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Mercy Watts Mysteries #1
A Good Man Gone
It’s summer in St. Louis and Mercy Watts is on vacation from her parents. The great detective and his nosy wife are on a cruise and Mercy thinks she’s off the hook for doing any investigating for them. But when a family friend has a fatal heart attack, Dad has one of his famous feelings and orders Mercy to look into it. Mercy tries not to get sucked in. She really does, but she’s her father’s daughter. Soon Gavin’s death leads to a more grisly one, the death of a bride on her wedding day. Can the two be connected? Was Gavin murdered? Now Mercy can’t stop. You do for family. That’s all there is to it.
302 pages, ebook
First published May 26, 2013
1285 people are currently reading
2282 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Hartoin
47 books228 followersUSA Today bestselling author A.W. Hartoin grew up in rural Missouri, but her grandmother lived in the Central West End area of St. Louis. The CWE fascinated her with its enormous houses, every one unique. She was sure there was a story behind each ornate door. Going to Grandma’s house was a treat and an adventure. As the only grandchild around for many years, A.W. spent her visits exploring the many rooms with their many secrets. That’s how Mercy Watts and the fairies of Whipplethorn came to be.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
March 21, 2022
Okay. Yes. I get it. The main character looks like Marilyn. I don’t need to be reminded of it on every page. Really. Thank you.
That whole thing alone would keep me from reading another book in the series. I’m sure being stunningly gorgeous has its drawbacks. My heart bleeds, really it does. Please, tell me again how you and your mother literally stop traffic.
On the whole, this wasn’t a bad story. I liked the basic storyline, of the investigation into the death of a friend of the family. At least she had some justification to do so, as her father is a private investigator, and she has worked with him; it’s not just an actress-lookalike tripping over a corpse sort of a story. The writing was tolerable; I don’t recall any objections. Apart from a bit too strong a concentration on bedding and clothes… I do remember there were a few really nice descriptive moments. And the basic concept of a character with a strong resemblance to an icon could be made to pay off beautifully. If not beaten into the ground.
But I disliked Mercy Watts, above and beyond the Marilyn thing. Although the Marilyn thing was a lot of it: she seemed to either rely on it in place of actual effort, or have to make a greater effort to get past the obstacle it presented. Every article of clothing she wore had to be detailed, and whether it enhanced or detracted from the Marilyn thing. And then there was the fact that on one page she would be preening over the attention the resemblance gets her … but a couple of pages later she would be disgusted by people noticing.
Too, she was supposed to be a nurse, but couldn’t be troubled to get off her butt and go to work; she’s much too busy doing other things, like unlicensed private investigation. That, and rolling over and going back to sleep. Her career in the medical field was very hard to buy.
I also despised the relationship with her cousin Aaron. He’s fat and unkempt and a bit obtuse, and the underlying feeling is not so much that she doesn’t want to spend time with him as that she doesn’t want to be seen with him. I understand that this was intended as a comic mystery (I’ve seen a lot of comparisons to Stephanie Plum, which explains a bit of why I didn’t enjoy it more), but I dreaded Aaron’s scenes in the book as much as Mercy did, simply because they meant that she would act like a sulky twelve-year-old. (Who looked like Marilyn.)
That whole thing alone would keep me from reading another book in the series. I’m sure being stunningly gorgeous has its drawbacks. My heart bleeds, really it does. Please, tell me again how you and your mother literally stop traffic.
On the whole, this wasn’t a bad story. I liked the basic storyline, of the investigation into the death of a friend of the family. At least she had some justification to do so, as her father is a private investigator, and she has worked with him; it’s not just an actress-lookalike tripping over a corpse sort of a story. The writing was tolerable; I don’t recall any objections. Apart from a bit too strong a concentration on bedding and clothes… I do remember there were a few really nice descriptive moments. And the basic concept of a character with a strong resemblance to an icon could be made to pay off beautifully. If not beaten into the ground.
But I disliked Mercy Watts, above and beyond the Marilyn thing. Although the Marilyn thing was a lot of it: she seemed to either rely on it in place of actual effort, or have to make a greater effort to get past the obstacle it presented. Every article of clothing she wore had to be detailed, and whether it enhanced or detracted from the Marilyn thing. And then there was the fact that on one page she would be preening over the attention the resemblance gets her … but a couple of pages later she would be disgusted by people noticing.
Too, she was supposed to be a nurse, but couldn’t be troubled to get off her butt and go to work; she’s much too busy doing other things, like unlicensed private investigation. That, and rolling over and going back to sleep. Her career in the medical field was very hard to buy.
I also despised the relationship with her cousin Aaron. He’s fat and unkempt and a bit obtuse, and the underlying feeling is not so much that she doesn’t want to spend time with him as that she doesn’t want to be seen with him. I understand that this was intended as a comic mystery (I’ve seen a lot of comparisons to Stephanie Plum, which explains a bit of why I didn’t enjoy it more), but I dreaded Aaron’s scenes in the book as much as Mercy did, simply because they meant that she would act like a sulky twelve-year-old. (Who looked like Marilyn.)
August 6, 2018
This is weird because I didn’t like any of the characters but I enjoyed the story. Not sure how that works. Mercy Watts is not a likable person and then we you meet her parents you realize they raised her that way. Mercy spends the entire book doing whatever her family asks her to do and using her looks to get what she wants from other people. She treats and judges people by their looks at the same time she is lamenting about people judging her for her looks.
The mystery is great though and the author does a really good job of linking all the stories and pieces together. The bad guy is extremely obvious from the get-go but I didn’t feel bored while Mercy put the links together. This was the only thing that saved the book for me.
I enjoyed the narrator and will like listening to other stories by this narrator.
The mystery is great though and the author does a really good job of linking all the stories and pieces together. The bad guy is extremely obvious from the get-go but I didn’t feel bored while Mercy put the links together. This was the only thing that saved the book for me.
I enjoyed the narrator and will like listening to other stories by this narrator.
August 13, 2016
I thought the mystery plot-line of this book was actually pretty good. The story was set up in a plausible (or at least, consistent within its own universe) kind of way and unfolded at a fairly even pace.
This book was free, so I should not be surprised by the errors that I found (cue when she meant queue, for just one example--I didn't keep track as I was reading). In fact, there were fewer of this type of mistakes in this book by far than in your average free book, although still enough for me to take note (obviously).
What really just drove me freaking nuts about this novel was how vain the narrator was. I couldn't fairly hazard a guess as to the percentage of this book that harps on how much Mercy Watts looks like Marilyn Monroe (actually just "Marilyn"--as if she should be on a first-name basis with a superstar who died long before she was even born), or how amazing her boobs were, or how many people couldn't stop staring at her, but it is definitely too much. In fact we're even expected to believe that she is LESS conspicuous with two black eyes, a neck brace, a bunch of lacerations, etc., than she is when she's just boppin' around town looking like "Marilyn." Give me a break. I have no problem with a good-looking protagonist but for this piece of information to be hammered at so unsubtly, unartistically, and unceasingly is just, well, boring and stupid!
I probably won't continue on with the series, but I do hope the author hires a sharper-eyed editor and relaxes her death-grip on the Marilyn look-alike angle, because the bones of this murder-mystery were really pretty good.
This book was free, so I should not be surprised by the errors that I found (cue when she meant queue, for just one example--I didn't keep track as I was reading). In fact, there were fewer of this type of mistakes in this book by far than in your average free book, although still enough for me to take note (obviously).
What really just drove me freaking nuts about this novel was how vain the narrator was. I couldn't fairly hazard a guess as to the percentage of this book that harps on how much Mercy Watts looks like Marilyn Monroe (actually just "Marilyn"--as if she should be on a first-name basis with a superstar who died long before she was even born), or how amazing her boobs were, or how many people couldn't stop staring at her, but it is definitely too much. In fact we're even expected to believe that she is LESS conspicuous with two black eyes, a neck brace, a bunch of lacerations, etc., than she is when she's just boppin' around town looking like "Marilyn." Give me a break. I have no problem with a good-looking protagonist but for this piece of information to be hammered at so unsubtly, unartistically, and unceasingly is just, well, boring and stupid!
I probably won't continue on with the series, but I do hope the author hires a sharper-eyed editor and relaxes her death-grip on the Marilyn look-alike angle, because the bones of this murder-mystery were really pretty good.
March 31, 2014
When I used to want a fun and quick read with interesting characters, I used to reach for Janet Evanovich (please - no snickers). However, those books became too predictable and lost their appeal. But now, I have the Mercy Watts series to go to.
Mercy does not take herself seriously and is entertaining. The author has created a character that understands her physical wiles and is not beyond using them. While this story may not be high brow or thought provoking, it is enjoyable. A fast pace entertaining read.
Mercy does not take herself seriously and is entertaining. The author has created a character that understands her physical wiles and is not beyond using them. While this story may not be high brow or thought provoking, it is enjoyable. A fast pace entertaining read.
August 24, 2013
Thoroughly enjoyable, this cozy mystery will keep you guessing and chuckling all the way to the end. Ms. Hartoin has a way with words that plunges you into the story and makes you feel as if you know each and every character, no matter how small.
Mercy, our heroine, is a nurse and the daughter of a detective. She also has friends and family in the police department, but really doesn't love investigating much of anything despite her father continually tossing cases her way.
When a family friend dies unexpectedly, Mercy pulls some strings and finds out it wasn't a heart attack as originally suspected, but murder. And thus begins our story, which ended up being far more complex that I would have imagined.
While I loved the quirky characters and interesting plot, the fact the Mercy was constantly being hit on by every character with the slightest bit of testosterone got a little old. A few times would have gotten the point across that she was gorgeous and sexy, but after I while I nearly stopped reading -- it irritated me that much. And it's the only reason this wasn't a five flower review with bells on.
Hopefully the author tones that down a bit in the next book, because otherwise this was a winner. If you like a light-hearted cozy mystery with fun, well-rounded characters and murder you won't solve until Mercy does, I recommend A Good Man Gone. It's a winner.
Mercy, our heroine, is a nurse and the daughter of a detective. She also has friends and family in the police department, but really doesn't love investigating much of anything despite her father continually tossing cases her way.
When a family friend dies unexpectedly, Mercy pulls some strings and finds out it wasn't a heart attack as originally suspected, but murder. And thus begins our story, which ended up being far more complex that I would have imagined.
While I loved the quirky characters and interesting plot, the fact the Mercy was constantly being hit on by every character with the slightest bit of testosterone got a little old. A few times would have gotten the point across that she was gorgeous and sexy, but after I while I nearly stopped reading -- it irritated me that much. And it's the only reason this wasn't a five flower review with bells on.
Hopefully the author tones that down a bit in the next book, because otherwise this was a winner. If you like a light-hearted cozy mystery with fun, well-rounded characters and murder you won't solve until Mercy does, I recommend A Good Man Gone. It's a winner.
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June 9, 2016
Mercy Watts is a part-time nurse who also occasionally helps her father, Tommy Watts, on cases. Tommy is a police detective-turned-private detective. His former partner, Gavin Flouder, is found dead of a heart attack, but Tommy doesn't believe it. Unfortunately, Mercy's father and mother are on a cruise, so he asks Mercy to check out what really happened, because he believes that Gavin was murdered. Finding out her father's instincts are correct, she now has a new task: Solve Gavin's murder for him. Mercy is none too happy with her assignment, but agrees to do it.
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review; and I always give honest reviews, whether they be good or bad. Which isn't to say this was bad, as it wove the details of both murder cases in and out like a tapestry. It was an interesting read, and Aaron was a hoot.
But, oh, Mercy, Mercy me...I had to give the rating because of her. I found Mercy herself over the top. Supposedly, she looks so much like Marilyn Monroe that she has stalkers. Why she has stalkers is kind of odd - some pictures showed up on YouTube, and now men are following her around and it just Didn't Make Any Sense To Me. Why? Well, an example: she's jogging through an airport and one man drops his briefcase because he's staring at her boobs (as the author repeatedly refers to them), and another's wife hits him in the back of the head. Really? I was beginning to wonder if Mercy was walking around with see-through clothing and no underwear, because I just couldn't understand the idea of men acting this way. It kind of makes one never want to go to Missouri, just in case, if you get my drift. One man even makes an obscene gesture - which seems odd if they weren't porn photos, because if they were just of a beautiful woman, I don't believe a man would just do something like that. They were also leaving messages and heavy breathing on her phone. What exactly WAS on YouTube? Then, they start harassing her mother, because she looks even MORE like Marilyn. I can find no rational reason that these men should be harassing Mercy or her mother for photos, and, in my opinion, it only detracted from the mystery. I didn't see how she could conduct her own murder investigation if she was continually being followed by men. It makes you wonder what was wrong with these men.
Anyway, my own suggestion is, if this series is continued, tone down Mercy with the stalkers just a tad and let the book stand on its own merits. Believe me, it just might be interesting enough to see if it could.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2014
Für die Familie
Gerade als Mercys Eltern auf einer Kreuzfahrt sind, stirbt der 55jährige Gavin plötzlich an einem Herzinfarkt. Klar, er hatte gesundheitliche Probleme, aber er war doch auf dem Weg der Besserung. Mercy, die als Krankenschwester bei einer Zeitarbeitsfirma arbeitet, hat ein ungutes Gefühl. Sie überredet einen Bekannten ihres Vaters, sich die Leiche einmal genauer anzuschauen. Der Pathologe tut ihr den Gefallen und endet mit einer richtigen Autopsie, denn Gavin wurde tatsächlich ermordet. Mercys Vater, der Ex-Polizist und jetzige Privatdetektiv, hält es auf seinem Schiff kaum noch aus. Nicht nur wegen Gavin, er hat sich einen Virus eingefangen und ist richtig krank. Deshalb wollen Mercys Eltern so schnell wie möglich zurück, bis dahin jedoch ist Mercy für die Sache verantwortlich. Als ob sie nicht schon genug andere Probleme hätte, sie sieht der verstorbenen Marilyn sehr ähnlich und damit fällt sie doch auf.
Mal wieder eine nette Überraschung an der Gratisfront. Mercy Watts ist amüsant, witzig und chaotisch. Und natürlich der Familie sehr verbunden, wenn ihr Vater ruft, dann ermittelt sie, obwohl sie die Familientradition nicht fortsetzt, denn in das Geschäft des Vaters will sie nicht einsteigen. Und sie ermittelt gar nicht mal schlecht. Mit Intelligenz und Neugier geht sie an die Sache und lässt sich auch von ihrem Cop-Cousin nicht bremsen. Wenn es sein muss, natürlich muss es häufiger mal sein, nutzt sie ihr Aussehen, um an Informationen zu kommen. Hartnäckig bleibt sie an der Sache dran. Gavins Tod soll schließlich nicht ungesühnt bleiben.
Mercy Watts ist eine sympathische Ermittlerin, die eigentlich keine ist und auch keine sein will. Dennoch stolpert sie in ihre Fälle. Und manchmal bekommt sie dabei Hilfe von ihren skurrilen Verwandten und Freunden. Alles liebenswürdig schräge Charaktere, hilfsbereit und doch mit eigenen Problem behaftet. Hin und wieder wird die Hilfe fast schon unerträglich, doch wenn es wirklich zu viel zu werden droht, gerät Mercy in Situationen, in denen sie dann doch heilfroh ist, dass die unwillkommene Gesellschaft ihr sur Seite steht. Leicht und angenehm zu lesen, dabei doch fesselnd und unterhaltsam.
Gerade als Mercys Eltern auf einer Kreuzfahrt sind, stirbt der 55jährige Gavin plötzlich an einem Herzinfarkt. Klar, er hatte gesundheitliche Probleme, aber er war doch auf dem Weg der Besserung. Mercy, die als Krankenschwester bei einer Zeitarbeitsfirma arbeitet, hat ein ungutes Gefühl. Sie überredet einen Bekannten ihres Vaters, sich die Leiche einmal genauer anzuschauen. Der Pathologe tut ihr den Gefallen und endet mit einer richtigen Autopsie, denn Gavin wurde tatsächlich ermordet. Mercys Vater, der Ex-Polizist und jetzige Privatdetektiv, hält es auf seinem Schiff kaum noch aus. Nicht nur wegen Gavin, er hat sich einen Virus eingefangen und ist richtig krank. Deshalb wollen Mercys Eltern so schnell wie möglich zurück, bis dahin jedoch ist Mercy für die Sache verantwortlich. Als ob sie nicht schon genug andere Probleme hätte, sie sieht der verstorbenen Marilyn sehr ähnlich und damit fällt sie doch auf.
Mal wieder eine nette Überraschung an der Gratisfront. Mercy Watts ist amüsant, witzig und chaotisch. Und natürlich der Familie sehr verbunden, wenn ihr Vater ruft, dann ermittelt sie, obwohl sie die Familientradition nicht fortsetzt, denn in das Geschäft des Vaters will sie nicht einsteigen. Und sie ermittelt gar nicht mal schlecht. Mit Intelligenz und Neugier geht sie an die Sache und lässt sich auch von ihrem Cop-Cousin nicht bremsen. Wenn es sein muss, natürlich muss es häufiger mal sein, nutzt sie ihr Aussehen, um an Informationen zu kommen. Hartnäckig bleibt sie an der Sache dran. Gavins Tod soll schließlich nicht ungesühnt bleiben.
Mercy Watts ist eine sympathische Ermittlerin, die eigentlich keine ist und auch keine sein will. Dennoch stolpert sie in ihre Fälle. Und manchmal bekommt sie dabei Hilfe von ihren skurrilen Verwandten und Freunden. Alles liebenswürdig schräge Charaktere, hilfsbereit und doch mit eigenen Problem behaftet. Hin und wieder wird die Hilfe fast schon unerträglich, doch wenn es wirklich zu viel zu werden droht, gerät Mercy in Situationen, in denen sie dann doch heilfroh ist, dass die unwillkommene Gesellschaft ihr sur Seite steht. Leicht und angenehm zu lesen, dabei doch fesselnd und unterhaltsam.
August 20, 2013
Mercy Watts is a sassy nurse, who just happens to look exactly like Marilyn Monroe, and often ends up working as a detective under her father's orders. She really just needs to admit to herself that she loves to play detective, instead of constantly denying it. You can tell that she gets a thrill out of her sleuthing.
Her parents are away on vacation, so she thinks that she can get a break from playing detective, until a family friend drops dead of a supposed myocardial infarction (a.k.a. heart attack). Her father suspects foul play, and puts Mercy on the case until he and his wife can get home to take over. He is correct. Mercy now finds herself trying to follow Gavin's final days, to uncover the case on which he was working, and hopefully also his murderer. She finds help via her unusual relatives and friends (acquaintances?) and starts to piece together the story.
As you meet her family members, you can see from where she gets her saucy side. It would be impossible to grow up in that kind of environment and not turn out that way! The crazy characters help to keep the story entertaining. I found myself snickering out loud several times.
'A Good Man Gone' is actually a part of a series of mysteries that center around Mercy Watts. This is the only one that I have read at this point. It definitely works as a stand alone book, but just may whet your appetite for more! I am going to keep an eye open for more mysteries, because Mercy is a fun change of pace for me.
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Her parents are away on vacation, so she thinks that she can get a break from playing detective, until a family friend drops dead of a supposed myocardial infarction (a.k.a. heart attack). Her father suspects foul play, and puts Mercy on the case until he and his wife can get home to take over. He is correct. Mercy now finds herself trying to follow Gavin's final days, to uncover the case on which he was working, and hopefully also his murderer. She finds help via her unusual relatives and friends (acquaintances?) and starts to piece together the story.
As you meet her family members, you can see from where she gets her saucy side. It would be impossible to grow up in that kind of environment and not turn out that way! The crazy characters help to keep the story entertaining. I found myself snickering out loud several times.
'A Good Man Gone' is actually a part of a series of mysteries that center around Mercy Watts. This is the only one that I have read at this point. It definitely works as a stand alone book, but just may whet your appetite for more! I am going to keep an eye open for more mysteries, because Mercy is a fun change of pace for me.
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2013
Finally A.W Hartoin has done a full length Mercy Watts story and a thoroughly enjoyable one it is! It is a nice mystery, combined with humor and loveable characters. I can't wait until the next one.
February 3, 2015
Quick read, good mystery and some giggles.
April 11, 2014
Although I enjoyed this mystery, I did not think it ranks up with some of the best I have ever read. In the story, Mercy Watts, a sassy nurse, takes over for her father, a retired police detective turned private investigator, who is initially away on a cruise and returns home mid-way through with a nasty virus that keeps him from working. Mercy learns the husband of a close family friend has died of a heart attack. Initially, mercy’s father is reluctant to believe the man died from a simple heart attack, and very soon things point to his murder rather than simple heart attack death. Mercy becomes involved in a long investigation into the murder, and the result is a myriad of intriguing twists and turns as she proceeds through her investigation. The story is well written and held my attention and interest from the start. However, the huge cast of characters at times left me a bit confused about who was who and how they fit into the story. The author has also included a couple of characters, namely Mercy’s Uncle and his friend (not sure if that is the best word to use to describe him) Aaron, who suddenly appear in the story and really did not, in my opinion, add much to the story. In fact, these two characters upset me, as they interfered with the investigation and treated mercy worse than anyone would treat an infant. Yes, she could get into trouble easily, as she proved, but she was in her twenties and a qualified nurse, who had to be ready and able to handle any and all problems in her work that might come up. Nevertheless, her uncle and Aaron, both of whom came across as very unlikable persons, treated her like she was incapable of doing the simplest of tasks. The author tried to let us believe her father also felt this way, but it was inconsistent with someone who would trust her to run an investigation in his name, where any major errors or problems could easily haunt him and his business. In addition, Mercy seems ambivalent about her looks. At one point she is angry if someone recognizes her beauty and Marilyn Monroe resemblance, while at others she relishes and plays on this aspect. There was an on-going incident throughout the book, where someone had put some suggestive pictures of Mercy on the Internet, and she and her mother got upset by this. I saw this as totally irrelevant to the story and more of a distractor than a help.
The story moves along nicely but could have been more streamlined without some of the distractors the author put into the book. In an attempt, I guess, to insert some humor. Reviewers have compared this to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books, but, these are far and above these. This book just doesn’t seem to have the humor, the pizazz, the verve that Janet Evanovich’s books do. There is a good story here and the author shows promise, but it needs work. The cozy mystery reader will find this of interest. I enjoy those, but am unsure, right now, whether I will read any more in the series.
I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
The story moves along nicely but could have been more streamlined without some of the distractors the author put into the book. In an attempt, I guess, to insert some humor. Reviewers have compared this to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books, but, these are far and above these. This book just doesn’t seem to have the humor, the pizazz, the verve that Janet Evanovich’s books do. There is a good story here and the author shows promise, but it needs work. The cozy mystery reader will find this of interest. I enjoy those, but am unsure, right now, whether I will read any more in the series.
I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
August 20, 2013
Don't judge this book by its cover. This is a fabulous mystery and Mercy Watts is the kind of heroine you have to love. She's a sexier, smarter version of Stephanie Plum. (And well, her cars don't get blown up)
Her dad's a former cop and a PI and she is a nurse/assistant that's dating a doctor.
For a reasonably short novel (a little over 200 pages) the mystery is pretty complex. In fact, there are two murders to be solved, a bride killed on her wedding day and Gavin, the family friend whose seemingly normal death turns out to be murder.
There are so many ideas of who might be the killer, but even as you approach the last 30 pages, you don't have an idea of whodunit! That to me makes for a great mystery.
I love all the quirky characters, especially uncle Morty and Aaron.
This is a fast paced book that's full of madness, mayhem and hilarity. Its it the first full length Mercy Watts story, there have been a few short stories prior to this. I can't wait to read them, and I hope there will be more Mercy stories in the future, she's a character you really fall in love with.
Her dad's a former cop and a PI and she is a nurse/assistant that's dating a doctor.
For a reasonably short novel (a little over 200 pages) the mystery is pretty complex. In fact, there are two murders to be solved, a bride killed on her wedding day and Gavin, the family friend whose seemingly normal death turns out to be murder.
There are so many ideas of who might be the killer, but even as you approach the last 30 pages, you don't have an idea of whodunit! That to me makes for a great mystery.
I love all the quirky characters, especially uncle Morty and Aaron.
This is a fast paced book that's full of madness, mayhem and hilarity. Its it the first full length Mercy Watts story, there have been a few short stories prior to this. I can't wait to read them, and I hope there will be more Mercy stories in the future, she's a character you really fall in love with.
March 30, 2014
When a long time family friend dies unexpectedly people become suspicious that the reported cause of death Mercy is asked to help investigate.
I like the way this author creates characters. They seem to be real people and not stereotypes. I found it easy to connect with the majority of the characters and I got a sense of who they were.
There were many surprises in the book but one incident was too predictable. But even this one particular event did have surprising outcome.
I enjoyed the book and certainly will recommend it to my friends. I received my copy of this book for free in exchange for this honest review. I liked the book so much that I have already purchased the next book in the series.
I like the way this author creates characters. They seem to be real people and not stereotypes. I found it easy to connect with the majority of the characters and I got a sense of who they were.
There were many surprises in the book but one incident was too predictable. But even this one particular event did have surprising outcome.
I enjoyed the book and certainly will recommend it to my friends. I received my copy of this book for free in exchange for this honest review. I liked the book so much that I have already purchased the next book in the series.
August 30, 2015
Stopped reading after a few chapters. The main character's Marilyn-ness is too darn much. I GET it. She is an exact copy of Marilyn Monroe. There's no need for it to be repeated every other paragraph. And the way she keeps talking about her perfect self and how men are suckers for it, and how she pulls out what she calls the "big guns" on them (which works AMAZINGLY, by the way) was seriously irritating. Was I even reading a mystery book??
Hated it.
Hated it.
July 4, 2020
omg - too much Marilyn - is she even relevant today? And all the food references - gross. The basic who-dunit-storyline was good though; it's the only reason I gave it two stars. Definitely will not read the rest of the series. It was a chore to get to the end of this one.
February 12, 2015
Inappropriate dialog in chapter one. I don't care about her chest size or what construction workers think about it. Just seemed out of place for a mystery, so after a few pages I was done.
June 6, 2020
Fun book to read. Quick.
May 3, 2021
Funny and intriguing
A fast paced mystery for a nurse thst has to take up her dads investigation into an old friends death. Between liars and stalkers it will be tricky. A fun fast paced mystery with a Marilyn Monroe look alike.
A fast paced mystery for a nurse thst has to take up her dads investigation into an old friends death. Between liars and stalkers it will be tricky. A fun fast paced mystery with a Marilyn Monroe look alike.
April 1, 2014
I received this book via the Members Giveaway on Library Thing.
The title of A Good Man Gone refers to Gavin Flouder, a family friend of the Watts family and a business associate of patriarch and former police detective Tommy Watts. Gavin dies of an apparent MI and on a hunch of Tommy's, his daughter Mercy, a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe, investigates the death---and soon it's ruled a homicide.
This chick-lit mystery by Anne W Hartoin is fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. The family members and various friends of Mercy Watts are quirky and interesting. Her career as a nurse often takes a back seat to the needs of her father, a private detective, and that drives the plot of the Mercy Watts stories and this particular book.
In this book, Mercy has to take point on investigating the death of Gavin and comforting Dixie, his widow, because Mercy's parents are on a vacation cruise. Soon she's taking over Gavin's cases and finds that there's another murder involved---that of a bride killed on her wedding day. Mercy eventually cracks the case but along the way there's fast cars, greasy food, a broken wrist, plenty of crab and a nasty beating.
A Good Man Gone is a very good book. Too many references to Marilyn Monroe, but that's my only criticism. Read it, you'll love it.
The title of A Good Man Gone refers to Gavin Flouder, a family friend of the Watts family and a business associate of patriarch and former police detective Tommy Watts. Gavin dies of an apparent MI and on a hunch of Tommy's, his daughter Mercy, a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe, investigates the death---and soon it's ruled a homicide.
This chick-lit mystery by Anne W Hartoin is fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. The family members and various friends of Mercy Watts are quirky and interesting. Her career as a nurse often takes a back seat to the needs of her father, a private detective, and that drives the plot of the Mercy Watts stories and this particular book.
In this book, Mercy has to take point on investigating the death of Gavin and comforting Dixie, his widow, because Mercy's parents are on a vacation cruise. Soon she's taking over Gavin's cases and finds that there's another murder involved---that of a bride killed on her wedding day. Mercy eventually cracks the case but along the way there's fast cars, greasy food, a broken wrist, plenty of crab and a nasty beating.
A Good Man Gone is a very good book. Too many references to Marilyn Monroe, but that's my only criticism. Read it, you'll love it.
June 29, 2015
This heroine is so bad
The main character of this book is a Marilyn Monroe look-alike named Mercy. From the beginning of the book I felt like I was missing something. Making her a Marilyn look-like did absolutely nothing for the story. All it did was add an element of complete unbelievability and made her seem shallow and self absorbed. She is very focused on her weight and the character of her Aunt is confusing. Is she there to show that Mercy can like people despite them being overweight or is she a pity party or is she just another person this heroine feels better than. I think the concept of the book could have been developed into something good that leaves you wanting more, but it wasn't and it doesn't. She's selfish, shallow, spoiled, kind of mean spirited, and really not interesting.
The main character of this book is a Marilyn Monroe look-alike named Mercy. From the beginning of the book I felt like I was missing something. Making her a Marilyn look-like did absolutely nothing for the story. All it did was add an element of complete unbelievability and made her seem shallow and self absorbed. She is very focused on her weight and the character of her Aunt is confusing. Is she there to show that Mercy can like people despite them being overweight or is she a pity party or is she just another person this heroine feels better than. I think the concept of the book could have been developed into something good that leaves you wanting more, but it wasn't and it doesn't. She's selfish, shallow, spoiled, kind of mean spirited, and really not interesting.
March 9, 2014
A fun mystery that is entertaining enough to make me want to read more. The character reminds me a bit of Stephanie Plum in the earliest stories. Some of the details are parceled out slowly throughout the story, which I find a good technique that keeps me turning the page. I am assuming we will learn more about the secondary characters in future installments, or perhaps the author has shared these details in previous stories. The actual mystery is secondary to character development, and I was more interested in knowing what would happen to the various people, and not so concerned about who was the guilty party. I will definitely read more books by this author.
A copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
A copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2018
I received this as a free book from Amazon years ago. The concept sounded great but the execution was lacking. I am not a fan of this story at all.
The first book in a series is usually the setup for a series. This is where you learn more about the detective. And this is no different. I learned quite a deal about Mercy Watts. I was constantly reminded that she looks like Marilyn Monroe to the point of ad nauseum. In fact I wondered if there would be a chapter when this comparison would not be made. It is a rare occurrence . The actual case being solved was rushed with very scant attention to detail.
I can’t recommend this one. And I will not be continuing this series.
The first book in a series is usually the setup for a series. This is where you learn more about the detective. And this is no different. I learned quite a deal about Mercy Watts. I was constantly reminded that she looks like Marilyn Monroe to the point of ad nauseum. In fact I wondered if there would be a chapter when this comparison would not be made. It is a rare occurrence . The actual case being solved was rushed with very scant attention to detail.
I can’t recommend this one. And I will not be continuing this series.
March 4, 2016
Pleasant read, the Marilyn Monroe theme was tiresome and you will figure out the killer half way through the story. But the dude characters are interesting and you enjoy getting to know these folks as this is a series so the foundation is set.
June 23, 2013
Definitely enjoyed the book. A little much about her Marilyn looks, but overall entertaining mystery and crime novel. Would likely read another one
March 16, 2016
I loved it,once I stastarted reading it I couldn't put it down at all. So I'm look forward to getting the next book.
July 19, 2020
Looking forward to the other books in the series
September 29, 2018
Mercy Watts is a reluctant detective. She is a smart, young, good-looking, pampered, hard-working nurse whose her father is an ex-policeman who now runs a private detective agency. As such, any work that he feels that she could do more effectively than him or his operatives, falls to her. Her mother, being the stunning socialite belle, tries to keep her on an ordered, even path.
The story begins with Mercy, having finished a double shift at the hospital, falling asleep in her parents’ bed while they are away on a cruise. She is woken by a phone call from Dixie Flouder, a family friend, to say that her husband, Gavin, an ex-partner of Mercy’s father, has died of a heart attack. With her father’s training, Mercy is ever suspicious - especially as Gavin had been doing well at changing his lifestyle and losing weight to improve his health - and so begins an investigation into whether the heart attack was natural or induced. With her father’s direction, remotely at first and later from his bed where he is recovering from a bad case of diarrhoea and vomiting caught while on board the ship, she begins looking into Gavin’s cases, trying to find out who might have killed him and why. All the while she is trying to work around the police who are conducting their own investigations, trying to deal with the sexual harassment arising from, not only her naturally occurring Marilyn Monroe look, but also from the website that she has inadvertently allowed to be created, trying to maintain her nursing schedule, trying to see her boyfriend, and a myriad of other commitments that her life contains.
Ms Hartoin writes an intricate story. As a murder mystery, it has a gentle pace, but much of that is because the reader is given a front row seat to the thoughts, feelings and perceptions of the main character (it is written in the first person). The other reason for the slower pace is the number of additional characters and story threads which Ms Hartoin includes. We are not only introduced to the victims' (yes, plural) relatives, but also various suspects, to Mercy's boyfriend, to her detective 'partner' Aaron, the man assigned by her father to make sure that she does not get into trouble, to her aunt Tenne and her aunt Miriam, to her uncle Morty who does investigative work for her father, to her cousin Chuck, the police detective working the murders, and to the Girls, the two rich old dears, Myrtle and Millicent, who have been so much a part of Mercy's life since she was born.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I found Mercy a fascinating and very readable character. Her tendency to put herself into scrapes and situations was a bit frustrating, as was her incessant self-assurance in the rightness of whatever she was doing, even if it was blatantly wrong. However, it added to the charm of the story. I did find the ending a little anticlimactic, with the final denouement arriving very quickly and unexpectedly. It did tie up the loose ends nicely though.
The complex and well-developed characters in this book are developed further in the series that follows, with a number of cases and situations developing from Mercy's relationships with them. The next book in the series is “Diver Down”, which includes an investigation on behalf of the Girls, Myrtle and Millicent.
In addition, Ms Hartoin has written a young adult fantasy series, “Away from Whipplethorn”, she has a book entitled, “It Started with a Whisper”, the first in a paranormal series called “Sons of Witches” and she has also written a number of short stories which are available on Amazon.
The story begins with Mercy, having finished a double shift at the hospital, falling asleep in her parents’ bed while they are away on a cruise. She is woken by a phone call from Dixie Flouder, a family friend, to say that her husband, Gavin, an ex-partner of Mercy’s father, has died of a heart attack. With her father’s training, Mercy is ever suspicious - especially as Gavin had been doing well at changing his lifestyle and losing weight to improve his health - and so begins an investigation into whether the heart attack was natural or induced. With her father’s direction, remotely at first and later from his bed where he is recovering from a bad case of diarrhoea and vomiting caught while on board the ship, she begins looking into Gavin’s cases, trying to find out who might have killed him and why. All the while she is trying to work around the police who are conducting their own investigations, trying to deal with the sexual harassment arising from, not only her naturally occurring Marilyn Monroe look, but also from the website that she has inadvertently allowed to be created, trying to maintain her nursing schedule, trying to see her boyfriend, and a myriad of other commitments that her life contains.
Ms Hartoin writes an intricate story. As a murder mystery, it has a gentle pace, but much of that is because the reader is given a front row seat to the thoughts, feelings and perceptions of the main character (it is written in the first person). The other reason for the slower pace is the number of additional characters and story threads which Ms Hartoin includes. We are not only introduced to the victims' (yes, plural) relatives, but also various suspects, to Mercy's boyfriend, to her detective 'partner' Aaron, the man assigned by her father to make sure that she does not get into trouble, to her aunt Tenne and her aunt Miriam, to her uncle Morty who does investigative work for her father, to her cousin Chuck, the police detective working the murders, and to the Girls, the two rich old dears, Myrtle and Millicent, who have been so much a part of Mercy's life since she was born.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I found Mercy a fascinating and very readable character. Her tendency to put herself into scrapes and situations was a bit frustrating, as was her incessant self-assurance in the rightness of whatever she was doing, even if it was blatantly wrong. However, it added to the charm of the story. I did find the ending a little anticlimactic, with the final denouement arriving very quickly and unexpectedly. It did tie up the loose ends nicely though.
The complex and well-developed characters in this book are developed further in the series that follows, with a number of cases and situations developing from Mercy's relationships with them. The next book in the series is “Diver Down”, which includes an investigation on behalf of the Girls, Myrtle and Millicent.
In addition, Ms Hartoin has written a young adult fantasy series, “Away from Whipplethorn”, she has a book entitled, “It Started with a Whisper”, the first in a paranormal series called “Sons of Witches” and she has also written a number of short stories which are available on Amazon.
July 22, 2017
Thoroughly Enjoyable
When a family friend dies mysteriously, Mercy has no choice but take on the task of helping Dixie his grieving widow arrange the funeral and also snoop around to find out why Gavin died. Mercy a nurse, and daughter of a PI who sometimes helps in her father's cases, doesn’t want to get involved, but her parents are on a cruise. Besides Gavin was like family and she feels she owes it to both him and Dixie. She takes on the job but as she begins her investigation she uncovers another mystery - a dead bride in the Church.
Good Man Gone is fast paced. The characters are fun and interesting. There’s Aunt Miriam, a nun who takes charge of the funeral arrangements, Chuck her cop cousin who has a thing for her and thinks she shouldn’t be meddling in police work, Uncle Morty the PI who helps both her dad and Gavin with their cases, Millicent and Myrtle - the Bled sisters and Aunt Tennessee, Mercy’s mother’s sister who’s the complete opposite of Carolina. Then there's Aaron the restaurant owner, who is always cooking up new and strange recipes. He comes across as a likable character that cares about others, as can be seen in his protective nature towards Mercy. But I was surprised that the author portrayed him as she did. He is always either dressed in dirty food stained clothes or smelling, or both. This is a little out of place since personal hygiene is something I would have expected to be of utmost importance to a restaurateur trying to attract customers. This somehow seemed out of place in the story.
Despite having two deaths and a few murderers on the loose, this is an enjoyable story that will keep you guessing right to the end. There’s not one moment of boredom as Mercy, the Marilyn lookalike, tries to work the case and stay out of the way of the cops. As she retraces Gavins footsteps before his fatal death she comes across information that is quite startling and leads her along a path of mystery. Will she solve the mystery of Gavin and Rebecca or will she become a victim?
Equal doses of humor and suspense make this a very entertaining book. I couldn’t put it down and would definitely read the rest in the series.
I got this free book from Bookbot.
When a family friend dies mysteriously, Mercy has no choice but take on the task of helping Dixie his grieving widow arrange the funeral and also snoop around to find out why Gavin died. Mercy a nurse, and daughter of a PI who sometimes helps in her father's cases, doesn’t want to get involved, but her parents are on a cruise. Besides Gavin was like family and she feels she owes it to both him and Dixie. She takes on the job but as she begins her investigation she uncovers another mystery - a dead bride in the Church.
Good Man Gone is fast paced. The characters are fun and interesting. There’s Aunt Miriam, a nun who takes charge of the funeral arrangements, Chuck her cop cousin who has a thing for her and thinks she shouldn’t be meddling in police work, Uncle Morty the PI who helps both her dad and Gavin with their cases, Millicent and Myrtle - the Bled sisters and Aunt Tennessee, Mercy’s mother’s sister who’s the complete opposite of Carolina. Then there's Aaron the restaurant owner, who is always cooking up new and strange recipes. He comes across as a likable character that cares about others, as can be seen in his protective nature towards Mercy. But I was surprised that the author portrayed him as she did. He is always either dressed in dirty food stained clothes or smelling, or both. This is a little out of place since personal hygiene is something I would have expected to be of utmost importance to a restaurateur trying to attract customers. This somehow seemed out of place in the story.
Despite having two deaths and a few murderers on the loose, this is an enjoyable story that will keep you guessing right to the end. There’s not one moment of boredom as Mercy, the Marilyn lookalike, tries to work the case and stay out of the way of the cops. As she retraces Gavins footsteps before his fatal death she comes across information that is quite startling and leads her along a path of mystery. Will she solve the mystery of Gavin and Rebecca or will she become a victim?
Equal doses of humor and suspense make this a very entertaining book. I couldn’t put it down and would definitely read the rest in the series.
I got this free book from Bookbot.
March 26, 2023
A Good Man Gone is the first in the long-running, fantastic, wildly entertaining Mercy Watts mystery series. When I first acquired this book I was just expecting your typical rom-com. Boy, was I surprised! Mercy was so charmingly unlike most characters and the book was so engaging I was immediately hooked. And thus began my ongoing love of all things Mercy and my desire to read anything by author A. W. Hartoin.
Mercy is very likable – and she can get into trouble just by getting out of bed in the morning. Her behavior is a little immature at times and she doesn’t always make the best decisions, and she has the typical conflict with her parents. But she never comes across as spoiled or mean-spirited or stupid, which seems to happen far too often in mysteries these days. She is a grown woman with a career, can take care of herself (most of the time!) and family is important to her. And – she looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe. Definitely more a curse than a blessing. The references to her figure were a little goofy but did not detract from my enjoyment of the story, nor did the humor. In fact, I found myself laughing out loud several times, and as already noted, couldn’t put this down until I finished it.
The characters were quirky enough to be interesting but not so over-the-top that I didn’t want to see them again or learn more about them. The plot was solid, moved along quickly and kept me guessing. Highly recommend this book and the rest in the thoroughly enjoyable series, as well as everything else this talented author has written.
I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own.
Mercy is very likable – and she can get into trouble just by getting out of bed in the morning. Her behavior is a little immature at times and she doesn’t always make the best decisions, and she has the typical conflict with her parents. But she never comes across as spoiled or mean-spirited or stupid, which seems to happen far too often in mysteries these days. She is a grown woman with a career, can take care of herself (most of the time!) and family is important to her. And – she looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe. Definitely more a curse than a blessing. The references to her figure were a little goofy but did not detract from my enjoyment of the story, nor did the humor. In fact, I found myself laughing out loud several times, and as already noted, couldn’t put this down until I finished it.
The characters were quirky enough to be interesting but not so over-the-top that I didn’t want to see them again or learn more about them. The plot was solid, moved along quickly and kept me guessing. Highly recommend this book and the rest in the thoroughly enjoyable series, as well as everything else this talented author has written.
I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own.
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