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Shannon Ames #2

Hide and Seek

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A brutal abduction. Two scared kids. One desperate fugitive.

Struggling with the guilt she feels for shooting and killing a man during her freshman case, Special Agent Shannon Ames is thrown back in the deep end when former federal prosecutor Lucy Donato goes missing.

The case takes a surprising turn when Lucy’s bookish husband Bob is caught on camera fleeing the state with his two small children. Has he done something to his wife? Is he a danger to the kids?

There’s definitely something off about Bob, because it soon becomes clear he isn’t stopping for anyone. He’s smart, he’s ruthless, and he steamrolls over anyone who gets in his way.

Desperate to protect the kids, Shannon pursues Bob cross-country, following a trail of stolen cars, brutal bar fights, and dangerous drug dealers. But something isn’t sitting right with her – why would a meek office worker suddenly blaze a trail of chaos across several states? What does he want? Where is he going?

The answer to those questions is truly shocking and puts Shannon at the heart of a case she’ll never forget…

Hide and Seek is a gripping mystery thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as it races towards its electrifying finish. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Robert Dugoni and Lisa Regan.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2020

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152 people want to read

About the author

T.J. Brearton

46 books387 followers
Timothy James Brearton lives in the Adirondack Mountains with his wife and three children. He's loved thrillers and police stories for most of his life. HABIT follows broken cop Brendan Healy down the rabbit hole of a human trafficking conspiracy. DEAD GONE delivers Florida cop Tom Lange into a criminal underworld and THE KILLING TIME introduces FBI agent Shannon Ames, a country girl in the big city.

http://tjbrearton.net/about

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,711 followers
September 29, 2020

Special Agent Shannon Ames is back on the job when a former federal prosecutor and her son are kidnapped.

There's more to this abduction than meets the eye .... the prosecutor is found dead, left in the woods shortly after an investigation begins. But her 19-year-old son is still missing.

It's a surprising turn when the prosecutor's husband takes off with their two younger children. Where is he going ... and more importantly, why?

This intriguing mystery takes Ames across country, following the husband and getting involved in stolen cars, stolen phones, bar fights, and drug dealers.

What Ames learns turns the entire case inside out.

It's an intricate plot filled with non-stop action and page turning suspense. The characters are solidly drawn amidst an intense search for kidnappers. The ending came as a total surprise with just a slight cliffhanger that leads right into a possible third book. Although 2nd in this series, it is easily read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the books in order. As with all his other books, this author never disappoints.

Many thanks to the author / Inkubator Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Laur.
717 reviews125 followers
December 1, 2020
An intriguing mystery full of action and suspense. Had me hooked from the beginning and guessing right up to the end. Loved the main protagonist, Special Agent Shannon Ames, strong, gutsy, intelligent, with a take charge attitude.. Hope to see more of her in the future.
Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thank to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Teresa.
505 reviews168 followers
Read
September 1, 2020
Road to Mercy is the second book in the Shannon Ames series in the mystery-suspense genre. The main character is suffering from PTSD from a shooting in the first book, which causes her to have certain doubts and issues has she navigates her new case. I have not read the first one, and you do not need to read it to understand what is going on. This book is about the kidnapping of a mother and her teenage son. It is a well written, action-packed whodunit, but it was a slow starter for me, and I had trouble paying attention. About halfway through, it started picking up speed and I became intensely engaged with the story.

The plot was solid, and the character development was strong. I had some trouble keeping up with all the characters at first but eventually came to know who was who. It kept me guessing until almost the end when I made a correct guess regarding who the main culprit was. This book was a very solid read and I gave it three stars.

I look forward to reading the first book in the series and any future books. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it.
Profile Image for Elvan.
696 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2021
3.5 stars

Shannon chases a suspect and his two kids across the US following the abduction of his wife and oldest son by persons unknown. Interesting case. Little character growth but a solid whodunnit and why, FBI style.
3,216 reviews69 followers
September 16, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Inkubator Books for an advance copy of Road to Mercy, the second novel to feature New York based FBI Agent Shannon Ames.

When former federal prosecutor Lucy Donato and her 19 year old son, Dylan, go missing Shannon is sent upstate, as a courtesy, with a watching brief. Then Lucy’s husband takes off in a hurry with the two younger kids and appears to be avoiding law enforcement. Desperate to save the kids Shannon pursues Bob across the country, hoping to work out what is going on.

I thoroughly enjoyed Road to Mercy which is part chase thriller and part investigation. The narrative is split between Shannon and Bob and while I’m not always a fan of split narratives it works extremely well here, contrasting their understanding of events and ratcheting up the tension as both characters are operating under different compulsions but no less stress. I found the novel to be a real page turner as I was desperate to know what was driving Bob and his actions. Some of it, but not all, becomes clear to the reader early on through his narrative but the burning questions of who and why remain. I guessed slightly before Shannon on who when the why became apparent but it took me most of the book to get there so it’s all well concealed. Shannon’s narrative is more concerned with hunting Bob down so it provides the action and frustration. This is a well conceived thriller that held my attention throughout.

The characterisation is fairly basic with 8 year old Lily Donato taking a starring role as the voice of reason on the road trip. Plausible? Maybe not, but her good sense is calming and occasionally amusing. Shannon Ames is gun shy after killing someone in the previous novel and has PTSD. It’s an interesting standpoint to have in these times of heightened examination of law enforcement’s actions although I’m not sure it adds much to the debate as she simply leaves the shooting to others.

Road to Mercy is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,346 reviews119 followers
September 19, 2020
Road to Mercy by T.J. Brearton
A Shannon Ames Thriller #2

First off…had not read book one of this series but had no trouble getting into the plot of book two without having read INTO DARKNESS. I might have liked to know more about Shannon, the first case, the explosion and her introduction to and beginning relationship with Caldoza BUT it was not essential for reading this book.

The book begins with Lucy and her son Dylan on the road going to drop him off at university for his sophomore year but before they arrive, the two are kidnapped and then the FBI is called in. Is it an FBI case or a local one? Shannon Ames is tasked with going to the scene to decide.

From that point on there is much police procedural type information going on as Shannon finds one clue after another until the final surprise twist at the end that left me feeling sad as I contemplated how a decision made can have such a huge ripple effect in those impacted by that decision.

I usually do a “what I liked” and “what I did not like BUT in this case feel that by doing so I would give away too much so…

Comments:
* Shannon: a great character with intelligence, tenacity, and enough but not too many quirks.
* The story was well crafted with precise timing of the release of tidbits as the story progressed
* Enough red herrings but not too many
* Enjoyed the police procedural aspects with thought process of Shannon as she worked the case
* I felt the story was believable
* For some reason my focus was torn away from the story as I read. I don’t think it was the story itself but something else going on in my life the past couple of days.
* Every time I start a comment I stop, rewrite, try again…can’t really say what I think about the bad guys or good guys as it would give away more than I should AND since the author worked so hard to make it that way will just say that…
* I did enjoy the book and
* I would read more in this series

Thank you to Net Galley and Inkubator Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars
Profile Image for Diane.
952 reviews49 followers
September 11, 2020
Road To Mercy by T.J. Brearton is the second in the Special Agent Shannon Ames series and packs a punch! I was totally into this story as the questions and theories increased as the chase progressed! I enjoy this new series and Road to Mercy is non-stop in action and suspense.
As I read the beginning about Lucy Donato enjoying her trip back to school with Dylan and her plans to have a pancake breakfast with him, I so hoped she would survive! It is clear from the beginning of Special Agent Ames' investigation, this will not be an easy case with clear answers.
Former federal prosecutor Lucy Donato's husband Bob has taken the two young children and is fleeing in a cross-country route. The times he is reported to have come in contact with others usually leave an episode of violent behavior. Are the children safe in his care during this race to elude authorities?
A wonderfully written thriller!
Publication Date: September 19, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Profile Image for Jessica Woods.
1,288 reviews24 followers
September 11, 2020
Road to Mercy is my first book by this author and it had me hooked from the first paragraph. The second book in the Shannon Ames series, this story was easy to keep up with and I didn't feel like my experience was lacking in any way from skipping the first book. A mother and son on a road trip to drop the boy off at school ends in the abduction of both. As a former prosecutor, Lucy Donato's missing case gets kicked over to the FBI. Enter Special Agent Shannon Ames still feeling the weight of justified kill on her last case as the guilt is front and center. When Lucy's husband Bob takes the younger children and disappears, Shannon is in pursuit to see just what Bob knows. Suspense and action build steadily as the case winds down to an unexpected ending that will leave you wanting more of Shannon Ames's story. The story is smooth and gripping to satisfy the most stringent of mystery and suspense lovers. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,538 reviews24 followers
September 3, 2020
Shannon Ames is rapidly becoming one of my favorite fictional FBI Agents. In Road to Mercy TJ Brearton takes the reader on a wild ride with plenty of twists, turns and a few blind alleys as Shannon attempts to solve a kidnapping, all the while dealing with her own PTSD issues. After reading the first Shannon Ames book, Into Darkness I wasn’t sure how the next book in this series might compete. Well, Road to Mercy not only met that challenge, it is like comparing a homerun to a grand slam both are great, but one is an order of magnitude better. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Shannon in the future. I received an Advance Reader Copy of Road to Mercy and chose to provide this review.
Profile Image for Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book.
1,502 reviews35 followers
September 7, 2020
I really like this series...

Special Agent Shannon Ames is smart and badass in a very subtle yet awesome way. I love her analytical mind, the subtle way she leans on her faith. She packs a powerful punch but I’m going to say it again...in a subtle way.

This story had many twists and turns. And I did figure out a big part of it but it didn’t take away from the wallop that it packed. I was not sure how or where or why by I knew who. And it didn’t matter. The story was really good, twisty and I can’t wait for more.
52 reviews
September 13, 2020
More twists, turns, and surprises than a roller-coaster ride! Well done, Mr. Brearton! I have read A LOT of books, and I generally have a suspect much earlier in the book. I had no CLUE until near the end. I had all the evidence but still I didn't know who to collar. Love the details without getting into too much procedural, and the ending! Very nice!
2 reviews
September 3, 2020
This book was excellent. I couldn't put it down. It had a great twist at the end. I can't wait for his next book to come out. He never disappoints.
Profile Image for amy hymel.
7 reviews
October 15, 2020
Held my interest from start to finish!

Very good book! I read it all in two sittings! Kept me wondering what was up. Wasn't who I thought it was!
Profile Image for Gayle England-Triplett.
240 reviews
October 15, 2021
Another unpredictable Brearton masterpiece

Unpredictable ending!!! I never thought it would end this way. I gave it 4 stars instead of his usual 5 because there were a few places that seemed to be worded in a confusing way/not clear meaning. However, Shannon Ames is a stellar FBI agent that I definitely want to read about in T. J. Brearton's future novels. He is still one of my favorite authors. I recommend you read this book!!
Profile Image for Meredith Rankin.
172 reviews11 followers
August 29, 2020
I’m thrilled to share my review of Road to Mercy by T.J. Brearton. A few months ago, I reviewed Into Darkness, the first book in Brearton’s FBI special agent Shannon Ames suspense/mystery series and raved about it. (To quote myself, “Impressive. I read the book in two days, only stopping to sleep!”) So I had high expectations about the sequel. Did it live up to my expectations? Read on to find out!

The story opens with a quiet scene. A mother and her college-age son are driving to his college. They’ve gone shopping–enthusiastically on the mom’s part, reluctantly on the son’s–and are stopping for pancakes. It’s the stuff of an ordinary day: a mom fussing over a son, a son rolling his eyes and sulking.

Then their road trip takes a violent u-turn. Masked men abduct them from the restaurant’s parking lot. And no one even notices . . .

That’s when I knew: This is gonna be one hell of a road trip.

From there, the tension increases gradually. Along with Shannon, I didn’t know who or what or why this abduction happened. There are many different possibilities.

Sometimes I thought I knew what was happening.

Then the story took a u-turn or swerved off the road or hit the accelerator and laid rubber on the asphalt until I stood beside Shannon, staring at a map and wondering how we got here.

Brearton masterfully ratchets up the tension. It’s feels a bit slower than the pace in the first book, though Road to Mercy isn’t slow by any means. But as I did with Into Darkness, I felt like I was part of Shannon’s investigative team, racing against time to stop the inevitable. But even then, even when the end felt inevitable, I still didn’t know what was waiting at the end of the road: life . . .or death?

From that parking lot abduction to the final act, Brearton kept me guessing. And while this mystery does get solved, there’s a delicious cliffhanger in the final chapter. I guess I’ll have to wait until book 3 comes out to know what happens!

Characters
Really, they’re so . . . ordinary.

Lucy, a former federal prosecutor, acts like a typical middle-aged mom who henpecks her son and worries over extra weight on her hips. The son, Dylan, is just a rising college sophomore who had a tough freshman year. Their family–husband Bob and young Lily and Silas–are typical people, albeit in unusual situation. The police and federal agents are rather ordinary people, too. Brearton does a terrific job with characterization. And he has both women and men in positions of power within law enforcement. (Shocking, I know!)

I especially enjoyed the chapters narrated by eight-year-old Lily. Her father’s changed behavior bewilders and upsets her. She’s understandably frustrated when he doesn’t answer her questions. She misses her mommy. But she’s observant and she often knows more than she thinks she knows, though. It’s easy to feel sympathy for this child and to root for her. Her interactions with both her father and her little brother feel realistic. Brearton does a great job portraying the kids as kids.

Shannon continues to be a sympathetic character. She’s determined, compassionate, and deeply human. She gets cranky when she’s hungry or tired and argues with her work partner, the supposedly “uncomplicated” Charlie Bufort. (Note to Shannon: do NOT underestimate your fellow characters.) She wonders if she should date a particular person or not. (Note #2: a tentative yes, which I guess means maybe.) She has a troubled relationship with her mom. I feel like I know her (as evidenced by my notes to a fictional person!)

She’s a strong woman, and I don’t just mean physical strength. She has spiritual strength, too, a moral internal compass that helps her navigate the complexities of investigative work. I absolutely love her for this. Outside of the “Christian fiction” market, I haven’t encountered too many Christian characters portrayed in a positive light. (And this book is definitely not Christian fiction.)

For Shannon, the hunt for a killer is not only about the killer, the novelty of the death, or the unraveling of a mystery. It’s about justicefor the victims and their loved ones.

It’s about having compassion for the grieving and putting other people’s safety first. (Especially children!)

It’s about retaining one’s sense of right, wrong, and humanity, even while searching for the most inhumane of killers.

And it’s about remembering that this killer is human, one of us, and who could be us under different circumstances.

But the previous case in Into Darkness has left Shannon reeling. She’s struggling with PTSD. The aftershocks complicate her mental state at inconvenient times. (Though are there ever convenient times for flashbacks?) It feels realistic: small things trigger memories and her mind takes a dive into dark places. Dealing with this is a long, hard road.

Violence
I like how Brearton handles the description of the crime scenes. Rather than describe in gory detail what a murder victim looks like now, he keeps the focus on the victim as a person. This is particularly true when he deals with violence against women.

This is something that the crime/mystery genre has struggled with over the years. Often the scenes show a (typically male) detective viewing the female victim’s (often naked or mutilated) body, describing it to the reader. Too often, the result feels like a sexualized voyeurism.

But Brearton avoids that. He focuses on the dead as they were in real life: spouses, parents, friends, people who lived and breathed and hugged their children and ate pancakes. Just like us. Just like the other characters, investigators and killers alike.

Standalone but part of a series

This book works as a standalone. I didn’t find any spoilers, other than a very brief mention of one particular character; but it’s not really a spoiler. So yes, you can read Road to Mercywithout having read the first book. But why on earth would you want to miss out on the pulse-pounding thrills of Into Darkness?! Seriously. Go read them both . You won’t regret it.

So I’ll repeat my earlier question: Did this book live up to my expectations? A resounding yes!

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

26 reviews
September 3, 2020
I chose to read and review a free eARC of Road to Mercy but that has in no way influenced my review.

When a former Federal Prosecutor is kidnapped with her son, it leads to murder. When the prosecutor’s husband also disappears taking the couple’s young children with him, the police have a target to find and a chase across the USA against the clock ensues.

This is my first Shannon Ames book, and it was easily read as a standalone. Shannon Ames is unexpectedly dropped into the investigation of the kidnapping of Lucy Donato, the Federal Prosecutor. She arrives on the scene to find local cops friendly with the local business owners, who seem keen to avoid disruption rather than understand what’s happened.

Whilst this is happening we find Bob Donato pressing his way across country, avoiding police detection and getting involved in behaviour which puts him squarely on the wrong side of the law. The parts of the story involving Bob are told from the perspective of Lily, the couple’s eldest child, who is watching her father behave in more outlandish ways and putting her and her brother, Silas, at risk. Even from a child’s way of thinking, Bob’s behaviour seems odd.

Shannon doesn’t lack support throughout the investigation but there is certainly a healthy dose of scepticism from the various local police forces. They don’t feel the FBI knows what they are doing, believing Ames unlikely to make a breakthrough. Her support in the FBI comes from Bufort, a relaxed and thoughtful partner who contrasts nicely with Shannon’s wired style. Ames is a well written character and whilst the first novel is referenced in Road to Mercy, I still felt she was introduced well to new readers. One of the aspects I really liked in this story is that there were no bolts from the blue. No massive Eureka moments. Rather we saw well drawn characters struggle with a lack of evidence and make slow progress in finding Bob, the children, and Lucy’s kidnappers. This did not mean a slow story though. Brearton has laced Road to Mercy with misdirection, red herrings and subplots that keep you racing through this book.

I can see Ames being a fan favourite for many readers. The hard working, dogged detective who won’t back down until she has cracked the case is brilliantly written. Road to Mercy has a cracking atmosphere which carries the reader swiftly through a fast-paced and well-plotted story.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Road to Mercy. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Mark taylor.
456 reviews7 followers
September 21, 2020
Road to mercy draft review

I got Road To Mercy by T J Breaton from Book Sirens for a fair and honest review

A brutal abduction. Two scared kids. One desperate fugitive.

Struggling with the guilt for shooting and killing a man during her freshman case, Special Agent Shannon Ames is back in at the deep end when former federal prosecutor Lucy Donato goes missing.

The case takes a surprising turn when Lucy’s bookish husband Bob is seen on a traffic camera fleeing the state with his two small children. Has he done something to his wife? Is he a danger to the kids?

There’s definitely something going on with Bob, because it soon becomes clear he isn’t stopping for anyone. He’s smart, ruthless, and steamrolls over anyone who gets in his way.

Desperate to protect the kids, Shannon pursues Bob cross-country, following a trail of stolen cars, brutal bar fights, and dangerous drug dealers. But something isn’t sitting right with her.

Why would a meek office worker suddenly blaze a trail of chaos across several states? What does he want? Where is he going?

The answer to those questions is truly shocking and puts Shannon at the heart of a case she’ll never forge


Road to Mercy is a face-paced chase, based mystery thriller that is well written , with the style of the writing drawing the reader in to the story, as the tension is built up throughout the book

The way that the major characters were written was enough to make them fledged out enough to allow the story to flow which is all I require from my thrillers.

To me a weakness of the book is the ending, as it felt similar to one of those hour long tv shows, when, the last 10% only, seems to be there just to make the show the correct length, this book felt the same way. Although this distracted from the story the novel was still an enjoyable read.

Road to Mercy is the second book in the Shanen Ames series, however, you do not need to read the first book of the series (which I have not read) to enjoy this one.

I would recommend this book to people who love a good mystery thriller, which is well-past, with risik and jeopardy throughout the book then I would recommend T J Breaton’s Road To Mercy.
Profile Image for Jashaswi.
34 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2020
Special agent Shannon Ames is called upon when a former federal prosecutor Lucy Donato and her teenage son are abducted in broad daylight. But upon basic investigation, Shannon realises there's more to this case than Lucy's federal connections. Shortly after they discover a burnt car and Lucy Donato dead in the woods but her son still missing. On a surprising turn Lucy's husband Bob Donato is caught on camera fleeing the state with their two other children.
This sets Shannon and the investigating team on a wild escapade after Bob Donato across the country, witnessing stolen cars, and phone, bar fights and drug dealers. Bob makes it clear he isn't stopping for anyone and even diverts from his original direction to giving the agents a fake trail to cover. And this chase brings into light some family secrets, office politics and many more questions. What was Bob Donato so ardently seeking and why? Did he know of his wife's death or is he involved?
This intriguing mystery is an action-filled page turner that will grip your attention till the end. I was hooked with the story line developing into an intense suspense. The character of the protagonist Shannon Ames is drawn intelligently. Agent Ames is a headstrong, determined and smart agent. I liked her thoughtful perspectives on the subject of investigation and her quick decisions under stress. Also I wanted to know more of Duncan Winter. His character seemed to be overflowing with suspense and mystery. Like a villain I would like. Maybe in the next book of this series.
Overall Road To Mercy was a great read. I don't usually read mystery but this book is a must read.
Recommended to all mystery lovers and to those who want a start in this genre.Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for this e-ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alice.
372 reviews21 followers
September 6, 2020
I enjoyed Special Agent Shannon Ames’ first outing in Into Darkness a few months ago, and T. J. Brearton has really got into his stride with the follow-up, Road to Mercy. His writing has become more confident and assured, and it was great to spend more time following and getting to know Shannon.

The story itself is fast-paced and exciting, with new information and plot-advancing events coming out with seemingly every turn of the page. There are some real heart-in-your mouth moments when things get hairy for the characters. While Into Darkness felt like a love letter to New York, in Road to Mercy, Shannon finds herself zipping all over the US as she tries to catch up with the elusive Bob Donato. We get a whistle-stop tour of diners, bars, National Parks and small towns across several states.

Brearton relays the progress of the Donatos’ cross-country road trip through Bob and Lucy’s eight-year-old daughter, Lily. This is really well done, as she conveys the thoughts and feelings you would expect of a child of that age in her situation: wondering where her mother is; worrying about (and feeling annoyed by) her carsick five-year-old brother, Silas; thrown by her sudden removal from home and routine; confused as to why her father’s acting so strangely. You really feel her bewilderment and fear.

This is also a very effective way of showing what Bob is doing without giving too much away about his motives. Like Shannon and Lily, you spend most of the book in the dark about whether Bob is a good or bad guy in all this - and even when this question is resolved, there are still some shocks in store!

Shannon continues to develop as an intelligent and dogged agent. I really like her conscientiousness: she feels proud of herself when she remembers her training and puts it into practice, has the odd crisis of confidence when she thinks she could have done something better, and leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of justice. It’s also very realistic that she’s still suffering the after-effects of her previous case, and I love her cute interactions with her cat, Jasper.

Road to Mercy is a fast-paced, addictive crime thriller that takes the reader across the US with a down-to-earth, self-aware detective.
Profile Image for Linda.
472 reviews
August 26, 2021
Once again T.J. Brearton has thrilled us with an amazingly exciting novel. The character of Shannon Ames is developing into an extremely capable FBI agent who gets the job done in an efficient and effective way. The story opens with the sudden kidnapping of a former federal prosecutor and her son from outside a diner, which gives rise to the urgent race to track them down. At the same time, her husband gathers up their two younger children and disappears. All hands are on deck, from the FBI to local law enforcement, and Shannon gets to work trying to discover who could be behind the kidnapping and what the motive could be. The plot is very well thought out and, although complex, is interesting throughout. Several times during the story we are reminded of Shannon’s past case from the previous book, and there is a tie-in to where we left off. All the way through the pace of the plot is fast but it really takes off towards the end, making it impossible to put down. Needless to say, there is a brilliant twist in the final part which I never saw coming, but it was interesting to hear how Shannon had figured out the truth. It goes without saying that I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a gripping thriller, and I am just about to start the next in the series as I have no doubt that it will be just as good.
1,747 reviews13 followers
October 7, 2020
I received this book through NetGalley's Read Now program. This is the 1st book from this author that I have read and I enjoyed it a great deal. The story begins with the abduction of Lucy and Dylan outside of a restaurant. Lucy, a former Deputy U.S. Attorney, brings the FBI into the search. Shannon is assigned to investigate.

In addition, Lucy's husband has taken off with his two younger children and has discarded his phone. Shannon in following clues is notified of a white van which matched the description of the vehicle used in the kidnapping was burned up. At the scene, Shannon discovers Lucy's body in the woods.

While Bob. Lucy's husband, is fleeing, he winds up stealing another vehicle leaving his to try and cover his track. Further investigation ultimately leads Shannon to Utah where she locates the children and discovers that Bob has borrowed the owners car. After they have captured Bob and discovered what he was trying to do, it leads to discovery of the individuals responsible for the kidnapping and murder. Dylan is recovered from a mall.

Shannon ultimately figured out the individual behind the kidnapping. To learn who was responsible and what Bob's directions were from the kidnappers, then you must read this book. You won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
1,988 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2023
Fast-Paced and Emotional
T.J. Brearton has given those of us who appreciate suspense thrillers another great story. Shannon Ames is a newbie FBI agent still trying to find her way in the agency. Her initial case is the source of humiliation and professional banter- it didn't quite end as a "win/win." But she's determined to show her worth when she's abruptly thrown into a new and baffling case.

One quiet family is suddenly thrown into chaos without any warning. Mom is found dead, Dad and the two youngest children are fleeing across state lines, stealing cars, creating havoc, and refusing to stop for anything. But the oldest son, who was reportedly with the now-dead mom, is missing. Nothing seems to make sense.

This case had a great pace and some interesting characters. The time flew by as the clues began to surface, unraveling the mystery. But two books into this series, I still don't have a very good sense of the personality of Agent Ames. I haven't yet made a connection to her. I'm not giving up on this series, though. The storylines are great, and I think the author is just revealing the characters' depth slowly.
Profile Image for Aina.
811 reviews65 followers
September 22, 2020
4.5 rounded up! I loved the first book in the series, Into Darkness, so I was excited to get my hands on the sequel. While this book does have references to its predecessor, it also works as a standalone. Like in the first book, I was rooting for Shannon Ames to solve the case. She’s no-nonsense, determined but compassionate as well. We get to know her family background and personal life, which helps to illuminate who she is behind the badge.

I really enjoyed how fast-paced the book is! I thought the author does a great job of making the characters’ actions feel realistic. The supporting characters are interesting, especially Lucy’s family who provide an emotional angle to the situation. There‘s plenty of exciting scenes, and twists that I didn’t see coming. Definitely check out this book if you’re looking for an action-packed thriller!

Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.

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108 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2020
A book about abduction, money and murder, the Road to a Mercy was a gripping book that held my attention and wouldn't let go.

Shannon, an FBI agent, is trying to solve the case of Lucy and Dylan Donatos's abductions from a parking lot in broad daylight. At the same time, she is also trying to find Lucy's husband, Bob, who took his two young kids and was seen fleeing from their house on the same day. What follows next is a twisty tale of full of suspense that will keep you guessing until the end.

A few points in this book were not totally believable, which is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5. But overall, I read this book in just a few days and would recommend it to others. I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for J_McA 251.
1,017 reviews14 followers
September 10, 2020
As with the last book, this one opens with an exciting scene (not saying what it is) that sets the tone for the rest of the story. We get people on the run, dead bodies, shady financial dealings, a twisty investigation…all the elements of page-turning, thrilling suspense. Shannon Ames is an astute and no-nonsense investigator. I appreciate how the author allows the story to unfold, switching to other characters periodically so that we get an “update” from their point of view. This plot has everything someone could want in a thriller. I highly recommend starting this series now. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Inkubator Books and Damp Pebbles for a digital ARC of the book.
19 reviews
September 21, 2020
I enjoyed reading Road to Mercy by TJ Brearton. It has been awhile since I read a crime mystery novel, and this one was great to start with again. I was engaged from the first chapter. I usually dislike female lead characters because they are either too tough or too anxious/panicky and self-conscious. This lead female, Shannon, had a believable internal issue to deal with (there were 2 but only one was really described) and it didn't overtake the story. I believed she was capable of doing the things the author wrote for her. There were a couple of plot points that I didn't find very plausible, but then again, it is a work of fiction, and it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Profile Image for Tam.
2,179 reviews54 followers
September 28, 2020
A MUST for your TBR list! Fast-paced! Riveting! Exciting! Addictive! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. It was an artful melding of twisted psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense that kept me hooked the whole way!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

#RoadToMercy #NetGalley
Profile Image for Paula.
1,321 reviews48 followers
August 24, 2020
Road to Mercy by T.J. Brearton was so good. The book had a solid mystery and an intriguing storyline. The action was non-stop.

This book and how the author wrote the scenes had me questioning all the characters and who could be behind the mystery. I definitely want to read more about these characters and other books by this author.

One of the things I liked was the relationship between Shannon and Bufort. I felt all the characters were solid and believable.

#RoadToMercy #NetGalley
Profile Image for Nan Christine  Borton-Smith.
558 reviews12 followers
September 26, 2020
Engaging series!

This has so far been an engaging series, if at times a bit unbelievable. For example, SA Ames, a young woman with less than 2 years experience, running a case for a New York City Office.
Once past her brief career, you can’t help but root for her. The author keeps his characters interesting, yet believable and I appreciate the characters consistently between books.
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