Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Night Woods by Paula Munier Series: Mercy & Elvis Mysteries #6
Published by Minotaur Books on October 8, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 310
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Record snow and sleet and rain are pummeling Vermont and a wild boar has escaped from an exclusive hunting club nearby—but that won’t stop a very pregnant and very bored Mercy Carr from hiking her beloved woods with her loyal dog Elvis. She’s supposed to be decorating the nursery and helping her mother plan the baby shower, but she’d much rather be playing Scrabble with Homer Grant, a word-loving, shotgun-toting hermit living deep in the forest. But when she and Elvis drop by Homer’s cabin for their weekly game, they arrive to find an unknown dead man—and no sign of Homer.
As they search the woods, Mercy discovers a patch of devastation that could only be left behind by wild boar. She’s relieved when Elvis tracks Homer, injured but alive. But Homer’s troubles are far from over, as he’s still the number one suspect and he remembers nothing of the attack. When another corpse with a link to Homer is found, Mercy is determined to help her friend, an effort complicated by the unexpected arrival of her young cousin Tandie, sent by Mercy’s mother to keep an eye on her until the baby is born.
As the floods worsen, Troy and Susie Bear are called out with all the other first responders, and Mercy finds herself alone at Grackle Tree Farm with a concussed Homer, Tandie, and Elvis. As waters rise and the wild boar rampages, Mercy realizes that the murderer is out there ready to strike again, this time much closer to home.
I enjoyed continuing in the Mercy & Elvis Mysteries series. I know the world and the characters now. In The Night Woods, Mercy is very pregnant and goes walking around the property and its woods. She is skilled, mostly fit, and has Elvis with her but I felt it was a bit ridiculous. She finds a dead body and an injured man. Troy finds a dead body on his hunt for feral pigs.
Mercy takes on the investigations and is not always making good choices in running around without preparations and in the worst weather conditions. She does put things together and figure out what happened but she faces some real danger. I didn’t feel like there was as much story relating to the dogs and using their skills or it was skimmed over and I enjoy those parts.
The character developments, home renovation and family storyline was well-written. I enjoyed the addition of Tandie. She fit well with Mercy and hopefully she will be around again. Brodie was more present in the case and had some great special knowledge.
Troy and Mercy are renovating a lovely old home with their new child on the way. Their relationship is solid, based on the wildlife and dogs and family, with less fuss over decorating or party themes. But they manage to navigate the family well even though it can be exhausting. I thought Mercy should get more rest at the end of her pregnancy, too.
I enjoyed everything about reading with the cases and character happenings. I didn’t find Mercy’s choices as believable and wanted more dog time. I look forward to more in the series!
About Paula Munier
PAULA MUNIER is the author of the bestselling Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, Writing with Quiet Hands, and the acclaimed memoir Fixing Freddie. The first novel in her mystery series, A BORROWING OF BONES (Minotaur, 2018) was inspired by the hero working dogs she met through Mission K9 Rescue, her own Newfoundland-retriever-mix rescue Bear, and her lifelong passion for crime fiction. In her fabulous day job as Senior Literary Agent and Content Strategist for Talcott Notch Literary, she represents many great writers. Her specialties include crime fiction, women’s fiction, upmarket fiction, MG/YA, high-concept SFF, and nonfiction. She lives in New England with her family, Bear, Freddie, and a torbie tabby named Ursula.
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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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I am always irritated when a supposedly smart character puts herself (because it’s almost always a woman) in danger by being dumb.
yes! And this character is very smart.
Glad you’re still enjoying the series but too bad there wasn’t enough Elvis time. Great review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. It is never enough dog time.
I would like to try this series at some point. There seems to be a lot to love.
It has so many things I love Rachel. Some of the earlier books had more dog work but there are great family, personal growth and mystery parts as well.
Wild boar are mean and really can only be stopped with a shotgun or a rifle. We were always hesitant to go out on my grandparents’ property when there was evidence of wild boar activity and that was without snow and without being heavily pregnant. I can’t imagine all three things combined. That said while this does sound a bit ridiculous the series does sound good and like one I’d enjoy overall.
Thanks Katherine. Until this book I thought they were pretty realistic, I really enjoyed them. This one seemed a bit off track.
OMG I am so far behind in commenting! whoops.