Shades of Mercy is the second installment of the Porter Beck series. This entry features action and escapades, as well as human emotions. It is an enjoyable and exciting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was a very entertaining story, book 2 in the series and I don't think you have to read the first to enjoy this. Porter Beck and his team of 12 patrol a very large area of Nevada, most of it owned by the Federal government and used for secret tests. So when a local rancher, who used to be a close friend of Beck, has his prize bull killed by what appears to be a missile strike, Beck shows up to investigate. A federal investigator also shows up with claims that it was not a missile rather a part that fell off a passing plane and offers compensation for the bull. This rancher fellow appears to be doing very well for himself, lives in a very large house, has green fields (in the desert), flies around in a helicopter and is close with what appear to be Mexican cartel members. A plague of sorts is also affecting the area, another friend of Beck's died from an overdose of very strong fentanyl, a woman as well, someone appears to be supplying the drugs. Beck is also facing a wildfire that is threatening the town and houses in the area, stretching his resources very thin. There is a lot of threads going on, but the author keeps the action moving along at a brisk pace, a very good book that I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Minotaurbooks for the ARC.

4.5 stars which I will gladly round up to 5 as once again Bruce Borgos had me reading long into the night.

Porter Beck is back and everyone needs a Porter Beck in their life.

He is smart, he is funny, he is loyal, he puts himself in danger to help others and most of all he is determined to get answers that people just dont want him to have.

The book has it all: murder, falling objects out of the sky that has to be a missile strike, teenage hacker who is smarter than everyone, conspircacy and characters we love and those we love to hate.

Who can Beck trust.

The action is non stop, the suspense has you holding your breath in this tautly written thriller.

Although this is Book 2 in the series you can certainly read it as a stand alone.

This series gets better with every book and I highly anticpate the next adventure/misadventure Porter Beck will lead us on.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martn's Press , Minotaur Books for the privilege of reading and reviewing Shades of Mercy.

Shades of Mercy is the second in the Sheriff Porter Beck series and as enjoyable as the first, if not more so. This is more thriller than police procedural, so be prepared for lots of action and some OTT scenes.
Beck has retired from the Army to assume the same sheriff’s position his father previously held in the northern Nevada area. He’s a well developed character, the quintessential good guy, complete with a lovable lab that failed as a drug sniffer. But Beck suffers from Retinitis Pigmentosa, so his future as a sheriff is in question.
The story begins when a military drone is hijacked and used to kill the prize steer of a wealthy rancher. An alphabet soup of agencies shows up to investigate, enlisting Beck’s help. A young sixteen year old girl, already in custody for another cybercrime, is a person of interest. Meanwhile, Porter is investigating two fentanyl deaths in a matter of days.
I get a real kick out of Borgos’s writing style. His turn of phrase is always spot on, often with a sly touch of humor. He definitely places the reader firmly in the Nevada countryside, complete with the risk of wildfires. The story moves at a brisk pace without any downtime. There are multiple bad guys, all with different agendas. The ending had lots of action, twists and turns (some obvious, others not).
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Bruce Borgos, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning for the sequel in the Porter Beck series, I sought to see how Bruce Borgos would handle things. An effective debut left me wanting more and it arrived abundantly as I dove into this story with ease. When a flashing light fills the rural Nevada sky, Sheriff Porter Beck rushes to investigate. What he discovers is like nothing he has seen before, involving the military, a Mexican cartel, and a youth is living in custody. The story unfolds and the action ramps up until nothing is quite as it seems. Borgos does a stellar job with this one!

Porter Beck serves as sheriff in the Nevada desert area, a place his father served as lawman for many years. While it is usually quiet, things have taken a turn of late, leaving Sheriff Beck to wonder. A close friend is the latest victim to die of an unusually strong illegal opioid, brought in from places unknown. After a flash in the sky during Independence Day celebrations proves not to be fireworks, Sheriff Beck is called upon to investigate more death, this of the bovine variety. Another friend of the sheriff’s—a prosperous rancher—seems to have been. the target of some errant military drone that killed his prized bull. The secretive nature of the drone and the military coyness leaves everyone wondering what’s going on. This is rural Nevada, not some glitzy neighbourhood, yet a great deal of action and attention shines down on the county.

After conferring with a military official, the drone appears to have been hacked, though no names immediately come to mind. When Sheriff Beck receives an email from the purported hacker, he knows it’s trouble, especially when he is called out by name. Piecing a few thing together, Beck comes across Mercy Vaughn, the only known hacker in the area who’s proven to be a thorn in the side of the US Government. She’s swift and known for her ability to get into most anything. Trouble is, she is only a teenager, locked away in a juvenile dentition facility with no computer access. Still, there’s something about Vaughn that does not sit right with Beck and he’s prepared to find out.

When Mercy disappears from a daytime assignment, alerts go up and Sheriff Beck knows that trouble awaits him. Little does he know just how much could happen the longer that Mercy is gone. Trouble pushes in like a wayward cloud and soon the entire community is rocked with news of a Mexican cartel and their plan for the community, as well as Mercy’s abilities and her ultimate puppet master. It will take everything that Sheriff Beck has to keep his county safe, while also trying to unravel the truth behind everything that has been taking place over the last while. Burgos fills the reader with a true sense of tension as this story reaches its climax!

A great thriller needs to have all the elements connect well to make it enjoyable for the reader. Bruce Borgos does that with ease as he weaves together a thriller that checks all the boxes. The narrative flows well and keeps the reader in the middle of the action, gaining intrigue and momentum as things get more complex. Keeping a strong local feel to the story, Porter Beck breathes that small-town charm into the story, though he is nothing if not gritty when the need arises. Other characters offer a great push and flavouring to keep the reader flipping pages, all in an effort to learn a bit more about what’s going on.

The plot develops slowly but builds as the story takes shape. There are many surprise moments for the reader and things take a non-linear approach, though there is nothing confusing about them. Borgos knows how to keep the reader wondering and provides the ingredients needed to leave them wanting more. Where things are headed, no one can be quite sure, but there is surely something on the horizon for the patient reader.

Kudos, Mr. Borgos, for a great follow-up novel in this developing series.

I love the Porter Beck series. This is the second book in the series and it is every bit as good as the first one. Well developed characters, a fast paced action packed plot, and a few twists along the way kept me reading late into the night. I could not put it down and finished it in one day. Although this works perfectly as a stand along, I highly recommend that you start with the first book, "The Bitter Past," and read them in order. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy

Wow. Wow. Wow! Shades of Mercy, book two in the new Porter Beck series by Bruce Borgos, is one of the most exciting books I've ever read. EVER. Although this is the second book in the series, it reads as a standalone, so thriller lovers can jump right in. I plan to read book one, The Bitter Past, ASAP, and follow this series to the end. I'd bet a million dollars this series strikes a movie deal or a streaming service series if I had a million to bet. It's that good.

Shades of Mercy has everything a thriller lover like me needs to keep turning the pages fast, fast, faster. Great characters, fantastic storyline, great writing, perfect pacing, unique setting, and so much tension and excitement there's no choice but to fangirl the author's creativity. The plot deepens page by page with conflict that builds almost to the nerve-wracking breaking point. I loved this book! Highly recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing an advance copy of this book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

This is a good action adventure novel. There are a lot of groups going after a young hacker, each has their own agenda. Plenty of action and suspense to keep you interested. This is part of a series but I didn’t feel like missed anything not have it read the previous book. This is a new author for me and I would definitely read him again. Thank you to network galley for an advanced readers copy.

If you haven't discovered the last two works by Bruce Borgos (his Porter Beck mystery/thriller series) then, as soon as you can, get and read The Bitter Past and Shades of Mercy. They are the best thrillers I've read Tom Clancy!
The Bitter Past shows Beck's pursuit of Russian communist infiltration of the U.S. atomic bomb testing in northern New Mexico in the post-WW II years.. It focuses on Sheriff Porter Beck whose Nevada county borders the testing area and his investigation and pursuit of Communist agents determined to cause a nuclear disaster.
Shades of Mercy is a marvelously plotted contemporary thriller of Beck's unraveling and combatting both a Chinese communist manipulation of U.S. military drones and a drugs-for-weapons scheme launched between a Mexican cartel and a rancher and old friend of Beck. When you see Borgos' Acknowledgements, you recognize how detailed and accurate his grip is on military and drug-related technology. I hope Bruce Borgos will continue this fascinating Porter Beck series.

Shades of Mercy
by Bruce Borgos
Pub Date: July 16, 2024
Thanks to the auth0r, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
In the usually quiet high desert of Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck faces one of his greatest challenges—a series of unlikely, disturbing and increasingly deadly events of unknown origins.
I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and the recommendation of one of my favorite authors, Craig Johnson, 0n the cover.
Bruce Borgos is the author of three - soon to be four - novels. His latest, THE BITTER PAST, is the first in a mystery series starring Sheriff Porter Beck of Lincoln County, NV. Book #2, SHADES OF MERCY, is scheduled for publication in July, 2024.

Shades of Mercy is the second book in the series, but you do not have to read the first in order to enjoy this one. I have to say, I was addicted to this story from the beginning. If you enjoy lots of action and raw details, this is a great read! The twists at the end totally make the story and Sheriff Beck is a fabulous character! So glad I found this author for more awesome cop fiction to come.
5 stars

Sheriff Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada. His small department (12 people) cover a large territory and are currently helping assist with evacuating people in the path of some large wildfires. One of Beck’s oldest friends is found dead of an overdose from some opioids laced with fentanyl. Another old childhood friend is now a wealthy rancher whose prize bull is killed by a military drone that was hacked. Beck wonders if this was random or was the bull targeted specifically to send a message to the rancher. Beck is also suspicious of the rancher’s great wealth - it seems to far exceed what a cattle rancher would earn. As Becktries to figure out who hacked into the controls of the military drone, federal agents also appear on the scene and soon a local teenager being held at a juvenile facility becomes the center of everyone’s attention. The hacker is also sending emails to Beck so it involves him directly and makes it his case. The teenager, Mercy! Goes missing and Beck must find her before anyone can as he feels more is going on than anyone is aware of. This is the second Porter Beck book but it also stands alone. The characters are great - Beck, a small town sheriff with an army intelligence background, who most people underestimate but also has issues with night blindness.; Brin - Beck’s adopted sister, a gun expert and sharp-shooter; Columbo- Beck’s dog; Mercy - the teenage computer genius; and so many more. The story moves along at a fast pace and is very interesting - I read it in one day. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book is set to be published July 16, 2024.

Thoroughly enjoyable action adventure with a hint of military intelligence from a new to me author. This is the second book in the series but not having read the first book I felt like I had no issues following the story.

Beck is a likeable main character reminiscent of ex military turned cop types that have hidden skills that make the story work.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

This is the second installment of the Porter Beck Mystery series, and I was thrilled to get my hands on this ARC. Bruce Borgos did not disappoint with this page turner. The story revolves around incidents in Beck's jurisdiction that can only be caused by a hacker.

Shades of Mercy kept me enthralled as Porter and his cohorts raced to save the young hacker after she disappeared with both a drug cartel and a foreign government as possible suspects in her abduction.

Bruce Borgos is an auto buy for me after reading this one. I can’t wait for the next book in the Porter Beck Series. 4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Shades of Mercy
a Porter Beck thriller is set in rural Nevada. Beck is a sheriff of a small town but large area. His deptartment is understaffed and overwhelmed with fires and fentanyl overdoses. Beck is a very good sheriff with a military investigative background so he tends to be underestimated.
A high school buddy is one of the fentanyl casualties so he is very motivated to find who is supplying it. Add to that a mysterious drone hack with feds arriving and Porter Beck has his hands full.
This is the second Porter Beck mystery and definitely worth reading. The author has created a fast paced thriller with engaging characters and a few mysteries to solve.
Definitely recommend!

With his team stretched thin monitoring wildfires, Sheriff Beck has limited support to help him when one childhood friend dies from illegal opioids and another has his ranch targeted by a hacked military drone. Beck’s investigation leads him to teenage hacker Mercy Vaughn, but when she disappears, Beck knows there is danger to them all if he doesn’t find her quickly…

The investigation moved at a steady and engaging pace, making it easy to keep turning pages. With multiple agencies converging over these crimes, additional conflicts and dangers emerged for Beck to navigate.

I enjoyed Beck’s relationship with his sister, Brinley, as she helped him with the investigation. And Beck’s chemistry with Charlie was believable, their growing connection slow and sincere.

For most of the book, the narrator voice shifted POVs smoothly and that kept me guessing as more clues and theories were exposed. In some scenes, there was head jumping, but it wasn’t disorienting.

Overall, this combo detective novel and spy thriller was interesting and action-packed.

This is the second book in series but can be read as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

<i>Shades of Mercy</i> is the second in the Porter Beck series by Bruce Borgos, but you don't have to have read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this one.

Set in the Nevada desert, Beck, the local sheriff, is called to investigate the apparent drug induced death of a lifelong friend. Then, a rocket is launched from a remotely controlled government drone and seems to target the prize bull belonging to another of Beck's boyhood friends. Are these events related? Getting to the why and how involves Mercy, an inmate at the juvenile detention center. Who is she? What has she got to do with these, and the continuing strange events?

This is an exciting adventure; a fast-paced and complex mystery. I highly recommend it.

Thank you St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of <i>Shades of Mercy</i>!

Bruce Borgos is a new author to me, but I sure enjoyed Shades of Mercy (Porter Beck, #2) . The book had action, tension, suspense and a few gorey sceens. The characters were well developed, and both likeable and unlikeable as designed. I also liked the strong female characters that played critical roles in the story.

I wish to thank the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Shades of Mercy!

Expected publication is July 16, 2024, the book will be published in all formats.

For me this was a five out of five star read.

There have been many unusual detectives in fiction throughout the years: blind, wheelchair bound, old, young, clerical and many more. Borgos gives us a fascinating addition to the genre. Parker Beck has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease that is leaving him basically blind at night. He is currently the sheriff of a small town in Nevada, near the testing ground for the US government’s nuclear testing. In Shades of Mercy, Beck, his adopted sister Brinley, and the rest of the sheriff’s team need to find out how and why someone cyber-hijacked a new government drone, who is behind the increase in fentanyl-laced drugs in the county, and what is Beck’s old friend hiding.
This book is fast-paced with several layers of bad guys, wonderful descriptions of the Nevada scenery, and a sympathetic hero who can put together the clues as well as save the day.
This is the 2nd in the series, and while I read the 1st one (The Bitter Past) after this, it is probably better to read them in order.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing me with this pre-pub ebook. You can’t go wrong with a St. Martin’s Press book, especially their mysteries.

Bruce Borgos’ second book in the Porter Beck series is a great follow up to the debut and packs a punch the entire way. This series is quickly becoming a must read for me. In this novel, Beck is investigating an unusual incident at an old friend’s ranch. What he finds leads him to believe there is more to the story, and as he uncovers each piece of the mystery, more questions need answers. With his sister Brinley and his friends from various law enforcement departments, they all uncover the intricate web of lies and deceit and as always, the good people prevail.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

This book would make a good guy-movie. Lots of testosterone. Lots of action and lots of very long chase scenes. Lots of killing and maiming.

Decent plot, but the plot was secondary to all the action. I guess the hero is the sheriff, but the “hero” could easily be a “heroine,” the sixteen year old girl who was the cyber & tech genius.

This should have wide appeal. I didn’t read the original book, but obviously the sheriff has already been set up for a series. Now it looks like the author is setting up the girl for future collaboration.

Fun read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for this early reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.