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Kate Redman Mysteries #17
Mercy: A Kate Redman Mystery: Book 17
Detective Inspector Kate Redman has faced down some of the most dangerous criminals in Abbeyford, but after a year away from the force on maternity leave, she isn’t sure if she’s ready to return. When a troubled young man is found murdered, with links to the violent world of gangland crime, Kate is (semi) reluctantly pulled back into the field.
But it's not just the investigation weighing on Kate's mind. Out of the blue, her long-adopted child makes contact with her. The reappearance stirs up unresolved emotions and forces Kate to confront a part of her past she's tried hard to forget. As the investigation intensifies, the renewed connection with her child raises painful questions about family, trust, and forgiveness.
Torn between solving a murder and navigating the delicate, unpredictable path of reconciling with her child, Kate must find a way to bring justice to the victim without losing herself in the process…
Mercy is the seventeenth novel in the USA Today bestselling series The Kate Redman Mysteries, by author Celina Grace.
Praise for the Kate Redman Mysteries series, from Amazon and Goodreads
"Celina Grace gives us not only an unusual and well-built plot, but also a story which talks about too often forgotten humanity... Personal and choral human dramas intersect in a mystery that will keep you glued to the page until the end as it did for me."
"I love the Kate Redman series. At this point, I feel like the characters are old friends and have been through many life changes with them. Celina Grace is a masterful story teller with the ability to set the scenes in such a way that the reader can see them exactly. "
“One of the best I have read this year. I read about a fourth of the book early in the day, then at bedtime, I thought I would read a bit more before sleep. I finished the book at 5:20 AM. Just could not put it down.”
“At last, a mystery that delivers…I found this novel superb because I got all I needed to know and none of what I didn’t.”
“…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.”
“…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…”
But it's not just the investigation weighing on Kate's mind. Out of the blue, her long-adopted child makes contact with her. The reappearance stirs up unresolved emotions and forces Kate to confront a part of her past she's tried hard to forget. As the investigation intensifies, the renewed connection with her child raises painful questions about family, trust, and forgiveness.
Torn between solving a murder and navigating the delicate, unpredictable path of reconciling with her child, Kate must find a way to bring justice to the victim without losing herself in the process…
Mercy is the seventeenth novel in the USA Today bestselling series The Kate Redman Mysteries, by author Celina Grace.
Praise for the Kate Redman Mysteries series, from Amazon and Goodreads
"Celina Grace gives us not only an unusual and well-built plot, but also a story which talks about too often forgotten humanity... Personal and choral human dramas intersect in a mystery that will keep you glued to the page until the end as it did for me."
"I love the Kate Redman series. At this point, I feel like the characters are old friends and have been through many life changes with them. Celina Grace is a masterful story teller with the ability to set the scenes in such a way that the reader can see them exactly. "
“One of the best I have read this year. I read about a fourth of the book early in the day, then at bedtime, I thought I would read a bit more before sleep. I finished the book at 5:20 AM. Just could not put it down.”
“At last, a mystery that delivers…I found this novel superb because I got all I needed to know and none of what I didn’t.”
“…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.”
“…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…”
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2025
22 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Celina Grace
63 books456 followersI’ve been trying to get published as a writer since…. um… er…um…see, it was that long ago I can’t remember. A long time. I make it fifteen years and counting….
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 8, 2025
Detective Inspector Kate Redman returns to the Abbeyford police force after a year’s maternity leave for twins, to a murder with ties to gangland crime. She’s gifted with a new detective constable who doesn’t quite mesh with the rest of the team and he raises her hackles, although she can’t quite articulate why. Her homelife is complicated by the reappearance of a son she long ago gave up for adoption. She’s supported through it all by her now retired husband (and former boss), but she’s worried about him too. He's taken on the majority of childcare and is starting to look a little rough. She must walk a tight path between solving a murder with ties to the past while navigating reuniting with her now adult son, dealing with two one-year olds, and keeping her sanity.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this entry in this excellent long-running series. The writing is tight, the pacing quick, the characters well-developed, and the crime fascinating. Watching Kate and her team solve the murder as she lives an emotionally-complicated homelife made the time at the gym whizz by. I like everything about Kate – the relationship between her and her husband, how she treats her team, how she is able to focus on the matter at hand when her heart is occupied elsewhere, her dogged devotion to finding justice for the victims. I eagerly await the next Kate Redman book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this entry in this excellent long-running series. The writing is tight, the pacing quick, the characters well-developed, and the crime fascinating. Watching Kate and her team solve the murder as she lives an emotionally-complicated homelife made the time at the gym whizz by. I like everything about Kate – the relationship between her and her husband, how she treats her team, how she is able to focus on the matter at hand when her heart is occupied elsewhere, her dogged devotion to finding justice for the victims. I eagerly await the next Kate Redman book.
May 7, 2025
In Mercy, Celina Grace offers readers a more intimate look into Detective Inspector Kate Redman’s life, as she returns to duty after maternity leave. The story skilfully blends a criminal investigation with the emotional weight of personal reconnection, as Kate is unexpectedly contacted by the child she gave up for adoption years before.
This installment stands out for its sensitive portrayal of Kate’s inner conflict and the quiet strength she shows in balancing motherhood, professional duty, and the emotional complexity of her past. The psychological depth of the protagonist is one of the novel’s most compelling features.
Rather than placing the mystery front and centre, Mercy takes a more reflective path, allowing space for character development and emotional resonance — a direction that long-time fans of the series may find especially rewarding.
This installment stands out for its sensitive portrayal of Kate’s inner conflict and the quiet strength she shows in balancing motherhood, professional duty, and the emotional complexity of her past. The psychological depth of the protagonist is one of the novel’s most compelling features.
Rather than placing the mystery front and centre, Mercy takes a more reflective path, allowing space for character development and emotional resonance — a direction that long-time fans of the series may find especially rewarding.
April 25, 2025
Another winner from Celina Grace! Although this is book 17 in this series you could totally read this out of order. I do recommend reading them in order, if you can, because the author is so good at developing the characters and story line through the complete series.
With new twin babies in the house, Kate has gone back to work full time leaving Anderton to manage the home front. The ever-present mother’s guilt is strong but an unusual death occupies a lot of Kate’s mind until a surprise phone call derails her concentration. No spoilers here, start reading either this or any other of the series to enjoy the journey they will take you on.
I thank the author for this ebook arc to read. All the opinions are my own.
With new twin babies in the house, Kate has gone back to work full time leaving Anderton to manage the home front. The ever-present mother’s guilt is strong but an unusual death occupies a lot of Kate’s mind until a surprise phone call derails her concentration. No spoilers here, start reading either this or any other of the series to enjoy the journey they will take you on.
I thank the author for this ebook arc to read. All the opinions are my own.
April 27, 2025
Returning to work and trying to balance motherhood and a demanding job are stretching Kate emotionally and physically. She didn’t need one thing added to her calendar, but one came anyhow. Thank God for a husband like Anderton who, now retired, has taken over the job of father and househusband admirably.
Ms Grace has found a way to delve into the minds of people. I especially like the way she has shown over the years how Kate manages to separate home and work. Through the series, she has let us get to know the characters, building them a layer at a time. The one thing I to miss is the camaraderie we used to see after work. All in all, though, Mercy is another well-written sequel in the Kate Redman series.
Ms Grace has found a way to delve into the minds of people. I especially like the way she has shown over the years how Kate manages to separate home and work. Through the series, she has let us get to know the characters, building them a layer at a time. The one thing I to miss is the camaraderie we used to see after work. All in all, though, Mercy is another well-written sequel in the Kate Redman series.
May 6, 2025
Mercy is the 17th book in the Kate Redman series. So there is quite a lot of back story that you might want to catch up on before, or perhaps after, reading this one. As usual this is a fairly short book and can be a quick read. But while the author's prose is terse, her plots are complex. So you may find yourself slowing down a bit to think about all that's happening and how the author manages to intertwine Kate's personal life with the police procedural that is the backbone of the story. For Kate Redman fans this is yet another fascinating episode exploring and contrasting various aspects of motherhood. But to say more might be a foray into spoilers, so I'll just tell you to give this book a try. You will be glad you did.
May 7, 2025
Mercy is the 17th book in the Kate Redman series.
Fresh off of maternity leave with twins.
Kate picks up a case that may be related to one of her first cases when she became a detective.
It was a brutal case that almost ended badly for several of Kate's coworkers.
Kate also gets in touch with a person from her past which has haunted for as long as Kate knew this person.
There are developed characters, a bit of humor, and a bit of intrigue.
Many thanks to author Celina Grace for allowing me to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
Fresh off of maternity leave with twins.
Kate picks up a case that may be related to one of her first cases when she became a detective.
It was a brutal case that almost ended badly for several of Kate's coworkers.
Kate also gets in touch with a person from her past which has haunted for as long as Kate knew this person.
There are developed characters, a bit of humor, and a bit of intrigue.
Many thanks to author Celina Grace for allowing me to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
May 9, 2025
Given the title I feel I really should have seen the ending coming, but I didn't! All credit to Celina Grace for her fantastic writing. My only 'complaint' is too little policing, too much baby stuff. I think I can safely say I am in Chloe's camp. I've never had children (never wanted any - which as things turned out was just as well) and have little interest in anyone else's, even fictional ones. Other than that these books are just great.
April 25, 2025
Kate has her work cut out for her when she looks into a murder on her first day back to work after maternity leave. As always it is interesting to read along at the process she and the rest of the team go through as they attempt to solve the crime. So many great characters in a story that keeps you reading.
May 7, 2025
A great addition to the series. I love how this series never loses focus on the crime being investigated, yet fills you in on Kate's personal life. I feel like the characters are old friends I haven't seen in a while. There are several people investigated in the search for the murderer, and the plot keeps you guessing until the end. I urge you to read all thee books in the series.
May 9, 2025
I have enjoyed all the books in this series but this one is the best one yet. I have watched Kate grow and mature as a person throughout the series, and finally are seeing her face her past and a possible future. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books. It’s still a great mystery even if you are not aware of the backstory.
May 27, 2025
Mercy is a nice addition to the series. I enjoyed Kate's return to detective work after childbirth, while her husband became a stay at home dad. A person from her distant past becomes a bigger part of her story. Her relationship to her coworkers changed as one started to plan a wedding, and a new member joined the team while she was on leave. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 13, 2025
Mercy for whom?
DI Kate Redman is just back from maternity leave. A young man was found in his travel van. Was it suicide or murder? Kate will have to find out besides taking care of twins, and a husband. Who is a big help with the babies. Start the journey... You won't be disappointed. Another grand one Celina can't wait for the next!
DI Kate Redman is just back from maternity leave. A young man was found in his travel van. Was it suicide or murder? Kate will have to find out besides taking care of twins, and a husband. Who is a big help with the babies. Start the journey... You won't be disappointed. Another grand one Celina can't wait for the next!
April 25, 2025
Another great, full of suspense story by a talented author. Kate has to figure out who committed the crime as well as dealing with her own personal issues. Will she be able to take care of everything on time. Won’t disappoint, not to be missed once it’s released
April 30, 2025
D.I. Kate Redman has to cope with returning to work, leaving the twins, and out of the blue a ghost from the past. Her first case back is that of the murder of 28 year old Nick Salisbury, found dead in his camper van.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its cast of interesting and likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its cast of interesting and likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2025
I Love this author books , plot is well defined with solving a murder
While her personal side with issues from the past, is woven in.
I recommend this book by the author as well all the others this author has written.
While her personal side with issues from the past, is woven in.
I recommend this book by the author as well all the others this author has written.
May 7, 2025
Another in an amazing series. I love that the Kate Redman story continues and we get to watch all of the characters interact evolve. When I get the latest installment I have to read it right away…beginning to end. Definitely one of my favorite authors. Thank you Celina…keep writing!
May 8, 2025
Another great story in this series. I love the angst, the reality checks, the relationships, the emotions, and of course, the investigation. With new sources of stress, Kate struggles, but she's strong. Love this series!
May 8, 2025
Fantastic!
I've enjoyed this series from the beginning! Kate's character has grown in so many ways. Her family and her crew have become like family to me. I hope to see what's next, especially with the new characters. We'll done!
I've enjoyed this series from the beginning! Kate's character has grown in so many ways. Her family and her crew have become like family to me. I hope to see what's next, especially with the new characters. We'll done!
May 5, 2025
Another outstanding entry in the Kate Redman crime thrillers. As a new mother, we see more of Kate's domestic life than usual, but that's always been one of the greatest appeals with these books. The various friendships and relationships among her friends and coworkers have always been just as compelling and involving as the mystery and crime itself. This time it strikes at the heart of Kate as a mother as she deals with some ghosts from her past and it's actually her intuition as a mother that leads her to the sad and shocking conclusion. These books are always a very satisfying and enjoyable read and one to look forward to. Very excellently done.
***I received an ARC from the author. My review is strictly voluntary.***
***I received an ARC from the author. My review is strictly voluntary.***
May 7, 2025
Another great installment of the Kate Redman series. Well drawn characters and good story. I look forward to number 18!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book.
May 8, 2025
A new chapter for Kate
I loved this book. Learning more about what lies within her heart and soul. Looking forward to her next chapter.
I loved this book. Learning more about what lies within her heart and soul. Looking forward to her next chapter.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews