Long Road to Mercy: 1 (Atlee Pine Thriller)

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I decided long ago to listen to Baldacci’s books because they’re so well produced and it continues with this book. Be it thrillers, holiday heartwarming stories, or something with political implications, Baldacci usually knows how to convey his point through well-developed novels. Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she'd given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then. Another rogue FBI agent who is on a mission to save the world (literally) from conspirators that permeate all the various United States federal agencies.

In my judgement, Atlee Pine is a true "action hero" moulded from the strengths and weaknesses of a multitude of such characters as John Puller, Kim Stone, John Rain, Jack Reacher, Will Robie, John Milton and the like. She lives an isolated life and wants few to see her inner scars, though seems destined to share when the time seems right. When the story opens and at the close she confronts the man, who is in prison for other crimes, she believes took Mercy.

It appeared to me that Baldacci surpassed himself in this book: the action scenes in the Grand Canyon were so colorful, visual and heated - the temperature; I could readily imagine myself there.

I don’t know if it’s because of the book or other reasons, but it reduced my reading pleasure considerably. David is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy programs across the United States. It is thirty years since FBI special agent Atlee Pine’s twin sister, Mercy, was taken from the room they shared as young children. Although the trip to the prison to visit the serial killer felt a little too familiar, and raises other questions in the reader's minds, it was enough different and personal enough that it was not so similar to other stories in this genre. Further, the writing throughout "Long Road to Mercy" is taut with intrigue and suspense so much so that I could only, with much difficulty, put it down to take care of other pressing needs, such as make a pot of coffee and the like.The opening set-up, which was also well-telegraphed in the title, and then even the mysterious death of a mule in the Grand Canyon promised a lot here but it all got side-tracked into a totally absurd conspiracy plot where each plot twist was more unbelievable than what came before.

I am striving to produce reviews that help you find books that you want, or avoid books that you wish to avoid. I remember thinking that the story was more than a little far-fetched, but after taking a step back and looking at it against the current political backdrop, I realised just how plausible it actually was!A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

There are two black characters, but one is just a guy we meet in the gym and who we don’t even know his name, and another guy who is only a taxi driver. Geo-politics has become the latest craze in the genre, which is on offer here, but there is an interesting way the characters work to hash out the specifics that kept me wanting to know more. However Pine’s interest is piqued and she goes undercover to follow the trail and soon finds that it goes to the highest echelons of government. At age 35, nearly 6 feet in height and an almost-Olympic weightlifter, Atlee has joined the FBI and now happily heads up a remote office near the Grand Canyon National Park.Those around Atlee Pine help support her and strengthen the story in their own way, as the reader pushes through this series debut. I’ve read some AMAZING female leads – Candice Fox delivers many, and just recently I revisited Michael Connelly’s Renee Ballard. The actual conspiracy that is finally uncovered is just far too absurd to hold the plot together but it does provide occasions for some well-written action set-pieces. This underlying thread keeps the story moving along, as Atlee seeks to avenge the powerlessness she suffered as a child by capturing the worst criminals who cross her path.