When eleven-year-old Lena Flores disappears after a night at the county fair in her small Colorado town, detective Jo Wyatt


There were parts of this book that I really liked - Jo Wyatt is a great character and I thought the town was a really well-developed an interesting setting. But… the pace was slow and kind of boring until the super rushed ending, and the ultimate explanation for the crime didn’t make a whole lot of sense. I’d definitely read another book by this author, but this one was a miss for me.

This book was so intense and had me invested . I loved the scenery and it had great characters. The story flowed well. The plot was believable and it held my attention the whole way through. Absolutely loved the ending.

This was an intense mystery with an interesting cast if characters. It was an absorbing police procedural and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author

In Mercy Creek, book two of the Jo Wyatt Mystery Series, author M.E. Browning transports the reader to Echo Valley, Colorado, to catch up with Detective Jo Wyatt as she investigates the disappearance of eleven year old Lena Flores after spending Saturday at the Echo Valley fairgrounds.

Detectives Jo Wyatt and Squint Mac Allister get the call to investigate the disappearance of eleven year old Lena Flores when she doesn't report to the 4-H livestock pavilion at the fairgrounds on Sunday morning. Jo and Squint begin a tireless investigation to prove that Lena did not run away, but was a missing child case. Lena's disappearance stirs up secrets and grudges within Lena's family that includes some issues from the past that involves Jo. With a growing list of suspects, Jo is determined to find out what happened to Lena.

Author M.E. Browning weaves a slow-building and suspenseful tale that follows Jo's latest investigation to uncover the truth behind Lena's disappearance. I loved reading this action-packed story. Jo's observations and detail to the police procedure used within the investigation coupled with her past history with the girl's family kept me intrigued as she slowly put the pieces of the mystery puzzle together.

The reader will be easily drawn into this richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as long hidden secrets, family dramas, a growing list of possible suspects, motives, and clues are uncovered, while leaving the reader completely shocked by the surprise ending. And if that's not enough, Jo is still dealing with personal issues: her recent divorce from ex-husband Cameron Finch, and being passed over for the police department's sergeant position by him, while also dealing with a new police chief and trying to strengthen her position as a detective within the Echo Valley Police Department.

I look forward to reading more of Jo's investigations in the Jo Wyatt Mystery Series.

Mercy Creek has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via NetGalley from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/11/mercy-creek-by-me-browning-vbt-book.html

The opening of Mercy Creek is chilling as it shows how easily an eleven-year-old girl can go missing, even in the midst of a summer fair.

Did young Lena Flores run away or was she kidnapped? Suspicions run high for both options, but hometown Detective Jo Wyatt doesn’t believe the child ran away. However, a difficult investigation is complicated even more by the child’s divorced parents, Tilda and Lucero, and their contentious relationship with Jo going back decades to their teens.

As if that isn’t enough, add in Lena’s older sister, Marisa, who was supposed to be with Lena at the fair.  Four years older, Marisa was vain and selfish and a wannabe social media influencer. Had she taken her duties more seriously, Lena might never have gone missing. Also, her distant relationship with the truth didn’t help the investigation.

Finding Lena is only one arc of this slow burn, as it also delves into Jo’s relationships. With her former trainer and now partner, Squint; with her hard-nosed father and namesake who retired from the Echo Valley Police Department; with her coworkers who have more faith in her abilities than she does at times, and with longtime—and unavailable—friend, Aiden.

Fortunately, there is little of Jo’s past relationship with Cameron, the man she was passed over for a sergeant’s position, and her ex-husband. Could also have done without the new police chief who offers Jo a new sergeant’s position… more so for his benefit than hers. But every story needs its slime factor.

But it’s her past with Tilda and Lucero and the night that changed everything that stays at the forefront of Jo Wyatt’s mind. All three have different remembrances of what happened, with Jo being the bad guy. Even with their youngest child missing, not only are Tilda and Lucero less than cooperative with her, but both are outright rude. Tilda didn’t even try to hide her contempt, and Lucero was toxic. Jo swallowed it all though and stayed professional. She’s better than me.

It goes without saying I’m a Jo Wyatt fan. Whether it’s an inherent ability or an inherited trait from her father, Jo was meant to be a cop. She’s a no-nonsense investigator who finds clues when there are none and gleans the truth from what is not said. I love that she is a strong female character, but even more so, I admire her for being an amazing investigator. She may not take herself too seriously, but Jo Wyatt is one-hundred-percent serious about her job, and do not make the mistake of getting in her way.

Like Shadow Ridge, this amazing read is not short on plot twists and emotions. The author does a great job of distraction and misdirection during the search for a missing child and the person who took her. And while I highly recommend book 1 of Jo’s story, Mercy Creek can be read as a full standalone.

Enjoy!

Mercy Creek, the second book in the Jo Wyatt mystery, delivered an intense and engaging mystery. It kept me glued to the pages, had me guessing, and then it astounded me with an unexpected revelation.

This installment reminded me of the reasons I admired Detective Jo Wyatt. A no nonsense woman who made it her mission to find justice for victims. This time around, the victim is an eleven-year-old girl who went missing after attending a carnival. Everyone believed Lena ran away, but Jo believe it to be a case of kidnapping. She is determined to find Lena before the case of a suspected kidnapping becomes a homicide.

Jo’s investigation led her to Lena’s parents, which opened a big can of worms. Secrets and lies from the past came to light, which led to Jo questioning what was real and what was not. The investigation revealed several suspects, all whom I found distasteful. 

Jo’s interaction with her colleagues balanced out the dark side of the investigation. I didn’t like the new police chief. It’s clear he has a hidden agenda, which included trapping Jo in his net. I am so glad she did not fall for the carrot he dangled in front of her. Her best friend Aiden made an appearance and despite them not getting much page time, the chemistry between them sizzled. But of course they are still in denial.

The story slowly developed, gradually picking up the momentum and culminating in a dangerous situation. In the last moments, the story had me on the edge of my seat. The revelation of the identity of the person behind Lena’s disappearance surprised me. I never expected it to be that person, even though their actions throughout the story disgusted me. 

I had a great time revisiting Echo Valley, Colorado. The mystery was solid and well plotted; the characters were dysfunctional and authentic, and the story was well crafted. All these combined made Mercy Creek an entertaining and satisfying read.

MERCY CREEK (Jo Wyatt Mystery Book #2) by M.E. Browning is an intense small town police procedural/mystery/thriller with a determined female detective lead and a strong cast of secondary characters that is fast becoming a must read for me. This is the second book in the Jo Wyatt series and it is easily read as a standalone, but I feel you should go back and read the first book just because it is as intriguing a crime/mystery and will give you a little more back story on the main characters.

Detective Jo Wyatt is in the dunk tank for charity at the carnival that has come to Echo Valley on a late summer morning when she and her partner are notified of a missing eleven-year-old girl, Lena Flores. Lena’s parents are divorced and she was staying at her mother’s home the night of the 4-H show. Her older sister was with her at the carnival as she took care of her steer in the 4-H show the night before and returns home with her later. But she does not show up for the morning show.

Jo is convinced Lena did not runaway, but something more sinister happened to her. As she and her partner investigate the parent’s, she attended high school with in the past, she discovers secrets and lies which leave her questioning decisions in her past. There are plenty of suspects and with each new piece of evidence in the investigation, Jo is soon facing a shocking revelation which could be her last.

I am always amazed and intrigued with the intricate plotting and step-by-step investigations in this author’s stories. The plots and characters are both believable and emotionally engaging. Jo is the type of strong, intelligent and determined law enforcement officer I love to follow. Her personal life is not smooth and that just makes her more relatable. All the secondary characters are fully developed, good and bad. The crime plot in this book is dark and horrific with a stunning climax. I was on the edge-of-my-seat to the very end.

I highly recommend this new Jo Wyatt book and I cannot wait for more!

This is the second book in the Detective Jo Wyatt books, but can be read as a stand alone. I have not yet read the first book, so dove into this one blind. After reading this, I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by the author!

A young girl, Lena, goes missing in a small, rural Colorado town and detective Jo Wyatt is called to the case. She must determine weather Lena simply ran away, or if she was abducted. Detective Wyatt is determined to solve the case, but with little leads to go on, the case seems to be slipping further and further from her grasp. Jo must also confront and deal with difficult memories from the past between her & Lena’s parents. Will she find Lena alive? Will they catch whoever is responsible for her disappearance?

There are plenty of suspects to follow and keep you guessing along the way. This is a really good mystery read sprinkled with some suspense.

The author does an amazing job of character development and developing a strong story that is sure to keep the reader engaged and interested, I know I was! She does an amazing job at telling the story to the reader in such a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, giving you little at a time, at just the right pace, to keep you in suspense and on edge until the ending.

I enjoyed reading Mercy Creek. It kept me wanting to know more and to figure out who the killer was, which I did before I got to the reveal. I would like to read more in this series.

Detective Jo Wyatt is back and trying to solve another mystery in Echo Valley. A young girl is missing after a night at the fair. Her sister says they walked home late and went to bed, but the next day Lena is nowhere to be found. Did she run away? Was she abducted? What are her divorced parents hiding? A father with a history of spousal abuse makes him the prime suspect, and the fact he grew up with Jo makes her investigation even more difficult. She and her partner, Squint, chase down leads with no success until the girl's body is found in a cave with a mortal head wound. Given that the cave is outside of the Echo Valley's police department's area, the case belongs to the Sheriff's office, but Jo has a hard time letting go. Doing her job becomes even more challenging when the new Police Chief makes her an offer that is almost too good to turn down. Thankfully, Jo's relationship with Aiden keeps her sane and alive. I look forward to the next book.

Mercy Creek
A Jo Wyatt Mystery, Book 2
M.E. Browning
Crooked Lane Books, October 2021
ISBN 978-1-64385-762-6
Hardcover

A missing child is guaranteed to cause all sorts of heartache and that’s certainly borne out in Mercy Creek. Police procedurals come in all shapes and sizes but, to my way of thinking, the most effective are those that allow the reader into the characters’ psyches. Ms. Browning does this quite well but then takes us further by giving us a compelling plot.
Red herrings abound here and I was repeatedly led down a garden path, so to speak, a very positive effect for me. No matter what kind of mystery I’m reading, it’s the puzzle that draws me in, the hunt for the truth, and this author kept me guessing, not only about what happened to Lena but also about the psychology behind the crime and the dysfunction of some of the characters (actually, almost everyone, Jo included, to some extent).

Bottomline, this is a nicely crafted detective tale and my only quibble is that I think I might have understood Jo a bit better if I had read the first book. Guess I’ll have to remedy that now 😉

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2021.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2021/10/14/mercy-creek-by-me-browning/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

The  <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/304572-jo-wyatt-mystery" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Jo Wyatt Mystery</strong></em></a> series continues with <strong>Mercy Creek.</strong>  Many things I said about the first book are still true.  I like Jo Wyatt.  She has the qualities of being smart and compassionate.  She's been on the force 12 years and there have only been 2 homicides; these two books have seen a bunch more.  They have 3 detectives; the senior one is her partner, Squint.  He's a good partner and supportive friend.  Jo does great work, even when she knows nothing about something she figures it out. It is surprising her Internet and phone skills are so little.  She's much better at interviewing and reading people.

Jo has some complexities and flaws which make her very realistic.  I was glad to not see her ex-husband, Cameron, because I don't like him.  We did see her old best friend, Aidan, and while it is not a romance, I  hope they stay close. We see another love triangle from her teen years which she didn't realize existed.  She saw the guy as a friend, nothing more, but the future wife was jealous.

The case starts with the 11 year old Lena going missing.  With her older sister Marisa, ignoring her and being very selfish,  and the county fair setting with a rush of transient people, I was extremely worried.  Lena was such a nice, smart and kind girl.  I did not like Marisa at all.  The parents were a piece of work.  Jo does a great job with following the evidence in the face of extreme pressure.  She really puts herself at too much risk to protect the innocent, and even to try to help the guilty.

I am loving this series and look forward to more.  I would read them in order for the developments in the personal life and the police department.

That Browning has police experience really shows in this novel. The detail of the missing child investigation is engaging. Jo is a tenacious detective. I like her better in this novel than the first one. She doesn't seem to have a chip on her shoulder any longer. She just wants to find the missing child. There are plenty of suspects to follow as additional facts are revealed. There is a good dose of breath catching suspense near the end.

While the investigation of the missing child is prominent, the narrative is just as much about Jo and her complex relationships. Her investigation brings up the past as more of her earlier life is revealed. This is a good mystery for readers who like a balance of investigative procedure and character development. I am liking Jo more and more and will be looking for the next novel featuring her.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I found that this new installment of Jo Wyatt’s story has gotten me liking the character a little bit more. She is still having a pretty interesting life in a town I’d very much like to visit. Unfortunately, the story revolves around a quiet little girl who disappears. Small towns always have these secrets (at least in books) and Jo knows that there is a lot more behind this than meets the eye. A worthy follow up.

Although I really enjoyed the first book in this series, I was disappointed in this one and never felt connected to the story. A young girl is missing and was last seen at the animal barn at the fairgrounds. Detective Jo Wyatt is called in to the search for eleven-year-old Lena who had attended the fair with her older sister, Marisa. Jo has a feeling that this case is not going to end well and when she is proven right, the search is on for the killer. I never felt as if I had a full grasp of the story as it seemed disjointed and didn’t flow smoothly (for me). Jo is a strong woman and detective and when her life is on the line, will she be able to save herself? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I did not read the book that preceded Mercy Creek, but it did not impact my enjoyment at all. I definitely plan to go back and read Shadow Ridge! I loved following Jo and her team into the Colorado valleys. The story was terribly sad and gut-wrenching in some parts. Author M. E. Browning has a writing style that lends itself to introspective action....you can see the wheels turning while you're on the roller coaster. It's exciting and interesting all at once. The only part I didn't enjoy was the language; I prefer books without strong profanity, and there was too much cussing in Mercy Creek for me. However, that's a personal thing, and didn't affect the story's pace or energy. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Lena disappeared while at the carnival with her sister Marisa. Detective Jo Wyatt is trying, in this fast paced novel, to find the 11 year old as quickly as possible but she's also got to deal with her feelings about Lena's parents Lucero and Tilda. It's a small town and they've all known each other since childhood. Lots of secrets in this town, lots of lies. It's twisty and there are some surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't worry if you, like me, missed the first book - this will be fine as a standalone and then you, like me,. will be looking forward to the next one.

That could have been better. Set in Echo Valley Colorado, an 11 year old girl goes missing while the carnival is in town. That’s pretty much it. Did she run away? Or was she abducted?

Lena Flores has lived with her father Lucero since she was 6. Her parents separated when she was a toddler Lena loves animals, any sort of animals and Lucero is a vet. Lena is also a good girl, smart but sensitive and missing! Her 15 year old sister Marisa lives with their mother Tilda Marquet who is an ER nurse. Marisa is much more outgoing and is desperate to leave the small town and expand her social media presence which is already impressive for one so young. Lena was supposed to be with her dad the night she disappeared but he said he had a call out so she should go to her mum’s place with Marisa after the carnival.

In this story there didn’t seem to be any reliable narrators and apparently everyone had secrets and everyone was lying and/or hiding something. I thought that, right there, was already too much. Detective Jo Wyatt is one the case but she went to school with both parents and dated Lucero for a short while so I thought she had pre-conceived ideas about them both (which she did). Suspects, including both parents, were dangled in front of the reader constantly until at one stage I thought everyone in town must be a suspect.

But slowly the lies unravelled and some elements of the truth appeared distantly through the fog of misdirection. Again, I didn’t like the ending, I thought it was overly melodramatic and therefore implausible. I don’t tend to like stories where all the mystery is a product of misdirection. As I said it could have been better. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

When 11-year old Lena Flores disappears after going to the summer fair with her older sister Marisa, Echo Valley police detective Jo Wyatt has to determine whether Lena ran away or was kidnapped. Jo also has to deal with difficult memories with Lena's divorced parents Tilda and Lucero.

This was a slow burn of a story with several potential suspects identified and discounted. The fate of Lena is not revealed until 75% into the story. When a shocking new revelation is revealed, Jo goes to confront her new prime suspect and unwittingly puts her life in danger.

I greatly enjoyed reading the first Jo Wyatt book, Shadow Ridge. Unfortunately, Mercy Creek falls flat and did not meet my expectations.

Solid book. There wasn’t anything that put me off of this book right away. However there were some slow parts that made it not as enjoyable.