I love these characters! I liked the new character Noelle that was a bigger part of the story, but was so happy to get to revisit Truman, Mercy, Ollie and Kaylee. I like seeing Ollie grow up and am hoping we get more stories as he finds his way in the world. The story was over too fast because I really couldn't put the book down. The old mystery was very intriguing, and I love how the author resolved everything. I really didn't see that ending coming! I am already looking for more books in this series. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wow! This book now lives rent-free in my head. I cannot get it out of my head now. I need more of Mercy Kilpatrick. This was beyond your average police procedural as it was more than just a police investigation. It was an extremely engrossing mystery with twists that you will give you whiplash. The secrets oozed from the pages as I frantically read and read until I finished it with a gaping jaw and sigh.

Two decades ago five teenagers went camping. By the end of the weekend, three had mysteriously disappeared never to be seen again. One was dead and one was left for dead. Somehow Devin Bonner survived that weekend, but he has no memories of what happened to him or his friends. Fast forward 20 years and a popular crime podcaster is now missing. Later than day, his body is found on the side of the river in the same fashion as the teenager was found 20 years ago. Someone wants the past to stay in the past. The similarities are too similar to ignore.

The mystery was intriguing and captivating. The characters are dynamic and relatable. FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her husband Police Chief Truman Daly along with other law enforcement work hard to solve this mystery. As they try to unlock the secrets that are hidden in Devin Bonner's mind, they realize this is mystery is more complex than they first realized.

I am literally awestruck at how good this book was. This was my first read by this author, but it will not be my last. I enjoyed the mystery and getting to know the characters, which were new to me. I think Truman Daly was my favorite character. He is true hero in blue, but he was a hero at home as well. His love and compassion for others was touching. He truly cared. If you enjoy a great mystery that will knock your socks off, you have found it in this one.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

OMG!!! Probably one of the best books I’ve read in a while. This is yet another example of what a phenomenal and talented writer Kendra Elliot is.

At The River is the fifth book in Kendra Elliot’s Columbia River series and the eighth book in her Mercy Kilpatrick series. The story is written in first person from the point of view of the heroine, FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick, the hero, Police Chief Truman Daly, as well as several of the secondary characters, their “son” Ollie and his friend Devon. These multiple view points help the suspense slowly build throughout the story as well as draw the reader deeper into the plot.

Twenty years have passed since Devon Bonner survived the brutal attacked that killed his friend and resulted in the disappear of three others. But FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her husband, Police Chief Truman Daly are tasked with re-examining the cold-case when a true-crime podcaster is found similar murdered in the same location at the river’s edge. Devon is haunted by strong emotions and nightmares of events he can’t remember, and while a friendship with Ollie, Truman’s “son” has helped him deal with the new challenges in his life, someone wants him dead. Will Mercy and Truman solve the mystery before Devon and Ollie step into the killer’s cross-hairs? Read it and find out!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.

At the River is book five in the Columbia River series by Kendra Elliot.
I’ve enjoyed many books written by Elliot. And her writing is something I don’t will ever get old to me.
This thrilling suspense hooked me from the start with engaging characters, twisty mystery and amazing writing.
This book kept me intrigued and wanting more.
At the River was a real page turner and I didn't want to put it down
The Mercy Kilpatrick series is one of my most favorite series. If you enjoyed this one go check out MK you’ll love her also.

Thank You NetGalley and Montlake for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery

I really enjoy these Mercy Kilpatrick books. They are intriguing and engaging.

This one is a mystery of the past and present. The story does start a little slow, but I loved how Elliot was able to pull it all together.

Ollie is older now and helps with tracking due to his unique skills. Mercy is still doing her FBI thing and then there is Truman, the local sheriff and Mercy's husband.

Together, their small town is rocked to the core with murders and past murders that have become relevant again. Kids who were murdered and went missing, a blogger who wants to know the truth, and a community that might not be okay with what truths are out there. This is a twisted tale of betrayal, love, friendship, and family.

I loved this story. It did take me a little bit to get into it, but once you're sucked in, you're in to the end. You won't be disappointed in this story. It's gripping. I can't wait for more.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Kendra Elliot has once again brought mystery to life in the eighth installment of the Mercy Kilpatrick series.

Mercy has been called out to help work a grisly scene where a podcaster has been discovered missing by his wife and the cabin they are renting is full of blood. Miles away, a body has been found in the exact location where two people were found almost 20 years ago. Both of the teens were left for dead, but one miraculously survived but with cognitive deficits.

Are the two crimes related?

Mercy finds out that the podcaster was once a high school classmate of the two teenagers and has come to town to investigate the disappearance of the five teenagers from that fateful camping trip almost 20 years ago. Was he getting too close and that's what lead to this death?

As more and more details come to light, it's clear that the disappearance of the five teens is more than just a urban myth of kids running off to the big city never to be heard from again.

Join Mercy and Truman as they navigate two interwoven crimes and in the strange and odd way it affects their family.

Each venture into Kendra Elliot’s books leaves me well and truly satisfied. We plunge into a dark murder and secrets with plenty of seemingly stray events, witnesses, and evidence only to have my big gasp of appreciation for how it all ties together like a well-crafted puzzle.

At the River is the fifth of the Columbia River series and features mostly characters from the Mercy Kilpatrick world placing it eighth in that series. The Columbia River series tends to weave in and out of several of the author’s series set in that region with engaging follow ups with characters who were side characters in previous series. In this case, fans of Mercy and the gang are given a treat to see Mercy working cases with both Truman and familiar sheriff’s deputy detective, Noelle Marshall who appeared in the previous book. The series is set in the rural regions of central Oregon and bring that area vividly to life from the mountain and forests to the interesting populations of small towns and out in the wilder areas.

I enjoyed this book that takes place just before Mercy and Truman’s first year anniversary. Truman is given expert advice not to downplay the anniversary even if that is what he and Mercy agreed on and he is also contemplating how and when to speak to Ollie about his desire to adopt him as his son even though Ollie is on the eve of his twentieth birthday. Truman and Ollie have been working on filling in the blanks about Ollie’s past regarding his parents since Ollie was little when sent to live with his grandparents deep in the woods where they died without telling him much.

Meanwhile, Mercy is pursuing a new brand of domestic terrorists who like to shoot up energy sub-stations so whole communities are without power-and the miscreants hope will cause them to grow dissatisfied with organized government. But, she is interrupted to come with the local sheriff to the riverbank where a body is found-a body who not only matches the description of a missing man from her home county that Truman and Ollie came across the case, but the man-a true crimes podcaster-is arranged in the same way a previous unsolved case involving five teens from twenty years before-one teen was found dead in that pose, one was found nearly dead in the same pose, and the other three remain missing to this day.

I loved following along as Mercy and Noelle worked the case. The police investigative procedural side is well written and fascinating, but is woven well right into the story so it doesn’t miss a beat. Truman helps where he is needed and Ollie gets a large role in this one as he befriends a man connected to the case and in danger from people who don’t want that old case or this new one to be solved.

I can’t start one of these books without being compelled to read on and never want to stop, and At the River was no exception. When I hit a certain point and the reveals started coming and the action tightened up, I couldn’t stop until the satisfying stunning ending.

Another triumph and I was left sad it was over and hoping deep down that more will come from the Mercy Kilpatrick world-I love it so much. Those who enjoy romantic suspense that balances good character and relationship development with strong police procedural murder mystery should jump in with any of the author’s series (ahem, I suggest the Mercy Kilpatrick) and then enjoy the Columbia River books.

Mercy & her family are back. This time the story revolves around Ollie & his search for his parents. Ollie comes across a distressed woman that needs help. Truman knows that Ollie is good & that he will be able to help with the case of the missing man. But he just does realise what a big part Ollie is going to play in this case. Mercy is working her own case but both cases become intertwined with the past. What does a sole survivor have to do with the missing man that is now dead? The cases become more dangerous as they progress. Can they keep Ollie safe? Where will this lead him in his search?
Another great read in the series. Love reading about the characters and what they have been up to. I enjoy the evolving situation with Mercy & Truman’s relationship.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

What an absolute thrill At The River was! Mercy, Truman and the adorable Ollie solve another crime where a blogger was murdered. Discovering a connection to a cold case makes it even more tricky. Loved the ending and how it all tied together! Another win for Kendra! Thank you NetGalley and Kendra for the ARC

At the River by Kendra Elliot brings mystery and suspense to a police procedural. However, it is so much more than that. This is the fifth book in the Columbia River series and the eighth book in the FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick series and features Mercy, her husband Police Chief Truman Daly, and Truman’s ward Ollie Smith as well as Detective Noelle Marshall of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office. The novel is set in and around Eagle’s Nest, Oregon.

Twenty years ago, five teenage campers disappeared. Two turned up after several days, bound and left for dead on the shore of the Columbia River. The only one of the two to survive was Devin Bonner, but he doesn’t remember what happened. When a true crime podcaster is found dead in the same location with the same manner of death, Mercy, Truman, and other law enforcement personnel are determined to solve the recent murder along with the cold case.

Mercy is calm, intense, a talented investigator, and projects confidence. Truman has a calming effect on others. He also looks out for the older residents of Eagle’s Nest and the surrounding area. Ollie is compassionate, kind, thoughtful, and has a strong sense of right and wrong. Noelle is well-respected and very direct.

The suspenseful and complex story was well-plotted. It blended murder, disappearances, and amnesia with family, friendship, and much more. The story kept me captivated from its gripping beginning to its somewhat surprising conclusion. There are several twists and turns along the way and the pacing was good throughout the book. The author is an excellent storyteller who kept me rapidly turning the pages. My quibbles are that there was a little too much tell versus show at times and the ending was slightly rushed.

While the mysteries and their investigation drive a lot of the story, relationships play a big role as well. I enjoyed their threads being woven into the plot and seeing them unfold. Understanding the fallout from things kept hidden added to the enjoyment of the novel.

Overall, this engrossing police procedural has great characterization with likeable and relatable main characters as well as a solid mystery and story line. Themes include murder, secrets, disappearances, family, caring for others, friendship, and much more. While some characters are recurring, enough background is provided that allows this to work as a standalone novel as well. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Readers who appreciate mysteries and police investigations combined with family relationships will likely enjoy this series. Will Detective Noelle Marshall get her own book soon?

Montlake and Kendra Elliot provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 13, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Kendra Elliott gives us a entertaining keep you the edge of your seat twisted surprise filled storyline with a complex plot that keeps changing right up to the last word this is a nice blend of well rounded interesting characters some likeable and some not so likeable I hope the relationships formed in this book will continue to grow and develop in a future book or books in this series.

I received a advance reader's copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

“she lived in the here and now. with a man who made her pulse quicken every time she looked at him. How did I get so lucky?”

i could not put it down. this book engulfed me in its twisted and confusing plot, from the very first gory scene to the last jaw-dropping revelations. i read it in one sitting. It was the manner in which every parcelle of the narrative was sewed to another piece in some way, and it was all tangled in an absolutely brilliant fashion. the book commences with the disappearance of a crime podcaster and dives later on into a sordid cold case from twenty years ago of some teens being missing and others massacred. however, i loved the contrast between the wicked events of the storyline and Mercy and Truman's beautiful bond and the depiction of the found family they formed with Kylie and Ollie.

many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing and thrilling title by Kendra Elliot.

Ollie is out in one of his outdoor adventures when a woman approaches him, she is clearly in distress. The culprit her husband’s murder.

While Special Agent Mercy Killpatrick is helping the Sheriff or a nearby town, the sheriff receives a call that a body has been found. Which the sheriff asks Mercy for help.

Meanwhile, Truman arrives at a murder scene, none other than the scene from the husband of the woman who approached Ollie, How is this all connected?

Meanwhile other things are going on in their personal lives that are just emotional and personally, they made me so happy yet so sad.

Needless to say that I love this series, the plot is engaging, the characters are incredible to the point to where when you think they have given it all, there is still more to grow and that makes them feel real.


This is for the people who enjoy, mysteries, found families, strong character development, good plot, and great plot twists.


Thank you to NetGalley and the Montelake for an e-copy of At the River

Another great installment in the Mercy Kilpatrick series. It’s always great to check in with Mercy, Truman, and their little family. The investigation of the murdered podcaster at the river’s edge keeps you engaged and guessing. Ollie plays a bigger part in this book and it is nice to see how he has changed since becoming a member of Mercy and Truman’s family.

There is a part of Ollie’s story I found a little odd, but overall, another great story!

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Kendra Elliot for the eARC.

This is book 5 in the “Columbia River” series. I did not read any others in this series and still really enjoyed this crime fiction. I never felt like I was missing anything. A podcaster is found brutally murdered at the river's edge in a small Oregon town. FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrickand her police chief husband, Truman Daly are investigating the case, when they find ties to a 20 year old case where five teens went missing, 2 were recovered and only one survived.

This was a quick, fast paced, suspenseful read. I enjoyed the plot and characters. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Out February 13.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes.

This police procedural novel is the fifth book in Kendra Elliot's Columbia River series, and this is also the first book I've read by this author, and, having not read the previous 4 novels, I was at a disadvantage from the start, and while the author tried to give the reader some backstory on the characters and their relationships to one another, I still suffered from character and relationship confusion. Sadly, the Netgalley blurb didn't mention that 4 novels in this series preceded this one. Had I known that I wouldn't have requested an advance reader copy, and is one of the reasons I am giving this novel a 3-star rating.

I found the writing rather uninspired and average, and, as I'm not a huge fan of police procedurals, I plodded along until the end. The concept was a good one, a 20-year-old murder mystery and present-day attempts to solve it, and more recent murders, but I never felt emotionally connected to any of the many characters, and the denouement didn't thrill me either.

If you're a fan of this genre, and if you've been following this series, I think you'll enjoy this novel far more than I did.

As stated at the outset, I read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

Wow, this was a great read. I have not read anything by this author, so I wasn't aware this was the fifth book in this series. I will definitely be reading the rest as the main character is very likeable. Twenty years ago there were five teenage campers that disappeared. Two are found bound and left for dead. Only Devin survived. Years later, a true crime podcaster is murdered after he does a podcast regarding the case. There were so many ups and downs and twists in this story. The ending is truly shocking and definitely finding out who the culprit was had my jaw dropped.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

The Columbia River series is a mix of stories utilizing characters from some of the author's other series or supporting characters. At The River is the labeled as the fifth book there but honestly it's really more Mercy Kilpatrick series book 8. It is all about Mercy and Truman and their "children."

Mercy and Truman's days and cases keep overlapping with the missing and the dead. Ollie keeps turning up in those wrong places and we learn more about his past. Ollie has been searching for his parents. He does a great job helping a man who was abducted and tortured as a teen.

As the backdrop, Mercy and Truman have been married about a year. We feel their comfort and efforts to build their marriage and family. They are good people and really help the victims and their families in their work, yet wanting to protect their own family.

I really love this setting and characters. I am so happy to have Mercy and Truman move into this series also.

This plot lacked a lot of the elements of the previous books. Mercy is not the kick-a** FBI agent as in the past books. The plot just didn't grab me, and I figured out most of it early on. I did enjoy how Mercy and Truman along with Ollie and Kailey have made a real family that loves and cares for each other.

Twenty years ago, five friends took a camping trip as a celebration of their high school graduation. one died, three disappeared never to be seen since and only one survived and he has no memory of what happened. When a podcaster turns up dead his research into the disappearance and murder is rekindled when he turns up on the bank of the Columbia River where the dead kid and the surviving kid were found. Devin Bonner is the survivor, but he has no memory of what happened.

Mercy and Detective Noelle Marshall have to dig into a twenty-year-old cold case to find the answer to their current murder. There is someone who will kill to make sure that the truth is never known.

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone.

There are few crime-solving pairs as compelling as Mercy and Truman. This duo is featured in numerous books now, and I never tire of the quiet intensity from beginning to end.

Recently, I thought of books that influenced me. This series certainly has because now I think of Oregon as a land of preppers, especially after a certain previous book. This one will leave its mark, too. The haunting scene with Ollie and the woman in the snow may change my thoughts on snowy fields.

I don’t want to give away the details of the the mystery. Suffice to say- it’s well worth the hours it takes to read, and it’s pure reading pleasure, as always. This is one series that is an insta-read. I don’t need the blurb, I just need the book.

A twisty mystery, good characters and fine atmospherics make this a page turner. What really happened all those years ago? You, like me. might guess but keep reading regardless. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.