No Mercy refers to a tattoo on the neck of a survivor named Wendy of violent crime. In this case it was a rape victim. The group meets weekly and Ellery a suspended officer is mandated to attend until released by the supervising psychologist. Ellery herself is the only victim of a serial killer of young girls to live and tell her story. A story that made headlines for months and a book deal for Reed the FBI officer first to find Ellery in a closet so close to her home she could see it from a window. Ellery and Reed have stayed in touch throughout their careers he with the FBI and Ellery with law enforcement. A questionable kill has Ellery doing the sessions in hopes of being reinstated. It is during one of the sessions that Ellery notices the tattoo . As the group reveals why they are there, all except Ellery, their stories give Ellery two cases to spend her energy on and eventually engage Reed to help. One involves a cold case fire no one wants reopened. The other is Wendy’s rape case. Ellery is ruthless,and distant and determined to get the truth. I hope you like the journey,it is a long road home,and a very cold winter.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

I am so glad I found this series! Late last year, I took advantage of Netgalley offering the first two books of this series as "Read Now" options in anticipation of book 3, All The Best Lies, coming out in February. I had heard a lot of good things about these books and am so glad I grabbed them. I really enjoyed book 1, The Vanishing Season, and this second book is just as good!

While each book does stand alone and contains a case that is self-contained to one book, I would strongly suggest reading the series in order for the character development and backstory. You will understand and appreciate the main characters, Ellery and Reed, so much better if you do so, in my opinion.

I loved that this book continues with the mismatched pair of Ellery and Reed working together. Ellery is on leave from her job due to what happened at the end of the prior book, but that doesn't stop her from getting involved in helping those who need her help. But with no police resources at her disposal due to her leave, her only option is to call Reed, who comes running at her call.

I love the dynamics between Ellery and Reed and I love that there is always the question of exactly what their relationship is between them hanging over them. Are they just professional acquaintances or is it the rescuer/survivor thing or is there something more going on? I think this is something that will be explored as the series continues, but one that I hope isn't drawn out for too long.

This was a fast-paced book with plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. I was as equally invested in the mystery as I was in the character development and I am so excited for the next book, which I will be reading very soon! This is definitely a series I am thoroughly enjoying and hope continues for quite some time.

Loved this book! Now I have to go back and read the first in the series ! Kept me on edge the entire time and read it in one day!!!

Thank you Netgalley for and ARC of No Mercy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I couldn’t finish this one. It never grabbed my attention.. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and this one not at all.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed the first book and the third book in this series and rated both of them 5 stars. Unfortunately, "No Mercy" did not hold my interest as well as the author's other two volumes. I felt that the book spent too much time rehashing events from book 1. If I had not read book 3 and enjoyed it, I might have dropped the series altogether. I hope that future books will follow new cases without the repetition of old history.

Interesting protagonist who has tried hard to get her life back. Not sure if/when that will happen, but I look forward to the journey with her. Helping others when she knows it could derail all she’s done for herself doesn’t slow her down.
Even the incidental characters are clearly thought out.
Waiting for the next one.

The Ellery Hathaway series is a very enjoyable one, with a female lead that is thoroughly screwed up as a result of her past, but not dark, grim and depressing. Her relationship with FBI Agent Reed Markham continues to evolve in this second book of the series - becoming more complicated and interesting. But I didn't enjoy the mystery part of No Mercy quite as much as the one in the first book, The Vanishing Season. Ellery is in mandated therapy after the events concluding the first book, and of course she takes it upon herself to view herself as an observer in these sessions, not a participant. This leads her to take on two cases unofficially, one by another member that's a victim of an unsolved rape, and another member's traumatic past has enough holes in it that Ellie can't help but poke and make them bigger along with Reed, whom she's recruited to help. This dual "investigation" reduces the intensity and excitement of the single investigation in the preceding novel. It's still an enjoyable book with an ending that could create a shift in focus for the third novel that's interesting and different.

No Mercy’s plotline was simple. Ellery is on involuntary leave after killing the person who had kidnapped four people and killed them. She is also forced into group therapy for people who have survived violent crimes. Figuring that all she needs to do is show up, Ellery is soon drawn into two different crimes. One involves a woman who survived a brutal rape and is desperate for the rapist to be found. The other crime consists of a woman who lost her son in a fire set by an arsonist, 25 years ago. The man convicted for the crime has been paroled, and Ellery isn’t sure if he did it. Instead, she thinks that someone close to the family set the fire. So, what does Ellery do? She calls Reed and asks him for his help. Will Ellery be able to help the rape victim? And will she get to the bottom of the arson?

When I started reading No Mercy, I didn’t know what to expect, plotwise. Because it is book 2, I was expecting this to be more of a filler book. I was expecting the pacing of this book to be slower than The Vanishing Season. Then I started reading it, and all of those preconceived expectations were blown away. This book was not a filler book. The pacing of No Mercy was as fast as The Vanishing Season, if not faster. I did not expect that and loved it!!!

I loved Ellery in No Mercy. She was the same wiseass woman, but there was more of an edge to her. She didn’t hide who she was or what had happened to her. That did cause some minor issues in the book. What amazed me about her was her character growth during the book. Instead of holding people at arm’s length, she started slowly letting them in. She showed empathy towards Wendy. It was beautiful to watch, knowing that her past hindered her. I hope that in the next book, there is even more character growth.

I liked Reed in this book. I liked that the author made his character flawed. There were some parts of the book where I didn’t feel bad for him, though. Like when he made promises that he couldn’t keep (taking his daughter to Disney World) or when he kept missing visitations with her. Because he was with Ellery, helping her with those two cases. But, at the same time, it was evident that he loved his daughter. He did help Ellery with her two cases. His insights lead to some significant breaks in those cases.

The one thing that I wasn’t crazy about in this book was the romance scenes between Ellery and Reed. While it did add to Ellery’s recovery (remember she was sexually assaulted), I didn’t think it had a place in the book. I could have done without it.

The plotline with Wendy, the rape victim, was heartbreaking. To see a woman beaten down the way she was broke my heart. When she reached out to Ellery, she was nearing rock bottom. I did like how the author kept that storyline going without it intertwining with the main storyline. I do wish that there was a better ending. But, unfortunately, that ending of that plotline was all too realistic.

The plotline with Mayra and the fire was interesting. There were so many twists and turns that I genuinely didn’t know how it was going to turn out. The author had me choosing between 3 people as to who set the fire and guess what; it was neither!! I did like how she wrapped that plotline up.

No Mercy cannot be read as a standalone book. It would be best if you read The Vanishing Season before reading this book. I can’t stress this enough.

The end of No Mercy was exciting. There was a small secondary storyline about Reed and his biological mother that was intertwined with one about a family DNA test, what Reed finds out at the end of the book set up for book three perfectly. I can’t wait to read it!!

This is the second book in the Ellery Hathaway series. Ellery has been mandated to go to counseling if she wants her law enforcement job back. She shot a serial killer last summer and her face has been plastered across media outlets across the country, so it's no surprise that the others in her counseling group recognize her. One in particular wants her help in finding the criminal who destroyed her life.
Ellery finds herself intrigued by a 25 year old crime and she decides to call FBI profiler Reed Markham for help. She didn't expect him to show up, but he can't seem to not come when she calls. Once again, he puts his job in jeopardy, and this time his supervisor may be involved in the old case.
Ellery and Reed work on both cases and circle around each other emotionally. I'm glad they don't fall into the overused "can't resist and fall into bed" scenario. Her dog, Speed Bump delivers some light entertainment to offset the grimness of the plot.
It did take longer for this story to grab me, but it did about halfway through. I look forward to future installments from Ms. Schaffhausen.

I would like to thank Minotaur book editions and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

I was immediately attracted by the beautiful cover of this book.

This book is the sequel to Vanishing season of the Ellery Hataway series.

Ellery Hataway is a police officer on involuntary leave, she killed a murderer in cold blood and refuses to apologize. She has to attend group therapy for victims of violent crime. In this group she is going to do her little investigation: a person wrongly accused in an arson attack, a woman who survived a brutal rape and is asking for help. She's going to ask for help from an old friend, FBI profiler Reed Markham. Except her boss wants him to stay as far away from Ellery as possible.

A book read almost in one go, so much so that I hooked on the story so gripping, captivating, full of suspense and twists with endearing characters. Can't wait to read : "The vanishing season" that I haven't read.

Ellery and Reed continue their dance of denial as they meet again to track down a rapist and follow up on a cold case of arson. The personal interaction between the two continues to provide entertainment and exasperation as they never seem to get on the same page. The rapist and the arsonist both eventually are tracked down by Ellery as she fulfills her promise to one of her fellow members of her therapy group. The book has elements of both suspense and danger to keep the reader engrossed. I enjoyed it!

Ellery Hathaway has been suspended from the Boston Police Department, until she passes the psych meetings that she has been mandated to attend. She had killed a serial killer, who had been targeting her for quite a while. The problem was that the man was handcuffed, when she killed him. Thus the reason for the psych meetings. One of the individuals in the meeting group had been burned on her face, since their furniture store had been bombed 30 years earlier. Of course, being the cop that she is, she was curious why no one had been caught. Someone had to know something. She called the one person who she trusted with her life, Reed Markham, Special Agent with the FBI. Reed was the man who saved her from death of a serial killer, Frank Coben. Ellery was the only person who survived Coben. Coben’s calling card was to cut off the hands of his victims. He had already started cutting into Ellery’s hands; she had the scars to prove it. Reed dropped everything to come to her aid. Was there another copycat serial killer targeting others? Will she and Reed find this person? Will there finally be an end to these monsters? What a faced paced psychological thriller this book is. A lot of twists and turns and definite intrigue. The plot was great. The character development was very impressive. The reader could certainly relate to all of the flaws and issues that they were experiencing. I enjoyed this book very much and can’t wait to read the next one.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the second book in the Ellery Hathaway series, about Ellery, a police officer currently on leave while being psychologically evaluated after killing a man in the first book in the series. While attending a mandated group counseling session for victims of crimes, she becomes interested in the stories of two of the other women in the group, and starts her own private investigation of their situations.

When she realizes that she needs some official help, she contacts Reed Markham, the FBI officer who initially saved her from her kidnapper when she was a teenager. He, of course, drops everything and comes to Boston to help her.

As they work on investigating these two crimes, it also appears that there just might be something personal developing here between them.

This is a good, fast paced story. Some things don't really hold together well - like many stories of this type, it's better if you sit back and enjoy the ride and don't over analyze every detail!

Fair warning - it does end with a bit of a cliffhanger. The specific elements of this book are resolved, but the ending of the book opens up a whole bunch of new questions, which presumably will be the plot of the third book in the series.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This second Ellery Hathaway book feels quite different from the first. The small town in book one has been replaced by a big city in book two and her mandatory group therapy feels a bit more urban 21st century than small town America.

Ellery is more settled in herself in this book. Her past is no longer secret, and her focus is on the people around her. Ellery’s relationship with Reed is just as interesting as it was in the first book and I love the shifting dynamics between the two.

It’s the plot that lets this book down. Ellery needs something to focus on, but the investigation storyline doesn’t quite work for me. The arson storyline is interesting, but it isn’t enough to support an entire novel. Ellery is drifting in this book – but the book itself drifts a little too much. I like Ellery’s reckless decisions and her arguably poor judgements, but the story doesn’t have enough structure to make up for Ellery’s identity struggles.

Ellery is a brilliantly complex crime hero – but she deserves an investigation that’s as interesting as she is.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Police Thriller

This is the second book in this series and while I think it would be beneficial to read book one, I don't think it's absolutely necessary.

Ellery is suspended and forced to undergo some psychological evaluation. After her traumatic past, the police department isn't necessarily ready to return her badge and gun. But when she finally attends a support group, Ellery is seen as somewhat of a celebrity by some. When she realizes that she can help some of the people who are still going through their own process, Ellery knows that she'll need help.

Reed still remembers Ellery well. He never thought she'd call for his help. But once he starts on this path, he then realizes that he cares more than he thought. Reed knows that he's walking on some thin ice when the case that he and Ellery are working on brings them dangerously close to his boss' past.

Reed and Ellery will follow a twisting, winding path that will out truths, wind them close to killers, and bring their relationship dangerously close to something neither is truly ready for.

It's an engaging story, but with so much going on, it felt somewhat jumbled. And while I liked the complex relationship between Ellery and Reed, it had a young adult feeling to it. That being said, I did enjoy the story and look forward to the next book.

So, you survive a serial killer as a teen, then another as a cop and adult - but in order to do so you have to kill the second serial killer and the police force puts you on indefinite suspension and you have to relocate to go for therapy.

Then you’re bored, and let’s face it a media sensation, and you start investigating the crimes that happened to the other people in your victim therapy group.

Oh, and let’s not forget calling on the FBI profiler who has saved your life a time or two.

And then add in some twists, turns, serial rapists, serial arsonists and a chance for the profiler to blow his shot at a promotion... And that’s not all, I just don’t want to give away the good stuff!

Ellery and Reed are back in this second book in this series. Ellery is going to a support group after she shot her boss and ex lover she ends up helping a rape victim in her support group try to find out who attacked her and then ends up finding another mystery of another member of the support group.The author makes sure to keep you on your toes trying to figure out both mysteries. Love Ellery and Reed and love this authors writing. Great book!

This is book two in a series, however, you do not have to have read book one in order to understand book two as some background information is provided in case you hadn’t read The Vanishing Season. As good as book one was, book two doesn’t quite measure up.
Perhaps there was a rush to strike while the iron is hot to get out another book. The characters carry over from the first book, but many of the incidents seem a little contrived and I would have to suspend belief to follow the storyline. Not as good as the first book. I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I was really looking forward to my second read in this series and it did not disappoint! Once again Ellery and Reed team up to help others she has met in a survivors therapy group. The action and pace are compelling forces that keep you reading well past midnight. Several of the other survivors experiences are so heartbreaking- and Ellery more than relates to their pain. More hints and instances of romance! Will Ellery every return to her job? Will Reed keep his? Will they finally get together? Can’t wait to read the next one in this suspenseful series! Many thanks to Joanna Schaffhausen, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this one!

Really enjoyed the book. Never reading anything by this author before I was very impressed. The story flowed seamlessly and the drama was intense.
I will be reading more by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley
#nomercy

No Mercy is the second mystery in the Ellery Hathaway series. Ellery is suspended in the aftermath of shooting the serial killer at the end of The Vanishing Season. She has to attend therapy and her counselor has pressured her to attend a group of violent crime survivors. The people in the group pique her interest, or more accurately, the crimes pique her interest. One of them seeks her help in finding the man who broke into her house and raped her. Another is upset that a serial arsonist who murdered her son is likely to be released on parole.

She again seeks Reed’s help in profiling the rapist and together they identify what seems to be a cluster of rapes indicating a serial offender. They also advance and retreat in what seems to be a burgeoning relationship, one that is mostly retreating, not advancing.



I enjoyed No Mercy. It was compelling and I read it quickly. I thought it nice to see a shift from serial killer to serial arsonist and serial rapist. It was interesting to see them investigate because they are both smart. There were a few missteps on Ellery’s side that disappointed me. That she wouldn’t look basic stuff up on google seemed unlikely and is belied otherwise with her competence at using google. People don’t become good at searching instantly. Her recklessness seems consistent with the first book, but nonetheless, it left a few unlikely moments of personal jeopardy.

I am still enjoying the series but I do hope the characters are allowed to move past the will they/won’t they romance. Do it or don’t do it, but please no “Moonlighting” years of agony. I also want them to move out of the personal jeopardy story line. Let her have a book without personal threats and attacks. The next book in the series comes out in February. I am eager to read it.

I received an e-book of No Mercy from the publisher.

No Mercy at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan

Joanna Schaffhausen author site