No Mercy In Red

by Shannon V. Velzen

By day, Maxine Pochon is a quiet, unassuming assistant at a law firm that specialises in helping victims of assault. By night, she hunts the men the law refuses to punish-using her charm to lure them in, forcing confessions, and ensuring they never hurt another woman again.

She knows she's on borrowed time. Eventually, someone will catch on.

Connor isn't just someone.

A skilled hacker working alongside the police, he was supposed to help track down the towns infamous serial killer. Instead, he became obsessed with her. Watching her. Studying her. Wanting her.

When their worlds finally collide, it isn't just a game of cat and mouse-it's a dark, twisted desire neither of them can resist.

But secrets don't stay hidden forever.

And when the truth comes out, Connor will have to make a decision. Hand her over, or become the monster at her side.

A dark romance filled with obsession, crime, and passion. No Mercy in Red is perfect for fans of Haunting Adeline and Lights Out.

Genres: Dark Romance

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

About the author

Shannon V. Velzen is a dark romance/romantasy writer from a small town near York in North Yorkshire. She’s a disabled mum of two, a wife, and a dog owner who juggles writing with family life and her kids.

With a degree in psychology, she loves exploring messy emotions, morally grey characters, and stories that blur the line between love and chaos. When she’s not writing or re-reading her favourite fantasy books, she’s probably headbanging in the kitchen or hiding snacks from her children.

She can be found across all socials @ ShannonV.Velzen

Reviews

[Laura Greenhalgh · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book!

i think considering this is a debut novel, the author has done a great job. yes there are quite a few spelling mistakes/typos but the author has addressed this and is working to fix them. the premise of the plot was very intriguing and hooked me from the beginning, i love a stabby FMC, especially one who makes it her mission to eliminate evil men and make them pay for their crimes that the justice system has ignored. i'm not a fan of instant love so the romance wasn't 100% for me but i do love me a stalker in a dark romance book so that was fun!

[SAV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book considering it was the authors debut novel. You had a badass fmc who was kind of giving Lana Myers vibes and a crazy hacker stalker who ends up absolutely obsessed with her and vibes unhinged vibes. It had a good amount of smut and and a really good plot and was a quick and fun read! I definitely would recommend if you want a quicker read with a badass fmc!

[Shanice Twiddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re exactly what I needed. You saved me. Maybe not in the conventional way-but you did.”
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Once I picked this book up, I did not want to put it down, reading a little bit hear and there at every opportunity, before work, on my lunch break and the minute I got home. This is the debut book of Shannon V Velzen and my god, I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next! Congratulations chick!! This was phenomenal!

Max and Connor are perfect together, they have a dark, possessive and infatuated relationship, willing to go to the end of the world together, this book comes with its own trigger warnings (rape, assault,torture, blood, murder and trauma among some). Described as a dark romance filled with obsession, crime and passion - it did not disappoint!

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her debut novel, and well done.

Our FMC is like some avenging angel, a body to d!e for and utilise to the detriment of her prey 😈 Until her stalker, turns the tables and she becomes his prey. Max has taken upon her father’s legacy of seeking retribution where the law has failed except there is no jail sentence for them, her methods are final. However, same said law is closing in…will they catch her? Will all she has done come crashing down? A strong female tamed? See now you will just have to read it 😉

The story was well thought out, flows well and engulfs you in their lives. It could do with a proofread, there were quite a few errors but these would be easily sorted and if you can dismiss them then enjoy this female revenge story. There is v!0lence obviously, suspense and spice.

[The Good Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me gripped from the moment I read the first sentence. Without spoilers, the characters were a 10/10! Max and Connor are the fucking power couple I didn’t think I needed in my life. I could not put my kindle down and I regret nothing. I am usually a slow reader and it takes me at least 2 weeks to read a short story but this. Nah 4 days and it’s finished! Shannon has smashed her debut book and I cannot hype it enough! If you haven’t got yourself a copy then what the heck are you waiting for?

[Siannon Barfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read!!

Ok so I have honestly LOVED this book from the start! I was HOOKED! I couldn’t put my kindle down and just kept telling myself one more chapter and I’ll go to bed! I don’t want to say any spoilers but you will become addicted to a main character there is no two ways about it! Highly recommend!

[Zoe E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great debut novel.
A strong female main character driven with revenge.
The story was a good plot and gripping. Especially the second half, full of action and suspense with a fair bit of spice thrown in, too.
I found that the story flowed well, although it could have done with maybe being proof read abit more as there were quite a few errors in the book. But these would be easily sorted, you could ignore them, and I didn't feel like they took anything anyway from the plot.

[Kait Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ IT!!! SERIOUSLY READ IT!!!!!

Oh my goodness this had never wrapped up! Im a slow reader but oh my gosh I couldn't stop Connor and Max yep! 1000/10. You need go get this book now. Writing is amazing, plot is amazing! Love having a FMC. So well done and such a captive read!

[Abigail Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this in one sitting!! One of the best dark romance books I’ve read!!❤️ ~ I need more!✨

[jess clark-dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good, if very predictable but I wish there was a little more to the plot and the spice. Good for a first by the author

[Dark And Thorny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC copy of this book.

This dark romance is both beautiful and twisted, making you both cringe at how things happen and also kind of long for a dynamic like the two main characters have. The revenge plotline of the FMC and how the MMC gets brought into it is incredible! I found that I was both saddened by the FMC’s story and also found her to be very strong and vibrant, even though she blatantly embraced red flags 🤣. Ahhh the things we do for love.

Very well done debut novel by Shannon V. Velzen and I’m super grateful to the author for the opportunity to ARC read!

[Kat Colangelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars for me.

I was captivated by the blurb and knew it was going to be a book for me. The plot and characters were amazing, well thought-out and developed. I love the FMC, she was hilarious and deep. The MMC was very self-aware and devoted. I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to end, but the twist and last kill just broke my heart and fit nicely.

My favourite quote is, "If the world wouldn't give us justice, then I would carve it out myself."

The reason for my four-star and not five was that there were simple mistakes in the book, like a capital I and so forth, which through me off. I also don't think the police would just accept the ending and would then look into it in terms of dates and times matching. I wish this had more detail.

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Dominique Kruger-Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realise this was a debut novel which I am pleasantly surprised by! It was a really good plot with some brilliant descriptions that I really enjoyed. Were there some spelling errors and words place incorrectly? Yes but the author has acknowledged this and is working on fixing them so go her!

After reading the Mindf**k series I have definitely decided I love a stabby FMC, especially one who makes it her mission to eliminate evil men and make them pay for their crimes that the justice system has ignored. When you combine that with a man who supports her through it? That's me done and happy 😍 Add in a stalker with a dark romance and this is what I would call a good few hours of entertainment.

I would definitely recommend this is you want a quicker dark read with a badass FMC similar to Lana Myers!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is a debut novel and I really enjoyed it. It’s on the darker side due to the stalking behaviour of the MMC and the FMC being a vigilante serial killer but as the book goes on it gets lighter. Even at the beginning it’s not the darkest and it’s more due to topics rather than how characters are treated etc.

I liked both characters. Connor is a good blend between tortured stalker and golden retriever who just adores the FMC. Max as the FMC is cool. Nice and stabby and we love a character who is giving out justice when the criminal justice system fails.

This is a fast paced book and is relatively short. The author manages to wrap everything up and achieve a happy ending in the time. I would have happily read another 100 pages to give them a little bit more time to delve deeper into characters and tension. Overall a good debut novel which I enjoyed.

[Romana Neuharth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to beta read for this project and let me say, it was great. The concept itself was an itch I didn’t know needed scratching. I like the idea of a badass FMC vigilante finding that person to be soft with even though he has issues of his own. The writing itself was really good too and would just need some tweaking in spots to feel more filling as a story. The spice was great, and the characters seemed to develop though I wish the development was more fleshed out so that it seemed more realistic. Overall I’m so excited to read the final publication because I feel that with it being deserving of 4 stars in beta shows that it can only be that much more amazing when it’s ready for the world to read. I definitely found one of my top fave authors with this story.

[GeeAlbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down no matter how hard I tried!

This is a debut novel & my first introduction to a ‘stalker’ dark romance.

I really enjoyed Maxine’s character development & learning about why she does what she does & is who she is. Connor was a whole other story; it was a range of mixed feelings towards him but I definitely appreciated the way he treated her, the way he was her solace from the darkness.

I don’t annotate books when I read as I never know where to start but this was the first book I’ve actually used tabs to mark out some of the most impactful quotes.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline & found it almost healing in some ways. A sense of warped justice.

[Gemjar.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

I wish I could reread this book

You seriously wouldn't think this is the authors debut book! What a book it is. Kick ass female serial killer with a vulnerable side and a male Obsessive honest stalker, what more could you want. I wouldn't say no to Connor. 
I loved the character development. The plot was there, and though you could tell where it was going, it kept me hooked. Yes there's difficult scenes but there's a lot of light and funny scenes too. 

The smut was there and so good but not too in your face and constant. 

Honestly, it's well worth a read. Yes there's so spelling errors and mixed up words, but it didn't stop me from enjoying this book.

[Heloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Do me a favour sweetheart, when you see him, let him know you worship the devil now.” I devoured this the way Connor devoured max. the author is republishing in Jan to remove some issues with double letters but I only spotted two issues and did not affect my reading experience. I hate that max saw it as a duty but also loved how she knew she was fighting for justice in her own way. Connor was obsessive I could of done without the lies and I feel like he should of had some more reactions to a scene but I really enjoyed this.

[Bekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book however I feel like the romance needed to be developed on more. It was what I would categorise as ‘insta love’. There was no build up of feelings and immediately the FMC and MMC were in love after one round of sex which isn’t my cup of tea. Not a bad read but just felt like more depth was needed, the ending was very quick and the conclusion felt rushed.

[Olganion · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quit not even three pages in. This author should learn how to form readable paragraphs before writing another book ever again.

I am sorry but I am not gonna torture my eyes to make sense of a 40 line paragraph.

Shame.

[N.K. Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

10000000/10 and that's all.
I would happily under go brain reconstructive surgery just to read this for the first time all over again just so I could experience sheer joy again.
I love this girl.
I love her writing more.
RECOMMEND.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

It was a good story, although a little slow and I did see many spelling errors I did enjoy it. Connor was hot of course but Max kind of got on my nerves with the way she acted sometimes but it was still a good read

[Orinta Nydere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could have very easily given this 5 stars but the spelling mistakes and repetition ruined it a bit

[Sharna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. Stalkers, torture, female empowerment, and spice. All things I love. I did seriously enjoy this story although it really does need a good edit.

[Daisy Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have been waiting for this to be released for over a month but lowkey disappointed. Plot had holes in it and the end felt so rushed... AND THE TYPOS????

[Laura Felty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frustrating

Ever read a book with so many typos on its hard to concentrate on the storyline. I would give this book a much higher rating if there was a proofreader involved.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like a copy of Mindfkc series.

Dnf

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

[sisi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s giving the mindf*ck series

[Readerwithacamera · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5✨