Back Porchervations: Mercy by John W. Mefford

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Mercy by John W. Mefford - #review #giveaway

NEW RELEASE....

The torment builds and builds and builds….

He can't deny it.

But in what form will the pressure erupt?

Cooper Chain isn't just down on his luck -- he's almost down for the count. The mob wants a piece of him, and he sees no way out.

It's a special week for Willow Ball, a woman who's survived her own tribulations to reach this milestone in her life.

Through fate -- or a temporary misalignment of the stars -- Willow and Cooper cross paths for the first time since college. Will an unexpected spark re-ignite the flame?

A shattering discovery changes everything for Willow and Cooper. The murder is unlike any other. But what will the cops do about it?

Attacks ensure, chaos ruptures a family . . . Through it all, how can Willow and Cooper find the killer?

But it's not over. As the bodies pile up, a pattern develops and it rocks Willow and Cooper to the core.

And then someone emerges after a three-decade disappearance. Could he be connected to this string of murders?

The past might provide the breadcrumbs to end this nightmare. But Willow and Cooper may not live long enough to see it through.

Will mercy save a life or end many?

Get MERCY now!

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," then you'll be sucked into this first, page-turning Ball & Chain thriller.

Available to buy from....
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Paperback

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MY REVIEW

I usually read mystery novels. I don't think I could pick a better book than Mercy by John W. Mefford by to foray once more into the thriller genre. This is definitely a walk on the wild side of life!

What first drew me in, before I knew anything about the book, were the surnames of the main characters: Ball, and Chain. I love punny titles and appreciate writers who play wildly with words while writing. I then jumped into the deep end of the story, which opens up with a serial killer on the prowl. Shorly afterwards we are introduced to the main characters.

Cooper Chain is a writer whose life has gone severely downhill since his college days. He's currently on the run from some loan shark muscle. Coop also works for minimum wage in a local bookstore / bar joint. He's got one week to magically come up with $50,000.

Willow Ball has had her own difficulties since she and Cooper were an item in college. But things seem to be getting better for her. She's engaged to Harvey and her wedding is fast approaching. Harvey gave her a Mercedes as a present.

Mercy is told from several points of view: Cooper's, Willow's and one criminally insane serial killer who could give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money. Our heroes kind of 'run into' the killer while checking on Willow's cousin, who is also one of her bridesmaids. Unfortunately for the cousin, she won't be able to complete her wedding duties. Coop and Will don't find that out for a short while, because they are busy fighting for their lives, literally, with a killer who does not like being interrupted.

The jumps in points of view seem almost a little disjointed at first, until I recognized the pattern from the movie Pulp Fiction. The switching back and forth, I think, adds to the uncertainty that fuels a great thriller.

This was my first experience with a book by Mefford. It will not be the last. I just hope my bookshelves will hold up under the weight of all the new TBR-list books!

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Readers are saying…
"MERCY is full of suspense and sass. An exciting, mind-blowing adventure."

"Willow Ball and Cooper Chain are flawed and funny, yet so very real in how they deal with the heart-pounding curve balls."

"You'll be enthralled by the gripping story, and you'll laugh out loud from the snarky interactions between Willow and Cooper. I hope this is the first of many killer Ball & Chain adventures."

"The most original new thriller series out there!"

About the Author

Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

When he’s not writing, he chases his youth on bike or a basketball court, all while making mental
notes of people and societies across the land.

Find the author on the following sites...
Website Facebook Twitter Google+ Goodreads Bookbub Amazon Author Page