Shades of Mercy

Porter Beck #2

by Bruce Borgos

In the usually quiet high desert of Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck faces one of his greatest challenges—a series of unlikely, disturbing and increasingly deadly events of unknown origins.

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.

Beck's investigation leads him to Mercy Vaughn, the one known hacker in the area. The problem is that she's a teenager, locked up with no computer access at the secure juvenile detention center. But there's something Mercy that doesn't sit quite right with Beck. But when Mercy disappears, Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2024

About the author

Bruce Borgos is the author of several novels, including the Porter Beck Mysteries. His latest, THE BLUE HORSE, is the third in the series starring Sheriff Porter Beck of Lincoln County, NV. https://bit.ly/TheBlueHorse

Visit his website at: https://www.bruceborgos.com/
or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BruceBorgos
or catch him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bruceborgos.... or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/authorbruce...

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Borgos continues to excite and engage readers with Shades of Mercy, his suspenseful and action-packed second book in the Porter Beck crime thriller and police procedural series. Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County, Nevada, a dry and sparsely populated county in the high desert. He has a twelve-person department covering territory nearly the size of the state of Maryland. If you think that not much is happening in the county, think again. A childhood friend of Beck’s has succumbed to a strong drug and another one, a successful rancher, has been targeted by a hacked military drone. However, that is just the beginning.

Borgos is adept at creating strong male and female characters. Beck is fluent in several languages due to his previous military career and has an incredible ability to think critically and analyze data quickly. He has initiative, is patient, and has a degenerative disease of the retina that significantly affects his eyesight at night and in poor lighting. It was interesting to see how he deals with the condition as he does his job. This added another layer to his character. The secondary characters also have depth. I loved Beck’s newest partner, a young English Lab named Frank Columbo or Bo for short.

The world-building is terrific with fluid and descriptive writing that helps readers envision the scenes without adversely affecting the pacing. There was a strong sense of place causing me to feel as though I was experiencing the events alongside the characters. The dynamic plot has a tremendous amount of conflict and action that kept me engaged throughout. It is twisty and has exciting scenes, multiple antagonists, and an incredible setting.

Borgos is an excellent storyteller who brings an intensity and action throughout the novel, but also intersperses some humor and some thought-provoking events. The author surprised this reader with the epilogue that makes me anxious to find out what happens in the next book in the series. Interspersed into the story are themes of family, death, friendships that run out of juice, lies, found family, dementia, grief, lost opportunities, and much more.

Overall, this was intriguing, gritty, suspenseful, and action-packed with compelling characters and great world-building that kept me rapidly turning the pages as I sat on the edge of my seat. With exciting scenes and fascinating story lines that converge, this fantastic crime thriller was intense and dramatic. It kept me on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the novel. I’m thrilled I’ve found this series and can’t wait to read the next book. If you’re a fan of contemporary crime thrillers and police procedurals set in a rural western U.S. locale, then this is a series to read.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Bruce Borgos provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for July 16, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.

[Tara — on semi-hiatus for health reasons; will check in when possible. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I recently completed Shades of Mercy, Bruce Borgos's second book in the Porter Beck series. This book is as exceptional as the first, "The Bitter Past." You can read it as a stand-alone novel and easily follow along without getting lost.
The novel, a compelling police procedural and mystery, is situated in the high desert of Nevada and centers on the fentanyl crisis in Lincoln County, intertwined with a cyber intrusion leading to a military drone disrupting an event at the Double J Ranch.

The narrative follows Special Agent Ed Maddox as he grapples with the aftermath of the drone's actions. Concurrently, Sheriff Porter Beck's investigations bring him to a juvenile detention center, where he encounters Mercy Vaughn, a gifted 16-year-old hacker. The book adeptly captures the high desert's prevalent fire hazard and arid heat while portraying characters, especially Sheriff Porter Beck, as wise and intelligent, adding depth to the storyline.

"Shades of Mercy" is a fast-paced and intricate procedural with unforeseen twists and revelations. It balances intrigue and action and presents a noteworthy addition to the Beck Porter series. The book introduces Columbo, a clever and endearing canine companion. The incorporation of Columbo as Beck's new canine partner is especially fitting. Upon completing the book, I eagerly await the forthcoming installment in the Beck Porter Police Procedural series.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC in exchange for my candid opinion.

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5+ ⭐️

A worthy addition to the author’s Porter Beck series, Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos is a thrilling novel!

Drug smugglers responsible for the supply of lethal fentanyl-laced drugs; a computer hacker who takes control of a military drone to wreak havoc on an affluent (and shady) rancher’s operations; a mysterious operative searching for Mercy Vaughn, a brilliant teenager with a criminal background who is being held in a juvenile detention facility, government agents with their own agendas and much more - Lincoln Country, Nevada Sheriff Porter Beck and his twelve member department have a lot on their plate. Though Porter is struggling with eyesight, he is determined not to let his limited night vision deter him from fulfilling his duties. He is joined in his efforts to protect Mercy by Detective Charlie Blue Horse from the Department of Public Safety. The narrative follows Porter, his team and Charlie as they try to unravel a complex web of crime, deception and secrets.

The plot is complex, but the author deftly weaves all the threads of the story together into a well-paced, suspenseful narrative that kept me hooked until the very last page. I enjoyed getting to know more about Porter and his family and loved that Brinley had a larger role to play in this installment. I hope future stories see the brother-sister duo teaming up again. Mercy Vaughn was a fascinating character and I’d love to see her pop up in future installments and of course, how can you not love Beck’s new partner, a fox-red English Lab named Frank Columbo, “Bo”? The intricate plot with plenty of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor added to the mix, the vividly described setting and well-developed characters make for an absorbing read.

Overall, I found this to be a well-crafted crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 16, 2024.

Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph

[CarolG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Porter Beck, sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, and his twelve person department cover a large area that's usually very quiet. Beck is 46 years old and losing his night vision from retinitis pigmentosa so he, and we, have to wonder how much longer he can do this job. A childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone which has been hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. Beck's investigation leads him to teenager Mercy Vaughn and when Mercy disappears Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.

This is the second book in the Porter Beck series but I read it as a standalone and don't feel like I missed anything by not reading the first book. The characters are fleshed out and I especially loved Frank Columbo, Beck's dog, an English lab. The story is well written with much action and suspense. There are many plot lines to follow including some timely threads, like opiate overdoses, wildfires, computer hacking, etc., but there's also lots of violence and death (including a large number of cattle). Some of the dialogue, especially from teenage Mercy, seems very stilted and lacking in common contractions (like "I am" and "did not"). Not sure if it was done purposefully or not but it struck me every time. The ending left lots to the imagination and many directions in which the series could go.

I probably should've read the marketing e-mail that I received a little closer as there was a link to the first book, The Bitter Past, on Netgalley that I totally missed at the time. I'd love to read it but it's a little too pricey for me. If there's a third book I'm definitely in for it.

My thanks to Sara Beth Haring, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books via Netgalley for inviting me to read an advance copy of this excellent novel. I apologize for not getting it finished before the publication date. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 16, 2024

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.

Beck's investigation leads him to Mercy Vaughn, the one known hacker in the area. The problem is that she's a teenager, locked up with no computer access at the secure juvenile detention center. But there's something Mercy that doesn't sit quite right with Beck. But when Mercy disappears, Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.

A fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping ride from beginning to end, Shades of Mercy was a genre mashup for sure. Regardless of the category, however, it with packed with suspense and there wasn’t a moment of downtime as the complex storyline twisted and turned. After all, with multiple subplots, there was quite a bit going on. But through the use of omniscient perspective, I was able to keep track of it all. That’s not to say I was able to work out any of the twists. Oh no. My armchair sleuthing didn’t have a chance as the plot moved along.

The second book in Borgos’s Porter Beck series, I was thrilled to find out that it worked just as well as a stand-alone novel. While I’m sure that I missed out on some impressive backstories and character development, the action-packed scenes needed no explanation. The topics, however, were a bit outside of what I usually read. Focusing on underhanded spies, despicable cartels, and plenty of hacking, this one took on a very “dad book” vibe. Just the same, I got sucked right in and absolutely flew through the pages.

I do have to warn you, however, that the triggers were ample. From shootouts to animal death, there was no sparing the violence. At the same time, it wasn’t necessarily descriptive. Just a bit much for this thriller lover in the grand scheme of things. Additionally, the cast of characters was extensive. Eventually requiring me to make a list to keep them all straight, it could have done with a bit of editing in my humble opinion.

All said and done, though, there was much to love about this mystery/crime fiction/spy thriller. Sprinkled with aww shucks idioms and an acute sense of place, the small town feel came alive on the page. Even better, there was some deftly used humor and an adorable dog. As for those characters, they were strong, decisive individuals—both heroes and villains—that helped move the plot along until the soul-satisfying conclusion. So, despite this one not really being in my wheelhouse, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the thrills. Rating of 4 stars.

Thank you to Bruce Borgos and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: July 16, 2024

Trigger warning: drug overdose, vision loss, dementia, drug dealing, gun violence, kidnapping, mention of: animal injury and death

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Nevada's high desert, you can see forever ... but as Sheriff Porter Beck knows, the deadliest threat is the one you never see coming."

Trigger Warning - there is a scene where cattle are being hauled when the hauler is hit by a mysterious something and all of the cattle are either dead or so severely injured that they have to be euthanized on the spot. I know some of my friends are as sensitive to these things as I am. I chose to bypass those pages.

But, what a book!! I was totally enthralled by Shades of Mercy! It started with a bang: 4th of July fireworks. A sheriff who has lost most of his night vision. Illegal fentanyl killing hardworking people who believe they’re buying much-needed pain relief. And ... who is Mercy Vaughn? Is she connected to the military drones being hacked? Will Mercy be Beck's undoing or his savior?

No sophomore slump here! I couldn't put the book down! I love these characters so much! Beck is so very wise. His sister, Brin, is an amazing sharpshooter. Their dad is in the throes of dementia and has started calling everyone "Chief" since he can no longer remember names. My favorite, of course, was Beck's newest partner - an amazing young fox-red English Lab named Frank Columbo!

The author's notes were entertaining, as usual. He thanks the professor of meteorology at Iowa State University, by quoting a line from The Princess Bride, "Your feedback always reminds me of Inigo Montoya's lesser-known mantra, which is: 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.'" Hilarious! I also love the fact that the author has a golden retriever named Charlie Blue Horse, which is the name of one of the characters in the book.

Two books in and Mr. Borgos has already become one of my favorite authors.

Huge thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Shades of Mercy. This book is #2 in the #PorterBeck series, with the expected publication date of July 16, 2024.

#BruceBorgos

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, police procedural, mystery thriller. It has a likable and intelligent male protagonist, engaging secondary characters, a supportive canine, wit, a touch of humor, vividly described settings, murder, intrigue, suspense, secrets, action, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. This is the second entry in Mr. Borgos' outstanding Porter Beck series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, Mr. Bruce Borgos, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this fantastic novel. This is my honest opinion.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Borgos and ‘Shades of Mercy’ will always come to mind now when I hear the phrase, ‘...when pigs fly’. No pigs fly in this book, but steers get the unlucky short end of the stick.

𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝

✔𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜
Sheriff Porter Beck has a unique past, is from a line of former sheriffs, has an adopted sister for a sidekick and suffers from a progressive disability - retinitis pigmentosa (night blindness) - not optimal for someone in his position. He’s often underestimated and he uses it to his advantage. I’ve loved seeing his character arc develop and know I’m in for the long haul!

✔𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Borgos shows that sparsely populated Lincoln County, Nevada is a haven for cartels, unsavory cattle haulers/dealers, drug smugglers, and cyberwarfare.

✔𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨
The choice of a teenage delinquent mixed with society’s preconceived notions and expectations of their limitations is a perfect blend. I loved how Borgos dolled out just enough information about this mysterious teen to keep me reading to the final page.

✔𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧
The author’s hint of sarcasm mixed with his ability to show-not-tell and his inherent desire to teach his readers creates a book that readers will struggle to put down. I loved his insight into people’s body language when they’re concealing the truth, how hunters carry a weapon, and the Uyghurs and their unique genetic heritage.

I was swept up in a tale featuring a hacked military drone, hacked Federal Reserve, cartel and dark web activity, Area 51, remotely piloted aircraft, cyber warfare, zero-days, ravaging wildfires, the war against drugs, and Titan Rain.

Borgos definitely 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 to inhabit the setting. He writes a 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 and leaves readers with a 𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦.

I loved how his golden retriever’s name ended up in the book.

Thanks to the wonderful team at St. Martin’s Press for putting this author and series in my crosshairs. I’m a staunch follower now.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Teju A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start ? WOW WOW WOW!

This was a thrill ride, wowza. I intend to follow this series as I was blown away by the characters the story and also twists. This get a very big RECOMMENDATION from me. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

A military drone gets hijacked and a sheriff grapples with overdose deaths in his town. There's no way these could be connected right? Well the catch is a teenage whiz hacker might just be the one to untie the knots in sheriff Beck's town.

P.s special place in my heart for Beck as he comes to terms with his deteriorating eyesight (i happen to know about his condition), plus some comedic moments with his adorable partner ☺️😉

Solid 5 stars!

Thanks to publishers St Martins Press for this amazing ARC!!! Beyond grateful
SHADES OF MERCY OUT JULY 16TH!!!!!!!!!

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Mercy —the follow-up to Bruce Borgos’ Potter Beck series — shows Borgos is no one-hit wonder. Beck — the sheriff of a twelve-department force in the high desert of Nevada where he grew up — is dealing with the death of a childhood friend — when something falls out of the sky and kills a cow of a successful rancher. Being a former military officer, Beck knows a missile strike when he sees one and starts asking questions — which leads him to Mercy Vaughn —a teenage hacker who supposedly took over a drone. However, Mercy was in juvie with no computer access after she was caught stealing $1B. Incredulous, Beck senses something very wrong and knows she is in danger when Mercy disappears. A deadly and violent conspiracy is happening in his county, and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do something about it.
Honestly, the beginning of the book is my life story. Besides the dying part. And it was disconcerting. Being a ‘former’ drug addict, I’m always interested in how authors navigate the subject. Borgos handled it with grace and compassion. Not everyone does, so thank you!
After my favorite book last year — The Bitter Past — Shades of Mercy was highly anticipated. I wanted it to be great, and it is. Interesting, timely, and fast-paced, Shades uses multiple — but different — crises ranging from low-tech to high-tech to give readers plenty to chew on. It would be easy to wade into the weeds but Borgos keeps it tight and on track.
I can’t recommend Bruce Borgos and Shades of Mercy enough. I look forward to seeing what Borgos has in store!
Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Shades of Mercy!

[Donne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just recently discovered this series and I am officially hooked. I came across the third installment recently that sounded really good. So, of course, I had to go back and read the other two installments first. The gang is all back, Sheriff Porter Beck and his merry band of misfits that make up his small department out in the middle of nowhere in the Nevada desert. Beck’s sister, Brinley, is also back along with Papa Beck, whose Alzheimer’s is getting worse. Love Brinley!!! Brinley is a gun and shooting expert that coaches actors and actresses on movie sets. In her spare time, she likes to help Beck with their father as well as Becks cases. She makes every scene she’s in more entertaining and some a lot scarier. Beck also has a new partner, Columbo (aka Bo), who Beck won after Bo flunked out our police training – twice! Bo is young and a work in progress and is training Bo to help him with his night blindness. Love Bo!!!

The book summary basically just introduces the primary storyline of Beck tracking down a hacker who blew up the prized bull (totally gross) of a local rancher by hacking a military drone. The hacker, Mercy, is being held at a local juvenile detention center for hacking a billion dollars from the US government. Mercy actually only got away with about 80 million (that she donates all to charity) before she was caught. The local rancher, Jesse, is a high school friend of Becks. Jesse also has a daughter, Shylo, who is Mercy’s girlfriend. Jesse is also moving guns and drugs to and from Mexico through his cattle business.

There is another storyline of a Chinese MSS agent who is also tracking Mercy down because she and her mother were MSS agents. Mercy and her mother escaped the Chinese MSS agency and had been hiding out in the US. Mercy’s mother was eventually captured and killed and Mercy got away and had been hiding out in the detention center under a fake name. Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and there is a large cast of characters.

It's well into the second half that all the players and their agendas collide in some scary and intense scenes for all. A very satisfying ending and I LOVED the epilogue!!! The final scene has me wondering where Borgos will go next with the series. I noticed that the title for the next installment has the same name as the potential new love interest (in this installment) for Sheriff Beck. Hmmm…..

The continuing character development of Sheriff Beck and his officers as well as Brinley was well done. I also loved the Mercy character that Borgos obviously had done a lot of research in creating a phenomenal teenage hacker from some obscure Chinese ethnic group called the Uyghurs. The pacing was steady to fast and often had me doing the “just one more chapter” because I couldn’t close the book in the middle of some scary and intense scene, which there were a lot!!! Needless to say, the storylines and writing were absolutely amazing. I actually liked this one more than the first one (a 4.4 read for me). I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.7 that I will be rounding up to a 5star review.

TW: I feel compelled to mention that there was this one scene with a truck full of cattle getting hit by a driverless truck that was absolutely horrible that may be a trigger for some folks.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The Bitter Past, which introduced Porter Beck, sheriff of Lincoln County, Nevada, so I was excited to see another book in this new series. beck is a great character - a former Army intelligence officer who speaks several languages, and son of the former sheriff, he is dealing with a gradual erosion of his eyesight. He’s okay for now during the day, but has pretty much lost his night vision (from retinitis pigmentosa). This is a huge challenge for someone in his line of work!

In Shades of Mercy, Beck is confronted with a number of deaths from illegal fentanyl pills, including an old friend. Then, there’s apparently a super-talented hacker who has commandeered a remotely piloted aircraft (drone) from the Air Force, whose secret testing facility is nearby. And there are wild fires. There’s a lot going on in this novel!

Beck’s newest “partner” is an adorable dog named Columbo (ha!). Columbo has flunked out of a couple of training programs, but is a great companion to Beck and proves his worth over the course of this book.

The story took a lot of twists and turns and kept me guessing the whole way. The side characters are wonderful too - from his adopted sister, Brinley, to a native American state police officer, to Beck’s other officers. The bad guys are definitely bad! Borgos writes beautifully, with a strong sense of place. His phrasing made me smile in a number of places: “Beck slept about as well as a deer during hunting season.” “…with the natural springs in the area drying up like good ideas in Congress.” “Her accent was midwestern, somewhere in the Bob Evans breakfast belt.” (All quotes are from a review copy and may not be exactly the same in the published book.)

You could definitely read this one as a standalone, but why not start with the first book, The Bitter Past?

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Bruce Borgos, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning for the sequel in the Porter Beck series, I sought to see how Bruce Borgos would handle things. An effective debut left me wanting more and it arrived abundantly as I dove into this story with ease. When a flashing light fills the rural Nevada sky, Sheriff Porter Beck rushes to investigate. What he discovers is like nothing he has seen before, involving the military, a Mexican cartel, and a youth is living in custody. The story unfolds and the action ramps up until nothing is quite as it seems. Borgos does a stellar job with this one!

Porter Beck serves as sheriff in the Nevada desert area, a place his father served as lawman for many years. While it is usually quiet, things have taken a turn of late, leaving Sheriff Beck to wonder. A close friend is the latest victim to die of an unusually strong illegal opioid, brought in from places unknown. After a flash in the sky during Independence Day celebrations proves not to be fireworks, Sheriff Beck is called upon to investigate more death, this of the bovine variety. Another friend of the sheriff’s—a prosperous rancher—seems to have been. the target of some errant military drone that killed his prized bull. The secretive nature of the drone and the military coyness leaves everyone wondering what’s going on. This is rural Nevada, not some glitzy neighbourhood, yet a great deal of action and attention shines down on the county.

After conferring with a military official, the drone appears to have been hacked, though no names immediately come to mind. When Sheriff Beck receives an email from the purported hacker, he knows it’s trouble, especially when he is called out by name. Piecing a few thing together, Beck comes across Mercy Vaughn, the only known hacker in the area who’s proven to be a thorn in the side of the US Government. She’s swift and known for her ability to get into most anything. Trouble is, she is only a teenager, locked away in a juvenile dentition facility with no computer access. Still, there’s something about Vaughn that does not sit right with Beck and he’s prepared to find out.

When Mercy disappears from a daytime assignment, alerts go up and Sheriff Beck knows that trouble awaits him. Little does he know just how much could happen the longer that Mercy is gone. Trouble pushes in like a wayward cloud and soon the entire community is rocked with news of a Mexican cartel and their plan for the community, as well as Mercy’s abilities and her ultimate puppet master. It will take everything that Sheriff Beck has to keep his county safe, while also trying to unravel the truth behind everything that has been taking place over the last while. Burgos fills the reader with a true sense of tension as this story reaches its climax!

A great thriller needs to have all the elements connect well to make it enjoyable for the reader. Bruce Borgos does that with ease as he weaves together a thriller that checks all the boxes. The narrative flows well and keeps the reader in the middle of the action, gaining intrigue and momentum as things get more complex. Keeping a strong local feel to the story, Porter Beck breathes that small-town charm into the story, though he is nothing if not gritty when the need arises. Other characters offer a great push and flavouring to keep the reader flipping pages, all in an effort to learn a bit more about what’s going on.

The plot develops slowly but builds as the story takes shape. There are many surprise moments for the reader and things take a non-linear approach, though there is nothing confusing about them. Borgos knows how to keep the reader wondering and provides the ingredients needed to leave them wanting more. Where things are headed, no one can be quite sure, but there is surely something on the horizon for the patient reader.

Kudos, Mr. Borgos, for a great follow-up novel in this developing series.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked again! 5 amazing stars! 🤩
This series continues to hold me captive and provides a gripping action story that doesn't let up for a minute!

Last year at this time, readers were introduced in The Bitter Past to Porter Beck, a courageous and fearless sheriff in a small town in Nevada who never gives up in his quest for justice and righting wrongs. In this second book in the series, Shades of Mercy, Bruce Borgos brilliantly crafts a multilayered ingenious plot and story that ripples through multiple lives. It includes drug smuggling, gun running, computer hacking, and kidnapping. Even friends and neighbors may be on the opposite side of the law.

Bold, thrilling, suspenseful and action packed. The excitement will keep you glued to the page and the characters will keep you coming back for more. I can't wait for the next book in this series! You definitely don't want to miss this one!

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Burgos is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers. This one is pitch perfect from start to finish with interesting, well-rounded characters and lots of exciting action, plus some laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled in. Totally entertaining. The Nevada high desert country provides quite a unique setting and the title itself has some intriguing 'shades' of meaning. I'll be interested to see in what direction the author takes Porter Beck next.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good suspense with strong characters.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the hometown cop stories and this one proves to be unique and loaded with thrills!

Shades of Mercy is the second book in the series, but you do not have to read the first in order to enjoy this one. I have to say, I was addicted to this story from the beginning.

Vulnerable but smart as a whip, this sheriff has some crazy activities and crimes he is investigating. Borgos packs in the action and leads the reader through complex, highly detailed scenes that are both fantastical and engrossing. I did not want to stop reading!

With multiple agency actions sullying the playing field, it is tough to know who are the good guys and who are not. Finding Mercy proves to be a bit tough and suspenseful but you have to learn to trust the author in this one. I love the strong women and secondary characters that keep us on our toes.

If you enjoy lots of action and raw details, this is a great read! The twists at the end totally make the story and Sheriff Beck is a fabulous character! So glad I found this author for more awesome cop fiction to come.
~~~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/shades-of-me...

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished reading The Bitter Past (Porter Beck, #1) by Bruce Borgos, I wasn’t sure how Bruce Borgos planned to write another book in this series that would come close to topping The Bitter Past. I shouldn’t have worried. Not only did Shades of Mercy (Porter Beck, #2) meet my expectations, it surpassed them. Shades of Mercy was a fast paced police procedural mystery thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. Bruce Borgos once again masterfully created compelling characters, some old friends from the first book and some new ones as well. Among the new characters was an English Lab, Sheriff Porter Beck’s trusty assistant that he nicknamed Bo, short for Frank Colombo. His team was now twelve strong. All twelve members of his team had the Sheriff’s back and were willing to do whatever was expected of them. That included fighting the fires that were raging throughout the county. Sheriff Porter Beck was ready and determined to tackle anything that affected his county. He went about doing it in his calm, patient and methodical manner. Sheriff Porter Beck rarely got flustered or lost his temper. He tended to rely on his army training and instincts. Sheriff Porter Beck found himself at a disadvantage at times. He was suffering from a degenerative disease of the retina that affected his sight at night and in darkened places. This condition was getting worse and Beck knew it.

Shades of Mercy centered around two crimes that hit a personal nerve with Sheriff Beck. Both crimes involved friends of his that he had known for years. One of those friends lost his life in a drug overdose. Porter Beck suspected that the fentanyl laced opioids that had killed his friend were being sold illegally. He was determined to discover who was behind this. Then on the Fourth of July, Beck learned that another friend suffered a loss. A military drone had been hijacked and programmed to make a direct hit on a very expensive prize bull on his friend Jesse’s ranch. Why would someone want to purposely kill and target a bull? That occurrence brought government officials to Lincoln Counry to investigate who could have hacked into military equipment and taken control of the drone. After sharing the information with his adoptive sister, Porter Beck was introduced to Mercy Vaughn, a hacker, who had been incarcerated at the juvenile detention center. With no computer accessible to Mercy, could she have had anything to do with the hacked drone? That was Sheriff Porter Beck’s job to find out.

Shades of Mercy (Porter Beck, #2) by Bruce Borgos was full of action, suspenseful scenes and had several twists and turns throughout. Bruce Borgos proved once again what a masterful storyteller he is. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The ending was unexpected yet so satisfying. I loved the hint about what might follow in the next book in this fabulous series. Shades of Mercy portrayed lots of secrets, lies and deceptions. It was about family, friendships, trust, death, drugs, spies, Cartel members and activities, hacking, grief, loyalty and the effects of dementia on the inflicted and the family of the individual. I enjoyed everything about this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me to read Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Porter Beck series; I have read both of them although this would work as a standalone.

After serving in Army intelligence, Beck has returned to his hometown in the high desert as sheriff, a position once held by his elderly father who is in beginning stages of dementia. Porter has retinitis pigmentosa which makes him virtually blind at night. Lincoln County, Nevada is usually a quiet place. But Porter no sooner returns from discovering a childhood friend dead by illegal fentanyl when another friend’s ranch is targeted by a hacked drone and his prize bull is blown up. The hacker is a teenager residing in a detention center who happens to be friends with the rancher’s daughter and it turns out she is not just any hacker, she has a nefarious background. And just what might the attack have to do with the rash of illegal drugs flooding the area?

Porter is joined by a group of characters including his adopted sister, a munitions expert, members of his small department, a failed police dog named Columbo serving as his sidekick, and some help from outside the department including a character the author named after his golden retriever! There is a cast of villains here…a Mexican cartel, shady government “men in black”, Chinese operatives.

Overall the plot is very good although there are many coincidences and some questionable plausibility. Still, it is a thrilling read with lots of action, violence and (trigger warning) animal mutiliation. Personally, I liked the main character a lot better in this book than in the first installment.

Thanks to #Netgalley and @stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the DRC.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

... review to come

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porter Beck is fast becoming one of my favorite problem solvers. Bruce Borgos has created a set of characters and a location like seldom seen. Shades of Mercy is the second book in this series and I strongly advise that you read them in order. Once again there is trouble in the desert of Nevada and Porter needs to stay sharp and use both his wit and his friends to solve the strange things that are going on. Borgos is a master at coming up with mysteries and his solutions are not the same old. I have always been a sucker for small town mysteries and if they are set in a rural environment it only makes them better. I must thank Minotaur Books Macmillan and Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy of a great book.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: July 16, 2024

“Shades of Mercy” is the second novel in the Sheriff Porter Beck series by author Bruce Borgos. A taut, engaging novel that turns the normally quiet and remote high desert of Nevada on its heels as multiple agencies (some secret, some not-so-secret) converge to find one lone girl who is more powerful than any of them even know.

Sheriff Porter Beck is trying to adapt to his rapidly decreasing eyesight, managing his job as Sheriff with the help of his support dog, Columbo. When a childhood friend overdoses on a particularly lethal brand of opioids, Beck has only begun to investigate when another friend, now a very successful cattle rancher, is targeted by a military drone, a drone that has been hijacked by an unknown hacker. When the hacker calls Beck out by name and begins to send him classified information, Beck is soon caught up in a whirlwind of drug kingpins, foreign spies and teenage hackers, and is fighting to save the life of a young girl in the middle of it all.

Sheriff Porter Beck and I were lucky enough to get acquainted in his first novel, “The Bitter Past”, and I was grateful for the oppourtunity to read his second adventure. Although novels like these don’t need to be read in any particular order (nor do you need to necessarily read all of the novels in the series), I always enjoy them more when I can start from the beginning.

Beck and his twelve-person crew are the underdogs in this novel, facing up against all of the big names (NSA, FBI, DOD, etc.) and, of course, coming out on top. Set in the steaming hot Nevada desert, “Mercy” is a non-stop thrill ride that had me turning the pages so quickly, I had finished the book before I even knew the end was near.

“Mercy” is perfect for police procedural readers who like hometown detectives who like to play outside the rules. Beck is smart, sharp and unassuming, which makes him a force to be reckoned with and when you add the adorable Columbo, they’re a pair that can’t be matched.

I thoroughly enjoy Borgos’ Beck series and I hope I am able to come along for the entire ride.

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Shades of Mercy”, Porter Beck Mystery #2, by Bruce Borgos

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I’m not keen on espionage thriller stories.
The story here takes on the opioid/fentanyl crisis.
There is plenty of action, so I wouldn’t say it was boring, but unfortunately I wasn’t thrilled.
I did not connect with the characters and I found the development of the story a bit convoluted, but at least everything is tied up at the conclusion.
Porter is a very intelligent character, that kind who knows everything, so deep investigation was not an important key in the story.
I would have loved knowing more about Mercy, the teen hacker, as I find that kind of mind fascinating, so perhaps the author will come up with another book (could be a prequel) that would showcase the development of this character.

Anyways… don’t mind my opinion as there are plenty of terrific 5 stars reviews.

ebook (Kobo): 310 pages (default), 96k words (44 chapters)

Audiobook narrated by James Babson: 10.4 hours (at normal speed) - unabridged

[Paula K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first I have read in the Porter Beck series and it was quite enjoyable. Nice to have a suspense/thriller set in Nevada. I plan on reading the next book as Shades of Mercy kept me entertained throughout the book.

4 out of 5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Annette Geiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t get me wrong, I like Sheriff Beck. He’s a good guy. He’s highly intelligent, kind and an all around good man. And I like his sister, Brinley. But really….. this book went on way too long. And quite convoluted by the end. I liked the first Sheriff Beck book and so was happy to receive this second edition from the publisher. But the length and how it went on and on, distracted me from a review above 3 stars. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this book for review consideration. # ShadesofMercy, # St.Martin’sPress.

[Pam Kovalic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada. His small department (12 people) cover a large territory and are currently helping assist with evacuating people in the path of some large wildfires. One of Beck’s oldest friends is found dead of an overdose from some opioids laced with fentanyl. Another old childhood friend is now a wealthy rancher whose prize bull is killed by a military drone that was hacked. Beck wonders if this was random or was the bull targeted specifically to send a message to the rancher. Beck is also suspicious of the rancher’s great wealth - it seems to far exceed what a cattle rancher would earn. As Beck tries to figure out who hacked into the controls of the military drone, federal agents also appear on the scene and soon a local teenager being held at a juvenile facility becomes the center of everyone’s attention. The hacker is also sending emails to Beck so it involves him directly and makes it his case. The teenager, Mercy, goes missing and Beck must find her before anyone can as he feels more is going on than anyone is aware of. This is the second Porter Beck book but it also stands alone. The characters are great - Beck, a small town sheriff with an army intelligence background, who most people underestimate but also has issues with night blindness.; Brin - Beck’s adopted sister, a gun expert and sharp-shooter; Columbo- Beck’s dog; Mercy - the teenage computer genius; and so many more. The story moves along at a fast pace and is very interesting - I read it in one day. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book is set to be published July 16, 2024.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades Of Mercy is the second in the Porter Beck thriller series. Porter Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County in the desert of Nevada. His prior experience in army intelligence gives him all the skills he needs to take on an opiod crisis. He doesn't do it alone though. With the help of a great team with special skills, including his adopted sister, the Sheriff will investigate a childhood friend and a mysterious hacker of a military drone. It's also fire season. Could this investigation be any more dangerous?

Why yes, it could. Watching the Sheriff and his team investigate is so much fun. Porter Beck is very smart. It's nice reading about a character who always manages to find a way. He has a great personality and often uses humor. He's also very kind. I'd want him on my side any time.

There is never a dull moment. Serious topics are discussed but it never feels too dark or heavy. There are some imaginative and interesting scenes involving cattle. They're probably not for the faint of heart, but I didn't mind. I also found the talk about battling fires interesting, and I love how everything came together.

Just like the first book in the series, The Bitter Past, Shades Of Mercy feels different from a typical crime thriller. There is a sense of heart that makes this a joy to read. I absolutely love this series and can't wait for the next one! It's a perfect thriller for Summer.

Thank you to @minotaur_books for the chance to read! Shades.Of Mercy will be released July 16.

[Marie Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

High octane second instalment of the Porter Beck series. Man, was I excited to get this book as the first book was a stellar debut for sure! This time he has to deal with his failing night vision, and his father’s dementia. Still love the Nevada desert setting, characters, and the action. With a sherif like Beck, he will do what is necessary, even if he has to break some rules.

Can’t wait for book three!

Thanks to st Martin’s press, Minotaur books, NetGalley, and the author for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Porter Beck, the sheriff of Lincoln County, Nevada has his hands full policing his large territory, even with the small population that resides there. His is a small department. Beck is called out when his high school friend, Cash, hooked on pain meds after an old football injury, overdoses on a nasty concoction of Fentanyl that’s been making its way through his county.

Also, the government arrives to retrieve a part of an aircraft that fell off in testing at Jesse James Roy’s Ranch, another high school friend of Beck’s. Beck hadn’t seen Jesse in years and is surprised to see how prosperous his ranch has become. It raises questions.

Beck’s investigations intersect and the government involvement adds an extra layer of difficulty as their motives are purposely unclear.

Shades of Mercy is the second installment in the Porter Beck mystery series and though it has a mystery that’s introduced and solved here, I recommend starting with the first book as it establishes Beck’s history. Also, because it’s sooo good!

This was another action-packed mystery with Beck coming head-to-head with some very bad people. I was on the edge of my seat in spots! Beck’s sharpshooter sister, Brinley, his police team and other allies were aiding along the way. Plus, Beck has a sweet new addition to his crew: Frank Columbo, a dog! Loved Frank and he was very useful! I voluntarily read an advanced copy courtesy of the Minotaur Books. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in the Nevada desert with Sheriff Porter Beck who's trying to track down the source of the latest illegal drug that most recently took the life of his good friend. In addition, strange occurrences are wreaking havoc, and it's up to Beck to figure out who's behind it. As the clues pile up, Beck is lead to Mercy Vaughn, a teenage hacker currently residing in a juvenile lockup. This plot makes for an edge-of-the-seat, exhilarating ride.

The first Beck novel consumed me, and I was happy to get my hands on this one. One of the things I love about this gifted storyteller is the way he humanizes his characters, thereby creating a strong emotional connection with the reader. Beck's father, his sister, and the deputies working with him were all so vivid and lifelike I felt like I knew them personally. He then tempers the intense action with laugh-out-loud humor, giving us a well-rounded, satisfying read.

The subtext of this riveting story is also a caution and reminder that with technological progress in our society comes potential peril that we'd do well to heed. If something like this happened in my town, Sheriff Beck is just the man I’d want on the job. Sign me up for more Porter Beck, because I need more of this thrilling, phenomenal, adrenaline-fueled fictional world!