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Blood River #2
Unstoppable: A Buck Lawson Mystery
Buck Lawson faces his most difficult challenge yet this thrilling second installment of The Blood River series
With the Fourth of July coming up and the Mercy police force already stretched to its limit, police chief Buck Lawson investigates a fraud complaint that leads him to a missing newborn and a terrified, runaway mother. At the same time, the skeletal remains of two young boys are discovered buried on the property of a prominent citizen. As if that weren’t enough, the ghost of Buck’s predecessor, former chief Billy Aikens, pays him an unexpected visit… only this time it is not Billy’s ghost, but his son, Junior. Junior’s purpose in returning to Mercy is as mysterious as it is unsettling, and Buck gradually comes to suspect that Junior holds the key to at least one, if not both, of his current cases.
Though still adjusting to a new job, a new town, and a new family, Buck is acutely aware that the probationary period specified by his contract with the City of Mercy is almost up. His relationship with the mayor has never been ideal, and he knows he could be fired at any time. It therefore seems imprudent to refuse when the mayor asks him to do a favor for an old friend and political ally, Jarrod Whitley.
Whitley is the owner of the legendary Hollowgrove Plantation, which has been an institution in South Georgia for 200 years. The completely self-sustaining 9400-acre estate operates under its own set of rules which includes, as Buck soon comes to understand, a uniquely self-serving interpretation of the law. But when a young woman is murdered, the web of secrecy protecting Hollowgrove begins to unravel, revealing a network of illegal activity that has gone undeterred for decades. It’s up to Buck and his small band of loyal officers to do what no one has been able to do stop this empire of crime before anyone else dies. But time is running out, and the ruthless operators will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.
“Ball does a great job of building suspense, and weaving different elements of mystery together in a story that oozes Southern gothic and atmospheric setting…”
--Booklife Reviews on Unfixable
With the Fourth of July coming up and the Mercy police force already stretched to its limit, police chief Buck Lawson investigates a fraud complaint that leads him to a missing newborn and a terrified, runaway mother. At the same time, the skeletal remains of two young boys are discovered buried on the property of a prominent citizen. As if that weren’t enough, the ghost of Buck’s predecessor, former chief Billy Aikens, pays him an unexpected visit… only this time it is not Billy’s ghost, but his son, Junior. Junior’s purpose in returning to Mercy is as mysterious as it is unsettling, and Buck gradually comes to suspect that Junior holds the key to at least one, if not both, of his current cases.
Though still adjusting to a new job, a new town, and a new family, Buck is acutely aware that the probationary period specified by his contract with the City of Mercy is almost up. His relationship with the mayor has never been ideal, and he knows he could be fired at any time. It therefore seems imprudent to refuse when the mayor asks him to do a favor for an old friend and political ally, Jarrod Whitley.
Whitley is the owner of the legendary Hollowgrove Plantation, which has been an institution in South Georgia for 200 years. The completely self-sustaining 9400-acre estate operates under its own set of rules which includes, as Buck soon comes to understand, a uniquely self-serving interpretation of the law. But when a young woman is murdered, the web of secrecy protecting Hollowgrove begins to unravel, revealing a network of illegal activity that has gone undeterred for decades. It’s up to Buck and his small band of loyal officers to do what no one has been able to do stop this empire of crime before anyone else dies. But time is running out, and the ruthless operators will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.
“Ball does a great job of building suspense, and weaving different elements of mystery together in a story that oozes Southern gothic and atmospheric setting…”
--Booklife Reviews on Unfixable
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2023
60 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 21, 2023
Another Winner from Donna Ball
Loved it. From the time I read the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait for the next one. Unstoppable, featuring the unbeatable Buck Lawson, police chief if Mercy, Georgia, is filled with twists and turns as well as heart and soul. I couldn’t put it down, and when I did, it was with a sigh of satisfaction. Cannot wait for the next one now!
Loved it. From the time I read the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait for the next one. Unstoppable, featuring the unbeatable Buck Lawson, police chief if Mercy, Georgia, is filled with twists and turns as well as heart and soul. I couldn’t put it down, and when I did, it was with a sigh of satisfaction. Cannot wait for the next one now!
August 15, 2023
The next best thing to a Raine Stockton mystery is a Buck Lawson mystery!
I waited awhile before I was able to read the latest Buck Lawson mystery by Donna Ball, but it was worth the wait! In Unstoppable, book 2 in the Blood River series, Ms. Ball takes the readers back to the small-town of Mercy, Georgia on the banks of the Blood River. Donna Ball knows small-town and is talented enough to bring a town alive using words alone. Through Donna Ball's rich and colorful description of Mercy and its quirky townspeople, the town becomes so real, the reader can see Mercy as though they were walking the streets themselves. In fact, for me, reading about Mercy, Georgia, was a trip down memory lane. I was reminded of my own sojourn in small town Georgia, outside of Savannah in the late 70's. I can relate to the main character, Buck Lawson and the feeling of being a "fish out of the water", even after being in town for many months. But, it is worse for Buck because as the new Chief of Police for Mercy, Buck is responsible for keeping the peace. Behind the polite and sweet as honey, southern hospitality, seems to lurk dark secrets, that could destroy the town's otherwise serene atmosphere. Not everyone is who they seem to be. And that underlying suspense is how Donna Ball captures your interest and keeps you glued to her words from the first page to the last!
In Unstoppable, Donna Ball once again, draws the reader into the story, making you an active participant in Mercy, Georgia's mysteries. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what game the mayor was playing with Buck and trying to unravel what secrets were hidden at Hollowgrove Plantation. I was so engrossed in the book, a bomb could have gone off around me and I would not have noticed! Donna Ball's storytelling talents are just that good! Her characters both the main and support characters are so well-developed they seem as real as your next door neighbors. Like myself, a reader may start equating the characters to people the reader has known from the past! Donna Ball is a Master at creating realistic characters a reader can relate to.
I am always reluctant to finish a Donna Ball novel as the wait for the next book is like torture. But with every book of hers I read, I learned that it is well worth the wait. Which is why Donna Ball remains on my Must Read bookshelf. Read Unstoppable, you won't be disappointed!
I waited awhile before I was able to read the latest Buck Lawson mystery by Donna Ball, but it was worth the wait! In Unstoppable, book 2 in the Blood River series, Ms. Ball takes the readers back to the small-town of Mercy, Georgia on the banks of the Blood River. Donna Ball knows small-town and is talented enough to bring a town alive using words alone. Through Donna Ball's rich and colorful description of Mercy and its quirky townspeople, the town becomes so real, the reader can see Mercy as though they were walking the streets themselves. In fact, for me, reading about Mercy, Georgia, was a trip down memory lane. I was reminded of my own sojourn in small town Georgia, outside of Savannah in the late 70's. I can relate to the main character, Buck Lawson and the feeling of being a "fish out of the water", even after being in town for many months. But, it is worse for Buck because as the new Chief of Police for Mercy, Buck is responsible for keeping the peace. Behind the polite and sweet as honey, southern hospitality, seems to lurk dark secrets, that could destroy the town's otherwise serene atmosphere. Not everyone is who they seem to be. And that underlying suspense is how Donna Ball captures your interest and keeps you glued to her words from the first page to the last!
In Unstoppable, Donna Ball once again, draws the reader into the story, making you an active participant in Mercy, Georgia's mysteries. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what game the mayor was playing with Buck and trying to unravel what secrets were hidden at Hollowgrove Plantation. I was so engrossed in the book, a bomb could have gone off around me and I would not have noticed! Donna Ball's storytelling talents are just that good! Her characters both the main and support characters are so well-developed they seem as real as your next door neighbors. Like myself, a reader may start equating the characters to people the reader has known from the past! Donna Ball is a Master at creating realistic characters a reader can relate to.
I am always reluctant to finish a Donna Ball novel as the wait for the next book is like torture. But with every book of hers I read, I learned that it is well worth the wait. Which is why Donna Ball remains on my Must Read bookshelf. Read Unstoppable, you won't be disappointed!
July 1, 2023
Worth waiting for.
I've read all of the Raine Stockton series, and I was really interested in how Buck would fare in a series of his own. Well, after reading the first book, which I loved, I couldn't wait to read this next book in the series. Mercy is a sleepy, peaceful city on the outside, but Buck has already uncovered corruption in the police department itself that helped kill the previous chief, Billy. The mayor is all sugar until something occurs that could taint her city and make her look bad, and Buck's probationary period as Mercy's Chief of Police isn't up for a couple of months. But Buck is learning the job as he goes. He got rid of the corrupt cops, he's learning how to "work" with the mayor, he's hiring men and women who will make his department a "few good cops", he's learning how to be a daddy to his little stepson, Willis, and he's determined to stay in Mercy because his wife, Jolene, likes the place and thinks they can make it their home. But first, he has to get the town ready for the 4th of July celebration, find a missing infant, find out why the new mother ran away, find out who the skeletal remains belong to and why they were buried so many years ago, solve a new murder, and deal with a slimy old rich guy who thinks his money can buy anything and anyone. And when that's done, he has to throw a barbecue for the department that should have been a retirement party for Billy. I sure hope that the next installment of the Blood River series comes out soon because I will be waiting for it. Impatiently.
I've read all of the Raine Stockton series, and I was really interested in how Buck would fare in a series of his own. Well, after reading the first book, which I loved, I couldn't wait to read this next book in the series. Mercy is a sleepy, peaceful city on the outside, but Buck has already uncovered corruption in the police department itself that helped kill the previous chief, Billy. The mayor is all sugar until something occurs that could taint her city and make her look bad, and Buck's probationary period as Mercy's Chief of Police isn't up for a couple of months. But Buck is learning the job as he goes. He got rid of the corrupt cops, he's learning how to "work" with the mayor, he's hiring men and women who will make his department a "few good cops", he's learning how to be a daddy to his little stepson, Willis, and he's determined to stay in Mercy because his wife, Jolene, likes the place and thinks they can make it their home. But first, he has to get the town ready for the 4th of July celebration, find a missing infant, find out why the new mother ran away, find out who the skeletal remains belong to and why they were buried so many years ago, solve a new murder, and deal with a slimy old rich guy who thinks his money can buy anything and anyone. And when that's done, he has to throw a barbecue for the department that should have been a retirement party for Billy. I sure hope that the next installment of the Blood River series comes out soon because I will be waiting for it. Impatiently.
June 24, 2023
I fell for Buck in the Raine Stockton series and have come to love him again now that he has grown up and settle down. The move to Georgia presents so many unexpected opportunities and issues but Buck, his new (and final) wife, stepson, and mother-in-law are working their way into the hearts of the community, but there are people who don't really want an honest, mostly by the book law man who is there to do the job. If you read the Raine Stockon books with the K9 handler, you will laugh when I mention that her current job is sensitivity and de-escalation training, yes, that is who Raine's Buck married. I love his family and am becoming attached to the people who support them. The complexities they face on Unstoppable have never been faced in that southern town before, but they should have been.
July 21, 2023
Mercy, Have Mercy!
What a town filled with corruption. But with a good chief of police and a few upstanding and honest officers, little by little, the corruption will eventually be resolved. So many crimes at once. What will happen to the young ladies who had been working for Whitley? It never mentioned where they ended up. Maybe I need to go back and read the ending again to get more closure. Whitley had a hand in so many illegal things. Crazy evil people! Donna Ball has done herself proud once again! PS Willis is going to be a handful! Buck will continue to be a brilliant leader. And Jo will continue to be very happy, along with her mom!
What a town filled with corruption. But with a good chief of police and a few upstanding and honest officers, little by little, the corruption will eventually be resolved. So many crimes at once. What will happen to the young ladies who had been working for Whitley? It never mentioned where they ended up. Maybe I need to go back and read the ending again to get more closure. Whitley had a hand in so many illegal things. Crazy evil people! Donna Ball has done herself proud once again! PS Willis is going to be a handful! Buck will continue to be a brilliant leader. And Jo will continue to be very happy, along with her mom!
June 30, 2023
Donna Ball is just getting better.
Donna Ball starts off quietly but not for long. The reader is soon enmeshed in distinct personalities right down to a minor character Paulo who sweeps the floor in a beauty salon whose manicurists paints beautiful ombre polish. The genius of this novel is that all the strands of plot, character, and place are fleshed out, deepened, compelling, leading inevitably to a surprise burst of a fireworks ending. The reader can’t help but root for the new Chief of Police and welcome him to Mercy, Georgia for years and years to come.
Donna Ball starts off quietly but not for long. The reader is soon enmeshed in distinct personalities right down to a minor character Paulo who sweeps the floor in a beauty salon whose manicurists paints beautiful ombre polish. The genius of this novel is that all the strands of plot, character, and place are fleshed out, deepened, compelling, leading inevitably to a surprise burst of a fireworks ending. The reader can’t help but root for the new Chief of Police and welcome him to Mercy, Georgia for years and years to come.
July 26, 2023
Unstoppable to put down
This may be her best and I've read the only reminding that so many are still unresolved issues of the past. I stayed up all night reading as I couldn't put this one down.
It's good to see Buck, my favorite, but troubled character find his peace. I kept hopes for he and Raine from an earlier series but there was just too much to overcome.
I'd love to revisit any of Donna's other series soon. Maybe even Sanctuary? Her novels are all so timely and inclusive. AND there's always a dog.
This may be her best and I've read the only reminding that so many are still unresolved issues of the past. I stayed up all night reading as I couldn't put this one down.
It's good to see Buck, my favorite, but troubled character find his peace. I kept hopes for he and Raine from an earlier series but there was just too much to overcome.
I'd love to revisit any of Donna's other series soon. Maybe even Sanctuary? Her novels are all so timely and inclusive. AND there's always a dog.
June 27, 2025
I love this series. But then I love all the series so far from Ms. Ball. I have already started the third in this series. As I said in my review of the first book in the series, I wasn’t expecting to love them as much as Flash and Raine Stockton series, or of course Lady Bug Farm. But each character has woven itself into my mind, like an old friend. I hope there will be more as now I am invested in this series too. It has family, mystery, a little humor, love and at least one dog. Great reads and I highly recommend them, and all her series she has written so far.
June 26, 2023
Donna Ball possesses a real knack for writing mysteries. Unstoppable is no exception. I loved revisiting the characters from the first book in this series. An above the law property owner, 30-year-old murders, and a kidnapped baby. A little boy going for a walk to see his step-dad, a pretty new cop on the force, and age-old race issues. I was sorry when it ended. Now if Billy would only stay dead. Looking forward to the next one.
August 10, 2024
This is a great series. A literary spinoff from the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series, these books have a grittier feel with a distinct edge. The plotlines are nicely done and the characters feel real to the context. Miss Corine is the only larger-than-life character, but for anyone who grew up in a small southern town, even she is believable. Besides the mystery itself, there is a subtext of racial tensions in the South which is handled deftly without the broad-brush bashing of the area that many writers indulge in. I eagerly await the next installment.
June 25, 2023
Love the Buck Lawson Series!
This series, like all of Donna Ball’s books, keeps you guessing from start to finish. Just the right amount of human emotions including uncertainty, love, worry, contemplation, and curiosity. And, hope. Especially hope. Read this series because it has everything and you will enjoy it immensely.
This series, like all of Donna Ball’s books, keeps you guessing from start to finish. Just the right amount of human emotions including uncertainty, love, worry, contemplation, and curiosity. And, hope. Especially hope. Read this series because it has everything and you will enjoy it immensely.
November 15, 2025
I enjoy these stories about Buck Lawson and his family set in the Southern town of Mercy. It's a new job, a new town, and a new family, and Buck is discovering there is something rotten underneath the charm of the city that he as police chief has to ferret out. Good police work, good characterizations, good plot.
July 18, 2023
Great series
This book started off slow (so give it a minute) before building into quite the adventure. Really enjoying this version of Buck Lawson, his new family and town. Looking forward to more adventures with them.
This book started off slow (so give it a minute) before building into quite the adventure. Really enjoying this version of Buck Lawson, his new family and town. Looking forward to more adventures with them.
December 21, 2023
great story
This new addition to The Blood River Series is amazing. It is nice to see that Buck has grown more mature and a strong Chief of Police. Billy is a nice change to the storyline. I eagerly await the next book in this series.
This new addition to The Blood River Series is amazing. It is nice to see that Buck has grown more mature and a strong Chief of Police. Billy is a nice change to the storyline. I eagerly await the next book in this series.
December 31, 2025
Great book Buck Lawson book 2 Not going to give a breakdown of the book because don't want to give any spoilers but these and books are really well written Complex characters and I'm looking forward to the next
June 28, 2023
fantastic read!
I could not put this book down! Wow! Such a great read, suspense twists and turns! Can’t wait for the next one!
I could not put this book down! Wow! Such a great read, suspense twists and turns! Can’t wait for the next one!
February 13, 2024
Unstoppable review
Hard to put down. The second book in the series. I am looking forward to the third. A good sreies
Hard to put down. The second book in the series. I am looking forward to the third. A good sreies
February 23, 2024
Unstoppable
A really great read. Fantastic and realistic characters. Interesting story plot. Read in one day because I couldn't put it down.
A really great read. Fantastic and realistic characters. Interesting story plot. Read in one day because I couldn't put it down.
November 11, 2024
Good Series
Another great book. Buck has his hands full with his new town. So much going on! You’ll love this 2nd in the series. Can’t wait for the next one.
Another great book. Buck has his hands full with his new town. So much going on! You’ll love this 2nd in the series. Can’t wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews