Fast paced and thrilling, with some crazy hacking too. Bruce Borgos creates interesting characters and situations with lots of plot twists. Well done.

Following the author's spectacular thriller debut, The Bitter Past, this second book is no less thrilling.

The opioid drug running from Mexico has hit Sheriff Beck's patch as a childhood friend succumbs to badly formulated fentanyl. Then Beck is called to another childhood friend's ranch where the friend has become a wildly successful rancher, raising some of the finest grade of beef for miles around. That is until someone threatens that success by taking out the prized breeding bull with a hijacked military grade drone. Meanwhile, lethal drugs are coming into the region and munitions are heading out to Mexico. What has Beck's friend gotten himself into and who is trying to put a stop to his success? And what's with all the Chinese agents?

Yet again, author Bruce Borgos has done a spectacular job of setting the scene, steadily building tension throughout the story, bringing it to a full climax and then gently easing it to a satisfying conclusion. The writing is excellent and the characters are well developed. There's a certain charm to protagonist Sheriff Beck. He's not perfect and all the more admired for it. This was yet another satisfying thriller by a deftly skilled writer.

Triggers: some rough language and graphic grisly detail involving animals

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: ‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: July 16, 2024
No. of Pages: 352
ISBN-13:‎ 978-1250848093

Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos is the second book in the Porter Beck Mystery Series. To my knowledge it's the first thing I've ever read by this author (so, obviously, I didn't read the first Porter Beck mystery). This one wasn't at all what I was expecting; that is neither a good thing nor a bad thing just a point of information. I was thinking it would be something along the lines of a Neo-Western or Rural Noir when it's actually more of an espionage/adventure novel.

A team of seemingly regular small town cops form a ragtag elite team with a plethora of special skills and deep connections to various intelligence agencies. It's one of those things where most everyone has a friend, associate, or former lover who has just the right connections to bypass official channels and make things happen.

A series of events with international (if not global) implications brings in a man-in-black type who represents an unspecified government agency which, in turn, leads to an inter-agency tug of war. At the center of it all is a teenage hacker with a murky past.

Not bad at all but not really my cup of tea... Tumbler of Scotch... Shot of whiskey... You get the idea.

As with most series there's a bit of backstory that comes into play but it's not excessive. The hacker character, Mercy Vaughn, is an enigma that more or less drives everything for reasons that are essential to the plot and fairly convoluted. In the end it all gets explained.

It was an okay read. Not really my kind of story but not a bad experience.

Another excellent read from Bruce Borgos. Shades of Mercy was an excellent book, and I could not put it down. Beck finds himself in a tangled web of old friends, criminals, and mystery. The characters are well thought out and I absolutely love this series!

I haven't read anything in this series and didn't need to. I got the background of everyone without a ton of exposition.

This was a fun read but did tackle some heady issues (and didn't explore them enough, but with all the action there wasn't enough time). Beck is a likeable (if overly qualified) MC, and the cast of character around him were fun. The only nitpick I have is the racial commentary; it was pretty clunky. I understand why it was there but it just didn't feel organic.

Recommended for those who like action and intrigue.

I really love this series! The characters are so great and so well defined, I can picture them so well, and love them all, even the evil ones! I love the stories, but especially like character driven novels. This was a great addition to this series. Keep writing and keep Beck from losing his eyesight!!! Maybe a new operation or something? Hope so! Beck and Charlie are great together! Keep writing, and I promise to keep reading!

A terrific, fast paced mystery set in the Nevada desert. It met the requirements of a really well written novel. Plot twists, clever misleading information, and memorable characters. Apparently, Porter is a recurring favorite sheriff of the author. Larger than life he does seem to escape a little too easily from incredibly difficult gunfights and bloody confrontations. Coupled with a clever plot that includes computer hacking and Chinese spies, it is never boring. They are all part of the suspense and the fun of reading a novel like this. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. I did!

Many thanks for the complimentary ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and the author/publisher.

This easily makes my 2024 Favorites list! Bruce Borgos brings back Sheriff Porter Beck (much to my delight) in an addicting crime fiction story that keeps a good pace throughout, and leaves off with an open door to more (hopefully). While it is book #2 of the Porter Beck series, it’s not necessary to read #1 to enjoy this one.

In Shades of Mercy we meet Mercy, a computer genius who leaves you wondering about everything surrounding her. I think what I like best is that the twists are never quite what I expect and it’s smart, innovative, and refreshing. This is the type of book I hate to put down. Good character development draws you in and makes for an highly entertaining read.

This was the second book in the Porter Beck series. I have read both and they are good. The pacing and plotting are tight. The language is fun, Borgos plays with words to create an atmosphere and I enjoy that; it’s poetic.

I love that there are many strong, female characters in this series and that the hero is flawed but doing his best. Borgos sometimes stretches credulity but it works to further the story.

These mysteries are fun and exciting. They would probably appeal to readers of CJ Box, Craig Johnson, Louisa Luna, and Jane Harper.

I care about these characters and will definitely read more of these as they come out. I also love that Borgos named such a cool character after his beloved pet. 😊

Being a big fan of series books this one is great. Can't wait for another. Don't want this to be a spoiler alert but would have liked more info on the Leonburger unless I missed something. He was also a character of interest in the previous story. Highly recommend.

Shades of Mercy
Bruce Dorgos
Detective mystery
July 2024 release
2024-31❤️❤️❤️❤️4.7
📚📚 📚
❤️❤️❤️JJ’s last words. This is a Porter Beck mystery, but the first I’ve read. It was an easy stand alone for me to read but I’m totally into this character and going to get this series. Beck is the sheriff of a high desert town in Nevada. Lately a series of fentanyl deaths have taken over the country and coincide with his childhood friend Jesse Roy’s return to town and building a mansion on the dessert. On the night of Jesse’s daughter’s 17th birthday, a military missile drone
is hacked and flown over his ranch targeting and killing his prize bull. This sets off a series of events with the entire federal government showing up in town, looking for a hacker. As the hacker begins sending emails to Beck, he ends up on the middle, protecting his family, his county, and a teenage girl in the center of an international conspiracy.
This is good ole’ sheriff novels at its best. Beck is experienced, smart, and committed to doing the right thing even if he had to break all the rules. Definitely one of my favorite characters. Enjoyed the smart snd funny writing. Fans of CJ Box and Sue Grafton will love this one.

Disclaimer: St Martins and Minotaur (with NetGalley) publishing gave me access to this advanced readers copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A story as old as time BUT! Sometimes you just have to be you? Mercy is herself through thick and thin. Just a kid in a mature mind. Love the Shirreff to too cool! Enjoyment with how people can pull together to BEST the rest!

This is the follow up to The Bitter Past and it did not disappoint. There are drug lords, cybercrimes, and intermingled are some unlikely relationships forming while solving the mystery. What more could you ask for in a novel.

thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos
First of all thank you to St Martins Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this fantastic second book of Mr Borgos He has done it again.
Sheriff Porter has another situation on his hands – this time dealing with a brilliant hacker – drones and people trying to push him out of the way. A young teenager who is housed in detention for hacking computers – and she is brilliant at it – stealing a drone from the government and attacking her friend’s father’s ranch to stop his drug trafficking. And it gets more and more involved, lots of characters and who is doing what may take a few to figure it out but you will enjoy this read to the very end, and want more. I cannot wait and am hoping for another book in this series soon.

Bruce Burgos has done it again! I loved his first book in the Porter Beck series. Shades of Mercy grabs your interest from the beginning, the character Porter Beck is brought to life as an interesting and remarkable character. His other characters are just as interesting. The book brings out America's current problems and enemies into one great story. I could not put this book down and I highly recommend it.

She’s a computer genius, but what side of the law is she on?

Sheriff Porter Beck is back in this timely novel that combines computer hacking, deception, spies, cartels, and foreign powers into one exciting novel. Trying to put the pieces together into a cohesive strategy has the sheriff losing a lot of sleep and almost losing his life.

The plot revolves around Mercy, the person who is able to snatch control of armed drones from their military handlers and use those drones for her own purpose. In the process she is making a lot of people very angry and a lot poorer. I won’t go into any details, the plot is complex and I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment. Just know that you are going to love reading this book whether you read the first Sheriff Beck, The Bitter Past, or not.

Shades of Mercy is the second book of the Porter Beck series. Beck must save a young girl from multiple groups, all after her incredible computer skills. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and love the author’s ability to create characters that make the story more compelling and interesting. I definitely recommend reading both Beck books!

The second installment of Sheriff Porter Beck, and while it follows the previous one I do like that you don’t necessarily need to read the first one, but I would recommend it! I definitely enjoyed all the action packed into this. You never know where these books will take you, but I wasn’t disappointed. All the cyber hacking and dark web stuff is always an interesting topic to me.
In the current state of the world, I also really appreciate the representation of the Uyghurs.

I’m looking forward to the next installment to see where Beck goes from here (hopefully🤞🏼)

The author outdid himself in the follow-up to the first in this series ‘The Bitter Past’. It blew me away! The plot begins with an explosive event and the hold-your-breath action never lets up. The Nevada desert has more than area 51 aliens at play in this heart-stopping action thriller. Sheriff Porter Beck is facing an old friend who might be on the wrong side of the law these days. Beck will also have to deal with missiles, hackers, the Cartel, spies, the FBI, CIA, and various other alphabet agencies. All this due to one teenage genius whose computer skills has garnered the government’s full attention. The story is filled with interesting characters on both sides of the law. Mercy, the tech whiz, is certainly the star of the book. Her character was memorable and touched me. I was also particularly drawn to Beck’s sister, Brinley, in the first novel, and she played a significant role in this plot as well. Beck’s medical impairment presents challenges and his trusty dog was entertaining. The technology used in many of the scenarios was frightening and terrifying. The book gripped me from page one and never let up. Did I mention I really liked this book?
Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of “Shades Of Mercy” by Bruce Borgos, and to publisher St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, expected publication 07/16/2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Wow! Shades of Mercy is a lot of fun. Borgos proves the great debut novel in his 'Porter Beck' series was no fluke as he gifts us with an even better one. He moves into 'Longmire' territory with the action here. Drug lords. Foreign spies. Secretive government agents. You'll find them all in this thrill ride. The stellar supporting cast is supplemented with some brilliant new characters. Borgos really sets the bar high with this adventure. It propels the series to a deserved place among the best in the genre. It will leave you looking forward to what comes next for Porter and gang. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.