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Mercy Watts Mysteries #9
Down and Dirty
A quirky cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling author A.W. Hartoin. For fans of Janet Evanovich, Tricia O'Malley, and Jana DeLeon...Love is in the air and it stinks.Mercy Watts thinks things are about to get back to normal. She’s back to work at the Columbia Clinic and her mother is recovering from her stroke. But when a patient goes rogue and lands Mercy smack dab in the middle of a lawsuit, she’s forced to make a deal to save the Columbia Clinic from financial ruin. It doesn’t seem so bad. All Mercy has to do is find out who’s threatening the daughter of a judge with his eye on a higher court, but the next thing Mercy knows she’s sunk into a world of infidelity and painful passions. Ordinary people are doing unthinkable things and Mercy doesn’t know where to turn. Her boyfriend, Chuck, is practically MIA. Her father is out to lunch and Uncle Morty is downright incomprehensible. Add in a new stalker, plenty of jealousy, and a shooting, Mercy is out of her depth and the water is rising.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2018
87 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Hartoin
47 books228 followersUSA Today bestselling author A.W. Hartoin grew up in rural Missouri, but her grandmother lived in the Central West End area of St. Louis. The CWE fascinated her with its enormous houses, every one unique. She was sure there was a story behind each ornate door. Going to Grandma’s house was a treat and an adventure. As the only grandchild around for many years, A.W. spent her visits exploring the many rooms with their many secrets. That’s how Mercy Watts and the fairies of Whipplethorn came to be.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 8, 2019
Always wonderful!
Another wonderful installment in an always wonderful series!
Twists & turns galore, in plot as well as in slides & through mansions & back alleys. Mercy watts triumphs again escaping with her sense of humor and a broken bone.
No spoilers- it is sooooo worth the read!! And wow do I want some of Aaron’s special hot chocolate!
Cant wait to read the next one! And in Greece! Love love love!!!
Another wonderful installment in an always wonderful series!
Twists & turns galore, in plot as well as in slides & through mansions & back alleys. Mercy watts triumphs again escaping with her sense of humor and a broken bone.
No spoilers- it is sooooo worth the read!! And wow do I want some of Aaron’s special hot chocolate!
Cant wait to read the next one! And in Greece! Love love love!!!
January 5, 2019
Anther great read
Mercy and her band of misfits keep you guessing and laughing all the way to the end. Multiple story lines that blend together keep you engrossed but you never guess the end. start with any Mercy Watts book and you are hooked.
Mercy and her band of misfits keep you guessing and laughing all the way to the end. Multiple story lines that blend together keep you engrossed but you never guess the end. start with any Mercy Watts book and you are hooked.
December 21, 2018
Down and Dirty by A. W. Hartoin is the ninth book in the Mercy Watts Mystery Series. I have followed Mercy’s adventures since book one and Author A. W. Hartoin never, ever, ever disappoints. In fact, each book is better than the one before it. I know I will be laughing out loud before I’m ten pages in. This time it was something about Mercy administering a test with a Q-tip. Ouch. And the situations and lines and phrases just keep coming. But beyond that and Mercy’s (mis)adventures as a Marilyn Monroe look-alike (not her fault, she looks just like her mom and was born that way) and general bad luck magnet, is a really solid plot and storyline that has grown more complex and stronger with each book. Sure, the cast of characters is a little weird, but the story is fast-paced, engaging and full of action, and the danger feels real.
This is not a good time for Mercy. Her mother, Carolina, is still recovering from her stroke. Mercy is barely back to work at the clinic when things go crazy. She makes a deal to try and help sort things out and ends up doing some investigating – into infidelity and fake photos on websites, and just ewww. Her father isn’t coping well after her mother’s stroke so Mercy is stuck working with Uncle Morty and her mob acquaintances. She has a new stalker. She fell in a stinky ditch. Her boyfriend Chuck seems more interested in his new partner than in Mercy. Nothing at all is going right, and Mercy needs to figure out just what is going on before it’s too late.
I really enjoyed Down and Dirty. The story flows smoothly and the writing and phrasing are superb. Author Hartoin says just the right thing in the right way, whether they are funny words, sad words, or pithy observations. Down and Dirty was a pleasure to read. It was as funny as ever but sad and serious at the same time. Mercy has really been affected by her mom’s stroke. Chuck’s behavior is upsetting her more than she would have expected. She hates the investigation. It feels sordid and she just can’t quite get a handle on what it all means. I wanted Mercy’s life to get back to normal as much as she did.
I enjoyed this storyline and spending time with Mercy’s friends and family again. I was touched as always by how her “partner” the little weirdo Aaron is still as bizarre as ever but does what he can to protect and care for Mercy. I also continue to enjoy how the interaction with The Girls, The Bleds, and the escalating danger from The Klinefeld Group has been woven into Mercy’s story from the beginning of the series. Very subtly at first, with added dimension and depth in each story until now this thread is as interesting as the day-to-day trouble Mercy always finds herself in. A bonus is the fascinating history beginning with the pre-WWII era and focused on Stella Bled. The Paris Package tells the beginning of Stella’s story and it is another must-read.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Down and Dirty in exchange for an honest review, but I also purchase each book in the series as soon as it is released. You don’t need to read the entire series to enjoy Down and Dirty, but you will miss out on meeting a lot of interesting characters from the start if you don’t. I have nothing but praise for the Mercy Watts Mystery Series and highly recommend Down and Dirty.
This is not a good time for Mercy. Her mother, Carolina, is still recovering from her stroke. Mercy is barely back to work at the clinic when things go crazy. She makes a deal to try and help sort things out and ends up doing some investigating – into infidelity and fake photos on websites, and just ewww. Her father isn’t coping well after her mother’s stroke so Mercy is stuck working with Uncle Morty and her mob acquaintances. She has a new stalker. She fell in a stinky ditch. Her boyfriend Chuck seems more interested in his new partner than in Mercy. Nothing at all is going right, and Mercy needs to figure out just what is going on before it’s too late.
I really enjoyed Down and Dirty. The story flows smoothly and the writing and phrasing are superb. Author Hartoin says just the right thing in the right way, whether they are funny words, sad words, or pithy observations. Down and Dirty was a pleasure to read. It was as funny as ever but sad and serious at the same time. Mercy has really been affected by her mom’s stroke. Chuck’s behavior is upsetting her more than she would have expected. She hates the investigation. It feels sordid and she just can’t quite get a handle on what it all means. I wanted Mercy’s life to get back to normal as much as she did.
I enjoyed this storyline and spending time with Mercy’s friends and family again. I was touched as always by how her “partner” the little weirdo Aaron is still as bizarre as ever but does what he can to protect and care for Mercy. I also continue to enjoy how the interaction with The Girls, The Bleds, and the escalating danger from The Klinefeld Group has been woven into Mercy’s story from the beginning of the series. Very subtly at first, with added dimension and depth in each story until now this thread is as interesting as the day-to-day trouble Mercy always finds herself in. A bonus is the fascinating history beginning with the pre-WWII era and focused on Stella Bled. The Paris Package tells the beginning of Stella’s story and it is another must-read.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Down and Dirty in exchange for an honest review, but I also purchase each book in the series as soon as it is released. You don’t need to read the entire series to enjoy Down and Dirty, but you will miss out on meeting a lot of interesting characters from the start if you don’t. I have nothing but praise for the Mercy Watts Mystery Series and highly recommend Down and Dirty.
December 20, 2018
Mercy Watts can't keep up with everything that's going on in her life. With her mother recovering from a stroke and her dad unable to cope with the changes in their life, Mercy needs to concentrate on her family. Her work life isn't any easier, one of her patients intentionally destroys the Clinic. When Big Steve, her father's friend, asks her to take a sensitive case, she reluctantly agrees. He needs to know who is trying to destroy Catherine Cabot. Mercy is larger than life. She may look like Marilyn Monroe. It makes her notorious, but she'll deal with it. She's smart, sassy and unafraid. I love that she won't stop trying to find the truth. I'm especially interested in those of the Bled Family. A.W. Hartoin has given us a group of quirky characters that pulled me in. I liked all of them. The dialogue is snarky and so true. It makes me smile. Down and Dirty is well written. The action is non-stop. The thrills and unexpected twists just kept coming. I can't wait for more of Mercy. She's one of a kind.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
December 16, 2018
I personally love the character Mercy Watts and was absolutely delighted to receive an advanced reader copy from the author in exchange for a review. I love all the crazy situations Mercy gets herself into and this book did not fail to disappoint me. Mercy's family are having a hard time just now so they need a bit of Mercy mayhem to get them all back on track... if you are a reader of this series you will love it as much as I do. If your new to Mercy then you don't need to start at book one as you can start here but you'd be cray-cray to not even read the rest because they are all brilliant. I'm dying to know the full story of what happened with Stella Bled during the war and seriously can't wait to find out whether or not Mercy really is a blood born Bled!
May 17, 2025
Mercy Watts has a whole host of problems. Chuck, her boyfriend, is siding with the surly new female detective (a class A beyotch and a bit of an idiot besides) at every turn. The simple online harassment case she’s taken on for Big Steve Warnock had morphed into something bigger and deadlier. Her dad, the celebrated P.I. Tommy Watts, lost his marbles when her mom Carolina was attacked and shows no signs of regaining them. Uncle Morty is acting weird and Great Aunt Miriam, the nun who terrifies one and all, wants to ‘help’ Mercy with her case. What’s a Marilyn look-a-like to do?
As always with Mercy Watts’ adventures, Down and Dirty combines hilarious hijinks with a cracking good mystery. And as a bonus? More Fats Licata - yes, please!
As always with Mercy Watts’ adventures, Down and Dirty combines hilarious hijinks with a cracking good mystery. And as a bonus? More Fats Licata - yes, please!
January 24, 2019
Ok. Plan ahead. Clear your schedule, have coffee on hand, sit in a comfy chair and be ready to read this in one sitting. Dayum, what a good book. Mysteries running concurrently, but never confused; relationships, both romantic and familial, danger, angst, and Mercy kicks butt all through it.
The mystery of the Bled Family is coming closer to a resolution as Mercy is trying to understand what Stella Bled Lawrence became involved with prior to WWII (read “The Paris Package” for some background). In addition to that, who is trying to kill whom in present day, and why? Oh, and is Chuck an idiot? Well, Mercy takes no prisoners. Read this book, read all of the series, you won’t regret it.
The mystery of the Bled Family is coming closer to a resolution as Mercy is trying to understand what Stella Bled Lawrence became involved with prior to WWII (read “The Paris Package” for some background). In addition to that, who is trying to kill whom in present day, and why? Oh, and is Chuck an idiot? Well, Mercy takes no prisoners. Read this book, read all of the series, you won’t regret it.
December 24, 2018
Alls well that ends well ... lol those were my thoughts upon finishing Down and Dirty but omg the drama and adventure that got us there was a tad heart-stopping and as usual I lost count of how many times I wanted to literally kill Chuck but and it's a big BUT...lol I'm holding out hope he has learnt his lesson to always listen to Mercy and that Mercy is always right...lol if he can remember that he will live a long but probably not safe life.
I Loved it so much and Mercy is just freaking awesome.
I Loved it so much and Mercy is just freaking awesome.
January 27, 2019
What the heck, Chuck and Mercy being 'on again, of again'! NO. Chuck+Mercy=4eva
+++++++
This one felt different, and not in a good way. There was no backstory about Mercy and Chuck; he's fully recovered from his undercover gig and the book mentions he and Mercy being 'on again, off again'. Did I miss something? Their relationship is special but it didn't come across that way at all. Brain Trust was SO GOOD, easily the best of the series, and this one was kind of a letdown. The mystery aspect was interesting but Mercy and Chuck missing pieces made for a big distraction.
+++++++
This one felt different, and not in a good way. There was no backstory about Mercy and Chuck; he's fully recovered from his undercover gig and the book mentions he and Mercy being 'on again, off again'. Did I miss something? Their relationship is special but it didn't come across that way at all. Brain Trust was SO GOOD, easily the best of the series, and this one was kind of a letdown. The mystery aspect was interesting but Mercy and Chuck missing pieces made for a big distraction.
December 27, 2018
I love the Mercy Watts series, and Down and Dirty doesn't disappoint. While Mercy is drawn into new messes, drama, and danger, Hartoin grounds this story in the familiar characters from her earlier books. I love watching the characters and their relationships develop and evolve throughout each book. I can't wait for the next!
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
March 27, 2025
Bloody ADDICTIVE seies!!!!
I started the Mercy Watts series about 2 weeks ago, and have been steadily reading the rest of them ever since. They are like literary cocaine, I swear.
I completly agree with Mercy regarding crab as a food, and though Chuck has marginally improved he is still an ass. I love the psycho nun and five Michilin star hot dog chef
I started the Mercy Watts series about 2 weeks ago, and have been steadily reading the rest of them ever since. They are like literary cocaine, I swear.
I completly agree with Mercy regarding crab as a food, and though Chuck has marginally improved he is still an ass. I love the psycho nun and five Michilin star hot dog chef
December 12, 2018
I got an advance copy of this in exchange for a review. I was slightly disappointed. It got off to a slow start and dragged occasionally after that. It spent too much time on the Klinefeld Group. Still, I enjoyed most of it.
February 2, 2019
Better and better
This series just keeps getting better and better. I have read everything thing in it and I can't say how excited I got when I saw there was a new book and it did not disappoint. Mercy has it all join in the laughter and calamity that is her life.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I have read everything thing in it and I can't say how excited I got when I saw there was a new book and it did not disappoint. Mercy has it all join in the laughter and calamity that is her life.
October 26, 2020
There are some authors whose books you can’t get enough of, Ms. Hartoin is one. She ranks up there with Sue Grafton, Marcia Muller, Janet Evanovich and Jana Deleon, to name a few, for me. I will be happy when she resolves the issues with the Bleds and moves on.
May 2, 2023
Better
Better than the last one, less dark. The mysteries are more complex and I love that she enhances the regular characters in each book, but I think chucks character was off a bit .
Better than the last one, less dark. The mysteries are more complex and I love that she enhances the regular characters in each book, but I think chucks character was off a bit .
February 2, 2024
Great series
I highly recommend this series. After I read.the first book I couldn't put the rest down. Mercy is action packed and the most unwilling hero I have ever read about. II
I love all the characters ! Each book keeps you wanting the next! Read on my fellow readers!
I highly recommend this series. After I read.the first book I couldn't put the rest down. Mercy is action packed and the most unwilling hero I have ever read about. II
I love all the characters ! Each book keeps you wanting the next! Read on my fellow readers!
December 17, 2018
Loved the progression of the characters. The dual story line keeps up my interest and wanting more.
January 15, 2019
Great book
You have to pay attention but it worth it. Questions answered and more questions asked. Fabulous book and series. Don't miss it.
You have to pay attention but it worth it. Questions answered and more questions asked. Fabulous book and series. Don't miss it.
February 17, 2019
Bleds Love
Best ever! Mercy has grown with the promise of many more adventures to follow. This was the best mystery! Thank you
Best ever! Mercy has grown with the promise of many more adventures to follow. This was the best mystery! Thank you
September 15, 2023
Entertaining series
Ms. Hartoin has penned some great characters wrapped in fun storytelling. It also gives a glimpse of how tragic the Jews were treated during Hilter's reign. She also manages to keep the series fresh when having to reiterate backstories.
Ms. Hartoin has penned some great characters wrapped in fun storytelling. It also gives a glimpse of how tragic the Jews were treated during Hilter's reign. She also manages to keep the series fresh when having to reiterate backstories.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews