What do you think?
Rate this book
Nameless: Season One #5
The Mercy of Snakes
Listening Length: 1 hour and 19 minutes
A series of suspicious deaths in a retirement home draws Nameless into the confidence of a terrified former resident—and into the dark heart of a shocking conspiracy. In part five of the Nameless series, it’s time to hunt.
Oakshore Park is Michigan’s most exclusive assisted-living community. Presided over by two killer angels of mercy, it’s also the go-to facility in assisted dying. For a cut, they make impatient heirs happy. Nameless must concoct a scheme just as cunning. But righteous retribution stirs disquiet in the avenger as light starts to shine on the black hole of his past. Should he welcome it or keep running?
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes The Mercy of Snakes, part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill. Follow him in each story, which can be read or listened to in a single sitting.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 12, 2019
14592 people are currently reading
3370 people want to read
About the author
Dean Koontz
906 books39.6k followersAcknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 887 reviews
August 19, 2022
The fifth story in the “Nameless” series. Nameless is a vigilante nomad who gets his assignments from the mysterious Ace of Diamonds. This time he goes after Dr. Pennyman, who owns an exclusive assisted-living community called Oakshore Park, in Michigan. The wealthy residents, who seem to be doing quite well, are dying. And they are all from families who are eager for their inheritances. I really liked this story. The characters were interesting, and the storyline was captivating. A fast and fun read.
December 5, 2022
The Mercy of Snakes (Nameless: Season One #5)
by Dean Koontz, Edoardo Ballerini (Narrator)
It's bad enough when one psychopath is pulling deadly strings so two of them together makes things all too easy for them to do more damage. The good thing is that Nameless can use the worst traits of these murderers against them. He is so very good at doing just that and this time he's going to fix what needs fixing at a wealthy assistant living community. I like how Nameless does not forget the victims and their loved ones. They will be remembered in ways that make a real difference.
A Kindle Unlimited audiobook short story following a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill.
by Dean Koontz, Edoardo Ballerini (Narrator)
It's bad enough when one psychopath is pulling deadly strings so two of them together makes things all too easy for them to do more damage. The good thing is that Nameless can use the worst traits of these murderers against them. He is so very good at doing just that and this time he's going to fix what needs fixing at a wealthy assistant living community. I like how Nameless does not forget the victims and their loved ones. They will be remembered in ways that make a real difference.
A Kindle Unlimited audiobook short story following a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill.
May 14, 2020
In this installment Nameless is hunting down the operator of a residence for wealthy elderly people. The doctor isn't doing his devilish business alone. An ex-stripper now nurse and sex mate is helping him to create some extra income by getting rid of the "overstayers". Dean Koontz gives some insight view how depraved some members of society really are. Some heirs simply can't wait until its their turn and try to accelerate the natural cause of death. What is Nameless and his team doing? Absolutely enjoyed this story and its ending. We also hear more about Nameless' memory... Recommended!
December 14, 2021
Another installment in the Nameless series, I have enjoyed every one. This book aims to rectify a doctor performing euthanasia on the elderly where families want their inheritances before a natural death occurs. I love vigilante books and this one did not let me down.
“where the animals that wake and live in the absence of the sun are going about their business more peacefully than does humanity. There is violence even among their kind, pain and death, but they do not lie to one another. They know nothing of the numerous varieties of deception to which the human race is heir, nor are they infected with the envy that drives men and women to destroy themselves and others—and frequently even empires.”
Note: This series is available on Kindle Unlimited with WhisperSync.
“where the animals that wake and live in the absence of the sun are going about their business more peacefully than does humanity. There is violence even among their kind, pain and death, but they do not lie to one another. They know nothing of the numerous varieties of deception to which the human race is heir, nor are they infected with the envy that drives men and women to destroy themselves and others—and frequently even empires.”
Note: This series is available on Kindle Unlimited with WhisperSync.
August 12, 2023
Quick and entertaining read.
November 5, 2024
Does not Disappoint.
Number 5 in the series and still going strong. The mystery was a little less in this one and more of a telling of the story. The novella was a fun one-shot read (or listen) and I’m off to the next one!
If you have KU and some time to kill and also like crime and justice, give this series a go.
Number 5 in the series and still going strong. The mystery was a little less in this one and more of a telling of the story. The novella was a fun one-shot read (or listen) and I’m off to the next one!
If you have KU and some time to kill and also like crime and justice, give this series a go.
December 4, 2019
The Mercy of Snakes
Nameless, Book 5
By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
Money is more important than life in the nursing home. Nameless comes to settle the score.
Great story! Good narration too!
Nameless, Book 5
By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
Money is more important than life in the nursing home. Nameless comes to settle the score.
Great story! Good narration too!
February 13, 2021
This addition gets back to how it was from the beginning!
I loved this last addition in the Nameless series and this is a stronger short story in the collection.
The Mercy of Snakes is about a doctor that is suspected of killing elder patients in a retirement home.
Brock McCall suspects that some of his friends from a high-end retirement home, Oakshore Park, have been killed for gain.
Brock McCall suspects that Dr. Murdock Pennyman who owns the retirement home is the one committing the deadly deeds. He's killing his patients for family members that want their inheritance sooner rather then later!
As Nameless and the shadow organization investigate this claim, it appears that the murders are more complex than Mr. McCall has suspected.
I loved how this was all resolved in the end.
It was so satisfying to see the murderers get justice from Nameless and his group of vigilantes.
I'm excited to get to the last book in this series. I'm not sure how Dean Koontz will resolve the amnesia plot but it will be fun to read the last book to find out!
I loved this last addition in the Nameless series and this is a stronger short story in the collection.
The Mercy of Snakes is about a doctor that is suspected of killing elder patients in a retirement home.
Brock McCall suspects that some of his friends from a high-end retirement home, Oakshore Park, have been killed for gain.
Brock McCall suspects that Dr. Murdock Pennyman who owns the retirement home is the one committing the deadly deeds. He's killing his patients for family members that want their inheritance sooner rather then later!
As Nameless and the shadow organization investigate this claim, it appears that the murders are more complex than Mr. McCall has suspected.
I loved how this was all resolved in the end.
It was so satisfying to see the murderers get justice from Nameless and his group of vigilantes.
I'm excited to get to the last book in this series. I'm not sure how Dean Koontz will resolve the amnesia plot but it will be fun to read the last book to find out!
December 24, 2020
Rating: Good
Genre: Thriller
This is the fifth installment in the Nameless series where several suspicious deaths in a retirement home make Nameless search for the serial killer. This was another entertaining episode. I wonder how much Dean Koontz will tell us in the last book about Nameless and his background because until this book we only got slight flashbacks that did not say much. I liked the idea of this book and how mercy killings were used for the elderly residents so that the greedy relatives of those residents would inherit their wealth! The characters in this story were interesting too. Overall, this was quite good.
Genre: Thriller
This is the fifth installment in the Nameless series where several suspicious deaths in a retirement home make Nameless search for the serial killer. This was another entertaining episode. I wonder how much Dean Koontz will tell us in the last book about Nameless and his background because until this book we only got slight flashbacks that did not say much. I liked the idea of this book and how mercy killings were used for the elderly residents so that the greedy relatives of those residents would inherit their wealth! The characters in this story were interesting too. Overall, this was quite good.
September 9, 2021
Audio - 5 stars
Story - 4 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
December 9, 2019
The fifth entry in Dean Koontz's "Nameless" series, and the best yet. In this one Nameless is sent to deal with a doctor and nurse who are being paid to murder residents of an upscale assisted-living community by heirs who are impatient to get hold of their money. One more story to go. I wonder if we (and Nameless) will find out something about his forgotten past.
November 14, 2019
Spoilers for events from Nameless #1, "In the Heart of the Fire".
Had to go to the gym to workout, which was a welcome break from this series. Honestly this is just boring. At this point what is the purpose of Nameless. The guy barely does anything. He does kill someone in this story, but other than that, why would someone need to have amnesia to do this. His "powers" are not in play in this one either. We hear more about the purple blue eyed woman and I now hate the colors purple and blue.
"The Mercy of Snakes" has Nameless getting introduced to a man who suspects the doctor at the elderly care facility he stayed at is in cahoots (I like that word) with shiftless heirs and helping to bump people off. There's another problem I now have, why does Nameless need to even go and talk to these freaking people? Just throw cash in the mail. Anyway, Koontz then shifts over to the doctor and nurse and shows how ruthless they are. Of course Ace and associates have special plans for everyone involved.
The writing at this point feels forced. I just didn't care at all what was happening. I really wish that Koontz had thought this through better. We keep hearing the same things over and over. The only things that changes is the people who Nameless and friends have plans to take out. Also Nameless in this one starts some special kind of bullshit (sorry for the swearing) about three sets of people in this world and I am having flashbacks to some of Koontz's more sanctimonious books and my eyes hurt from rolling.
Uh huh.
You know I get that there's evil in the damn world. So do many people. Turn on the freaking news. Read about what we are doing to kids on the border. Read about hate crimes and how some people go oh well. Ugh. I hate that Koontz acts like he cracked a damn code or something.
If there's a dog in this damn book I am going to break something.
At this point I can't even say the doctor and nurse in this one are profoundly evil. I am going to save that for the sheriff from story one who murdered whole families in order to rape children. These people just seem greedy for greed's sake.
The flow was off in this one. I just felt like the whole thing was a slog. I wanted it to be over.
The ending of course now has Nameless still super concerned about the three people he keeps seeing.
Had to go to the gym to workout, which was a welcome break from this series. Honestly this is just boring. At this point what is the purpose of Nameless. The guy barely does anything. He does kill someone in this story, but other than that, why would someone need to have amnesia to do this. His "powers" are not in play in this one either. We hear more about the purple blue eyed woman and I now hate the colors purple and blue.
"The Mercy of Snakes" has Nameless getting introduced to a man who suspects the doctor at the elderly care facility he stayed at is in cahoots (I like that word) with shiftless heirs and helping to bump people off. There's another problem I now have, why does Nameless need to even go and talk to these freaking people? Just throw cash in the mail. Anyway, Koontz then shifts over to the doctor and nurse and shows how ruthless they are. Of course Ace and associates have special plans for everyone involved.
The writing at this point feels forced. I just didn't care at all what was happening. I really wish that Koontz had thought this through better. We keep hearing the same things over and over. The only things that changes is the people who Nameless and friends have plans to take out. Also Nameless in this one starts some special kind of bullshit (sorry for the swearing) about three sets of people in this world and I am having flashbacks to some of Koontz's more sanctimonious books and my eyes hurt from rolling.
"First are those for whom the words right and wrong have no meaning other than for such as traffic directions:"
Uh huh.
"Second are those who recognize right and wrong, a natural tao, and who try to live by what is right, as much as they can. These people are aware that real and implacable evil exists in the world; however, as a psychological defense mechanism, many of them grossly underestimate the prevalence of it."
You know I get that there's evil in the damn world. So do many people. Turn on the freaking news. Read about what we are doing to kids on the border. Read about hate crimes and how some people go oh well. Ugh. I hate that Koontz acts like he cracked a damn code or something.
"Third are those who, busy with their lives, haven’t given much thought to right and wrong. When encountering profound evil, they are not sure what to think about it, and they seek to understand it as a complex phenomenon when in fact it’s simple."
If there's a dog in this damn book I am going to break something.
At this point I can't even say the doctor and nurse in this one are profoundly evil. I am going to save that for the sheriff from story one who murdered whole families in order to rape children. These people just seem greedy for greed's sake.
The flow was off in this one. I just felt like the whole thing was a slog. I wanted it to be over.
The ending of course now has Nameless still super concerned about the three people he keeps seeing.
November 16, 2020
I think this series gets better and better!!
Nameless recurring visions and flashbacks hit him more and more..
Again he had to confront the dark side wrapped up in human nature..
Old people are murdered because of their money, and the killer agents cannot be catch by the law!!
Only Nameless manifests himself as the avenger bringing justice to light!!
Good and fast paced, a genuine page turner!!
Happy readings
Dean;)
Nameless recurring visions and flashbacks hit him more and more..
Again he had to confront the dark side wrapped up in human nature..
Old people are murdered because of their money, and the killer agents cannot be catch by the law!!
Only Nameless manifests himself as the avenger bringing justice to light!!
Good and fast paced, a genuine page turner!!
Happy readings
Dean;)
October 13, 2020
Only Those Who Deserve it
Another interesting story about a nameless man who is ordered to take care of very bad people. Nameless has no memory of who he is but seems to be remembering some things from his past. On to the next story!
Another interesting story about a nameless man who is ordered to take care of very bad people. Nameless has no memory of who he is but seems to be remembering some things from his past. On to the next story!
January 29, 2020
Very Good Series
This is the fifth in Dean Koontz' Nameless series. It was a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the sixth and apparently the last in the series
This is the fifth in Dean Koontz' Nameless series. It was a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the sixth and apparently the last in the series
August 24, 2021
বেশ কয়েকদিন আগে পড়া হয়েছে ডিন কুন্টয এর থ্রিলার উপন্যাস দ্য মার্সি অভ স্নেকস। বইটি অনুবাদ করেছেন মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ। আমার কাছে বইটি বেশ ভালো লেগেছে। হাতে গুলা অল্প কিছু মেডিকেল থ্রিলার পড়া হয়েছে যার মধ্যে এই বইটিও আছে। বইটি লেখকের নেমলেস সিরিজের একটি নভেলা, ছোট হওয়ার কারনে এক বসায় শেষ করার মতো একটা বই। আশা করি সিরিজের বাকি বইগুলোও অনুবাদ হবে। আজব প্রকাশনীর প্রথম অনুবাদ বই এটা। সেই হিসেবে বেশ ভালো বই সিলেক্ট করেছে। আর সুঅনুবাদক মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ এর অনুবাদ নিয়ে নতুন করে বলার কিছু নেই, অন্যান্য বইগুলোর মতোই দুর্দান্ত অনুবাদ ছিল।
'দ্য মার্সি অভ স্নেকস'
লেখকঃ ডিন কুন্টয
অনুবাদকঃ মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
জনরাঃ মেডিকেল থ্রিলার
প্রকাশকঃ আজব প্রকাশ
মুদ্রিত মূল্যঃ ১৮০টাকা
কাহিনী সংক্ষেপ :
'একের-পর-এক বন্ধুকে মারা যেতে দেখে, সাহায্যের আবেদন জানাল ওকশোর পার্কের ভীত এক অধিবাসী। কেসটা এসে পড়ল নেমলেসের হাতে-জড়িয়ে পড়ল সে জটিল এক ষড়যন্ত্রে!
শুরু হলো শিকার...
ওকশোর পার্ক-অ্যাসিস্টেড-লিভিং কমিউনিটির রত্ন বলা চলে মিশিগানের এই প্রতিষ্ঠানটাকে। কী নেই ওখানে? আরাম-আয়েসের সব ব্যবস্থা পাওয়া যায় চাইলেই।
কিন্তু সবার অজান্তে, ওখানে আস্তানা গেড়েছে মৃত্যুর দুই দূত। পার্কের অধিবাসীদের অধৈর্য উত্তরাধিকারীদের সন্তুষ্ট করতে, খানিক পারিশ্রমিকের বিনিময়ে অর্থ-কড়ি দ্রুত হাতে আসার ব্যবস্থা করে দেয় তারা!
অপরাধীদের দমিয়ে, সুবিচার প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে পারবে কি নেমলেস?'
'দ্য মার্সি অভ স্নেকস'
লেখকঃ ডিন কুন্টয
অনুবাদকঃ মোঃ ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
জনরাঃ মেডিকেল থ্রিলার
প্রকাশকঃ আজব প্রকাশ
মুদ্রিত মূল্যঃ ১৮০টাকা
কাহিনী সংক্ষেপ :
'একের-পর-এক বন্ধুকে মারা যেতে দেখে, সাহায্যের আবেদন জানাল ওকশোর পার্কের ভীত এক অধিবাসী। কেসটা এসে পড়ল নেমলেসের হাতে-জড়িয়ে পড়ল সে জটিল এক ষড়যন্ত্রে!
শুরু হলো শিকার...
ওকশোর পার্ক-অ্যাসিস্টেড-লিভিং কমিউনিটির রত্ন বলা চলে মিশিগানের এই প্রতিষ্ঠানটাকে। কী নেই ওখানে? আরাম-আয়েসের সব ব্যবস্থা পাওয়া যায় চাইলেই।
কিন্তু সবার অজান্তে, ওখানে আস্তানা গেড়েছে মৃত্যুর দুই দূত। পার্কের অধিবাসীদের অধৈর্য উত্তরাধিকারীদের সন্তুষ্ট করতে, খানিক পারিশ্রমিকের বিনিময়ে অর্থ-কড়ি দ্রুত হাতে আসার ব্যবস্থা করে দেয় তারা!
অপরাধীদের দমিয়ে, সুবিচার প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে পারবে কি নেমলেস?'
December 4, 2019
Interesting
Not bad. But not very exciting. I thought that the previous two novellas were better. Looking forward to reading the final instalment.
Not bad. But not very exciting. I thought that the previous two novellas were better. Looking forward to reading the final instalment.
April 7, 2020
This is a short story that is part of a series. I do recommend reading the first offering first as that sets the scene and each offering afterwards can be read in any order. In this one, Nameless is after a doctor and nurse that kills their rich elderly patients for money.
At this point in the series my reaction is ho-hum. I really could copy and paste my review for the last three books. It is just a repeat of the same thing. Nameless is backed by this all powerful agency and they perform an act of vigilantism. We know nothing about Nameless and his backer except they can accomplish anything. There is only one more book in the series so I am assuming that is when all the questions will be answered. But as for this book if you read books two, three, and four you have already read this one. Nothing has changed and Nameless who I liked in the first book has now have me saying "whatever" to his crusade.
For a short story series I find it ironic that I am saying that it has gone on too long. My interest has waned and I am glad I am at the end. There is nothing wrong with the writing. I just think that the author could have done a better job with giving us little threads in each book to keep us interested in where it was going.
At this point in the series my reaction is ho-hum. I really could copy and paste my review for the last three books. It is just a repeat of the same thing. Nameless is backed by this all powerful agency and they perform an act of vigilantism. We know nothing about Nameless and his backer except they can accomplish anything. There is only one more book in the series so I am assuming that is when all the questions will be answered. But as for this book if you read books two, three, and four you have already read this one. Nothing has changed and Nameless who I liked in the first book has now have me saying "whatever" to his crusade.
For a short story series I find it ironic that I am saying that it has gone on too long. My interest has waned and I am glad I am at the end. There is nothing wrong with the writing. I just think that the author could have done a better job with giving us little threads in each book to keep us interested in where it was going.
December 30, 2019
I enjoyed this section of Nameless's journey when he pursued a doctor and his nurse for the deaths happening in the nursing home.
Nameless was more proactive and I loved the speed at which the book got read.
Nameless was more proactive and I loved the speed at which the book got read.
August 29, 2020
I love the Nameless books. Fast reads and I keep going until I'm finished. Corruption and murder for inheritance. Two cold blooded killers but which one is more dangerous? Nameless reveals more about his returning memories and makes a decision. Highly recommended.
September 23, 2021
3.5 stars ⭐️
“The animals that wake and live in the absence of the sun are going about their business more peacefully than does humanity. There is violence even among their kind, pain and death, but they do not lie to one another. They know nothing of the numerous varieties of deception to which the human race is heir, nor are they infected with the envy that drives men and women to destroy themselves and others—and frequently even empires.”
- Nameless
“The animals that wake and live in the absence of the sun are going about their business more peacefully than does humanity. There is violence even among their kind, pain and death, but they do not lie to one another. They know nothing of the numerous varieties of deception to which the human race is heir, nor are they infected with the envy that drives men and women to destroy themselves and others—and frequently even empires.”
- Nameless
January 16, 2020
It's so satisfying to see the bad guys get theirs. Yeah, the series is becoming a bit formulaic because Nameless is who he is *without knowing more of him* and he does what he does. Only the who and how change. But I'm enjoying it for what is is.
November 20, 2022
Book Blog | Bookstagram
Best one so far.
⭐⭐⭐½ | 3.5 stars rounded down
Best one so far.
⭐⭐⭐½ | 3.5 stars rounded down
April 17, 2023
This installment as well as the previous one seemed more straight forward than the earlier installments. Not as much set-up for Nameless in bringing down the targets. Actually, the more interesting part were the repeated visions of Nameless and his confusion as to whether or not they are future visions resulting from his clairvoyance or old memories bleeding through his amnesia.
November 26, 2019
Edoardo Ballerini is the narrator.
April 2, 2021
I thought that this book was good
September 4, 2020
Great short story
Very enjoyable short story with well developed characters and well deserved endings. will have to find the rest of this series. Highly recommended.
Very enjoyable short story with well developed characters and well deserved endings. will have to find the rest of this series. Highly recommended.
February 24, 2020
4 Stars ( Excellent)
The mercy of Snakes is part of a compelling, and highly addictive series by Dean Koontz- about a highly skilled 'killer' dubbed 'Nameless'. Nameless has retrograde amnesia and does not recall anything beyond 2 years prior. 'Nameless' is a highly skilled assassin, and he acts in 'vengeance' taking odd jobs from his handler, only in the name of 'revenge'. Each tale in these short, but fast paced novellas surround a different scenario where 'nameless' is involved to right a previous wrong. Each novella is more addictive than the previous ones, and are 'free' for those who have Amazon prime series. I've given the 'audiobooks' (also included in prime) a shot and they're a gem, and the entire collection is utterly irresistible!
The mercy of Snakes is part of a compelling, and highly addictive series by Dean Koontz- about a highly skilled 'killer' dubbed 'Nameless'. Nameless has retrograde amnesia and does not recall anything beyond 2 years prior. 'Nameless' is a highly skilled assassin, and he acts in 'vengeance' taking odd jobs from his handler, only in the name of 'revenge'. Each tale in these short, but fast paced novellas surround a different scenario where 'nameless' is involved to right a previous wrong. Each novella is more addictive than the previous ones, and are 'free' for those who have Amazon prime series. I've given the 'audiobooks' (also included in prime) a shot and they're a gem, and the entire collection is utterly irresistible!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 887 reviews