Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci Narrator: Brittany Pressley, Kyf Brewer
Series: Altee Pine #1
Published by Hachette Audio on November 13, 2018
Genres: Mystery
Length: 11 hours, 9 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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#1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci introduces a remarkable new character: Atlee Pine, an FBI special agent assigned to the remote wilds of the western United States. Ever since her twin sister was abducted by a notorious serial killer at age five, Atlee has spent her life hunting down those who hurt others. And she’s the best at it. She could be one of the Bureau’s top criminal profilers, if she didn’t prefer catching criminals in the vast wilderness of the West to climbing the career ladder in the D.C. office. Her chosen mission is a lonesome one–but that suits her just fine.
Now, Atlee is called in to investigate the mutilated carcass of a mule found in the Grand Canyon–and hopefully, solve the disappearance of its rider. But this isn’t the only recent disappearance. In fact, it may be just the first clue, the key to unraveling a rash of other similar missing persons cases in the canyon. .
I have heard of this author as a best seller in a genre I love. When I saw this new Atlee Pine series with a female protagonist, I decided to start here. It was a great decision! I loved this book; it was so easy to enjoy and hard to stop listening.
Atlee is strong and smart. She has worked in bigger offices but really enjoys the independence of running a smaller one. There will no doubt be a long story arc finding out what happened to her abducted twin sister. Perhaps we won’t ever find out.
Long Road to Mercy is an excellent introduction to Atlee and her current working situation, as well as her isolated life. She ends up tangled in an international bugaboo. It is suspenseful to watch her work to figure things out and try to survive. People are willing to murder to keep the facts hidden. I loved her smart deductions and her prowess at continuing to solve the case and stay alive.
I’m really excited for more of Atlee’s adventures. A Minute to Midnight is expected in November this year.
Narration:
I’ve enjoyed Brittany Pressley before and she did a fine performance. I liked her distinct voices for the main female characters. Kyf Brewer is new to me, and seemed to have much less narration in the story as the primary characters were female. I listened at my usual 1.5 speed comfortably.
Listen to a clip:
About David Baldacci
David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, “because every mom needs a break now and then.”) He published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; it was subsequently adapted for film, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 36 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. David has also published six novels for younger readers.
A lifelong Virginian, David graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.
David and his wife, Michelle, are the co-founders of the Wish You Well Foundation®, which supports family and adult literacy in the United States. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need.
David and his family live in Virginia.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Yay! I’m really glad you enjoyed this, too, Anne? You might also like his Amos Decker series, too. Great review!
Thanks for the rec. So I’ll see whether I can get the Amos Decker or the also recommended Will Robie at my library after I work down a bit on series I am already reading.
love the cover. balducci is hit and miss with me, but this sounds like a great one and i’m glad it was for you.
I’d be curious to know if it is specific books or particular series of his that miss for you? I really liked this one.
Oh I confess that I didn’t know about this one but it looks good!
If you look at the author he has many, many series. I saw some of King & Maxwell on tv and loved it. (It had Ryan Hurst who was in SOA.) But this is the first I’ve read. I think some of his other works are along the lines of Tom Clancy, Lee Child, Vince Flynn Clive Cussler sort of stuff. I like all those so I look forward to trying some of his other series.
I’ve seen his books in all the lists of this genre and know I’d probably like them, but just haven’t reached for one yet. I’m glad you enjoyed your first dip into his books with a female heroine. I love Brittney Pressley’s narration work, too.
Now I want to try more of his series.
The publisher sent me a copy of this book and I am kind of embarrassed by the fact that I haven’t read it yet. I think it sounds wonderful and I have liked what I have read from Baldacci so far. Great review!
I really loved it. I would give it a try when you have a chance.
I really loved this, too, Anne. Atlee is such a great, strong character. Wonderful review!
Thank you! Now I’m itching for book 2 so it isn’t as awful I waited 7 months to read this since it came out as the next one is less than a year away now. lol
Another author I’ve never heard of but might try. Maybe I’ll check out King & Maxwell on tv to see if see could be my jam.
You could, just remember tv is often simplified leaving out details or dumbed down compared to the books. I haven’t read the King & Maxwell books but enjoyed the tv episodes I watched. Ryan Hurst plays a “Monk” like character, and I liked Monk having seen a few of those episodes too. I never seem to get to watch all of a series other than SOA and Gilmore Girls (watched after it ended).
Anyway, if you like Clancy, Flynn, Child or Cussler, you may like Baldacci. They aren’t all the same but fit that genre. I have enjoyed them all.
I’ve read many of his books and this sounds like a good one.
Which series of his do you like best? I could try it next.
I recall really liking his Will Robie series. Lots of action.
Sounds like something that I would enjoy.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
It’s high action thriller and a great mystery with a strong female officer. I can’t wait for more. Maybe a bit like KA’s Rockton books in a totally different environment. Altee is a Fed, too.