Thank you Pan Macmililan publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

#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 unravelling a rash of other similar missing person’s cases in the canyon. .

Review:

This was my first Baldacci novel and it was fantastic to say the least. I have always been an avid reader of crime books and set the bar pretty high, which was can blame James Patterson for. I have heard amazing things about Baldacci’s work so I had high expectations when I dived head first in and when I emerged I was enthralled. Baldacci smacked in on the head and wowed me.

Long Road to Mercy is Baldacci’s first book in the upcoming series based around female FBI special Agent Atlee Pine and damnnn was this character dark and loveable all in one. Pine comes with a hideous and captivating backstory that sinks you into the story from the get go. At the age of 5, Pine’s twin sister was abducted from their bedroom, and it replays on Pine aggressively, leaving her to question if the right sister had been taken and how come it wasn’t her? Mercy was the golden child, who could do no wrong and now she is gone, never to fulfil her life.

Pine in convinced to her soul that serial killer Daniel James Tor was responsible for her sister abduction though she lacks the evidence that it is him and will try anything to prove him guilty, well that and a whole lot of other things. The kind of things that leaves Pine wondering if there really is anyone she can trust, even in the FBI.

The storyline was intense and constant, there was never a dull moment reading this book. Every single page was incredible and left you dying to know what happens next.

I loved Atlee Pine as a character, she was uniquely a loner, with no real drive in life and this is a character you generally find in all contemporary YA novels but for a book set for adults, you hardly see it. Not only was the characteristics of Pine amazing, but I found the way she was written fascinating as well, giving you a sense of personally knowing the character.

Overall this book was phenomenal and I regret not picking up Baldacci’s work sooner. The characters were realistic, yet unique, setting them above the rest. The plot was intense that I still feel my heart beating in my chest and I would highly recommend this book and without a doubt will re-read this book again.

Rating: 5/5

ISBN: 9781509874347

Publisher: Pan Macmillan