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Lord Have Mercy #1
Lord Have Mercy Part One: The Good Son
Deep in the swamps of New Orleans, the hunt for a predator leads local police to a cache of old, dumped bodies. Assigned to the case is FBI profiler Alex Bonfils, a New Orleans native with a knack for analyzing serial killers. The moment he sees the bodies, and learns their identities, Alex knows who dumped them in the bayou. The problem? These particular killings are the work of the older brother he never met: Felix Lécuyer.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, life within the club is busy, dangerous, and ever-expanding. Mercy and Ava are balancing parenthood and their marriage alongside the growing influence of the club. They know better than to think they’re safe, but they never expected the next threat to come in the form of another of Remy Lécuyer’s secret sons.
“The Good Son” is the first of a four-part serial that will altogether compose Dartmoor Book X, Lord Have Mercy, a truly “monstrous” endeavor that calls upon the sweeping, Southern epic style of book one, Fearless. Filled with suspense, intrigue, deception, and populated by all the beloved characters of the Dartmoor series, Lord Have Mercy brings the gator-hunting, storytelling Cajun killer, and his devoted fillette, back to the forefront of the action.
Be on the lookout for parts two through four, coming soon.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, life within the club is busy, dangerous, and ever-expanding. Mercy and Ava are balancing parenthood and their marriage alongside the growing influence of the club. They know better than to think they’re safe, but they never expected the next threat to come in the form of another of Remy Lécuyer’s secret sons.
“The Good Son” is the first of a four-part serial that will altogether compose Dartmoor Book X, Lord Have Mercy, a truly “monstrous” endeavor that calls upon the sweeping, Southern epic style of book one, Fearless. Filled with suspense, intrigue, deception, and populated by all the beloved characters of the Dartmoor series, Lord Have Mercy brings the gator-hunting, storytelling Cajun killer, and his devoted fillette, back to the forefront of the action.
Be on the lookout for parts two through four, coming soon.
Unknown Binding
First published July 15, 2023
4 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 11, 2024
Re-read 5th - 6th September 2024
Ready for book 4
Original review
How did I not know about this book?
Seriously a Mercy book and I didn’t know 🤯🤯🤯
I can’t begin to describe how happy I am to be back in Knoxville, Tennessee with the Lean Dogs.
I didn’t realise how much I’d missed them until I’d actually started reading.
It’s not just Mercy although let’s face it, he’s a huge part of it. But I love the way the club is growing especially Reese and Tenny. Plus Grayson now as well.
This first book is fabulous. I loved everything about it. I’m moving straight onto the next one now. And then I’ll sulk because the third one isn’t ready yet.
Ready for book 4
Original review
How did I not know about this book?
Seriously a Mercy book and I didn’t know 🤯🤯🤯
I can’t begin to describe how happy I am to be back in Knoxville, Tennessee with the Lean Dogs.
I didn’t realise how much I’d missed them until I’d actually started reading.
It’s not just Mercy although let’s face it, he’s a huge part of it. But I love the way the club is growing especially Reese and Tenny. Plus Grayson now as well.
This first book is fabulous. I loved everything about it. I’m moving straight onto the next one now. And then I’ll sulk because the third one isn’t ready yet.
Read
July 15, 2023Dartmoor Book X, starring Mercy and Ava on a brand new (mis)adventure, is going to release in four, full-length parts, starting with Part I: The Good Son, now available!
Learn more about the release on my blog: https://hoofprintpress.blogspot.com/2...
Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBXYZTZ9/...
Learn more about the release on my blog: https://hoofprintpress.blogspot.com/2...
Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBXYZTZ9/...
July 21, 2023
Lauren gilley writes books that everyone needs to read,the good son is part one but at nearly 400 pages puts a lot of standalone books to shame,that's why I love this author she writes meaty books that take days and not hrs to read,The good son is Ava and Mercy but the lean dogs are ever present and wow what an exciting read it does end on a cliffhanger but acknowledge part 2 won't be far away
August 20, 2023
This was so disappointing. Why do all of the previously introduced characters feel stuck at the ages they were debuted? No person past thirty with kids should be so unbearably immature—and if they are, I don’t want to meet them, no less read about them.
I used to adore some of the characters… you know, back when their decisions and actions matched their ages. The plot kind of felt cheap, like this could’ve all been avoided if the characters would’ve adapted and crafted a plan. But no, the big, bad Lean Dogs club did not respond to a credible threat that could easily take them down. How the hell did the Lean Dogs, who are supposed to be the biggest and baddest club, make it this far while still being this ignorant?
Whatever, I’m done ranting. Just don’t expect the same quality in this as you may have received in the first book in the Dartmoor series.
I used to adore some of the characters… you know, back when their decisions and actions matched their ages. The plot kind of felt cheap, like this could’ve all been avoided if the characters would’ve adapted and crafted a plan. But no, the big, bad Lean Dogs club did not respond to a credible threat that could easily take them down. How the hell did the Lean Dogs, who are supposed to be the biggest and baddest club, make it this far while still being this ignorant?
Whatever, I’m done ranting. Just don’t expect the same quality in this as you may have received in the first book in the Dartmoor series.
July 25, 2023
LOVE! Everything you know and love about Gilley’s Dartmoor stories and MORE!
September 26, 2023
Loved this! This series is an absolute fave of mine, because, well....Mercy 😍 Looks like this is a 4 part series and now I have to wait for the next book...I hope it comes out soon!
September 4, 2024
What can I say but that Lauren is one of the best storytellers of our time. Her words suck you in and you are literally along for the ride. That cliff hanger .. whew!! On to book two. If you haven’t read her books fix that immediately.
August 1, 2023
Lauren Gilley is an excellent storyteller. I love the way she writes her characters with such simplicity and elegance. Getting to be a part again of everyday life with the Lean Dogs MC and their families while the story built with a new character was absolutely brilliant. Especially reuniting with Ava and Mercyyyyyyyy. I loved it. She kept me guessing and trying to workout what will happen next but unfortunately I already know it won’t be anything good for the Dogs.
« That’s freaking me out, your face. You look like the clown in a shitty horror movie. »
« That’s what I feel like. Remember what a bad surprise it was to find out we were brothers ? »
« Fuck. Yeah. »
« Wanna know what would be another bad surprise ? »
Dartmoor X, Part One, The Good Son was everything I hoped for. The book ends on a cliffhanger but it’s so worth diving into it. I will be patiently waiting for the next part : Fortunate Son, releasing soon she said… It’s going to be epic !
From Paris, France with love!
« That’s freaking me out, your face. You look like the clown in a shitty horror movie. »
« That’s what I feel like. Remember what a bad surprise it was to find out we were brothers ? »
« Fuck. Yeah. »
« Wanna know what would be another bad surprise ? »
Dartmoor X, Part One, The Good Son was everything I hoped for. The book ends on a cliffhanger but it’s so worth diving into it. I will be patiently waiting for the next part : Fortunate Son, releasing soon she said… It’s going to be epic !
From Paris, France with love!
November 5, 2023
Wow...and just like that, we're right back into the thick of things with Mercy and Ava. A serious threat has come their way...can't wait to see how this works out! I love that I will have 3 more full length books to devour before this story ends.
5 ★
5 ★
August 24, 2025
To start with, I love Lauren Gilley's style of writing. I've enjoyed the Dartmoor series, especially the first book 'Fearless'. It's one of my all time favorites and I've read it multiple times. I really liked Ava's character in the book. She's a very well written FMC. However, her character has degraded as the series progressed. With age and parental responsibilities, you would expect her to become more mature and reasonable, but she comes across as whiny and impulsive. I don't understand her portrayal as a lioness, when she actually comes across as just a hotheaded clueless woman. The author seems hellbent on projecting her as Ghost's rightful successor, but is she really the one? Pages and pages about her being fierce and loyal had made the exact opposite impression of her to me. To sum up, this series has gone too long to preserve the sanctity and truth of the characters from initial books.
5-tbr-when-complete
August 9, 2023July 2023: Be on the lookout for parts two through four, coming soon.
“The Good Son” is the first of a four-part serial that will altogether compose Dartmoor Book X, Lord Have Mercy, a truly “monstrous” endeavor that calls upon the sweeping, Southern epic style of book one, Fearless. Filled with suspense, intrigue, deception, and populated by all the beloved characters of the Dartmoor series, Lord Have Mercy brings the gator-hunting, storytelling Cajun killer, and his devoted fillette, back to the forefront of the action."
“The Good Son” is the first of a four-part serial that will altogether compose Dartmoor Book X, Lord Have Mercy, a truly “monstrous” endeavor that calls upon the sweeping, Southern epic style of book one, Fearless. Filled with suspense, intrigue, deception, and populated by all the beloved characters of the Dartmoor series, Lord Have Mercy brings the gator-hunting, storytelling Cajun killer, and his devoted fillette, back to the forefront of the action."
October 14, 2023
Yes - it took me a while to finish but not because it wasn’t a fantastic book - too many demands on my time.
I loved this so much that I am going back to the beginning of the Dartmoor series. Started Fearless today!
I’m not going to give you a summary of this gem - I am going to recommend you read Lauren Gilley’s work. She paints a scene to perfection and delivers complex characters that you fall in love with - some of these characters have dark sides, but it works for the storytelling. Incredible!
I loved this so much that I am going back to the beginning of the Dartmoor series. Started Fearless today!
I’m not going to give you a summary of this gem - I am going to recommend you read Lauren Gilley’s work. She paints a scene to perfection and delivers complex characters that you fall in love with - some of these characters have dark sides, but it works for the storytelling. Incredible!
December 1, 2023
I literally just finished reading this and cursed so loud I think the neighbour heard me. The cliffhanger of all cliffhanger's. Please don't let the second book take too long to come out. As expected this was beyond excellent. Lauren Gilley could write on toilet paper and I'd read it. Mercy and Ava are my favorite couple and this story delves deep into Mercy's upbringing and the intro of another half brother Alex. I'm not going to say any more but I'm waiting in anticipation for the next book to see how this folds out.
September 22, 2023
I absolutely love this series and these characters. Lauren’s books are the only MC centered books I have kept up with. The way she writes each character, the dialogue, and just shapes the story is amazing. Mercy and Ava have my heart and I’m so glad their story continues. Mercy’s FBI brother is now in the mix. Their father really got around. Lord Have Mercy has all the action , intrigue and sexiness as its predecessors. Can’t wait to read more.
July 20, 2023
It was absolutely amazing to be back in the world of the Lean Dogs; especially Mercy and Ava. Lauren Gilley has created a world and characters that you never want to be done with. The scene at the end of Part One was so easy to visualize as it played out. I fear our beloved characters are in for a very bumpy ride and will be waiting with bated breath for Part Two.
September 26, 2024
3.5*
All the stars are for Mercy and Ava . All the rest felt like page filler. The first half specifically New Orleans portion was very boring. Other than the shock value of another brother of Mercy’s most of it felt like filler as most of the plot is already known to whoever read Fearless. The brother didn’t add much., and he also looked like Mercy..very lazy on the author’s part.
All the stars are for Mercy and Ava . All the rest felt like page filler. The first half specifically New Orleans portion was very boring. Other than the shock value of another brother of Mercy’s most of it felt like filler as most of the plot is already known to whoever read Fearless. The brother didn’t add much., and he also looked like Mercy..very lazy on the author’s part.
December 29, 2025
Mercy finds out he has another brother he did not know about. An FBI profiler, attempting to help or hinder him? There is an old crime brought forth as well as a new crime happening, and then it ends. A pet peeve of mine and why I did not give it five stars. Woven through the story are the characters from previous books in the series, uniting to open new businesses in Knoxville.
July 22, 2023
Yes!
First of all, just the best title ever! Love me Mercy and all those Lean Dogs. So so good so far and can’t wait for the next book. Great story and I’m excited to see where we go from here.
First of all, just the best title ever! Love me Mercy and all those Lean Dogs. So so good so far and can’t wait for the next book. Great story and I’m excited to see where we go from here.
July 25, 2023
I love, love, loved this book. Can't wait to get the next one!
July 29, 2023
Wish I could give more than 5 stars. Would be well deserved as usual. Can’t wait for the next one.
January 31, 2024
Wow, just wow!!!
May 13, 2024
Amazing, Lauren's writing is just so good.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews