Buckle up and get ready for some steady action packed reading! Sheriff Porter Beck is thrown into a crazy high profile case that started with his old best friend overdosing. The drugs lead to another friend that appears to be only selling cattle over in Mexico. At first I wasn't sure where this book was going when they introduced Mercy, a technical wizard that surpasses all government officials with her abilities and knowledge. But this author weaves everything together perfectly, while keeping you wanting to turn the page to find out what is going to happen next. There is shootouts, hostages, drug lords, CIA and so many more involved throughout the story. The author Bruce Borges creates the character so well that you feel for them and feel like you know them personally.

Definitely a must read for the summer and keep this author on your TBR list. Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

The second in the series that features Sheriff Beck Porter weaves a tale of drug cartels, dark web hackers, FBI, and the oldest of friends. Action packed and fast paced, Shades of Mercy doesn’t leave it only up to the plot to carry the story. In the end, the characters are who you are really rooting for.

I need more Sheriff Porter Beck in my life! This is the second installment in the Porter Beck series, and it is better than the first which I enjoyed. This is a fast-paced mystery thriller. It has a great plot with several twists and turns. I loved all the characters. I read this book in one day. I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to the third book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Tense and action packed! Complex mystery, brilliant hacker, cartel baddies, covert agencies, everything woven together to pull you in until the last page. The females are dealier than the males!!! No dragon tattoo, but an equally interesting and savvy female hacker really steals the show.

I was offered a chance to read this ARC of Shades of Mercy by SBH at St. Martins Press (Thank you Sara) she assured me that I could read this as a standalone. Normally I like to read a series from book 1 and this is book 2. However, I liked the plot of the story, so I read it. I liked it so much; I'm going to read book 1 and I'm looking forward to book 3. You can read this as a standalone. The main character, Porter Beck, Sherriff, was a likeable character, dealing with some significant sight issues, father with dementia and an adopted sister who is a firecracker. AND Mercy, oh I hope this character comes back into play!! Oh, and I'm in love with Beck's sidekick Bo. The mystery was engaging, illegal drug trade, plenty of action, quick read.

Thoughtful suspense weaves a strong story for this installment. Drugs and fear are great motivators to get to the bottom of this problem and our hero works every angle.

Now this is one good story! The sheriff is losing his eyesight and his night vision is almost gone. The story gets real good when Mercy joins the story. She is a wayward teen with mad tech skills. The question is why and who is she doing it for. As the story progresses several options appear. But what is the truth? And how about that ending!! Superb!

In this second installment of the Chief Porter Beck series, a hacker is creating havoc in Lincoln County. Major malfunctions bring the Feds back to investigate. Fortunately this does not stop Beck from conducting his own parallel investigation. How many hackers could a county the size of Lincoln possibly have?

The answer appears to be one and she's living in Lincoln County Youth Center. Theoretically Mercy Vaughn has no access to computers-- famous last words! More large objects begin malfunctioning and the game is on. Why is this happening and how can Beck make it stop?

"Shades of Mercy" is a fast-moving story with lots of people in mortal danger. Some have put themselves in peril by engaging in sketchy or downright illegal activities. Some people are not even who or what they say they are.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advance reader's copy. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

As I mentioned in the above review, I read Shades of Mercy first, before picking up the first in the series.

The characterization is much better and the plot equally exciting in Shades of Mercy. The author has toned down Porter Beck's snark, but leaves his wit; the minor characters all have more depth; and the plot involves a hacker that that commandeers a military drone and targets...a prize bull.

As you can imagine the military and the government are all up into the search for the hacker, but Sheriff Porter Beck (whose background in military intelligence and familiarity with his county and its geography) has a childhood connection to the man whose prize bull was targeted and something isn't adding up for Beck.

Beck suspects sixteen-year-old Mercy Vaughn is the hacker, but he's not ready to reveal all he thinks he's figured out, especially since Mercy herself becomes a target. With help from his small team and his sister Brin, he needs to keep some of his suspicions to himself, especially when Mercy disappears.

Full of action, with much better character development than in the first book, Porter Beck's team has progressed into a familiar ensemble of characters that a reader wants to see more of--accompanied by plots that keep the reader guessing. While I ended up liking The Bitter Past, Shades of Mercy is even better and shows the author's growth in melding plot and characters while dealing with some problematic topics.

(A new character who hopefully will be seen in future books is Charlie Blue Horse. Beck never calls her just Charlie, he always uses her full name and gets a kick out of saying it. It seems that the author has a Golden Retriever by the name of Charlie Blue Horse.)

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, & Minotaur Books

Review scheduled for April 29, 2024

336 pages

Publication date: July 16, 2024

This one was emailed to me and asked to review. Lots of action and bad guys energy. A different read then I would normally go for but surprisingly it was decent and good pace .

In the usually quiet high desert of Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck faces one of his greatest challenges—a series of unlikely, disturbing, and increasingly deadly events of unknown origins in Shades of Mercy.

Normally, the high desert of Nevada manned by Beck and his 12-person police department is quiet. However, one of Beck's childhood friends is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, while another childhood friend is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local, which 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. When Mercy disappears, Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.

Shades of Mercy was a gripping novel from start to finish. The author did a good job of unraveling the story and providing enough details to not bog down the scenes. The pacing was good and held my interest.

I would recommend this book and this author.

#NetGalley @StMartinsPress

This bok improves this series. I hope there are more to come. Characters are interesting. This plot is complex with multiple bad guys.

Anita Lustrea and Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira's *Shades of Mercy* takes readers on a journey to 1954, a time of simmering racial tensions, in the close-knit community of Watsonville, Maine. Fourteen-year-old Mercy Millar grapples with societal constraints, yearning for independence and a blossoming sense of femininity. Complicating matters are her deepening feelings for Mick, a young Maliseet man. Their interracial bond blossoms in the shadows, a testament to the enduring power of love in the face of prejudice.

*Shades of Mercy* transcends the boundaries of a simple love story. The novel delves into the complexities of small-town life in the mid-20th century. Racial divisions become starkly evident when a white woman elopes with a Maliseet man, igniting long-held prejudices. Mercy and Mick's forbidden love story becomes a powerful symbol of the struggle for equality amidst societal disapproval.

The narrative also explores Mercy's coming-of-age. As a teenager, she navigates the complex terrain of adolescence, grappling with societal expectations and her evolving sense of self. When Mick is falsely accused of a crime, Mercy embarks on a courageous quest to clear his name. This pursuit of justice showcases her strength and determination.

Lustrea and Rivadeneira meticulously recreate the social fabric of 1954 Maine. Readers are transported to a bygone era with its distinct small-town atmosphere and racial dynamics. The historical context adds depth and authenticity to the story. The characters, especially Mercy, are well-developed and relatable. Mercy's journey of self-discovery resonates with readers, while her forbidden love for Mick adds a layer of emotional intrigue. The novel also sheds light on the pervasiveness of racial prejudice and the ongoing fight for justice in American society.

However, it's important to consider that *Shades of Mercy* weaves together coming-of-age elements with historical fiction and threads of Christian faith. This multifaceted approach may not appeal to every reader. Additionally, the pacing might feel slower for some who prefer fast-paced plots.

Overall, *Shades of Mercy* is a poignant and thought-provoking novel. It explores themes of love, prejudice, and the pursuit of justice. This captivating read is a good choice for those who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance and a strong social conscience.

The book is filled with non-stop action as a hacker wreaks havoc and an influx of fentanyl puts the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department under immense pressure to solve the crimes. To add to the chaos, a teenage inmate goes missing and multiple government agencies are investigating a drone incident.

Beck is the protagonist who has a multi-faceted personality, and he tackles his physical limitations with humor and grace. The story also features some secondary characters like his stuntwoman sister, Brinley, and a Nevada Highway Patrol officer named Charlie Blue Horse. A lot is going on here, and the plot gets a little complicated, but the action is constant and the story moves quickly as Beck has his hands full with wildfires, and government agents.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Highly entertaining!

As someone with friends & family connected to Law Enforcement, a shooting enthusiast and having spent some time in the Nevada desert, this story resonated on many levels.

Porter Beck ("Beck") is the Sheriff of a small department in rural Nevada. When his childhood friend's $80,000 prize bull is blown to bits, he doesn't buy the reasoning given by the Feds that rolled in right behind this odd event. Also, his friend's cattle ranch is oddly lush and ostentatious given the drought and poor return most ranchers are seeing.

Technical and global espionage, opioid deaths, drone attacks, and Beck's deteriorating vision all force him to rely upon his military experience and excellent instincts while trying to solve these mysteries. And oddly enough, a teenage girl confined to a youth detention center (with minimal access to computers) seems to be at the root of most of this.

Fast paced and enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Bruce Borgos for the eARC.

Oh my goodness, this was so good!! I was a little skeptical when I first started reading it that it would be more military than thriller but I was so wrong. This book reads like NCIS on steroids. I love the different plot lines with May/Mei and up until the very end I still wasn't sure which side she was on. I really felt bad for the sheriff with his eyesight but loved the tie in with his military training to be just second nature. Thank you for allowing me to read this copy.

This was an amazing book. I highly recommend it to everyone. Great characters and a great plot. I will be looking for more books by this author. The book is superbly written. Lots of twists, turns and shocking turns of events. Quickly becoming a go to author for me!!!! If you love to read a book and be shocked by the ending then check out this author for sure. You will love this book and this author. Very enjoyable and I highly recommend this book

You don’t need to have read the first book in the series to read about Porter Beck, the sheriff in the desert of Nevada, facing a number of crises, beginning with the death of a friend from an illegal opioid after dealing with pain and addiction for years. Sadly, it’s not that uncommon. What is uncommon is for a U.S. drone to be hacked and made to do things it was definitely not approved by the government to do. This leads him to a teen, Mercy, who is incarcerated for hacking. She doesn’t have access to computers, but maybe she has insight into what’s going on. Then, Mercy goes missing, and, amid terribly wildfires, Beck and his team set out to determine where she is. Multiple bad guys are in play, which makes the story fun.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES JULY 16, 2024.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the usually quiet high desert of Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck faces one of his greatest challenges—a series of unlikely, disturbing, and increasingly deadly events of unknown origins. Bruce Borgos masterfully weaves a tale that combines mystery, suspense, and a touch of the unexpected in "Shades of Mercy."

Sheriff Porter Beck, now back in his hometown after decades away, is tasked with maintaining law and order in the vast, tranquil expanse of Nevada. But tranquility is shattered when a childhood friend succumbs to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids. Another friend, an enormously successful rancher, becomes the target of a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker, local enough to call out Beck by name, presents a unique challenge—one that Beck cannot ignore.

Characters

- Porter Beck: Our tenacious and resourceful sheriff, determined to unravel the mysteries plaguing his community.

- Mercy Vaughn: (My FAVORITE character, I hope she becomes a recurring character) The one known hacker in the area, locked up in a secure juvenile detention center. There's something about her that doesn't sit quite right with Beck.

- Supporting Cast: Borgos introduces a cast of well-drawn characters, each with their own secrets and motivations.

Tech vs Talent -The clash between modern technology (the military drone, hacking, etc.) and traditional law enforcement methods (Beck's investigative skills) adds depth to the story.

Friendship and Loyalty - Beck's loyalty to his childhood friends drives him to uncover the truth, even when it puts him in danger.

Borgos delivers crisp prose, vivid descriptions, and a sense of place that transports readers to the Nevada desert. His pacing keeps the pages turning, and the suspense builds steadily.

What Sets "Shades of Mercy" Apart?

- Unconventional Mystery: Borgos blends elements of mystery, thriller, and espionage, creating a unique reading experience.

- Character Dynamics: The interplay between Beck and Mercy adds complexity to the plot.

- Atmosphere: The high desert setting becomes a character in itself, with its stark beauty and hidden dangers.

In conclusion, "Shades of Mercy" is a 100-proof mystery that leaves you craving more. Whether you're a fan of Craig Johnson's novels or simply enjoy intelligent storytelling, this book deserves a spot on your reading list.

Bruce Borgos has crafted a compelling sequel to "The Bitter Past," and I eagerly await further adventures with Sheriff Porter Beck.

Note: Trigger warning for sensitive readers regarding a scene involving injured cattle.

Wow! What a great read! The complexity of the story and the ways in which the characters intertwine made it impossible to put this book down. Beck and Brin are easy to love and cheer for, but with this book, Borgos brought together a vast array of characters that kept the plot interesting and speeding along. I can’t wait to read more from this author!