A Merciful Truth

After reading and loving A Merciful Death, the first book in the Mercy Kilpatrick suspense series, I knew I wanted to get back to Eagle's Nest, Oregon and dive into FBI Special Agent Kilpatrick's next case.

Mercy has a unique background. She's the daughter of 'preppers', survivalists who live off the grid and distrust the government. Mercy's family disowned her years ago and now she's returning to Eagle's Nest on a new case. Since the first book she's set down roots in the small town and is raising her teenage niece and enjoying a relationship with police chief Truman Daly. 

When a series of fires around Eagle's Nest result in the suspicious deaths of two police deputies, the FBI sends Mercy in to figure out what's going on. From anti-government groups, her family's potential involvement and even the threat of militias, the police (and Mercy) have their work cut out for them. This second book was good, but I found the tension a little less than the first book, which remains my favourite so far. 

This is a nice small-town suspense series that readers can slide into. It's got a solid main character with interesting familial baggage, a sweet, slow burn romance and good tension. I recommend reading this series in order and starting with A Merciful Death.

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Kendra Elliot

Genre: Suspense

Series: Mercy Kilpatrick 2

Type and Source: ebook, personal copy

Publisher: Montlake Romance

First Published: June 6, 2017

Read: Sept 6-10, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Raised by a family of survivalists, FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick can take on any challenge—even the hostile reception to her homecoming. But she’s not the only one causing chaos in the rural community of Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. At first believed to be teenage pranks, a series of fires takes a deadly turn with the murder of two sheriff’s deputies. Now, along with Police Chief Truman Daly, Mercy is on the hunt for an arsonist turned killer.

Still shunned by her family and members of the community, Mercy must keep her ear close to the ground to pick up any leads. And it’s not long before she hears rumors of the area’s growing antigovernment militia movement. If the arsonist is among their ranks, Mercy is determined to smoke the culprit out. But when her investigation uncovers a shocking secret, will this hunt for a madman turn into her own trial by fire?