I love a good Mercy Thompson book, and this one is in that category. Mercy is still being affected by an artifact that has been destroyed, it left something in her it seems. Adam is fighting the effects of a curse from their former witch friend that turned to black magic. It’s a rough time for the Columbia Basin Pack. Then Mercy’s brother shows up with some kind of curse of his own. Mercy and Adam take off to his ranch to find out what happened. A Frost Giant claims Gary has stolen his harp/lyre. From there, Mercy and Adam must find this new artifact, which they only know has strings and is silver on the front. A nearby resort seems the most likely place to look, especially since there’s a huge snowstorm at the hands of the Frost Giant.

The plot from there goes through trying to find the artifact, checking all the people out at the resort the Frost Giant pointed them towards. But also, we get glimpses of the Tri-Cities and New Mexico where Adam has a “snafu” with a security job. These switches in POV, along with “Interludes” between all the chapters, make it a little more choppy, but somewhat understandable to get all the info. There was some info and characters that seemed unneeded in my opinion, but that’s a me issue.

Overall, this was a great addition to the Mercy Thompson series. Some new types of interactions with new types of creatures. I would not recommend trying to start the series with this book, it’s definitely a continuation that needs the prior knowledge of the previous books in the series. Plus it’s just an amazing series! If you’re already a fan, take the leap!!

In Mercy’s 14th outing, she is suffering from the effects of damage done by the artifact, the Soul Taker. As Mercy and those around her struggle to cope with the damage, her brother Gary arrives at the pack HQ confused and unable to communicate. Despite a myriad of problems for our fearless Tri-Cities heroes and their pack, Mercy and Adam leave for rural Montana to Gary’s last known residence, to try to solve a complicated magical problem.
Mercy and Adam are always a good read and their stories, full of magic, action, and emotion, are always engaging. There is drama and magical hijinks aplenty and this book is entertaining, and a must read for series fans. The book suffers slightly from an overabundance of narrators and storylines and sometimes I had a difficult time remembering who was telling the story. However, once we dive deeper into Mercy’s story the action takes off and the story is memorable.
Winter Lost is a fun tale with opportunities to learn more about several characters and new developments in the pack, but this book reads like a bridge to further adventures. While there is no cliffhanger, it is obvious that there are unresolved challenges that will need to be resolved in future stories.
4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Ace for an advanced readers copy of this book.

I have really enjoyed this series, but, this one didn't do much for me. I usually read these books in one day sometimes two days, this one took four days! It dragged so much, I just could not really get into it until about the halfway point. The story kept jumping around, it did not flow to me. Of course, it is always interesting getting into Adam and Mercy's heads, and seeing where they are at in their relationship. There were too many secondary characters that were too distracting, and the story was just too choppy.

Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Mercy Thompson continues to be my all-time favorite UF series, so Winter Lost was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024! This is book 14 in a series that’s best read in order. If you haven’t read this series yet, go grab book one and start reading! The audios are a fantastic way to experience the series!

Winter Lost picks up with Mercy still dealing with the effects of the Soul Taker from the last book. Mercy’s worried, but so are Adam and the Pack, however this is put on the back burner when her brother, Gary shows up in trouble. To find a solution they must travel to Montana in an epic winter storm and find a lost/stolen artifact. They end up at a lodge with a varied group of guests as they search for the artifact before it’s too late for Gary and the world. I’m being vague so as not to spoil anything.

In this installment while Mercy and Adam tackle this immediate problem there seems to be a few brewing in the background: Bonarata being the most troubling one, IMO.

One of the things I love most about this series is the relationship between Mercy and Adam. They continue to be a united, powerful force against all that comes at them. I also love the bits of humor; the friendships and the intricate world of magic and creatures Briggs has created. The story was action-packed, full of danger and riveting! Of course, now I can’t wait for the next one!

There are a lot of threads in this story, the main ones being that Mercy is still unhealed from what happened in the least book and now her brother has landed on their doorstep, unable to communicated. It turns out that he too has come in contact with a fae artifact and the owner of the artifact is wreaking havoc with certain weather patterns until it is recovered. The storm is centered around a lodge outside of Libby, Montana where there are hot springs. A lodge that is supposed to be hosting a billionaire's wedding but is, instead, snowed in with thirteen people, not all of whom are human.
There are some side stories about other wolves in the pack. Mary Jo has broken up with her boyfriend Renny, Darryl is protecting a group of white witches in New Mexico, someone has tried to push Sherwood in front of a train. Most of these are small vignettes showing that there are things going on outside of Mercy and Adam. It could be a build up to a bigger story but it is also proof that their pack can take care of themselves and don't need their leaders to rush in and solve everything for them.
And Bonarata is still tormenting Mercy though that ends up being a smaller part of the story.
A somewhat quieter story but I really enjoyed that there weren't as many bodies as some of the others.

Four stars
Mercy Thompson #14
This book comes out June 18, 2024
Follows Soul Taken
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Patricia Briggs continues Mercy Thompson's adventures in paranormal North America in Winter Lost Mercy is a car mechanic and fox shifter, daughter of Coyote, and her mate is Adam, werewolf alpha of an important werewolf band, who are policing an agreement with the fae. Mercy's brother is turned non communicative for an unknown offence against an ancient Norse creature. Mercy and Adam seek to find a solution to the problem and end trapped in a winter storm in a spa where a wedding party is trapped as well. Mercy is tasked to find an ancient musical instrument of power or they all die. What can go wrong? Get the book and find out. Great read.

Book #14 in the excellent Mercy Thompson series. Each book makes an excellent stand alone story, but this series is so good, you'd be depriving yourself by not reading them all. Many of the Facebook paranormal reading groups list Patricia Briggs' series in their Top Ten list of must reads, confirming what Briggs' fans already know.....she's one of the best.

Winter Lost brings Mercy and her husband Adam into a winter storm to save Mercy's brother.....and the rest of the world. We meet several new characters while still enjoying the "family" of characters that live in the Pacific Northwest communities protected by the Columbia Basin werewolf pack. There are never enough stars to rate a Patricia Briggs book, so we settle for 5 and recommend to everyone we know.

Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs
Release date - 6/18/2024

I am brand new to NetGalley and was so excited to see and get a copy of the new installment of my favorite werewolf series. Patricia Briggs crafts an amazing world in the Mercy Thompson series, full of fae, vampires, werewolves, and ancient magic.

This book picks up right after the last book. Mercy is still recovering from her battle with an artifact, but when her brother needs help, Mercy and Adam head out. Characters from all over gather at a lodge in the forest, where a magically charged storm traps everyone, creating a locked-room mystery vibe. The who-dun-it tension adds to the suspense of this supernatural conundrum.
I loved every minute of the adventure and appreciated the "side quest" moments that allowed us to see other characters' points of view. Overall, it's a fantastic addition to the series!

Thank you, @netgalley and Berkley Publishing, for the ARC of this book!!!

Winter Lost is an exciting, mysterious read with lots of Adam and Mercy time. The story thrills readers with new friends, foes and those in between, set against the backdrop of a deadly winter storm.

In the previous Mercy Thompson book–Soul Taken–some really bad stuff happened. Winter Lost delves deeper into the disturbing aftereffects. Not everyone got out unscathed. I didn’t read Soul Taken and now I wish I had first because I was definitely missing some of the nuances. Winter Lost can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to when the series is so awesome?

The book has a couple of storylines going and I’m here for it. I enjoy learning about the amazing secondary characters that are supportive and vital to the series.

I love revisiting Adam and Mercy’s relationship. They are an amazing couple with beautiful chemistry and love so powerful it’s unstoppable.

The mystery and magical surprises of this enchanting and dangerous world keeps me coming back every book release. And can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is? Simply amazing!

Winter Lost is a solid read that grabbed my attention and held me captive until the very end. I highly recommend the series and can’t wait for the next one!

The Mercy Thompson series is my favorite urban fantasy series and this entry is one of my favorites.

Mercy’s half-brother, Gary, shows up on her doorstep unable to communicate and in bad shape. He’s obviously been cursed, so Mercy and Adam head off to Montana to find the origin and hopefully have it removed. Mercy is also still suffering after-effects of the events of Soul Taken and is trying to hide it from the pack (of course).

One of my favorite things about this book was how much time we got with just Mercy and Adam. They’ve left the pack behind and, while I missed those characters, I was thrilled that Mercy and Adam were not separated. We also get Adam’s point of view, which I always enjoy.

There are many layers of the story and I love how they were all brought together so well in the end. There are questions that were not answered, and a very scary villain who will need to be faced eventually, but this book was wrapped up very satisfactorily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ebook ARC of this book.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I chose the Mercy Thompson series for the Read-along in 2020 and it was an amazing reread for me. With complex plots and mysteries, along with many great characters it was helpful to read from the beginning, all the books close together rather than a year apart. In 2021, we had a book in the companion series, Alpha & Omega , which features Charles & Anna. Then in 2022, the last Mercy book, Soul Taken.

As urban fantasy with long on-going plots, I would not start here. I would read the series starting at the beginning. The world-building and plot are as detailed and incredible as always. Winter Lost is like a side trip. We see only brief bits of the pack. There are still the dangerous issues with the fae and Bonorata. Mercy is still recovering from her encounter with the Soul Taker. Zee has tried and can't fix her.

Then her brother shows up and he has been cursed. She tries to get help from a frost giant but that goes badly. So she and Adam go to where Gary was living to try to figure it out. There is a very bad storm which is not surprising because the brother of the frost giant she tried for help is there. There are also goblins and a green man, a vampire and a ghost, and more fae. They are all gathered at the lodge for a wedding which is a renewal of a spell to stave off Ragnorak.

Mercy gathers information although others try to stop her. An artifact has been stolen and she is trying to find it, then the frost giant here will uncurse her brother. Adam tries to be her backup and keep her warm. Mercy gets help from several unexpected sources and does figure things out. She goes through some pain and danger to get there.

I would have liked more on the series story lines. I was thrilled to get a bit with Warren and Sherwood, but really wanted to see Kyle. I'm on edge about the Marrok, Charles & Anna or Samuel with barely even a mention of them. There was no progress on the vampire front, either.

I still feel unsettled with many things not resolved. The pack is in a precarious position with Mercy's claim to protect the area. Underhill is an ongoing threat. Sherwood will always be kind of a question mark. Bonorata is not going to let things go. There aren't any easy answers, so I look forward to the author's solutions to issues as we go forward.

Do you love the series? You’re going to love this one too!
Have you not read the series and are trying to decide if this is a series for you? Don’t start with this one. It’s way too far in the series to make sense to a new reader. But if you like character driven urban fantasy and aren’t looking for paranormal romance yet don’t mind the main characters being a married couple this is probably a good choice for you, Some dark and grim things happen so if you’re looking for a cozy this isn’t it but it is a series where you think it will probably be ok in the end. Fairly short and quick reads for full length novels. I finished it in a day and despite this being a book 14 I haven’t tired of the series at all and don’t feel like it’s being dragged out in the least.

In Book 14 of the Mercedes Thompson series, Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs, the story is multilayered and entertaining, with several different points of view and an incredibly intriguing mystery that kept me reading long into the night.
From the beginning, I’ve loved the character of Mercedes Thompson and Adam along with his pack. What I love in book 14 is how Patricia Briggs realizes the consequences from previous books. Mercedes must handle what has gone on before but also as a character both she and Adam are constantly growing and changing. Mercedes has learned to accept help while Adam has learned how to let Mercedes be strong when she needs to be. I also loved the layers of other voices and characters that are woven into this story as it illustrates how big the world has grown as well, giving readers more and more to love.
Along with the fantastic characters, the story is tantalizing as it drops folklore references from at least two different mythologies and the mystery of the lodge, of what is happening with Mercedes powers kept me intrigued. I also like the dynamics between the different members of the pack and how different elements there get resolved. The different point of views allow us to see a wider world than just from Mercedes’ eyes and it is a revelation. I really like how the supernatural elements are built as well, with well thought out effects and consequences. The resolutions to the different aspects of the story are incredibly interesting and exciting.
Even though this is book 14, Patricia Briggs is not losing a beat. I do caution you that this is part of a series so you might want to not start with this novel but if you’ve read the other books, you will love this one. It is multilayered and entertaining, with tons of mystery and intrigue that will keep you loving the world.

I'm so excited to be back in The Mercy Thompson World. Mercy's adventure takes her into Norse Mythology and Ragnarok. Mercy is still feeling the effects of The Soul Taker on her magic and soul. When Gary, Mercy's half brother, comes to the Tri-Cities not able to say anything but gibberish. Mercy and Adam travel to Gary's work at Looking Glass Resort. Will Adam and Mercy find the answers they seek? Find out in Winter Lost.

I'd like to thank Berkley Publishing Group/Ace for this ARC via Net galley.

In Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs, Mercy and Adam travel to Montana when Mercy’s brother Gary is in trouble. I had a blast reading Winter Lost from the gods to their quest. This series is favorite, and while I love this genre in audio, I began reading it and hear the voices as I created them, so I continue to read them.

Winter Lost is the fourteenth novel in the Mercy Thompson series and one I look forward to each year. Briggs has created a rich world with flawed, strong and loveable characters that have become like family. Like most urban fantasy series, I recommend reading this series in the order of their release despite the wonderful job the author does of acclimating new readers to each book.

Mercy is still not right after the events of Soul Taken, but when her half-brother Gary shows up on her doorstep unable to communicate, they call in a favor and learn that he is under a spell. All of this leads them to Montana during the snowstorm of all snowstorms. Their quest has them spending time at the Looking Glass Hot Springs lodge, where a wedding party is trapped and something taken must be returned.

Briggs gives us Mercy’s perspective, but also those of Adam and others. While the pack was missing for most of the story, we get brief interludes with familiar characters. The major story, involving Gary, Mercy’s magic issues and the end of days, was well done and kept me reading into the wee hours.

Fans will appreciate the closure, the meddling from Coyote, and the mythology. I am always sad when the story ends and cannot wait for the next book. An addictive tale in this action-packed, character driven series with my favorite pack.

Winter Lost, the fourteenth installment in Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, stands out as a unique entry point for me. This paranormal urban fantasy is a thrilling blend of action, romance, and suspense, but what sets it apart is the intense focus on family dynamics and the exploration of new supernatural elements.

The story begins with Mercy, dealing with the aftermath of her encounter with the Soul Taker from the previous book, and then the story takes off after her half-brother Gary shows up on her doorstep suffering from his own magical issues. The rapid pace, as Mercy and Adam race to save Gary, kept me on the edge of my seat. And when a bigger crisis reveals itself, I couldn't put the book down if I wanted to.

The diverse array of paranormal beings in the story, such as werewolves, vampires, and fae, was a major draw for me.  Every creature I had ever heard of found a place in the narrative, keeping me captivated.  The interludes, offering a glimpse of the story from each being's perspective, were a brilliant addition that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The incredible character development and world-building in Winter Lost were a delight. I was able to enter this series at book fourteen with ease, a testament to the depth and richness of the world Patricia Briggs has created.

If you're considering reading this book, I assume that you have read the rest of the series and I don't have to talk you into it. This book starts in the Tri-Cities just a few months after the end of Soul Taken. Despite her fairly large amount of supernatural friends and allies, Mercy is still being harassed by Bonarata (by phone this time) and has what seems like some permanent damage to her soul and magic from her exposure to the Soul Taker artifact.

When her half brother Gary shows up on their porch one night unable to communicate anything coherent, none of her allies can help. So, Mercy and Adam take off for the ranch in Montana where he was working most recently. There they find themselves trapped by what can only be a supernatural snowstorm in a lodge full of strangers. Even cursed with the "sight" of the Soul Taker, Mercy and Adam may not be able to determine friend from foe soon enough to avoid disaster on a global scale.

I have enjoyed this entire series and I love how the character development progresses realistically and consistently from one book to the next. This book again leaves the Tri-Cities, but plenty of action does take place there and even while Adam and Mercy are in Montana, we still get some action from Warren and Sherwood. These books are always intricately plotted, this one brings us some characters from Mercy's world that we have only previously seen in the short story collections and I loved the surprises!

This book was a five star read for me based on the consistency of the series (it's amazing how well Briggs keeps everything in the universe she's created straight and realistic within the magic system she has set up) and my enjoyment of the story. I had high expectations and happily, they were met! Now, if Briggs would just kindly give us another Alpha and Omega story because the cliffhanger at the end of Wild Sign was NOT okay!!

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Welcome back to the world of Mercy Thompson. Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy authors, and every year (or every other) we are treated to a great story within the Mercy universe. I look forward to any book this author releases, but especially the Mercy Thompson series. Winter Lost is the latest in this series, and it is also very different out of all I have read so far. In this story we don't just get Adam's POV, but different characters as well. Each voice tells the story to show you different threads that weaves it all together. I wasn't sure where we were going at times, but it made it that more interesting and engaging throughout. With one book releasing every year, I always eagerly await the next one, but once it arrives I also want to savor it so that I'm in the Mercy Thompson world that much longer. I am giving this book a 4.5, because I loved several books in this series more, but this one stands out, and I feel that once I read it again I just might bump it up to a 5. Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Winter Lost is the fourteenth book in Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series. It's a paranormal, urban fantasy with romance, action, and suspense sprinkled throughout, which is what keeps me coming back to this world. I've read every book in the series and this latest installment did not disappoint with its plot and character development.

The story begins with the female main character, Mercy, dealing with the aftermath of the previous book. She struggles with the lingering effects from her encounter with the Soul Taker and to make matters just a little more stressful, her half brother Gary shows up on her doorstep suffering from his own magical dilemma. From there, the action begins when Mercy and her mate, Adam, travel to Montana to investigate what exactly happened and how they might be able to help Gary recover. Along the way, they find themselves at a lodge in the middle of a (supernatural) winter storm when they discover that Gary's problem is just the tip of the iceberg to a much bigger crisis that stretches beyond them all.

This book is a great addition to the series and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Mercy on another thrilling journey. I thoroughly enjoy this world and it's safe to say that wherever Mercy goes, I will follow. She is, without a doubt, my favorite female main character and if you are new to this series, I highly recommend reading the previous books to get the most out of your Winter Lost experience. Thank you to Ace via NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars - For the hard-core readers of this series, you won't be disappoint.

Mercy is trying to recuperate from the attack she suffered in the last book, but she's not doing good, and no one really knows how to fix her.

Then, Mercy's half-brother, Gary shows up unable to talk, but Mercy knows she has to help him. So, off to Montana Mercy and Adam go, encountering a powerful winter storm that seems to want to keep them away.

Mercy and Adam are great together, leaning on each other to try to solve the riddle of Gary and stopping the end of the world.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.