be involved in a major crime.

When an ancient skeleton is found in a crumbling shack, one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in the FBI’s files suddenly comes to life again, and it lands right in Mercy’s lap. Chasing a trail 30 years cold leads down a lot of rabbit holes until a dead journalist makes her realize one of those threads she’s pulled must lead somewhere. Somewhere she could never have expected.

I make no bones that I love this series, and A Merciful Fate is a great addition. If you haven’t read the others, though, I would advise going back and starting at the beginning, because though the author does her best to give you an outline sketch of the major characters without infodumping, there’s been a lot of worldbuilding over the previous four books which will give you great insight into the mindset of all of them, particularly Mercy, Truman and Ollie (possibly my favourite character of all). Five stars for another great installment in the series!

An Absolutely fabulous story .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy through Netgallery of Merciful Fate . I will start by saying WOW ! This is a remarkable story . I was intrigued from the start and I couldn't read it fast enough . This story has it all suspense , romance and intrigue it's really action packed . I really enjoyed reading this story . There is so much going on in this story it's amazing the way the author makes it all flow together . It's a very intense and interesting rollercoaster ride . The characters are wonderful . I really enjoy all the interaction between them .
This story is full of twists and turns .so well written an all around sensational story . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy .

This is book five in the Mercy Kilpatrick series . Thirty years ago , an armoured car robbery turned deadly . Now remains of a man tied to the robbery have been found deep in the woods . My ! My ! My ! Your can't go wrong with a Kendra Elliot book ! I love this series ! Deliciously intense page turner with sharp realistic characters , a fabulous plot with dark secrets , mystery and intrigue ! Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review ! #Netgalley #MontlakeRomance
#AMercifulFate

Another win from Kendra Elliot. I don't think Ms. Elliot can write a bad book.

Mercy, Truman, Rosie, and one heck of a mystery. This book is about a 30 year old bank heist. Once again, Kendra has written a tale that weaves us through a wonderfully suspenseful tale sprinkled with the right amount of romance. This book kept me reading well into the night needing to get to the end to see where Ms. Elliot would take me.

Would I recommend? Heck yeah! I love this series. If you love suspenseful stories with romance, pick this series up!!!

The latest installation from Mercy and Truman.
Brilliant action, I struggled to put it down! They seem to be getting better as the series goes on.
Lots of action, secrets and disappointment in this book.
Can't wait for no. 6!
Thanks to Netgalley, Kendra Eliot and Montlake publishing.