Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen. This is book 2 of a series and you really don't have to read book 1, but I think it would have helped understand the main character.
Ellen Hathaway is a police officer on leave of absence.for shooting someone and she is not sorry that she did this at all.
There is alot going on in this book and at times it feels rushed and confusing. This was more of a police procedural book with more details on the female lead in the book.
Just ok for me.

I loved The Vanishing Season and was thrilled when I received and advance copy of No Mercy , just as good as the first one, this one gives us 2 crimes that Reed and Ellery are trying to solve, a serial rapist and an old arson case, I liked that Ellery met both victims in her therapy group that she has been forced to attend , it ties both cases together in the beginning, The solving of the arson was more intriguing to me than the rapist, The growing relationship between Reed and Ellery is exciting and leaves plenty of room for another installment in this series, also the cliffhanger about Reed's past MUST be continued!

This is the second book in this series and I have really enjoyed both books. I like the story line and the interaction among the main characters. This Book does have a lot of twists and a surprise ending which leaves you wanting the next book in this series

Ellery Hathaway is on leave from the police department and is given court ordered therapy. At a therapy group she meets other crime victims and begins to investigate them. Her friend Reed Markham from the FBI who rescued her as a child, is brought into the investigation too. This is a good mystery and I like the relationship between Ellery and Reed.

No Mercy is the second book to feature Ellery Hathaway (the first in this series is The Vanishing Season). Ellery is developed in the first book, so it's worth picking up first, especially if you are a stickler for reading a series in order. Otherwise, dive on in. In this book, Ellery dives directly into the heart of the matter and there are some dastardly twists and turns in an otherwise straightforward, well-paced and well-written mystery/thriller.

Ellery is a survivor. When she was a young girl she was kidnapped from her bed and held (and abused) by a serial kidnapper, rapist and murderer for three days when she was found by the FBI. Her personal rescuer was Reed, a young FBI agent. It is now some years later and Ellery is a Police Officer who is on leave under the care of a Psychologist because of shooting and killing a suspect who was another serial killer. At a group therapy session she meets two women in particular, one the victim of forceable rape in her home, and the other a woman who had survived an arson fire at her husband’s furniture shop in which her toddler son died. She is badly scarred and in a wheel chair. The man who had been convicted of the arson has been imprisoned for twenty-five years and was attempting to get paroled. He has always maintained his innocence of this particular fire but is obviously guilty of many others. Ellery contacts Reed now a profiler with the FBI. The two of them, both from extremely dysfunctional backgrounds, join forces to look into both women’s cases. The plot is complex and well developed. The climax well suited to the rest of the novel and the ending leaves enough up in the air to make the reader want to read the next in the series. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

So she killed a guy. Hello…he was a vile, psychopathic murdering dirtbag. Why all the fuss? Well, it might be due to the fact she’s a cop. But it’s probably because she’s Ellery Hathaway.

At least that’s what she calls herself now. She had a different name as a young teen. That’s when she was abducted & kept in a closet by a man who now sits on death row. Of all the girls he snatched she was the only one rescued & the media attention was endless. In time the damaged girl grew up, changed her name & became a cop in a small town where no one knew her face. But that all changed after her identity was revealed during her last case when she killed a killer. And the media rejoiced.

Which led to her current situation…. a forced “time out” from the job & mandatory group therapy. Ellery decides she might have to attend the sessions but that doesn’t mean she has to speak. So she listens. To Wendy, a woman who was raped & is still waiting for justice. And to Myra, an older lady still grieving for the baby son she lost decades ago in a fire. Hmmm…

Ellery has always led a solitary life. Her beloved hound Speed Bump & the job were enough. But now her days are empty & with too much time on her hands, she begins to dig into the investigations surrounding Wendy & Myra’s tragic events. All she needs is the help of one person. Enter Reed Markham, the FBI agent who pulled her from the closet all those years ago.

Buckle up, peeps. It’s about to get bumpy. I won’t get into the investigative plot lines. Suffice to say Ellery & Reed make a good team as he puts his profiling skills to use & she does the footwork. But this is also the story of their unique relationship. Ellery is a damaged soul, a woman who can’t stand to be touched & keeps her closet doors nailed shut. The only person she tolerates (besides “Bump”) is Reed. He knows her history & what she endured unlike all the others who stare or pry for sensational details. He also provides a levelling influence.

As Ellery’s investigations become increasingly dangerous, there were times I wanted to sit her down & ask her just what the hell she was thinking (thankfully, Reed does that for me). She seems to have no sense of self preservation. And then I realized she didn’t care if she died because living with all her fears & personal tics was just so hard. She believes (wishes?) she should have died in that closet & it’s left her with a fatalistic feeling that she’s walking around on borrowed time.

By the end, cases are solved & old secrets unearthed. But the final pages put the focus squarely on Reed as he discovers he might have his own closet full of ghosts to deal with. It’s a tense & exciting read that stands well on it’s own but I recommend “The Vanishing Season” to get the full background on these characters.

I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! It was definitely a book that kept you thinking! I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers. Thank you!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion and review.

This is the second in what I hope is a long running series of books featuring police offer Ellery Hathaway and FBI profiler Reed Markham. This book is a great sequel to the first book but could easily be read as a stand-alone book.

Ellery is currently on suspension following her harrowing escape from. Serial killer and is attending required counselling. Ellery is asked by another member of the victims of violent crimes group to try to help find her attacker, and Ellery decides to call in her saviour, FBI agent Reed Markham to help her. As she gets herself in too deep and almost loses her life again, we have to wonder if she had a death wish. The chemistry between Ellery and Reed is so thick you can almost taste it; but will she ever be able to have a relationship after all the things she has endured? Will she ever get back on the force? Only time and a few more books will tell. I’ll be reading them for sure.

This book was full of action, with lots of twists and turns, The ending was shocking and I turned the page hoping for one more chapter, but will have to patiently wait for the next book. Great characters and well written. Great summer read!

I read and loved The Vanishing Season so I was excited for the sequel and it did not disappoint! Ellery is still scarred from her hallowing misfortune narrowly escaping a serial killer, and her wounds run deep as she is afraid to let anyone get close to her. When Reed surfaces again to help her, things are confusing as she has feelings for him but of course is terrified of giving in to them. There is a lot of tension, several cases going on at once, but great insights into survivor workshops and the healing that needs to happen when someone has suffered a traumatic event. I'm sure there will be a third book in this series as we need more of Ellery and Reed!

Note: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The follow-up to the first Ellery Hathaway novel fell a bit flat for me. I was actually surprised that there even was a follow-up based on the ending of the first novel. While I was intrigued to see where Ellery's life had taken her following The Vanishing Season, it didn't last beyond the first few chapters. Ellery had obviously been through a lot in her life, but she came across as selfish, self-involved and obsessive. There was not much growth in her as a character and her constant negativity grew old after a while.

Her "relationship" with Reed felt forced and a little creepy. There isn't any chemistry and I couldn't help but wonder why Reed was even into Ellery. Setting that aside, the story itself seemed a bit all over the place. Ellery was trying to solve the serial-rapist case, while working on herself to get her job back and then also dealing with a decades old arson case, and let's not forget the budding romance with Reed. It was all too much and lacked focused, which made the story drag out.

Good thriller with some twists. Had not read #1 and still enjoyed but, but definitely will go back and read it. Will be curious where she goes with #3.

Gahh ok I loved this story. Kept me on the edge the whole time
I was so happy to be able to get this book. Thanks Netgalley

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! I actually didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I hoped I would, so I'd prefer not to leave a negative review.

Thank you for this book. Awesome writing and excellent story line. I love these type of books. I will be buying this for a friend.

This is the stunning follow-up to the first Ellery Hathaway novel, The Vanishing Season. After being sidelined due to a recent incident, Ellery Hathaway finds herself in a group therapy session on the advice of her shrink. She is on an involuntary leave from the force pending a recommendation from her therapist. In the group session she meets two people that she immediately takes interest in. Their stories resonate with Ellery, and she vows to investigate the cases herself. One involved a decades old arson case where the pieces don't quite fit right, and the other is a case involving a serial rapist. She soon pulls her old FBI buddy Reed Markham into the mix and together they set out to solve these cases that have thus far stumped the local officials.

The story is told in third person, alternating between Ellery and Reed. Trouble seems to follow Ellery everywhere she goes. She begins to dig into the two cases, and she ruffles lots of feathers along the way. She begins receiving threats to mind her own business, but Ellery continues on in pursuit of justice. Her career is in jeopardy, and along the way her life is in jeopardy, but ultimately Ellery just wants to find justice in these two cases and peace for herself. She pushes forward no matter the cost.

Reed uses his skills and resources to develop a profile that fits with the suspects they are seeking. His boss has warned him to stay far away from Ellery, but Reed knows that they will forever share a past and he will help her whenever she needs him. Reed's investigation soon turns up that his boss may actually have an ulterior motive, something from his past that threatens to come to light. Reed must tread lightly in order preserve his career and protect Ellery from harm.

This book can be read as a stand alone, but reading the first book will give you much more insight into the background of Ellery and Reed and the relationship between them. The author does do a good job of developing their characters and filling in the gaps with just enough history. There is a huge shocker at the very end that sets the stage for things to come. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this series.

I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy of No Mercy, the second novel to feature police officer Ellery Hathaway and FBI profiler Reed Markham.

After the events of The Vanishing Season Ellery has been suspended, moved to Boston and sent to mandatory counselling. Unfortunately she isn't doing too well at the one on one counselling so is forced to attend group therapy where she meets, among others, Myra and Wendy. Myra's story intrigues her and, sensing anomalies, she starts investigating while Wendy, a rape victim, begs for help in finding her attacker and hopefully some peace. With no official resources Ellery, once again, reaches out to Reed Markham for help.

I thoroughly enjoyed No Mercy which is a character driven investigation into both a current and a historical case. Doesn't sound all that interesting? I was riveted to the novel and found it hard to put down as both investigations pose their own problems. How do they find a predator who leaves no forensics and how do they prove a miscarriage of justice after twenty five years? The answers are fascinating and made me wonder why there are unsolved crimes. I would say, however, that I guessed the outcome of one of the cases in broad outline early on but it didn't spoil the read in the slightest as the journey to the solution held me in thrall.

The novel is well plotted and paced with just enough revealed at a time to maintain momentum and hold the interest. It is told in the third person from both Ellery and Reed's points of view which seems natural and in keeping with the narrative as both are wrestling with difficult situations. Both are strong personalities but Ellery is the one with the backstory as she is the only survivor of a serial killer and it was Reed who rescued her. Their relationship is fraught with misunderstanding, false steps and this history. Ms Schaffhausen does a great job of exploring her troubled psyche but there is much more to come and I'm really looking forward to it. That and the bombshell for Reed at the very end of the novel.

No Mercy seems to me to have a slower pace than The Vanishing Season but it is more nuanced and compelling therefore I have no hesitation in recommending it as a great read. 4.5*

Hmm... of all of the books I read last year, I'm not sure that "The Vanishing Season" warranted a sequel. I read this one mainly out of curiosity, because, well, I like to find out what happens to characters after I finish a book. But this follow up had many of this same issues as the first- mainly that the relationship between the main characters seems awkward and forced. There are also just too many coincidences that don't flow naturally in the story. The reveal of the arsonist left me scratching my head a little too and made me want to go back and reread earlier conversations. Not a terrible read, but a little on the clunky side.

A sadistic rapist is on the loose. Ellery is hoping to find out who it is. But, she is no longer a cop. She has to go to counseling because of the terrible tragedy that had happened to her. In her group therapy class is one of the rape victims and also a victim of a horrible fire that has taken a small child's life. Emersing herself self in trying to solve these crimes her life is nearly lost. Frankly, she doesn't care and is just looking for peace. Is death her only choice?
I enjoyed reading this novel. It has surprises all the way through. Culminating with an ending that will knock your socks off!! Strongly recommend reading.

Schaffenhausen tops The Vanishing Season with a finely crafted follow-up thriller. This will keep you turning the pages and wanting more of the main character!