Blog Tour: Road To Mercy by T.J. Brearton

Today is my turn on the blog tour for Road To Mercy by T.J. Brearton. Thank you to Inkubator Books and Damp Pebbles Blog Tours for a digital review copy. The book will be out on 6th September!

Here’s the synopsis and my review:

Publication Date: 6 September 2020
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Author: T.J. Brearton
Publisher: Inkubator Books

Synopsis:

One terrifying abduction. Two scared kids. One desperate fugitive.

Struggling with the guilt she feels for shooting and killing a drug dealer 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…

Road to Mercy 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.

Review:

What an electrifying thriller! I had previously enjoyed the first book in the Shannon Ames series, Into Darkness, so I was excited to get my hands on the sequel. While Road To Mercy does have references to its predecessor, it also works as a standalone. You can jump into it without having to read the first book.

When Lucy Donato and her teenage son, Dylan, are abducted in broad daylight, the FBI is called in because Lucy is a former federal prosecutor. It gets complicated when Lucy’s husband is caught on camera driving away with their other two children. Attempts to contact him failed, and Agent Shannon Ames has to figure out whether he is a victim or a perpetrator.

I thought Shannon Ames is a fantastic protagonist and I found myself rooting for her to solve the case. She is no-nonsense and determined but still follows protocol. I liked that she doesn’t put the blame on others even when they make mistakes. She struggles to deal with the aftermath of a case from the first book, but she doesn’t let her emotions take over. We also get to know her family background and her personal life, and it helps to further illuminate who she is behind the badge.

I really enjoyed how fast-paced the book is! It felt as if I’m working with the characters to figure out what’s really going on. I’m not an expert on FBI and police procedures but 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 are plenty of exciting scenes, and twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I appreciate that the book doesn’t shy away from making difficult choices for its characters. I was absorbed by the story and couldn’t put down the book until the satisfying end.

If you’re looking for an action-packed thriller with a compelling protagonist, you won’t go wrong with Road To Mercy!

Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour!