When FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick is assigned a murder case that will take her back to her hometown of Eagle's Nest, Oregon, she knows she will have to face the family that has shunned her for 15 years. The town of preppers and survivalists is the site of three recent murders in which a large number of weapons have been stolen. On her arrival, she meets the local police chief, Truman Daly. Truman's journey to Eagle's Nest began with the death of his partner that he believes he might have been able to prevent. Both find themselves embroiled in a case which may raise the issues from Mercy's past that caused her to leave town and an attraction that could prove inconvenient.

A Merciful Death is a good beginning to the Mercy Kilpatrick series, introducing many characters and the town of Eagle's Nest. It also introduces the world of preppers, with lots of interesting information and an intriguing mystery. However, the writing doesn't evoke much emotion, and it is difficult to connect with the characters or their romance. There are also parts of the narrative that are very slow and even the parts of the novel that are meant to be suspenseful don't really offer that much suspense. Overall, A Merciful Death succeeds as the introduction to a new series but that is where interest ends. ( )

I did finish this but it is SLOW moving....too slow for me. There is virtually no romance going on. Truman is interested in her and she responds to the interest at the end of the book. The last 20% was what I was hoping for much sooner regarding the murders. I think I'll move on from this series for now. ( )

I don't understand how this book was rated so high. Ugh was how I felt after reading it. Two examples below but most of the story went this way.

Mercy, the lead character, acted more like a batty housewife than an FBI agent with 6 years of experience, who faced up to her father, left her home at 18 and paid her way through college. She kept her secret for 15 years but blabbed all of it after knowing a guy for a week.

Truman, the town Sheriff, spent all of his time chasing the first woman that comes to town, ignores the law and choses the wrong path, though Mercy and her siblings actions 15 years earlier led to his uncle's death.

Lastly, the author seemed to do zero research on preppers, though it was a central theme through out the book. ( )

I quite enjoyed this one and will certainly be continuing the series. One thing I love to find in fiction is a strong sense of place and an introduction to a new culture. The preppers of Oregon are certainly a new culture for me! ( )

A pretty good start to this series. I enjoy the aspect of the FBI agent in a romance with the small town police chief. I can't wait to see where this relationship goes. ( )