Member Reviews

Kendra Elliot is a mega bestseller and for good reason. Her books are stunningly good. In the Pines is a suspense-filled page-turner. Treasure, secrets and a sensational ending combine to make this another surefire bestseller.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book.

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Eagle's Nest is usually a quiet place to live, even if Police Chief Truman Daly gets more than his fair share of gruesome murder cases to investigate. Now however, it's full to bursting with strangers, all thanks to the whim of a dead millionaire and his love of games. After the announcement of a treasure hunt as his legacy, with the chance for someone to win $2 million, the number of visitors exploded with everyone determined to understand and decipher the clues by whatever means they deem appropriate.

At the same time a teenage boy approaches Truman; his mother is missing with his baby sister and has been for over a week. The baby means it's a case for the FBI and in Eagle's Nest that is Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick, who is soon on the case trying to find the young woman who seems to have disappeared without trace.

As Mercy looks closer she discovers clues which move the case far closer to home while Truman's worst nightmare is realised as a body is found, causing the townsfolk to become more uneasy by the day. As they focus on their own complex investigations it's soon obvious nothing is straightforward but no-one is prepared for what they discover.

They are back! After a three-year break, Mercy and Truman have returned in a cracking story which is everything fans of the duo could wish for. The investigations mean other familiar protagonists are also present to help with a very engaging and compelling mystery which never lets up for a minute even while including their home life and that of Sheriff's Detective Evan Bolton. I also loved how some of Truman’s everyday tasks showed the type of work he does normally.

I have always enjoyed this series and, after thinking it was all done and dusted, was delighted to revisit especially as, in the author's notes, Ms Elliott says 'There will be more.' This is the third Colombia River book but the seventh featuring Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly and one of the beauty's of this series, alongside the wonderful writing and storylines, is the way it has different, well loved, main protagonists for each of its titles and I can't wait to see what comes next.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this exciting read and, once again, can't wait for more. Highly recommended.

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A 2 million dollar treasure hunt is causing all sorts of problems for the residents of Eagles Nest. People have been attacked and murdered over the hunt. When a young boy walks into town and reports his Mother and young sister have been gone for 2 weeks a search is mounted, but there are no clues. The family has been living off the grid for years. This book brings back a lot of familiar characters. It is part of a series but could be read as a stand alone. The book grabs you from the first page and makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

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Kendra Elliot did it again!!!

I loved every minute of this book and to be able to experience Mercy and Truman again was well worth it. The book has everything I love in a mystery/thriller and kept me guessing.

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A book with more than one mystery happening and it kept my attention from beginning to end. The town of Eagle’s Nest has a treasure hunt going bringing more people and crime to this sleepy town in Oregon keeping Truman busy. With a missing family and murder going around the area it keeps Truman and Mercy busy.
As a first time reader of this author/series, I liked the characters and how Kendra told their stories and gave her readers the perfect ending.

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I always enjoy Kendra Elliot’s writing and it’s been a bit since we’ve had a new book from her. As the town is invaded by treasure hunters, Mercy is working on an unusual missing persons case. It’s definitely hard to tell who’s a villain and who can be trusted. This one was exactly what I expected-Full of suspense, unexpected twists and fascinating characters. It was great to have another story with Mercy, Truman, Kaylie and Ollie.

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Eagle’s Nest a small quiet town till a posting of a treasure lay among it.
Now it’s fistfights, angry words and murder.
The sheriff meeting a young boy and his eleven year old sister have been waiting for their mother and sister, they have been gone for two weeks.
No names or address, they were living deep in the woods, privacy was needed. Mercy got permission to look for anything that would give a clue of where she was at. Pictures found, the eyes, it was a friend she knew. Calling him and now asking about the photo, he hadn’t seen his sister in fourteen years.
A story of family found, years made no difference. A treasure will it be found.?
Enjoyed. Given ARC by Net Galley and Montlake for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

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This is a non stop rollercoaster of epic proportion’s.
Mercy and Truman are back finally. I missed them.

Crazy treasure hunters have overrun the small town of Eagles Nest.

Three weeks ago a lawyer had posted online a rambling ten-line composition titled “In the Pines” that supposedly led to a $2 million hidden treasure.

A boy comes in to report his Mother and baby sister missing.

This was my favorite in this series so far. Everybody is running around in different directions to solve not one but two cases.

It took a while to get this one but it was so worth it.

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The latest installment in Kendra Elliot's Mercy Kilpatrick series does not disappoint,. I continue to look forward to more of Mercy's mysteries and am enjoying her progression through the series.

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Whoa what a crazy ride. The characters are amazing, so well developed over the course of this series. This book was fire from page one. So much suspense and multiple plots that tangle into one. Some serious heart stopping and emotional moments throughout. Characters that make you feel for them are key to a book this amazing. This author has wrapped up a great plot with suspense, terror and some laughs. This should top your reading list. Twisty, turny terror at its finest.

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Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of In The Pines by Kendra Elliott
I have read Kendra Elliott's books before, I didn't realize this was part of a series, after reading others reviews I think it would have been beneficial to have read the first 2 books jn the series, that said I wasn't hooked from the beginning, this was an easy read but it just didn't grab me unfortunately. There was a good story line, but I felt it dragged a bit or needed more action. The hunt for the treasure seemed a little far fetched. I wish I had been more intrigued

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An eccentric millionaire leaves a cryptic clue that alludes to a fortune hidden somewhere in Eagle’s Nest and treasure hunters have flocked to the area. Greed and desperation quickly turn to violence and murder. And adding to the town’s troubles, a woman and her young child have disappeared.

FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and Sheriff Evan Bolton investigate the missing woman and her child while Mercy’s husband Police Chief Truman Daley tries to keep a lid on the craziness flooding his town.

Some books feel like home and there are characters that feel like family.

Harry Potter, Amber Farrell, Mercy Thompson, and anything written by Sarah Lyons Fleming are that for me.

And Mercy Kilpatrick.

It’s hard to be objective when you love a series as much as I love this one. 5 Stars.

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Man oh man, what a great read. Elliot always has a way of drawing you into the story and making you fall in love with her characters, all the while giving us a well-written, grippingly taut investigation and police procedural. I love how Elliot has created an interconnected world for her various series starting with the Callahan & McLane series, then the Mercy Kilpatrick series and now the Columbia River series. I can honestly say I’ve read everything Elliot’s written and don’t see that changing anytime soon. I can’t wait to see what comes next. While this book could be read as a stand-alone, this is book three in the Columbia River series, so that you want the best reading experience I suggest reading The Last Sister and The Silence, book 1 & 2. And if you haven’t read them yet and want more of Mercy’s & Truman’s story check out A Merciful Death, Mercy Kilpatrick series book one.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley & Montlake in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change

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When 2 unseemly crimes happened in this small town, things get a little crazy. But as always, it is nothing that Truman and Mercy can’t handle. Mercy, Truman, Ollie and Kaylee are at it again and I am so here for it!
I have read many a novel from Kendra Elliot and was thrilled when I received this ARC. Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review. #Netgalley #InthePines #KendraElliot

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Always excited to catch up with Mercy, Truman, family, and friends. The treasure hunt storyline was interesting and ties in with what I thought was the better story arc of missing parents, self-sufficient kids on their own, and characters discovering family.

All of the books are great, and this one is no different. I like seeing how the characters progress and grow over time. The books also talk about “prepping,” which I find fascinating. It adds another layer to Mercy, how she sees the world, and how it affects her job as an FBI agent. I look forward to reading the next installment and catching up with all the people in Eagle’s Nest.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.

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So happy to dive back into Mercy and Trumans life. I have read all of Kendra's books and Mercy is one of my favorite characters. The suspense is thick but not filled with angst, I try to see how fast I can figure the mystery of who done it and why. Would highly recommend this series. I have almost all of Kendra's books autographed in my library. Thanks to Net Galley & Montlake for an advanced copy.

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This was my first book by Kendra Elliott and it read really easily as a stand alone book, despite being part of a series. The characters are established well and the transitions between each of them felt seamless. I have certainly been drawn to go back and read through the other books in the Columbia River series and also the Mercy Kilpatrick series.

I liked the small town setting and the excitement of the treasure hunt alongside the mysterious disappearance of the Kerr family.

I found this to be an easy read that was nicely paced and it really picked up speed around the 65% mark - it was hard to put down from that point.

The twists weren’t the most surprising maybe but my interest was held throughout and I enjoyed this book.

Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.

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A mother goes missing with her 18 month old daughter, leaving her young daughter and son alone in their cabin in the woods. There’s a treasure hunt with a prize at stake of 2 million dollars and two people who have wound up dead. Is it all related? This book was so GOOD! This book was full of mystery and suspense. At one point I was speed reading just to find out what would happen next. The characters were easy to relate to and I love how they all Intertwined. This was the first book I have read by this author, it was incredible. It read as a stand-alone although it is part of a series.

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It was so good to be back in Mercy & Truman’s world again. I’ve missed them! Truman is the local Police Chief and his town has been mobbed by treasure hunters after an eccentric millionaire’s clues lead them to his home town. The treasure hunt causes lots of trouble in town and leads to murder. A teenage boy turns up in town to say his mother and baby sister are missing. FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is called in because of the missing child. The local Sheriffs Detective Evan is also called in the investigate the murders and all three discover that their cases are linked. Evan also discovers a family connection to the missing woman. I loved how all of the mysteries were woven together and that Kaylie & Ollie played a part in the story. Family is definitely at the heart of this story. I would recommend reading the Mercy Kilpatrick series and other Columbia River books before this to get the most of the story, but it can be read as a stand alone. I hope Evan gets a story next.

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I was so excited to be able to read the ARC of this book! I did not realize how much I missed Mercy and Truman!
One of the best of the series!

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