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Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery #1
Mercy & Mayhem
A new assignment. A shocking murder. A town full of suspects.
Traveling nurse Mercy Mares is an expert at two things: trouble and mayhem. When Mercy reports for the first day of work for a nursing home, she knows she has her work cut out for her, but she had no idea that by the end of the day, she'd have 36 anxious patients, 12 angry administrators, and a murder on her hands.
As the new person in town, of course, all eyes are on her. If she doesn't find the killer soon, she just might find a pair of handcuffs around her wrists and a life behind bars.
Can she solve the case before it's too late?
Traveling nurse Mercy Mares is an expert at two things: trouble and mayhem. When Mercy reports for the first day of work for a nursing home, she knows she has her work cut out for her, but she had no idea that by the end of the day, she'd have 36 anxious patients, 12 angry administrators, and a murder on her hands.
As the new person in town, of course, all eyes are on her. If she doesn't find the killer soon, she just might find a pair of handcuffs around her wrists and a life behind bars.
Can she solve the case before it's too late?
199 pages, ebook
First published July 17, 2015
720 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Ava Mallory
59 books83 followersAva Mallory has been writing and dreaming up stories since childhood. She grew up two blocks from the city of Chicago and has lived everywhere from Los Angeles to Oklahoma, Nebraska, and everywhere in between in her adult life. You can find her today sitting in her home office creating her next masterpiece or one of her client's masterpieces in between raising 4 children, answering emails,and binge watching a number of her favorite movies and shows on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Ava writes in many different genres from thriller/suspense to erotica and everything in between. She is a well sought after ghostwriter and writing consultant with many credits to her name. Ava has written fiction and non-fiction books for many well-known authors and celebrities to unknown writers and would-be celebrities. Her talents have afforded her the opportunity to write sci-fi, children's books, how-to books, horror, romance and dozens of other genres that have been read by thousands of readers worldwide.
To learn more about Ava and her books you can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ava.mallory.9. Follow her blog at http://writeravamallory.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/avamallorypens
For updates on upcoming books or to purchase any of her books visit:
http://writeravamallory.wix.com/avama...
Ava writes in many different genres from thriller/suspense to erotica and everything in between. She is a well sought after ghostwriter and writing consultant with many credits to her name. Ava has written fiction and non-fiction books for many well-known authors and celebrities to unknown writers and would-be celebrities. Her talents have afforded her the opportunity to write sci-fi, children's books, how-to books, horror, romance and dozens of other genres that have been read by thousands of readers worldwide.
To learn more about Ava and her books you can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ava.mallory.9. Follow her blog at http://writeravamallory.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/avamallorypens
For updates on upcoming books or to purchase any of her books visit:
http://writeravamallory.wix.com/avama...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 7, 2019
Charles van Buren
1.0 out of 5 stars Verified Purchase
Format: Kindle Edition
Publication date: July 17, 2015
Language: English
ASIN: B010EJQT6K
Underwhelming
At about 45% through, I gave up reading and began skimming and spot reading to find out "who done it." Not only are the grammar, editing and some word choices poor but Mercy is an irritating main character. She is too emotional, too fragile and cries at the drop of a hat. My wife is an RN who once worked as a traveling nurse. I was once an investigator who, among other things, investigated fraud and the quality of care in nursing homes. Poor Mercy would not have made it in the real world in which my wife and I worked. At least it was free from Amazon.
1.0 out of 5 stars Verified Purchase
Format: Kindle Edition
Publication date: July 17, 2015
Language: English
ASIN: B010EJQT6K
Underwhelming
At about 45% through, I gave up reading and began skimming and spot reading to find out "who done it." Not only are the grammar, editing and some word choices poor but Mercy is an irritating main character. She is too emotional, too fragile and cries at the drop of a hat. My wife is an RN who once worked as a traveling nurse. I was once an investigator who, among other things, investigated fraud and the quality of care in nursing homes. Poor Mercy would not have made it in the real world in which my wife and I worked. At least it was free from Amazon.
March 1, 2017
Too much drama. Too much whining. The plot had potential but the author's decision to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the book's heroine was a poor choice in my opinion. Mercy's constant whining severely grated on my nerves. It was a struggle to finish the book. Another example where "less is more" is a better approach.
June 27, 2020
This was a VERY quick read. I was immediately drawn in, and the whodunit was great. The only reason it got 4 stars instead of 5 was because the editing and proofreading was severely lacking. There were several places that entire words were missing or random letters were left. It won’t keep me from reading more! I loved Mercy’s spunk. I was just disappointed to find so many errors.
October 14, 2017
If I could have given it a 2.5, I would have. You have to dig to find the plot. It's drowning in endless descriptions or inane conversations or character musings. On top of that, you finish a chapter and the beginning of the next leaves you clueless as to how much time has passed, days, week, G.O.K. It can even be a non-sequitur to the previous two chapters. Finally, there were so many errors in this book, I thought I was reading a Beta copy, maybe pre-beta. It wasn't just misspellings, but using the wrong word to describe something, mangling common quips, repeating the action of the previous page. It was exhausting. The finale, where the last person on earth you would expect as the murderer is also the character with the least development was the coup de grace.
May 20, 2017
Sigh...
I really wanted to like this book, but I really can't. I found myself cringing at the bad editing and the book layout was awful: sections and sentences repeated. Not only that but the font changed several times causing me to have to change the font for my Kindle iOS app so I could continue reading the story.
As for the story itself, it wasn't bad, however, when it got to the "how it was done" how part of it didn't make sense.
I just don't see myself reading another book anytime soon. Too bad. I would have loved reading a medical cozy mystery series.
I give this story two stars.
I really wanted to like this book, but I really can't. I found myself cringing at the bad editing and the book layout was awful: sections and sentences repeated. Not only that but the font changed several times causing me to have to change the font for my Kindle iOS app so I could continue reading the story.
As for the story itself, it wasn't bad, however, when it got to the "how it was done" how part of it didn't make sense.
I just don't see myself reading another book anytime soon. Too bad. I would have loved reading a medical cozy mystery series.
I give this story two stars.
June 14, 2017
I give this 3.5 stars.
Fantastic read of a nurse themed cosy mystery. Genuine characters, great writing, enticing plot and more than a few giggles (as well as tears) round out an entertaining afternoon well spent. Recommended.
Fantastic read of a nurse themed cosy mystery. Genuine characters, great writing, enticing plot and more than a few giggles (as well as tears) round out an entertaining afternoon well spent. Recommended.
July 22, 2018
Read my full review at http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blog...
What an amazing and addicting story this was. I was never one into mysteries and murder but I really enjoyed this one.
The characters were phenomenal. I loved reading about Mercy and her very first adventure. My favorite characters were Nubbin and Betty. Together those two characters were a hoot to read about.
The story-line was incredible. This story was so hard to put down and I kept trying to solve the murder and mayhem during this story, but always found myself way off once everything started to reveal itself. This author has a real knack for making this story suspenseful and yet fun to read at the same time. I cannot wait to read about more of Mercy's adventures. I highly recommend this read!
What an amazing and addicting story this was. I was never one into mysteries and murder but I really enjoyed this one.
The characters were phenomenal. I loved reading about Mercy and her very first adventure. My favorite characters were Nubbin and Betty. Together those two characters were a hoot to read about.
The story-line was incredible. This story was so hard to put down and I kept trying to solve the murder and mayhem during this story, but always found myself way off once everything started to reveal itself. This author has a real knack for making this story suspenseful and yet fun to read at the same time. I cannot wait to read about more of Mercy's adventures. I highly recommend this read!
July 6, 2020
Quite a good story but Ava Mallory has no idea how to use commas. Other editing errors were also present.
A few of the reviewers have commented that Mercy needed more guts. I don’t fully agree. We were privileged to see inside her head where all of the panic was going on. She still kept going on. To me, that makes her strong.
A few of the reviewers have commented that Mercy needed more guts. I don’t fully agree. We were privileged to see inside her head where all of the panic was going on. She still kept going on. To me, that makes her strong.
September 18, 2022
A great read from beginning to end. An end I never saw coming.
December 8, 2024
Funny.. cute. Weird publishing.. typos and such but they didn't detract from the story overall
October 1, 2020
This was an interesting read.
September 16, 2020
What a fun book!
Well written but a few typos and duplications. Loved Mercy, Ruby and their families. Small towns are unique and this one more so. When a murder happens, the whole town looks to the newcomer since no one they know would have done it. Lots of clues and red herrings kept me guessing. Figured out part but not all until the end Great read with nothing to offend readers.
Well written but a few typos and duplications. Loved Mercy, Ruby and their families. Small towns are unique and this one more so. When a murder happens, the whole town looks to the newcomer since no one they know would have done it. Lots of clues and red herrings kept me guessing. Figured out part but not all until the end Great read with nothing to offend readers.
February 9, 2018
I enjoyed this story and loved Mercy. I am glad she had some good, true friends to stand up for her. This is my first rest home mystery and it was good. Will be reading more by Ava Mallory.
July 18, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book.
It's been a long time since I've read a book without any romance at all, but honestly, I didn't miss it with this book!
This is a story filled with fantastic characters, the kind you wish you could just bring to life!
Mercy is a brilliant main, she has a special kind of confidence or attitude about her, and I loved it! A very strong woman, considering the situation she found herself in.
The story line was fantastic, I struggled to put the book down! I found myself wanting to shout at the characters and shake them to make them see sense. But, really I wouldn't have changed a thing.
An extremely talented author, who's work I highly recommend! I look forward to reading more!
BAPS Book Blog
It's been a long time since I've read a book without any romance at all, but honestly, I didn't miss it with this book!
This is a story filled with fantastic characters, the kind you wish you could just bring to life!
Mercy is a brilliant main, she has a special kind of confidence or attitude about her, and I loved it! A very strong woman, considering the situation she found herself in.
The story line was fantastic, I struggled to put the book down! I found myself wanting to shout at the characters and shake them to make them see sense. But, really I wouldn't have changed a thing.
An extremely talented author, who's work I highly recommend! I look forward to reading more!
BAPS Book Blog
January 14, 2017
Hard to read
I really wanted to like this story but it was just too hard to read. I think the author rushed the editing process. There were parts of the story that seemed left out or overlooked. There was also some parts of the story that didn't make sense with what was going on in the moment. Also the font size changed in three different sections, not a big deal but it's something that should have been caught in a final reading. I only pushed through to the end to see who the killer was but the ending seemed rushed and thrown together so it was hard to make sense of it, had to reread it to understand what was going on. Liked the protagonist Mercy and wanted to read more of her adventures but I think I will pass.
I really wanted to like this story but it was just too hard to read. I think the author rushed the editing process. There were parts of the story that seemed left out or overlooked. There was also some parts of the story that didn't make sense with what was going on in the moment. Also the font size changed in three different sections, not a big deal but it's something that should have been caught in a final reading. I only pushed through to the end to see who the killer was but the ending seemed rushed and thrown together so it was hard to make sense of it, had to reread it to understand what was going on. Liked the protagonist Mercy and wanted to read more of her adventures but I think I will pass.
July 2, 2015
Mercy Mares is a traveling nurse beginning a new 3 month placement in a dementia unit . Just minutes after she walks in to start her fist day, one of her patient's (resident's) husband dies and all fingers are pointing at her. Mercy decides that she is going to have to figure out what happened to clear her own name. Her only allies are two of the residents of the dementia unit who are trying to "help" her. There are some funny and colorful characters that made me laugh out loud a couple of times.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
January 2, 2017
This book was wonderful
This is a book that I couldn't put down. As a nurse I sometimes have problems with the way our professional is profiled, not this time. Mercy is the nurse we all want to be and the others are ones we know. I can highly recommend this book.
This is a book that I couldn't put down. As a nurse I sometimes have problems with the way our professional is profiled, not this time. Mercy is the nurse we all want to be and the others are ones we know. I can highly recommend this book.
January 18, 2019
I wanted to like it more but it was hard to get past all of the drama, while I enjoy some drama wrapped around a good mystery this story was drama overload which detracted from the mystery and I found the heroine extremely whiny.
September 12, 2019
Traveling nurse Mercy Mares is an expert at two things: trouble and mayhem. When Mercy reports for the first day of work for a nursing home, she knows she has her work cut out for her, but she had no idea that by the end of the day, she'd have 36 anxious patients, 12 angry administrators, and a murder on her hands.As the new person in town, of course, all eyes are on her. If she doesn't find the killer soon, she just might find a pair of handcuffs around her wrists and a life behind bars. Can she solve the case before it's too late?
The story is good with a few curves and twists. Some of the patients are great fun and I didn't totally hate Mercy but I really did wish she would stop moaning and crying every two seconds and feeling sorry for herself. I do like the sheriff and hopefully he is in future books and Mercy is less crying all the time. I am interested in seeing how the series continues and will try the next one.
The story is good with a few curves and twists. Some of the patients are great fun and I didn't totally hate Mercy but I really did wish she would stop moaning and crying every two seconds and feeling sorry for herself. I do like the sheriff and hopefully he is in future books and Mercy is less crying all the time. I am interested in seeing how the series continues and will try the next one.
July 4, 2023
Great start to a mystery series I know I'm going to enjoy. Several nurses in our family including a granddaughter, daughter in law and my late sister. I've often wondered how traveling nurses manage having to learn a new system everywhere they are placed. Mercy Mares found herself in that position on her first day in a dementia unit (we call them memory care units here in Arizona) of a nursing home in small town Nebraska. First she was faced with a surly, quite unfriendly nurse supervisor and then with the spouse of a "resident" falling over dead in front of her. Mishap after misunderstanding she is the prime suspect when the man is found to have been poisoned. Great story!
Best line: "Give me a Pyxis and a clipboard and I'm happy." So I went down a rabbit hole of research and calling my granddaughter to find the origin and various meanings of Pyxis. It's not often I'm stumped by a word in a mystery but sure enjoyed learning a new word (and the plural Pyxides)!
Best line: "Give me a Pyxis and a clipboard and I'm happy." So I went down a rabbit hole of research and calling my granddaughter to find the origin and various meanings of Pyxis. It's not often I'm stumped by a word in a mystery but sure enjoyed learning a new word (and the plural Pyxides)!
March 6, 2021
You'd expect to find the occasional dead body at a nursing home, right? Mercedes aka Mercy is a traveling nurse assigned to a small town nursing home in Nebraska. Her assignment is to give 3 months coverage for another nurse that is out on maternity leave. On Mercy's first day, a visitor to the nursing home comes up dead, and all fingers are being pointed at the new girl.
It's quite the ride learning that most of the town is related to each other, as is a good many in the nursing home. But no one is willing to see who the real killer is, and Mercy is all about clearing her name.
I enjoyed the interaction of Mercy and the various residents at the nursing home, and I loved how 'Nubbins' addressed Mercy by using all the various vehicle makes and models instead of using her name.
Overall, this was a good book. If you love a good cozy mystery, this one is for you.
It's quite the ride learning that most of the town is related to each other, as is a good many in the nursing home. But no one is willing to see who the real killer is, and Mercy is all about clearing her name.
I enjoyed the interaction of Mercy and the various residents at the nursing home, and I loved how 'Nubbins' addressed Mercy by using all the various vehicle makes and models instead of using her name.
Overall, this was a good book. If you love a good cozy mystery, this one is for you.
January 31, 2018
Pretty good cozy mystery. Mercedes "Mercy" Mares has just started a new temp position to replace a nurse on maternity leave. Mercy enjoys being a temp so she can meet new people. Unfortunately, Mercy walks in on a bad day. Patients and nurse all seem upset. Mercy does her best to help out, but only seems to get in the way of the head nurse. Then a big wig from the small town, was visiting us wife. He ends up collapsing in the office. Of course, since she's the newbie, she becomes the prime suspect. Overall I enjoyed this first and planning on reading the next one. :)
October 11, 2018
It was good but could have been better. I liked the idea of a traveling nurse, especially one working in a dementia unit.
I was disappointed in the characters, especially Mercy. She seemed ok at first, but her excessive whining got on my nerves. This is the first book in the series so the cast is new but none of the characters had any depth to them and felt like ‘throwaway’ characters.
The pacing if the book was odd, with unclear amounts of time happening between scenes and no real revelations happening until the very end. Even then, it was a bit confusing.
I was disappointed in the characters, especially Mercy. She seemed ok at first, but her excessive whining got on my nerves. This is the first book in the series so the cast is new but none of the characters had any depth to them and felt like ‘throwaway’ characters.
The pacing if the book was odd, with unclear amounts of time happening between scenes and no real revelations happening until the very end. Even then, it was a bit confusing.
January 20, 2025
This book was good at first but I quickly got annoyed by the repetitiveness and how dragged out it was. This had a lot of potential but if it was less pages it would’ve been better, and this book is already short so that’s saying a lot. The entire mystery was just lost until the end, and even when it was revealed I honestly didn’t care enough. Even the reveal itself was long and drawn out for no reason. It wasn’t adding suspense… it was just annoying and unnecessary. I had high hopes in the beginning because it was actually good but it completely lost me around 30%. Wouldn’t recommend.
August 7, 2025
The storyline was actually pretty good, but unfortunately, the proofreading was lacking to the point of it being overly distracting. The author has a serious penchant for putting commas in where none are needed, causing the reader to have to re-read the same sentence a couple of times to try to make sense of it...I could've finished the book a bit faster had it not been for that. I started marking them, but gave up after a while due to the amount.
Reading is fundamental, but proofing is a necessity!
Reading is fundamental, but proofing is a necessity!
January 1, 2018
A Good Cozy Mystery
I enjoyed this cozy mystery with it's twists and turns,larger than life characters and the subject matter.
I was an TH for over 30 years and A travelling nurse for a number those years. The author accurately portrays nurses,adding to my reading enjoyment.
I look forward to reading more in this series and recommend this book to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery with it's twists and turns,larger than life characters and the subject matter.
I was an TH for over 30 years and A travelling nurse for a number those years. The author accurately portrays nurses,adding to my reading enjoyment.
I look forward to reading more in this series and recommend this book to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.
September 21, 2018
Good story
I was surprised that I felt as good about this story by the end because Mercy about drove me nuts. I like the characters but she’s an educated woman,a nurse-a professional! Half the time she couldn’t string a coherent sentence together....drives me crazy. Also lots of tense changes- not fond of that either but again, I’ve read books 1and 2 and liked both enough to continue the series.
I was surprised that I felt as good about this story by the end because Mercy about drove me nuts. I like the characters but she’s an educated woman,a nurse-a professional! Half the time she couldn’t string a coherent sentence together....drives me crazy. Also lots of tense changes- not fond of that either but again, I’ve read books 1and 2 and liked both enough to continue the series.
October 31, 2018
Nubbin but trouble
What a great mystery! I love the characters. A bit of intrigue, a snip of laughter and a bunch of suspense led to one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a while. One of the greatest characters was Nubbin; hence the title in my review. I just wanted to hug him myself. Mercy is a hoot herself. If you like a good mystery with a few chuckles, be sure and read this.
What a great mystery! I love the characters. A bit of intrigue, a snip of laughter and a bunch of suspense led to one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a while. One of the greatest characters was Nubbin; hence the title in my review. I just wanted to hug him myself. Mercy is a hoot herself. If you like a good mystery with a few chuckles, be sure and read this.
March 10, 2019
The most unfriendliness town in America and she happens to be here for three months! Someone dies, jewelry is stolen, of course the new girl did it! Full of drama, danger, greed, hatefulness, mystery, murder, mayhem, and wonderful old people! Will they find the murderer, or just charge her? Did she do it? Who did? Someone is framing her, and the town has already decided she is guilty, what’s a girl to do? Solve the mystery of course, or go to Prison!
July 9, 2020
I gave it a 4 star rating due to the back story took too long to development. To me the story could have started at the beginning and skipped most of the middle. The ending was a surprise as I did not feel that they had played any type of a role in the story. It did make a quick read when not wanting to get into too many details. There were some proof-reading errors that should have been caught and were not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews