The Mercy Kilpatrick series is one of my favorite series, I know it will be a quick and fun read. I enjoyed that there was less prepping in this book when compared to the previous books. I also enjoyed the character growth, and involvement of Ollie. It seems as though we read about the members of the community as well as though directly involved in the case each time we are in Eagles Nest. I miss the Mercy Kilpatrick series and am hoping she will be coming back!

I want to thank Netgalley and Montlake for an ARC of this book.

Kendra Elliot’s Columbia River series has a great new addition. At the River builds on a twenty year old cold case that involved 5 teens, 3 disappearing, one murdered, and one survivor left badly injured with few memories of what happened. Mercy Kilpatrick (FBI) husband Truman Daly (police chief) Noelle Marshall (sheriff’s department), and, as the story progresses, Truman’s ward Olle, find themselves investigating the cold case upon the death of a podcaster. The podcaster was investigating the cold case and they seek why he was murdered in the same manner as well as being left in the same location as the one teen many years before. The group makes quite a team following clues and hints, murders, physical attacks of residents, and records of the original case. Though part of a series, this book can stand on its own as I’ve discovered most of her series books do. The main characters are well developed, back history added for explanation and you find yourself really liking them as individuals, officers of the law, and family. It’s a quick suspenseful read with twists, turns, and surprises. Highly recommended. Thank you Montlake and Netgalley for the ARC.

"At the River" by Kendra Elliot is the 5th book in the "Columbia River" series by this author. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone book. I love this series and this author! I will always read her books! Mercy is a by the book FBI agent and her husband, Truman is a police chief. They work together in conjunction with other law enforcement agency's to solve a murder which is linked to an old case. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC by one of my favorite authors!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for giving me the chance to read At the River by Kendra Elliot in exchange for my honest review.

My first ever time reading a book by Kendra Elliot, I must say I was not disappointed. Even though I hadn't realised at first that At the river was a part of a series, it didn't hinder my reading at all. Even thought I think I would have realised a lot of easter eggs if I had read the previous books, reading At the river as a standalone book was a great experience.
An exciting read, easy to the point you read and read and didn't how far along you'd read, At the river was a great crime/ romance mix and I really enjoyed it.

You’ll never see this ending coming!

Hooked from the moment I read the overview. How could you not be drawn in by the mystery of what happened to 5 teens 20 years ago that went camping, 2 turn up, 1 dead, the other barely alive, and no sign of what happened to the remaining three.

With a podcaster looking to do a story on the mystery turning up dead in the same way as the teens, suddenly the old case is back into the spotlight but you’ll never guess what led to this tragedy 20yrs ago or the stunning final revelations.

As it was nearing the end I had some suspicions based on a question I had in my head… that final twist.

Fans of this series will love this latest book!

This is a masterfully crafted suspense novel that dives into the chilling depths of a cold case, unveiling decades of concealed secrets in a small Oregon town. This tale of intrigue and murder captivates from the very beginning, delivering a rollercoaster of emotions and keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page.

The narrative opens with the disappearance of five teenage campers two decades ago, a haunting event that left scars on the survivors, both physically and mentally. The author skillfully weaves the past and the present together as FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her husband, Police Chief Truman Daly, find themselves entangled in a murder investigation that mirrors the events of the past. The discovery of a true-crime podcaster's body at the Columbia River's edge reopens old wounds and sets the stage for a gripping tale of suspense.

Devin Bonner, the sole survivor of the teenage campers, becomes a central figure in the investigation. His fragmented memories and reawakened nightmares add layers of complexity to the storyline, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension. As the mystery unfolds, the characters, including Truman's ward Ollie Smith, are drawn into a web of danger and intrigue far beyond their imagination.

The author's prose is sharp and evocative, painting vivid images of the haunting Oregon forest and the eerie atmosphere surrounding the cold case. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter delivering new twists and revelations that propel the narrative forward. The connection between the past and present is expertly navigated, creating a sense of urgency as Mercy and Truman race against time to unlock the buried traumas in Devin's memories.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its well-developed characters. Mercy Kilpatrick is a compelling protagonist with a unique blend of vulnerability and determination. The supporting cast, including Truman and Ollie, adds depth to the narrative, making readers emotionally invested in their quest for the truth.

Love, love, love this author and this story does not disappoint at all - Another 5 star read. There is something comforting about a good series where you can easily fall back into synch with the characters and Elliot does not disappoint with the latest Columbia River series and bringing Mercy and Truman back as the main characters as they work to unravel a decades old cold case

This is book 5 in the ‘Columbia River’ series and you definitely need to have read the previous books in the series and in the Mercy Kilpatrick series to know all the characters and relationships going on.
‘At The River’ finds FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her Police Chief husband Truman Daly investigating the death of a radical true crime podcaster who is found at the edge of the Columbia River. What makes the case intriguing is that two bodies were found in the exact same spot on the river banks over twenty years ago. And that cold case hasn’t been solved yet. Working with the sole survivor of the decades old attack Devin Bonner, Mercy, Truman and Truman’s son Ollie race against time to try to solve both cases before even more bodies pile up.
I really enjoyed ‘At The River’. I find reading a Mercy Kilpatrick book is like a nice, warm hug. It’s compelling, well written, solid, police procedural featuring a great group of characters that you enjoy catching up with. And the surprise storyline involving Ollie was a nice touch. I don’t want to give anything away, but my spider senses tingling and I totally guessed that ending. This was a classic Kendra Elliot book and I look forward to reading more in the series. 4 stars from me.

I could not put this book down. WOW. I love all Kendra Elliot books and this one was one of the best. Kept me guessing and guessing till the end. Had a few things figured out, but really a great story. I won't give much away so Ill just say, always loved the characters and the news ones added a lot of depth to the story and plot. The storyline is intriguing to say the least. Highly Recommend,
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kendra Elliot never fails to write a great story. This one has all the twists and turns to keep you interested and reading into the night. A podcaster comes to town and disappears with so much blood left behind that FBI Agent Mercy and her husband Police Chief Truman (I love this couple go read all the Mercy stories) who are working separate cases at the moment join together as they know it's not going to be a good outcome. The love connection between Mercy and Trueman is beautiful plus the family they create with her niece and the boy they took in is heartwarming. You can't go wrong reading these stories they have it all. Love, danger, and mystery. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC.

John Jacobs is one of many true-crime bloggers and vloggers, who spend their days researching the cold cases lining the shelves of police departments everywhere. Twenty years ago five teenagers disappeared in the Colombia River area and Jacobs is determined to finally discover what happened. Three of the teens haven't been seen since, while one died, and one miraculously survived.

The new investigation doesn't go quite according to plan and soon after arriving in the area John Jacobs is of definite interest to FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her husband Police Chief Truman Daly. With the one survivor confronted by his past once again and a string of apparently related crimes to solve will what happened finally be revealed or will those with the most to lose prevail?

This is book five in the Colombia River series and concentrates on one of my favourite fictional couples as they investigate similar cases two decades apart as well as wrestling with a family problem which could change their home life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed this until the final chapter when a secondary plot line became almost farcical when it could, instead, have provided a fitting end to what had, until then, been a brilliant page turner.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Montlake, but the opinions expressed are my own. I am sad this didn't work for me but I will definitely be on the lookout for book six at the end of the year.

But far one of the best Kendra Elliot uet! Full of twists and unexpected turns! I absolutely loved this book.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Montlake.

This is another book in the series with FBI Special Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her husband Police Chief Truman Daly. I love this series so much, and this was a great addition. There's a dead podcaster, a cold case, and plenty of suspense as a new murder pops up. I really hope there is another one coming soon. The author does such a great job in keeping each book fresh, as well as keeping up the nostalgia from the characters.

So happy to return to the world of Mercy and Truman in this book.
The past and present collide in this fast paced book. Mercy and Truman are called to the scene where a man has disappeared in the middle of the night. When the man’s body is found at the location another body was found decades earlier it becomes evident they gave to unravel a mystery from the past to solve the murders in the present. Such a good read! Can’t wait for more.

Such a great book! Did not see the turn of events coming at the end. But so glad to see the arc for ollie and know who his family is. I can't wait for the next book. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

Kendra Elliott never disappoints. Mercy Kilpatrick by any other name.

I'm so glad that though the Mercy Kilpatrick series has officially ended - at the right time, because I think ML had taken her and her family's history as far as she could without making the series feel as if it was getting desperate and eking things out - Mercy still appears in these tales, which focus on the crimes that she and her fellow professionals investigate.

This, as do the others, has a storyline that stands up, though how and why the bad guys got away with so much could only happen in a small town in America, where justice isn't what you expect, and it works. I felt for the guy who'd escaped, and who had to live with so much suspicion on him. I thought the concept of face-blindness was interesting, believable and dealt with well. I couldn't fathom how the bad guys could live with themselves and their part in what happened to the girls who were killed. And those who aided and abetted? Ugh, it didn't quite feel as if justice got done, though T's got crossed and I's got dotted, as we Brits say. Thankfully, though, it seems as if KE will continue these tales at least into 2025, with the pre-orders that I've just come across - and one-clicked.

I always love Kendra Elliot books, but I especially love this series. Mercy and Truman make a powerful couple in both criminal investigations and romance. And their ever growing family make's an interesting and lovable cast of characters.
This particular book centers around a 20 year old cold case involving 5 missing teens. The very intriguing plot will keep you guessing to the very end.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC. #Netgalley #AtTheRiber
Pub. Date: 2-13-24

I am starting to think that detective mysteries are just not for me. I think this will be a good book, but it is definitely not for me. I think the set up to the book was interesting though.

Newly married FBI Agent Mercy and her Police Chief husband Truman are drawn into a new case , one of a murdered pod caster whose death bares a strong resemblance to the case he was researching from 20 years ago .
As the body count rises the case takes Mercy and Truman on journey through Alaska - what is the link between the old case and the new deaths ?
The case throws up links closer to home , involving Ollie - their ward , and his birth family

Another fast paced character driven murder mystery , by the Author , full of twists and turns with a big reveal at the climax . I look forward to more books from the Author in the future

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I always enjoy the Mercy Kilpatrick books immensely and wait eagerly for the next one as soon as I finish the last. The action and plot twists in At The River kept me on my toes, and the characters, Mercy, Truman, Ollie, Noelle, etc., pull you in and make you love them. The only aspect of the book I didn’t enjoy were the side thoughts of the characters in italicized print that were too frequent. For some reason, they broke up my flow of reading and seemed out of place.