Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

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. Bruce Borgos masterfully weaves a tale that combines mystery, suspense, and a touch of the unexpected in "Shades of Mercy."

Sheriff Porter Beck, now back in his hometown after decades away, is tasked with maintaining law and order in the vast, tranquil expanse of Nevada. But tranquility is shattered when a childhood friend succumbs to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids. Another friend, an enormously successful rancher, becomes the target of a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker, local enough to call out Beck by name, presents a unique challenge—one that Beck cannot ignore.

Characters

- Porter Beck: Our tenacious and resourceful sheriff, determined to unravel the mysteries plaguing his community.

- Mercy Vaughn: (My FAVORITE character, I hope she becomes a recurring character) The one known hacker in the area, locked up in a secure juvenile detention center. There's something about her that doesn't sit quite right with Beck.

- Supporting Cast: Borgos introduces a cast of well-drawn characters, each with their own secrets and motivations.

Tech vs Talent -The clash between modern technology (the military drone, hacking, etc.) and traditional law enforcement methods (Beck's investigative skills) adds depth to the story.

Friendship and Loyalty - Beck's loyalty to his childhood friends drives him to uncover the truth, even when it puts him in danger.

Borgos delivers crisp prose, vivid descriptions, and a sense of place that transports readers to the Nevada desert. His pacing keeps the pages turning, and the suspense builds steadily.

What Sets "Shades of Mercy" Apart?

- Unconventional Mystery: Borgos blends elements of mystery, thriller, and espionage, creating a unique reading experience.

- Character Dynamics: The interplay between Beck and Mercy adds complexity to the plot.

- Atmosphere: The high desert setting becomes a character in itself, with its stark beauty and hidden dangers.

In conclusion, "Shades of Mercy" is a 100-proof mystery that leaves you craving more. Whether you're a fan of Craig Johnson's novels or simply enjoy intelligent storytelling, this book deserves a spot on your reading list.

Bruce Borgos has crafted a compelling sequel to "The Bitter Past," and I eagerly await further adventures with Sheriff Porter Beck.

Note: Trigger warning for sensitive readers regarding a scene involving injured cattle.

Wow! What a great read! The complexity of the story and the ways in which the characters intertwine made it impossible to put this book down. Beck and Brin are easy to love and cheer for, but with this book, Borgos brought together a vast array of characters that kept the plot interesting and speeding along. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Shades of Mercy by new to me author B. Borgos, published by St. Martin's Press, is book two in the Porter Beck Series.
For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order. The previous book is The Bitter Past.
Sheriff Porter Beck has his next case laid out for him when bodies show up out of the blue.
Angsty, suspenseful, complex and unique, reading this book was a pleasure.

When special agent Maddox comes to Nevada to see Sheriff Porter Beck, he wants Beck to help him find out who's tech smart enough In his county to hack a government military drone. It seems that the drone targeted a prize bull at the Double J Ranch. Was this a warning. or a general threat? So along with Beck and a detective based in Reno , it seems that a young offender at the county youth center, might be responsible , but she had no access to a computer or other tech hardware, to be able to do it.
With wild fires spreading across large open areas that need to be contained , a large caravan of UFO believers that were coming to Area 51, a drug cartel and gun runners working in the area, a Chinese spy in their midst and the suspect has gone missing.. Beck is short staffed but needs to figure out what is really going on before things escalate.
An exciting thriller, with twist and turns, in this second Sheriff Porter Beck adventure. All of the previous characters are here along with some new ones, to help in solving the latest mystery.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read the e-galley of "Shades of Mercy".

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 16, 2024
“Shades of Mercy” is the second novel in the Sheriff Porter Beck series by author Bruce Borgos. A taut, engaging novel that turns the normally quiet and remote high desert of Nevada on its heels as multiple agencies (some secret, some not-so-secret) converge to find one lone girl who is more powerful than any of them even know.
Sheriff Porter Beck is trying to adapt to his rapidly decreasing eyesight, managing his job as Sheriff with the help of his support dog, Columbo. When a childhood friend overdoses on a particularly lethal brand of opioids, Beck has only begun to investigate when another friend, now a very successful cattle rancher, is targeted by a military drone, a drone that has been hijacked by an unknown hacker. When the hacker calls Beck out by name and begins to send him classified information, Beck is soon caught up in a whirlwind of drug kingpins, foreign spies and teenage hackers, and is fighting to save the life of a young girl in the middle of it all.
Sheriff Porter Beck and I were lucky enough to get acquainted in his first novel, “The Bitter Past”, and I was grateful for the oppourtunity to read his second adventure. Although novels like these don’t need to be read in any particular order (nor do you need to necessarily read all of the novels in the series), I always enjoy them more when I can start from the beginning.
Beck and his twelve-person crew are the underdogs in this novel, facing up against all of the big names (NSA, FBI, DOD, etc.) and, of course, coming out on top. Set in the steaming hot Nevada desert, “Mercy” is a non-stop thrill ride that had me turning the pages so quickly, I had finished the book before I even knew the end was near.
“Mercy” is perfect for police procedural readers who like hometown detectives who like to play outside the rules. Beck is smart, sharp and unassuming, which makes him a force to be reckoned with and when you add the adorable Columbo, they’re a pair that can’t be matched.
I thoroughly enjoy Borgos’ Beck series and I hope I am able to come along for the entire ride.

Sheriff Porter Beck suffers the tragic loss of a friend. Another friend has collateral damage from the destruction of a prized bull. And, drones and self-driving vehicles are out of control. Teenage friends. What do they have in common? In midst of raging forest fires, Porter himself is dealing with loss of night vision, and fears for the rest of his career. Is he the connection between these events? His sister, Brinley, his Pop, and a new “deputy”, Columbo help solve the mystery. Another fast-paced page turner in the Porter Beck series. Can’t wait for the next installment!

Porter Beck. The name sounds like a rugged ale with a smooth after taste, doesn’t it? You’d be wrong. Porter Beck is a sheriff in a Nevada’s desert country in Shades of Mercy. After years - decades, really - away from home, he’s back, doing the same work his dad did. Now, he lives with his father, who has dementia, and Beck, as most folks call him, has trouble with his eyesight at night, but he still manages a department of twelve. They battle an opium epidemic and take calls about everything else you can imagine, including taking calls about raging fires that threaten to destroy property and livestock. On the 5th of July, Beck gets an unusual call. There’s been a mystery blast at the ranch of an old high school buddy that triggers one of the strangest investigations Beck has ever been a part of. He’ll need all his military experience and then some to solve this case. Beck proves to be a smart, savvy, experienced lawman who uses every advantage and resource available to get the job done.

Beck soon learns that the attack was caused by a drone, which leads him to a hacker. This is a curious thing because the hacker is a teenage girl, Mercy Vaughn, who is currently locked up for an incredible crime. Wait! This becomes even more complex! In Mercy, he's met an unusually intelligent opponent. As the plot develops, there are other elements at work. Borgos has spun quite a wild and wooly tale, folks! If you like a fast-paced story filled with action, you’ll find that here. There are some shades of the Wild West with gun fire, killing of humans and animals, and other reckless deeds. Some readers may want to skip this book for those reasons. The hacking seems futuristic, but because we already have self-driving vehicles, it may not be far-fetched. It’s frightening!

The finale provides a satisfying twist. All’s well that ends well. Will there be a third Porter Beck novel? I hope so!

I received a digital copy of Shades of Mercyin return for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Bruce Borgos.

Thank you to St Martin’s press, Minotaur books, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC.
Having recently been introduced to the author and having read The Bitter Past, I was excited to receive this next installment. The book starts off with a bang, literally. Beck is a man with a strong belief system in right and wrong yet is willing to consider the gray. He takes nothing for granted but will examine and make his own determination.
The idea of these high value machines as the target of hacking is bone chilling but handled well. The action is non-stop, and the characters are engaging. There is a solid conclusion to the various events with a solid clue that there is likely to be a book three (and I’ll be one of the first in line to access it!).

High octane second instalment of the Porter Beck series. Man, was I excited to get this book as the first book was a stellar debut for sure! This time he has to deal with his failing night vision, and his father’s dementia. Still love the Nevada desert setting, characters, and the action. With a sherif like Beck, he will do what is necessary, even if he has to break some rules.

Can’t wait for book three!

I received a free ARC ebook of Shades of Mercy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Second in the Porter Beck series, this mystery can be read as a standalone. Porter, the local sheriff and former intelligence officer, is losing his night vision. His training has attuned his other senses but he is at a severe disadvantage when dealing with the bad guys. Here, a Mexican drug cartel, a local drug dealer, Chinese spies, an American agent/spy and an extraordinary, young, brilliant hacker combine to set off a series of dangerous encounters right in the midst of wildfire season. Porter must remain three steps ahead of these competing forces.

This novel is a very enjoyable read.

Bruce Borgos hits the home run again with this engaging mystery-thriller that’s as timely as it is action-packed. From drug epidemic to a new era of hacking warfare, this thriller is a delight to read.

Full review to be posted on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed my time with this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada and has returned home after decades away. His department is modest with twelve people.

When Becks investigation into a military drome leads him to a known hacker in the area, he is surprised to find its not only a teenager, but a teenager locked up in detention with no computer access. There’s something about the hacker that doesn’t sit quite right with Beck and when she disappears, Beck begins to think she’s in danger and time might be running out for all of them.


Bruce Borgos is back with another action packed read. I really enjoyed reading the first installment of this series last year and couldn’t wait to continue it with Shades of Mercy. I enjoy the setting of this book because when you think of Nevada, you think of Las Vegas, not a rural desert wasteland, or at least I don’t. But this book depicts just that along the Nevada, Utah state border. This book is action packed and immediately jumps in. I didn’t want to put this book down and read it one afternoon while on vacation. I absolutely love getting to know Beck’s new partner, an amazing English Lab. It’s always fun when strong characters get paired with animal companions.

This book does cover some animal death in the form of cattle being culled. This could be sensitize for some readers.

This is an action packed read you won’t want to miss.

Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos is the second book in the Porter Beck series.
Beck is the Sheriff of Lincoln County. He is a retired Military, and his father was the Sheriff before him.
One of his childhood friends dies of overdose of drugs. While another childhood friend is targeted by a highjacked military drone.
Beck starts his investigation, and the story takes off. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was well written and kept me reading. Beck uses all his knowledge, skill, and the people around him to solve the crime.
I read the first book which was good – this one was even better. I highly recommend this book and series.

Shades of Mercy is the second book in the sheriff Porter Beck series. It’s an action packed mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed. It features druglord, spies, and secret government agents. Sheriff Beck is great and I can’t wait to read more in this series! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the chance to read and review.

This second in the series book turned out to be captivating and worth the read. Plot kept the reader invested. Fast paced. Eager for the next installment. Thanks for the chance to read!

This was a thrilling and fast paced sequel to The Bitter Past. I thought it was an amazing follow-up and I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Shades of Mercy is the 2nd book in the Sheriff Porter Beck series, and this installment finds Sheriff Beck ensnarled in a wide-ranging plot centered around teenage computer hacker Mercy Vaughn. There’s a lot going on here, and the plot gets a little complicated, but the action is constant and the story moves quickly as Beck has his hands full with missing kids, wildfires, and government agents, to name a few. Although the technical jargon got cumbersome at times, it didn’t distract from the story and can be quickly dismissed. Sheriff Beck’s character is a winner and I’m looking forward to hopefully move books in this series. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.

Beck's investigation leads him to Mercy Vaughn, the one known hacker in the area. The problem is that she's a teenager, locked up with no computer access at the secure juvenile detention center. But there's something Mercy that doesn't sit quite right with Beck. But when Mercy disappears, Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.

This reader loved the first Porter Beck novel, and this one fulfills that promise beautifully. The fast pace, the twists and turns, the glimpse into life in the high desert, ll combine to make this one heck of a novel. Highly recommended. #ShadesofMercy #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

abduction, vision-issues, retinitis-pigmentosa, espionage, hacker, exmilitary, CIA, triggers, unputdownable, invisible-disability, contemporary, lies, snarky, torture, local-law-enforcement, series, fiction, Chinese-intelligence, rural, crime-thriller, siblings, Nevada, networking, wildfires, action-adventure, punny, suspense, drones*****

Mercy is a computer genius/hacker/teenager who was doing time for her misdeeds. The most relevant of which is hacking into cartel monies, this is what gets her abducted and more. Secrets are revealed, past contacts with CIA activated, and all this has the background of wildfires fed by temperatures and drought. Fast paced and alarming. Loved it!
Can't wait till it comes out in audio so I can get a copy to keep!
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#PorterBeckMysteriesBk2 Available 16 Jul 2024