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East Rise #1
Mercy Killing
When local sex offender Albie Woodville is killed, it puts DI Harry Powell and DC Hazel Hamilton under immense pressure in the East Rise incident room. They must treat this case the same as any other murder, but they know better than anyone the evil things Albie did when he was alive . . .
But as the investigation progresses, it becomes clear this isn’t just a one-off killing. Someone is out for revenge. Will the team solve the case in time to stop more blood from being shed?
Written by a real life police detective, Mercy Killing is a gripping crime thriller about the thin line between justice and vengeance.
But as the investigation progresses, it becomes clear this isn’t just a one-off killing. Someone is out for revenge. Will the team solve the case in time to stop more blood from being shed?
Written by a real life police detective, Mercy Killing is a gripping crime thriller about the thin line between justice and vengeance.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 27, 2021
3.7 stars. A rather intense read that was uncomfortable to read at times as the murder victim was a known sex offender. Enjoy Lisa Cutts way to write cases that makes you want to know what's going on and I think I'll read through somd of her books soon. Haven't heard about Lisa Cutts and her books don't seem to be very popular but I really think she deserves more readers. Intruging books indeed.
August 21, 2017
As with the last book I shelved today, this one too has a cast of thousands and is really hard-going. I got as far as 25%, two MORE new characters appeared and I couldn't face any more. It was also pretty laborious in places, especially when we read this-"Once Eric had cut a single piece of bread, he decided that he would have a second"...really ? I rolled my eyes and sighed very loudly at that.
This author has also gone with American spelling, always a bugbear of mine....realization, inquiries, scrutinized...just irritating in a book set over here where we can spell properly !!
There were the odd amusing moments in it, despite the subject matter. However, this passage lost me altogether, and not only because she spells feeling as felling.....I just couldn't make any sense of it ! "Is this a bad time ?" asked Sophia, felling a little uneasy that Millie seemed so conscious of her surroundings in her own house".....huh ??
It sounded good but it was too much like hard work for me to enjoy it, I'm afraid.
This author has also gone with American spelling, always a bugbear of mine....realization, inquiries, scrutinized...just irritating in a book set over here where we can spell properly !!
There were the odd amusing moments in it, despite the subject matter. However, this passage lost me altogether, and not only because she spells feeling as felling.....I just couldn't make any sense of it ! "Is this a bad time ?" asked Sophia, felling a little uneasy that Millie seemed so conscious of her surroundings in her own house".....huh ??
It sounded good but it was too much like hard work for me to enjoy it, I'm afraid.
September 23, 2016
I'm a fan of Lisa's books so I knew I would be in for a treat with this one. Mercy Killing did not disappoint. Written by a serving Detective Constable, it is gritty, authentic and gripping throughout.
This story features the brutal death of a local sex offender and the ripple effect of his death, not just on the community but on the investigating officers too. I liked the way that Lisa captured the emotions and conflict of those investigating the case as well as the people involved. Harry Powell was an interesting and enjoyable character and I also enjoyed watching him interact with his team. As in true Lisa Cutts style, there were lots of twists and turns to keep me interested and some harrowing scenes that only the most experienced of officers could write. A true police procedural style novel, it's a gripping story which will keep you turning the pages throughout.
This story features the brutal death of a local sex offender and the ripple effect of his death, not just on the community but on the investigating officers too. I liked the way that Lisa captured the emotions and conflict of those investigating the case as well as the people involved. Harry Powell was an interesting and enjoyable character and I also enjoyed watching him interact with his team. As in true Lisa Cutts style, there were lots of twists and turns to keep me interested and some harrowing scenes that only the most experienced of officers could write. A true police procedural style novel, it's a gripping story which will keep you turning the pages throughout.
April 23, 2017
Once again Lisa Cutts delivers a gritty and thoroughly authentic police procedural crime thriller. With a huge cast of characters including the detectives in the Major Crime team, the many suspects and witnesses and the victim who was a convicted paedophile Mercy Killing looks at a very uncomfortable topic and the ripple effect on the victims and the police investigating the crimes.
If you enjoy police procedurals with plausible characters and realistic dialogue and scenarios then you should definitely read Lisa Cutts books.
If you enjoy police procedurals with plausible characters and realistic dialogue and scenarios then you should definitely read Lisa Cutts books.
July 28, 2017
So, despite the fact I promised myself I would stop picking up books that show a woman walking away from me (there are soooo many of them!), I did it with Mercy Killing by Lisa Cutts when I came across it at my local library. I really can’t help myself!
Mercy Killing is a police procedural that feels real – no doubt because Lisa Cutts is a detective constable when she isn’t writing pretty good pieces of crime fiction (and has been for 20 years). It also feels different, at least for me when I compare it to the books I’ve been reading lately. First, the lead detective wasn’t a woman but rather a grumpy old man (Harry), one who had been a police officer for a long time and who is feeling world weary.
Second, investigating this crime seemed like a real team effort. Harry wasn’t a man out to prove himself or with demons to fight (though he is fighting with his wife a fair deal – no police officers life can be perfect it seems). He didn’t rush into situations without thinking, putting himself in danger as a consequence. And he wasn’t a one man band. He had his team do the work they were being paid to do and he did what he was being paid to do – lead them.
At first, this idea of a team all working together threw me a little but I pretty soon feel into the flow of moving between characters and started to enjoy getting to know them. They were all interesting and all pretty strong, which they needed to be given not so much the crime they were investigating but the victim, a paedophile. Albie Woodville is a nasty piece of work and it’s probably not a surprise some officers wondered if they shouldn’t be shaking the hand of the man – or woman – who had killed him.
I’m not sure enjoyed is the right word here but for want of a better one, I enjoyed seeing how each officer responded to the victim and his crimes, how it affected them on a professional and personal level. I also enjoyed getting to see the inner workings of the force and the way the investigation played out. It did make for a slower pace than some other police procedurals I’ve read but I can’t say I minded it. I didn’t get bored and my mind didn’t wander so there are no complaints here.
I have read this is the start of a new series for Lisa Cutts – who I haven’t read before – and I have to say I think she’s set a great scene. An area (East Rise) that seems just dark enough to have some interesting criminals living in it and a cast of characters that feel like they all have more to live. I’ll be looking out for the second book (due August I think) and would definitely recommend this book. Liked it a lot.
Mercy Killing is a police procedural that feels real – no doubt because Lisa Cutts is a detective constable when she isn’t writing pretty good pieces of crime fiction (and has been for 20 years). It also feels different, at least for me when I compare it to the books I’ve been reading lately. First, the lead detective wasn’t a woman but rather a grumpy old man (Harry), one who had been a police officer for a long time and who is feeling world weary.
Second, investigating this crime seemed like a real team effort. Harry wasn’t a man out to prove himself or with demons to fight (though he is fighting with his wife a fair deal – no police officers life can be perfect it seems). He didn’t rush into situations without thinking, putting himself in danger as a consequence. And he wasn’t a one man band. He had his team do the work they were being paid to do and he did what he was being paid to do – lead them.
At first, this idea of a team all working together threw me a little but I pretty soon feel into the flow of moving between characters and started to enjoy getting to know them. They were all interesting and all pretty strong, which they needed to be given not so much the crime they were investigating but the victim, a paedophile. Albie Woodville is a nasty piece of work and it’s probably not a surprise some officers wondered if they shouldn’t be shaking the hand of the man – or woman – who had killed him.
I’m not sure enjoyed is the right word here but for want of a better one, I enjoyed seeing how each officer responded to the victim and his crimes, how it affected them on a professional and personal level. I also enjoyed getting to see the inner workings of the force and the way the investigation played out. It did make for a slower pace than some other police procedurals I’ve read but I can’t say I minded it. I didn’t get bored and my mind didn’t wander so there are no complaints here.
I have read this is the start of a new series for Lisa Cutts – who I haven’t read before – and I have to say I think she’s set a great scene. An area (East Rise) that seems just dark enough to have some interesting criminals living in it and a cast of characters that feel like they all have more to live. I’ll be looking out for the second book (due August I think) and would definitely recommend this book. Liked it a lot.
August 17, 2016
review to come. Excellent crime thriller.
October 29, 2016
Full review to follow but wowzers what a book this was. Not an easy read, given the subject matter, but fantastically written and grabs your attention from the start.
August 18, 2025
This was a free book from Barnes and noble nook and I could see why they were giving it away. Hard to follow and pretty boring. Writing fell flat. Also just did not care for the subject matter or how it was handled. Will not continue the series.
January 4, 2024
Fantastic book, it was a difficult read at times. There were a few speech marks missing, but still easy to follow.
I will definitely be reading more of this authors work.
I will definitely be reading more of this authors work.
March 28, 2025
A very authentic crime drama which I enjoyed very much. Now reading book 2 in the series.
March 5, 2017
Lisa Cutts
Mercy Killing.
Wow Lisa Cutts books are now must reads, this one is about the murders of child molesters and kiddie fiddlers. Follow all the work of catching the bad guys. This book kept me guessing all the way to the end, you'll really enjoy this book.
5* 05 March 2017.
Mercy Killing.
Wow Lisa Cutts books are now must reads, this one is about the murders of child molesters and kiddie fiddlers. Follow all the work of catching the bad guys. This book kept me guessing all the way to the end, you'll really enjoy this book.
5* 05 March 2017.
May 20, 2017
Really good crime thriller
August 1, 2017
It's a tough subject matter but dealt with well by the author. She clearly knows about police work. However, I wasn't too drawn in by the characters - clearly this is the start and perhaps they will develop as further books are published- not that they were badly written just didn't connect. Nevertheless a good read worth considering.
With Mercy Killings we are most certainly being introduced to the characters and there are quite a few so you may want to concentrate more on the storyline which is gritty and gives a fair bit of insight into how the police work and interact with each other, the crime scene, the witnesses, the main investigation and other elements of what is happening alongside it.
With Mercy Killings we are most certainly being introduced to the characters and there are quite a few so you may want to concentrate more on the storyline which is gritty and gives a fair bit of insight into how the police work and interact with each other, the crime scene, the witnesses, the main investigation and other elements of what is happening alongside it.
May 7, 2018
Way too many characters leading to confusion as to who was who and what was what throughout the book To be honest I wish I’d just given up on it I cannot see why so many characters were necessary The crime was thankfully concluded in the end I would only recommend this to anyone willing to devise a spreadsheet to keep track of all the characters
October 30, 2016
Good. Lots of characters though and I'm easily muddled. Will definitely read more from this author though. I should've read this in one sitting really but struggled with getting quiet time.
February 14, 2018
The ‘realistic’ police novel has always seemed to me to be something of a mirage, it looks great on the horizon; less so when you get up close. Real world murder investigations often turn on forensic minutiae and involve dozens of people carrying out highly specialized roles. Good luck to any writer trying to distil that into a book shorter than War and Peace, particularly when it comes to finding an audience to read it.
Better to stick to the tried and tested formula, the one where a small team solve every crime in town, preferably with a troubled maverick at its head. Clichés are as comforting as crumpets on a cold day, and they sell as well too.
Having said that Lisa Cutts seems to manage better than anyone else who has tried recently to pull off the trick of being (almost) realistic. Her detectives act and talk like the sort of people you might meet at your local police station.
The dilemmas they face belong to a real world of public hysteria and senior management mendacity. None of which have the sort of easy solutions that involve the hero being given twenty- four hours then they’re off the case.
She writes about crime as a black stone tossed into the calm pond of suburban life, the ripples emanating out from its impact have the power of tsunami. Neither the cops or the criminals they hunt in this or any of her books return to their default setting when the novel comes to an end.
That is a level of realism far more people writing in the crime genre could and should aspire to.
Better to stick to the tried and tested formula, the one where a small team solve every crime in town, preferably with a troubled maverick at its head. Clichés are as comforting as crumpets on a cold day, and they sell as well too.
Having said that Lisa Cutts seems to manage better than anyone else who has tried recently to pull off the trick of being (almost) realistic. Her detectives act and talk like the sort of people you might meet at your local police station.
The dilemmas they face belong to a real world of public hysteria and senior management mendacity. None of which have the sort of easy solutions that involve the hero being given twenty- four hours then they’re off the case.
She writes about crime as a black stone tossed into the calm pond of suburban life, the ripples emanating out from its impact have the power of tsunami. Neither the cops or the criminals they hunt in this or any of her books return to their default setting when the novel comes to an end.
That is a level of realism far more people writing in the crime genre could and should aspire to.
July 13, 2019
Just missed the mark somehow
I wish I could rate this book more highly. It looks at sexual child abuse from every point of view you can think of - the victim, the perpetrator, the friends and family, the police, those wrongfully accused, those who take it upon themselves to hunt/trap abusers, those making false accusations, those who were believed and those who were not. It's a really interesting scenario and a great basis for a crime novel but it also means that there are a lot of characters. I felt that every character was lacking in back story. Lisa Cutts spread them too thinly.
I also felt that there were missed opportunities. The revelation of the contents of Woodville's spare room definitely deserved further exploration. That's crime novel gold and it would've played with our emotions/opinions on finding his killer even more. The leader of the volunteer army wasn't developed as far as she could be. Female child abuser is an uncommon and therefore more interesting angle. Dean Stillbrook had a shocking plot line which was virtually sidelined. Not paying more attention to that thread does an injustice to those in the same position in real life.
It wasn't bad, it just could have been better and I was unfortunately disappointed. Perhaps as a fan of the more gritty details this book just wasn't really aimed at me. Maybe I'm wanting it to be something it never set out to be and that has skewed my opinion. I liked it enough to finish it but not enough to recommend to others. 3 stars for me.
I wish I could rate this book more highly. It looks at sexual child abuse from every point of view you can think of - the victim, the perpetrator, the friends and family, the police, those wrongfully accused, those who take it upon themselves to hunt/trap abusers, those making false accusations, those who were believed and those who were not. It's a really interesting scenario and a great basis for a crime novel but it also means that there are a lot of characters. I felt that every character was lacking in back story. Lisa Cutts spread them too thinly.
I also felt that there were missed opportunities. The revelation of the contents of Woodville's spare room definitely deserved further exploration. That's crime novel gold and it would've played with our emotions/opinions on finding his killer even more. The leader of the volunteer army wasn't developed as far as she could be. Female child abuser is an uncommon and therefore more interesting angle. Dean Stillbrook had a shocking plot line which was virtually sidelined. Not paying more attention to that thread does an injustice to those in the same position in real life.
It wasn't bad, it just could have been better and I was unfortunately disappointed. Perhaps as a fan of the more gritty details this book just wasn't really aimed at me. Maybe I'm wanting it to be something it never set out to be and that has skewed my opinion. I liked it enough to finish it but not enough to recommend to others. 3 stars for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2018
This was the third novel by Lisa Cutts that I've read, the other two being Never Forget and Remember Remember. Both those I found to be gripping books that left me wanting for nothing. Essentially everything a police procedural novel should be. So, naturally, I was expecting big things from this.
The novel centres around the murder of convicted sex offender Albie Woodville, who is beaten and strangled in his own home. With a short list of suspects who don't really seem to quite strike the team as the killers, DI Harry Powell and his team have their work cut out.
I have to say that for the most part I found this novel to be as expected. Engaging, interesting, and thrilling to the end. There were times I really couldn't put my Kindle down while I was reading this book. And I think the best part about any police procedural or thriller is how easy it is to figure it out - the longer it takes you the better the book. And I'll tell you, when the final reveal came I just hadn't given that person much more than a fleeting thought as a suspect.
Overall, a great read, and I'll most definitely be reading more books by Lisa Cutts.
The novel centres around the murder of convicted sex offender Albie Woodville, who is beaten and strangled in his own home. With a short list of suspects who don't really seem to quite strike the team as the killers, DI Harry Powell and his team have their work cut out.
I have to say that for the most part I found this novel to be as expected. Engaging, interesting, and thrilling to the end. There were times I really couldn't put my Kindle down while I was reading this book. And I think the best part about any police procedural or thriller is how easy it is to figure it out - the longer it takes you the better the book. And I'll tell you, when the final reveal came I just hadn't given that person much more than a fleeting thought as a suspect.
Overall, a great read, and I'll most definitely be reading more books by Lisa Cutts.
February 13, 2021
My first book of 2021. Another murder mystery, but with an interesting premise. I loved the idea of portraying people’s intentions on what they feel about the murder of a sex offender. A great job in including small twists here and there, as well as inducing suspense when it was needed.
However, this book is not without flaws. Firstly, there were just too many characters to focus on. The story could have stuck to having 4-5 main characters instead. Even then, the characterisation, felt weak for some, and odd for the others. The only characters that I felt was well written were DI Harry and DCI Barbara. The other characters could have been written well. Furthermore, the book has 79 chapters, each chapter consisting of 3-5 pages only, and the story shifts every chapter from 1 subplot to another. It’s a bit hard to follow up after a while. In other words, there was no flow as to how the story unfolds.
Nevertheless, for those who have not read it, give the book a shot for the emotional conflicts each character have, and how the ending wraps the story up. But, be mindful to not have sky rocketing expectations👌.
However, this book is not without flaws. Firstly, there were just too many characters to focus on. The story could have stuck to having 4-5 main characters instead. Even then, the characterisation, felt weak for some, and odd for the others. The only characters that I felt was well written were DI Harry and DCI Barbara. The other characters could have been written well. Furthermore, the book has 79 chapters, each chapter consisting of 3-5 pages only, and the story shifts every chapter from 1 subplot to another. It’s a bit hard to follow up after a while. In other words, there was no flow as to how the story unfolds.
Nevertheless, for those who have not read it, give the book a shot for the emotional conflicts each character have, and how the ending wraps the story up. But, be mindful to not have sky rocketing expectations👌.
July 21, 2022
The death of a local sex offender places the police officers at East Rise incident room under immense pressure - they must treat this case like any other murder, but they know what Albie Woodville did and can feel little sympathy. Except, as the investigation progresses, it becomes clear this isn't just a one-off killing - someone is out for revenge...
This is a police procedural about sex offenders. Albie Woodville was murdered and the killers are unknown until the very end. I enjoyed the book but it did get boring in parts. It had good characters and a good plot but not what I was looking for. It had a few twists that were unique and I didn't guess the killers until the very end of the book. I'm not going to read another book by this author.
This is a police procedural about sex offenders. Albie Woodville was murdered and the killers are unknown until the very end. I enjoyed the book but it did get boring in parts. It had good characters and a good plot but not what I was looking for. It had a few twists that were unique and I didn't guess the killers until the very end of the book. I'm not going to read another book by this author.
October 27, 2024
Mercy Killing by Lisa Cutts is the first book in a new police series East Rise, the police team are required to investigate the murder of local sex offender, Albie Woodville. DCI Harry Powell and DC Hazel Hamilton are under pressure to find the killer, even though Albie Woodville was a prolific sex offender and not many people would mourn the loss of his life.
As the investigation continue it become clear that this isn’t the only murder of a convicted sex offender and it proves difficult to find who is responsible for these attacks.
This is an immersive look at murder investigations of victims that no one would mourn the deaths of, but justice must still be seen to be done.
Highly recommended
As the investigation continue it become clear that this isn’t the only murder of a convicted sex offender and it proves difficult to find who is responsible for these attacks.
This is an immersive look at murder investigations of victims that no one would mourn the deaths of, but justice must still be seen to be done.
Highly recommended
May 22, 2025
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Iain Batchelor
The murder of a known sex offender stirs up all kinds of feelings for those involved, I liked that this author was able to portray the emotions of the investigating officers but no matter their personal feelings the police have a job to do and the killer must be caught.
A narrator can make or break a book for me, there are several books that I avoid the audio version of as the narrator really doesn’t work for me but I’m please to say this narrator does a fabulous job.
Narrator: Iain Batchelor
The murder of a known sex offender stirs up all kinds of feelings for those involved, I liked that this author was able to portray the emotions of the investigating officers but no matter their personal feelings the police have a job to do and the killer must be caught.
A narrator can make or break a book for me, there are several books that I avoid the audio version of as the narrator really doesn’t work for me but I’m please to say this narrator does a fabulous job.
April 27, 2022
The author takes a different approach with this book. Although a police procedural set in the same area and with some of the same police officers as the first two books this story does not feature DC Nina Foster and is not told in the first person. This story deals with the investigation of the murder of a sex offender and we learn what the police are doing and also what suspects and witnesses are doing until the murderer is arrested and charged.
February 28, 2025
Sometimes I felt that I was swimming through mud with this book, struggled at times to continue with reading and thankful for the small chapter size as I prefer, when reading, to finish at a chapter end. Tough subject to write about and I commend the author for having a go. I did find that the number of characters took some remembering, (thank goodness for Kindle), and looking back feel there were far too many. Probably my first and last Lisa Cutts novel.
August 31, 2022
Not a very pleasant subject but not too graphic. A paedophile is found violently murdered and the police officers of East Rise have plenty of people who can be regarded as suspects. Despite the awful things the victim did to children, his murder must be treated like any other case.
I can usually suss out 'who done it' but this book kept me completely in the dark.
I can usually suss out 'who done it' but this book kept me completely in the dark.
December 6, 2024
A struggle to finish
I found this very difficult to read. Nothing seemed to follow and it jumped around too much for my liking. Normally, if I don't like a book, I'll DNF it very quickly. This one, I actually good to 90% before I decided to DNF it. I could have struggled to the end, but really didn't enjoy it. Sorry.
I found this very difficult to read. Nothing seemed to follow and it jumped around too much for my liking. Normally, if I don't like a book, I'll DNF it very quickly. This one, I actually good to 90% before I decided to DNF it. I could have struggled to the end, but really didn't enjoy it. Sorry.
June 23, 2025
Killing is wrong, isn’t it?
Kinda depressing when the victim should have had the death sentence, but the law is the law. The story drags a little, since, due to very difficult circumstances, the police just can’t get it right. The victory at the end was extremely lacklustre, not exactly satisfying. Not many light moments, and the subject matter might turn you completely off.
Kinda depressing when the victim should have had the death sentence, but the law is the law. The story drags a little, since, due to very difficult circumstances, the police just can’t get it right. The victory at the end was extremely lacklustre, not exactly satisfying. Not many light moments, and the subject matter might turn you completely off.
July 29, 2017
Vary good police procedural
Books about child abuse may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Lisa Cutts manages to avoid being too focussed on the details of the crimes without lessening them.
Books about child abuse may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Lisa Cutts manages to avoid being too focussed on the details of the crimes without lessening them.
August 15, 2017
Brilliant
This was a fantastic book and questions the very moral dilemma as to wether the murder of a know paedophile should be investigated with the full dedication of our police force. Fantastic coverage of this sensitive subject.
This was a fantastic book and questions the very moral dilemma as to wether the murder of a know paedophile should be investigated with the full dedication of our police force. Fantastic coverage of this sensitive subject.
December 30, 2018
Having read the first two books by this author which I loved, I found this one a bit harder going. It was well written but the story is a bit dark in places not as good as before but I’ll carry on with the next one
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews