Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos
Narrator: James Babson
Series: Porter Beck #2
Published by Minotaur Books, Recorded Books on July 16, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 336
Length: 10 hours, 21 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.
Beck's investigation leads him to Mercy Vaughn, the one known hacker in the area. The problem is that she's a teenager, locked up with no computer access at the secure juvenile detention center. But there's something Mercy that doesn't sit quite right with Beck. But when Mercy disappears, Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.
Obviously, I enjoyed everything about this next in the Porter Beck series. The main point of view being a sheriff, with lots of military intelligence training, set in a small town with lots of natural beauty, are all positives. Shades of Mercy has both spies, from China, and drug cartel gangsters from Mexico causing problems in the sheriff’s area.
The story begins with a drug overdose by one of Beck’s school friends. Next, there is a takeover of a government drone which blows up a prime bull of one of his other high school friends. I can’t go into details without spoiling too much but Beck is kept hopping and I don’t think he hardly sleeps for a week.
Between hackers and drug overdoses, he has some tricky problems to solve. Then there’s a missing teenager who is known for hacking. Beck does have an excellent team of his own, plus a state agent, and his sister is helping too. The federal agents are not so helpful. Beck doesn’t trust them because they aren’t sharing what they know.
The end is nearly a war with plenty of bad guys. I’m thrilled with the suspenseful action, and Beck’s intelligence in figuring things out and staying alive. His choices are not always easy ones. He manages justice for everyone, not just the powerful. I love the fast paced story and well-developed characters and can’t wait for more. Beck has personal challenges and it will be interesting to see how he manages them over time.
Narration:
I enjoyed the narration, and have listened to both books in the series. The narrator is Beck for me. He also keeps me in the story with voices which are distinct but fitting for the characters. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Yep, this one ticked off all the boxes for me, too. I’ve been reading the series, but I’ll look into the audio narration for the future.
Thanks Sophia. You put this one on my radar last year.
Excellent review, Anne💜 Looking forward to this one.
Thank you Jonetta. I really loved it.
Wow, sounds like there’s a lot going on to keep a reader entertained in this one.
There is so much happening! It makes it more interesting as things get connected and Beck figures it out. Lots and lots of action too.
I’ve started the first one and then I’ll be getting to this one soon. Happy to see you loved it!
I LOVED them. 5 hearts for each book.
Oooo this sounds really intense and really good.
It can be intense with all the action and the bad guys more than willing to kill people to get their way.
Adding this to my TBR! I love a good intense mystery!
These are awesome. I would read the first book first. There are just 2 books so far in the series, both intense.
Sounds like a good story. Glad you’re still enjoying the series. I like when I can find a good audiobook for a series too.
This series is intense and fast-paced. It’s easy to listen because I want to know!