This is book two in the Salem’s Cipher series. This is being republished and while I don’t think the writing is quite as excellent as this authors more recent books it is a fun ride. The game for world dominance between The Order and The Underground continues and this time Salem is tasked to solve the riddles in the Stonehenge Cipher. The stakes seem even higher this time because The Order has Mercy and if Salem doesn’t solve the train and give the location to The Order they will kill her. Salem feels guilty because she knows if it wasn’t for her Mercy would be safe. I like the ties of history with the fast paced spy novel setting. I also love the way that female voices are highlighted especially historical ones. These books were interesting and I wouldn’t mind the series continuing now.

After reading MERCY'S CHASE and it's predecessor, Salem's Cipher, I've come to the realization I may not be smart enough for cryptic mysteries.

I joke, but then again, not joking.

I thought this was a solid sequel and if you understood the point of the Underground and the various workings from Salem's Cipher, then MERCY'S CHASE would have been good.

I was still confused on a lot of things, yet I actually predicted the big "whodunit" twist at the end.

This series would make any cryptologists day.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an e-copy of MERCY'S CHASE to review.

I rate MERCY'S CHASE three out of five stars.

I was drawn to the gorgeous covers in this series and requested this and the first book Salem's Cipher at the same time. I love hidden clue type books and enjoyed the first book, but this one just didn't do it for me. The blurb sounded so intriguing, but the story itself dragged a bit. I thought the pacing was slower than the first book and I couldn't seem to connect with the characters. This one was just OK for me.

In Mercy’s Chase, the second book in Jess Lourey’s series, the pace starts off more slowly compared to its predecessor. I found myself grappling with trust issues as the narrative kept me guessing about which characters were allies and which were foes. Bel’s reduced presence was a downside for me; Salem’s self-consciousness seemed to keep Bel at a distance until the dramatic conclusion. Despite these nuances, the ending was explosive and satisfying, though not without its flaws.

The novel continues to shine with its intricate ciphers, codes, and ancient mysteries, and the strong women characters are a highlight. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers featuring powerful women, intricate codes, cross-world travel, and plots involving politics and secret organizations, I’d recommend Mercy’s Chase wholeheartedly.

Once again Salem is placed between a rock and a hard place when a child within her family care is kidnapped. She is in a prickly spot, decipher cryptic messages, that are centuries old, or be responsible for the death of the young child.

I have loved Lourey's books and was excited to see this new series. The story was crazy good! The atmosphere felt like a character in itself. The characters were well done and the story seemed well researched. Looking forward to another installment.

I'm a huge fan of Jess Lourey's Minnesota-based thrillers and was super excited that this book was available to read. The synopsis was intriguing and reminded me of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series, which I absolutely loved. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I would have liked. The mystery and puzzles were interesting, but the writing just didn't flow well for me. The scientific research and other lengthy descriptions were a bit too much and distracted me from the storyline. I believe that this is one of Lourey's earlier books and it shows. I'm still going to give the second book a try and see if I enjoy it better than this one.

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the world of thrillers where codes intertwine with human lives, "Mercy's Chase" by Jess Lourey stands out as a labyrinthine tale that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally gripping. This second installment in the Salem's Cipher series takes readers on a whirlwind journey from the FBI's cryptanalysis labs to the rolling green fields of Ireland, where history's shadows loom as large as the stakes.

Salem Wiley, the agoraphobic genius codebreaker, returns with a personal mission that transcends her fears and tests her intellect. The discovery of a miniature Stonehenge replica on an Irish farm, complete with an extra stone marked 'mercy,' sets the stage for a high-stakes puzzle. The kidnapping of seven-year-old Mercy Mayfair, a child under Salem's family's care, reveals a chilling connection to Salem's past and a lineage that could unlock the mysteries of Stonehenge itself.

Lourey's narrative is a masterclass in tension and pace. The prose is crisp, the chapters are taut, and the plot twists are as unpredictable as they are satisfying. The author's background in teaching and writing about secrets is evident in the way she weaves historical intrigue with modern-day conspiracy, creating a tapestry that feels both timeless and urgent.

What sets "Mercy's Chase" apart is its heart. Salem is not just a protagonist; she's a person with depth, battling her inner demons while facing a very tangible threat. Her growth throughout the novel is a testament to Lourey's skill in character development, making readers root for Salem not just to solve the puzzle, but to find her own peace.

The book's exploration of ancient societies and their patriarchal leanings is thought-provoking, adding a layer of social commentary to the thrilling narrative. The feminist undertones are subtle yet powerful, challenging the reader to consider the historical suppression of women and their knowledge.

In conclusion, "Mercy's Chase" is a compelling sequel that delivers on all fronts. It's a book that will appeal to lovers of puzzles, history, and character-driven stories. Lourey has crafted a novel that is both a page-turner and a thinker, a rare combination that makes this book a must-read..

Jess Lourey never disappoints! Mercy's Chase picks up where Salem's Cipher leaves off. You feel like you're on the chase with the characters every step of the way! Bravo Miss Lourey, Bravo!

I just discovered this author recently, and I really like her. I'm going to add all of her books to my tbr.
This is the second book in a series and is best read in order.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

Jess Lourey can’t put a foot - or a pen - wrong. She hops between genres, seemingly with the greatest of ease, and creates characters who wrong your heart. In Salem, she has created someone so real she appears before you as you read. I loved Lourey’s stand alone books about small town crimes and her “murder by the month” mysteries. It was a great treat to find her talent transferred so well to this clever code-breaking intrigue,

When I saw "new" Jess Lourey on Netgalley I got super excited and immediately downloaded. I didn't realize these are re-pubs of her prior work until later on. I was worried they'd fall flat being earlier works as I LOVE Reed and Steinbeck SO much! This didn't fall flat for me -- in fact I think Salem is up there with my favorite BA FMCs.

Be sure to check out the first in this series: Salem's Cipher.

This one felt like it started slower than the first. Also I literally had NO idea who to trust. This one gave me whiplash in which characters to trust in and which may be on the bad side. We get a lot less of Bel in this story which I didn't prefer, Salem's projecting her own self consciousness kept Bel at arm's length throughout the whole story until the conclusion. The ending was explosive and while it wasn't perfect I liked it.
I still loved the ciphers and codes and super old mysteries aspects of this novel and the WOMEN POWER aspect was AMAZING.

Would recommend this if you love:
-badass women
-codes/ ciphers prevalent to story line
-fast paced
-cross world travel
-sub plots relating to politics/ secret organizations

Mercy's Chase is the sequel to Salem's Cipher! Rich in history and action, we find Salem working out of England and put on a case that takes her to Stonehenge and beyond. Does she find the answers she seeks? Read and discover for yourself.

Personally, I found Mercy's Chase to be a fitting sequel to Salem's Cipher. We see what happens to our characters and expands their scope. A must read for fans of action, adventure and history!

Mercy's Chase in the second book in the Salem's Cipher Series. Jess Lourey has written a number of mysteries, using different locations and themes. Not all are puzzles, as is the Salem's Cipher Series, which relies on the creation and solving of puzzles. Admittedly, I do not think in terms of puzzles and found that in Mercy's Chase, I was sometimes confused about the puzzles and what they meant and how the clues were understood. I may possess advanced degrees, but puzzles are, in fact, puzzles for me. However what I did enjoy were the many different clues about who to trust and why. Abductions and chase sequent are common in mystery films, and as I read Mercy's Chase, I kept visualizing this novel as a film.

I was recently in Scotland as visited the Sternness Standing Stones on Orkney. That location is every bit as cold and windy as Lourey describes. The locations visited in London, Stonehenge, Ireland, and Scotland are authentic, even if the mystery is fiction. I did enjoy these visits to these locations. Rosalind Franklin was a real scientist, whose work was coopted by men. She was fascinating and tragic, and I was uncomfortable with how she was used in Mercy's Chase. The basic plot of this novel works well, with the continued development of the protagonist Salem, who specializes in ciphers and who is able to take apart these puzzled clues and understand them, as the lead in a chase to find and rescue a young girl. One important element of the plot focuses on identifying the villain and who can be trusted. There are many twists and red herrings along the way.

I thank publishers, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC to read and review. This novel is a reissue, but I had not read the series when first published. Although some things were confusing--what is the issue with Salem's mother? Jealousy? I am recommending Mercy's Chase, especially for readers who enjoy puzzles and ciphers. In spite of somethings feeling out of my depth with puzzles, I did enjoy the basic plot.

Mercy’s Chase was even better than the first book! Mercy Mayfair, a child in Salem’s family’s care, is kidnapped. Her disappearance is linked to a mystery that spans thousands of years! This book had some of the elements that I loved from the first book! Every book that I read from Jess Lourey never fails to keep me engaged from beginning to end! I highly recommend picking up both books in this series!

Mercy's Chase by Jess Loureyvis such a great story!
I enjoyed reading this story. It's very well written. If you enjoy reading suspense stories, this one is for you.
This is a suspenseful read, one that had me unable to put the book down.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Mercy's Chase is the second book in the Salem's Ciphers Mysteries. I love Jess Lourey books and this series really has been a pleasure to read. I do hope that we will see more of Salem and the other characters in the future.

This story much like Salem's Cipher is slightly political, very mysterious and perfect for those who love a thriller with some twists. I really can't talk too much about characters in this one as it will give spoilers. There's a lovely twist in it and I admit I was guessing who it would be, I was right. But that didn't take from the story at all. Set mostly in London and Ireland it was refreshing that Jess has used real places (Many I've visited) and described them well. I still have a few questions, namely about Salem's mother and her attitude towards Salem (Not a spoiler!!). I also can't wait to see (There has to be more books!) where the 'research' will take a certain someone next.

I enjoyed Mercy's Chase more than Salem's Cipher surprisingly and really hope we do hear more from Salem, Bel and Mercy. A solid 4 stars, these books do need to be read in order, so make sure to read Salem's Cipher first. Both books are currently available on Kindle Unlimited, if you subscribe to the service.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This is book two in the Salem’s Cipher series. This is being republished and while I don’t think the writing is quite as excellent as this authors more recent books it is a fun ride. The game for world dominance between The Order and The Underground continues and this time Salem is tasked to solve the riddles in the Stonehenge Cipher. The stakes seem even higher this time because The Order has Mercy and if Salem doesn’t solve the train and give the location to The Order they will kill her. Salem feels guilty because she knows if it wasn’t for her Mercy would be safe. I like the ties of history with the fast paced spy novel setting. I also love the way that female voices are highlighted especially historical ones. These books were interesting and I wouldn’t mind the series continuing now.

I truly wish there were more novels in this series, as I read through Salem's Cipher and Mercy's Chase in two days, about as fast as the pace of the novels is. In Mercy's Chase we follow Salem separately as she becomes an FBI code breaker and is assigned a special Presidential duty to rescue a kidnapped girl. Like in Salem's Cipher, the secret societies continue to wage war against one another, with the patriarchy attempting to hold strong to the male power in place. Salem must track clues and break codes from Ireland to London in Mercy's Chase, this time by trusting the strangers placed in her path and strong in the belief that Stonehenge's secret can be revealed.

Mercy's Chase was much quicker than Salem's Cipher, but no less interesting. I loved the mix of modern-day mystery with the historical background. Salem comes into her own in this novel, with her confidence boosted by the incredible people she meets who push her, both negatively and positively, to solve one of the world's longest unsolved mysteries.