This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


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

Obviously, I enjoyed everything about this next in the Porter Beck series. The main point of view being a sheriff, with lots of military intelligence training, set in a small town with lots of natural beauty, are all positives. Shades of Mercy has both spies, from China, and drug cartel gangsters from Mexico causing problems in the sheriff's area.

The story begins with a drug overdose by one of Beck's school friends. Next, there is a takeover of a government drone which blows up a prime bull of one of his other high school friends. I can't go into details without spoiling too much but Beck is kept hopping and I don't think he hardly sleeps for a week.

Between hackers and drug overdoses, he has some tricky problems to solve. Then there's a missing teenager who is known for hacking. Beck does have an excellent team of his own, plus a state agent, and his sister is helping too. The federal agents are not so helpful. Beck doesn't trust them because they aren't sharing what they know.

The end is nearly a war with plenty of bad guys. I'm thrilled with the suspenseful action, and Beck's intelligence in figuring things out and staying alive. His choices are not always easy ones. He manages justice for everyone, not just the powerful. I love the fast paced story and well-developed characters and can't wait for more. Beck has personal challenges and it will be interesting to see how he manages them over time.

4.5+ ⭐️

A worthy addition to the author’s Porter Beck series, Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos is a thrilling novel!

Drug smugglers responsible for the supply of lethal fentanyl-laced drugs; a computer hacker who takes control of a military drone to wreak havoc on an affluent (and shady) rancher’s operations; a mysterious operative searching for Mercy Vaughn, a brilliant teenager with a criminal background who is being held in a juvenile detention facility, government agents with their own agendas and much more - Lincoln Country, Nevada Sheriff Porter Beck and his twelve member department have a lot on their plate. Though Porter is struggling with eyesight, he is determined not to let his limited night vision deter him from fulfilling his duties. He is joined in his efforts to protect Mercy by Detective Charlie Blue Horse from the Department of Public Safety. The narrative follows Porter, his team and Charlie as they try to unravel a complex web of crime, deception and secrets.

The plot is complex, but the author deftly weaves all the threads of the story together into a well-paced, suspenseful narrative that kept me hooked until the very last page. I enjoyed getting to know more about Porter and his family and loved that Brinley had a larger role to play in this installment. I hope future stories see the brother-sister duo teaming up again. Mercy Vaughn was a fascinating character and I’d love to see her pop up in future installments and of course, how can you not love Beck’s new partner, a fox-red English Lab named Frank Columbo, “Bo”? The intricate plot with plenty of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor added to the mix, the vividly described setting and well-developed characters make for an absorbing read.

Overall, I found this to be a well-crafted crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I like reading about teenagers who can hack the system and do it for good. I am amazed at their talent, one I wish I had. Our sheriff, Porter Beck, believes in following the law, though he is starting to get held back a bit from his eye disease. Thank goodness he has someone who looks out for him a bit so he doesn't feel too much like a burden; a partner who has your back is one you have for life. He has an illegal drug trade, along with deaths happening in his town. What exactly is going on, and what is really happening on the ranch that seems to have mysterious people out there. Porter is in for a ride, especially when a teenager who is in jail seems to be able to hack into things. What is her role in all of this? I will say you are swept away right from the get-go with the action, and the characters are well done. There is a trigger with cows being harmed, so if you are worried or get upset over animal deaths, just bypass the section.

A sheriff in a small Nevada town discovers the threat of drugs among the residents and commits to fighting them. When one of his wealthy friends is the victim of a strange attack, the sheriff must figure out how to spread his police force while also battling his own personal challenges. Bruce Borgos brings back the charming, likable Porter Beck in the second winning book starring that character in Shades of Mercy.

Sheriff Porter Beck knows how to spread his team across their small Nevada town of Pioche, but a string of deaths from a new illegal opioid on the market along with wildfires burning in the desert are stretching them thin. Beck doesn’t know where the drugs are coming from, just that they’re killing people and hurting families he’s known for a long time. Then comes the news that the ranch of one of his close friends, Jesse, has been attacked by a drone of all things.

Beck starts investigating and learns the drone killed one of Jesse’s prize bulls—an animal worth thousands of dollars for his breeding capabilities. The federal agents who land in town tell Beck the drone is a military apparatus that was hijacked by a hacker, and the government has deduced the hacker must be somewhere close by. They put Beck on alert: find the hacker and turn them over to the government.

With nowhere else to turn for help on how hacking works or what it can do, Beck goes to a local youth center where troubled teens are housed. There he meets Mercy Vaughn, a 16-year-old girl living at the center as part of her punishment for hacking into the Federal Reserve. Beck consults with Mercy on the basic information on the case and senses she may be involved somehow.

Along with the hacking, Beck must still deal with the drug crisis that has hit the town. Soon enough, he starts to suspect that, unbelievable as it may seem, the hacking of the drone and the drugs may be linked somehow. Then Mercy goes missing, and Beck knows he’s got an even bigger problem on his hands.

Through all this, Beck continues to battle his degenerative eye condition in which his night vision is nearly nonexistent. Added to the mix is the Mexican drug cartel and a slowly increasing crowd of alien conspiracy theorists who are arriving for an annual event at Area 51. Beck knows if he doesn’t get the drug problem under control, the town of Pioche will lose more people. Yet something about Mercy’s disappearance and her involvement with the whole situation makes Beck pause, and he wonders where the lines of all of these seemingly unrelated cases will intersect.

Author Bruce Borgos brings back a more thoughtful Porter Beck. In the first book, The Bitter Past, Beck displayed a playfulness that made him likable if one to induce a few eyerolls now and then. Here Beck has settled down into a more introspective sheriff and person, one who cares deeply about the people under his purview as well as those who are close to him.

The plot of Shades of Mercy, on paper, seems a little lightweight at times, but Borgos more than makes up for it with his compelling characters and their complexity. Beck leads with a quiet confidence but isn’t afraid to lean on his officers with no trace of ego when the situation warrants. He treats women with a healthy respect and defers to their expertise in the appropriate moments while also maintaining his position as the sheriff of Pioche. He’s a gentleman and a bit of a romantic. In this book, in fact, author Borgos has found the pitch perfect tuning for his protagonist.

The intricacies of the hacking feel just the slightest bit silly at times, and the involvement of an aggressive Chinese government come across as predictable and occasionally muddies the plot. However, a movie-worthy climax and ending make up for any deficiencies in the book. Bruce Borgos offers readers a main character worth watching in what is, hopefully, the start of many Porter Beck books.

I was hooked the second I started reading this latest book in the Porter Beck mystery series set in Lincoln County Nevada. I was enthralled by the opening scenes of a hijacked military drone on the loose in Lincoln County and the unfortunate bovine victim.

I like this series for the tight, excellently plotted mystery and action scenes. There are also very human characters, like Mercy, the teenage hacker that needs Beck’s help. Sheriff Beck is also a fascinating character who can seemingly do everything from fighting federal agents to fighting fires. However, he has a crack in his armor in that his eyesight is failing from a degenerative disease, especially at night.

The first book in the series, The Bitter Past, had a few more romance scenes for our hero, lawman Porter Beck, but I didn’t miss them.

I highly recommend you give this compelling mystery series a try.

Wow, this is an action packed novel that gives new meaning to nearly continuous action, conspiracy ideas, double agents, and unforeseen twists. Beck is a tenacious lawman. I found him an engaging character. Rough and tough, he will battle any enemy to get the job done, even in the face of government interference. I like the new character, Mercy. What an intelligent and spirited young woman. The action in the book does not let up. There are a number of suspenseful scenes where it looks like Beck cannot survive.

The plot has some interesting aspects including hacking government vehicles and financial institutions. That means the government is pressuring Beck. Other aspects involve running drugs and arms. That means a powerful cartel is involved too. The setting is well constructed, taking us through the wilds of Nevada including old mining sites.

This is a great novel for readers who love suspense and are not bothered by a rising number of killed people.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Last year, I read and reviewed the first book in the Porter Beck police procedural series, The Bitter Past. I said in my review of that book that you could sign me up for any sequels, but the truth is that I’m suffering a bit lately from sequel fatigue (and there’s no real reason for it). However, the publicist for author Bruce Borgos sent me a copy of said sequel to my email inbox, so I decided to look. I’m glad I did because while The Bitter Past was a stellar read, its follow-up, Shades of Mercy, is even better. No lie. This novel fires on all cylinders and entertains in an adrenaline-fuelled way. This natural gas guzzler, a complete V8 engine, will have readers glued to the edge of their seats as they read on about the fantastic predicament Beck finds himself in. If anything, I have to wonder how in the hell Bruce Bogos will top this novel.

Shades of Mercy picks up nearly a half year after The Bitter Past left off. Sheriff Beck’s vision problems, as outlined in the first book, only continue to get worse, and he now has an opioid crisis on his hands. People are dying left and right from harmful, illegal drugs for pain that are being imported into his corner of Nevada. However, he also must figure out who had intercepted a remote-controlled aircraft being piloted by the U.S. government and shot a missile at a steer that his friend owned, which was worth a heck of a lot of money. It may seem a silly and throwaway plot point; however, the Feds are involved and are muscling in on Beck’s territory as they assume that the hacker was using the region’s mountains to get a good signal to the satellite controlling the plane. If that weren’t enough, it would turn out that the whole hack job is tied to the Chinese government but was seemingly orchestrated by a young girl named Mercy. But how did she do it? She was serving time in a youth detention center in Beck’s jurisdiction, and there was no way she would have access to a computer to do such a thing. So, what happened? That is for Beck and loyal readers to find out.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that The Bitter Past’s silly sexual tension and cheekiness are absent. There is little that is funny about Shades of Mercy, and this novel is all the better for it. While Beck’s father — who played a pivotal role in The Bitter Past — sits this one mostly out, Beck’s sister and fellow gun expert, Brinley, plays an even more significant role, and new allies are introduced. This is precisely the setup you want in a bigger and better sequel. How much better a book is Shades of Mercy? Think of The Bitter Past as akin to the original Mad Max movie and Shades of Mercy as being on par with The Road Warrior. I could go on and on about how Shades of Mercy is a vast improvement on the original. And let me remind you that the original wasn’t that bad! I must envy those who haven’t had a chance to read Shades of Mercy yet because they’re in for a superb treat. And I have to say that you can dive right in with this book — there are not too many references back to The Bitter Past, which means that that book isn’t spoiled by the more current novel. That’s an admirable feat.

So, are there any faults to be had here? Well, this is a book you can’t think about too much. Some of it — such as the killing of the bull mentioned earlier — is a bit unserious and eye-rolling. There’s a subplot about conspiracy nutjobs thinking of storming Area 51 for answers about the existence of alien life that goes nowhere (unless, of course, this is some metaphor for the Chinese being aliens in the U.S.) And the ending is quite chaotic, with the action amped up to a stunning climax. However, this is a giant quibble because I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I can’t wait to read Book 3 of this series and hope many more books of this ilk come down the pipeline.

I’d also like to see the movie adaptation of Shades of Mercy in the hands of George Miller. I’m sure he could give this book the knock-out visual touch. Ultimately, Shades of Mercy is a high-flying and explosive sequel —again, that rarity where the second book is even better than its predecessor. I probably could go on and on about how exciting and riveting this novel is, but why don’t you experience this for yourself? You need to go down to the nearest bookstore and buy this one. It more than delivers. It’s the book we need for those hot summer days at the beach. Shades of Mercy is strictly dynamite: an unrelenting, superb thriller that simmers until the boiling point is reached and all hell breaks loose. Escapism doesn’t come as good as this, so gobble this one down greedily as soon as possible!

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo meets Longmire in Shades of Mercy, a thrill-filled mystery by author Bruce Borgos. Second in Borgos’ Porter Beck series, the book grabs readers from the first page and doesn’t let go. Chinese spies, Mexican drug cartels, CIA agents, a smarter-than-you-think sheriff and the best young hackers since Lisbeth Salander combine in one of this summer’s best whodunnits. #shadesofmercy #bruceborgos #netgalley

An intricately-plotted and incredibly exciting thriller featuring an ex-military sheriff in desert Nevada. By the first 50 pages, I was hooked and had already recommended it to two people. Now that I have finished it, all I can say is wow and let me read the first one in the series. At no time did I feel that I had missed any needed backstory and this is totally a standalone. Jammed packed with super secret military operations, drug cartel and the scariest of all, cyberwarfare, the sheriff also has a fatal flaw as he's losing his eyesight.

I enjoyed this novel for its intriguing blend of mystery and small-town drama. Porter Beck, as the sheriff returning to his hometown, provides a grounded perspective on the challenges of law enforcement in a remote setting. The novel effectively captures the tension of his investigation into a series of escalating crimes involving illegal opioids and a hacked military drone.

What I liked most was how Beck’s search for the truth led him to Mercy Vaughn, a teenager whose presence in the plot added a layer of complexity. Her character, though incarcerated, becomes central to the unfolding mystery, creating a compelling narrative of urgency and danger. The unfolding drama and Beck’s relentless pursuit of answers kept me hooked.

The novel’s setting and character-driven plot made it a memorable read, blending personal stakes with broader criminal elements. It’s a gripping choice if you enjoy mysteries with a strong sense of place and an engaging, if challenging, protagonist.

Sometimes after a first book, the second isn't as good. That's NOT the case with 'Shades of Mercy'. It's as good, if not better than the first 'The Bitter Past.'. Beck's corner of the world is not so quiet anymore. Like all the country, fentanyl is taking over, and they are trying to get a hold on it. There's drones that are being highjacked by someone and doing scary things. There's a teenage girl that isn't as sweet and innocent as she looks. Will Beck be able to get a hold on everything?

Borgos continues to develop the character of Beck. I like the fact that Beck comes across as just a regular guy dealing with what life hands him. Beck is the MC, but Borgos doesn't forget about the minor characters that help the book. Borgos has developed them and they all have grown a bit since the first book. Borgos writes about the government in a way that comes across as real. We all now that the government hides things from us, and Borgos addresses this head on, so far in both books. Beck is becoming my favorite MC in Police Procedurals, Conspiracy and Crime genres. I enjoyed the Area 51 story. I can't wait for the 3rd book. Borgos left a little cliff hanger and I want to know what Beck is going to do. Hurry up and write, Borgos!!

Published July 16, 2024

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin Press, Minotaur Books and Borgos for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊 Happy Reading 😊

#netgalley #saintmartinpress #minotaurbooks #bruceborgos #shadesofmercy #arc #readmytbr #readmykindle #readaway2024

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

This is an easy, fast paced, rural police thriller that will be one people like to pick up. Was it ground breaking or super memorable? Probably not. Did I enjoy it anyway? Absolutely.

Shades of Mercy is perfect for fans of Longmire and Joe Pickett, while they wait for the next book to be released in those series.

Sheriff Beck is investigating a hacked military drone in rural Nevada. His county has a whole lot of land and a dearth of people, including his small police force of only twelve officers. With such a small suspect pool, he zeros in on the sole local hacker. But when she in turn disappears, his mission changes to a rescue operation.

This book is so much fun. Sheriff Beck has unique quirks like night blindness and an in depth knowledge of the locals in his small, but spread out, hometown. His dog, Columbo, is immeasurably cute despite flunking out of both drug and bomb sniffing school. His father, the former Sheriff, is struggling with dementia but still has time for a few snarky asides. All of the characters, including the rural big sky setting that seems like its own character, are fully fleshed out. This is a police procedural so armchair detectives can mostly take a break from detecting and just watch the plot play out.

Overall, Shades of Mercy doesn’t add much to the quirky rural police procedural sub-genre. However, it is a fun read that is a pleasant way to spend a weekend. 4 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

This is the second installment in the Porter Beck series and I am glad to see where it is going. We are getting to know some characters more and going on new adventures with them.

In Shades of Mercy we are dealing with the very real issues of drug and gun trafficking. While there was a scene that I could have done without, I really enjoyed this book. More of this one was set up in Northern Nevada, an area I was not as familiar with as the first book, but that did not dampen my enjoyment.

I cannot wait to see where Bruce takes Porter Beck and the rest of the cast in the next book.

I love this book. Fast paced action packed thriller. Teenage computer hacker, Chinese agents, Mexican drug cartel, and a local small town Sheriff, who can't see in the dark, combine to make a edge of your seat story.

Shades of Mercy is the second book in the Porter Beck series. It takes place a few months after the events in The Bitter Past. Beck is brought into an investigation where his close friend had a prize bull killed by a drone that had been hacked. This book had it all. I did find the plotline a little over the top (the Chinese secret agent angle was a little over the top). But it didn't affect how I liked the book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery
Triggers: Drug Addiction.

Mercy is a teen who has found herself incarcerated for stealing millions of dollars. She is genius level smart, especially with computers, and when her knack for hacking becomes an issue, the U.S. Government will stop at nothing to prevent her from using her skills.

Beck is a small-town police officer. He knows the townspeople, has friends he grew up with, and now, has to track down drugs that are somehow killing his residents. As he tries to unravel the mystery behind where the drugs are coming from and who is behind it, Beck is thrust into the middle of a government operation that he knows smells off.

With the military sniffing around and some shifty characters entering his town, Beck will have to figure out if he can trust the fellow alphabet officers who've started to invade his town. Mercy will have to decide where her loyalties will fall. Mercy's life is staked high in this game of cat and mouse.

This was a good mystery. It was a little chaotic in the beginning, but I enjoyed watching the characters really learn to trust themselves and each other, even with the mystery behind what was going on, but overall, this was a fun read. I can't wait to see if she's in the next book.

This is the second book in the Porter Beck series. It’s a fast paced, action packed mystery. It’s thrilling and full of suspense. The plot is riveting and held my attention. It’s a very good read.

Plot in short: Sheriff Beck is investigating the death of a childhood friend. The FBI gets called in & soon a story unravels about espionage, drugs, nuclear weapons and revenge.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! Sheriff Porter Beck is back and so much is happening once again with a plot that builds in intensity as you read. The thing I love about this book is the fast paced action, vivid detailed descriptions that make you feel like you’re in the high desert & diverse characters. It’s almost like you’re watching a movie! I loved the way the book tied together a Mexican cartel, a military attack drone targeting a rancher & a 16 year old hacker. It kept me guessing and fully invested throughout.

If you are looking for an incredible mystery with twists, intrigue and a main character with a witty sense of humor, then this is the book. Sheriff Porter Beck patrols the county with his Deputy Frank Columbo aka Bo, his dog. He is slowly losing his night vision due to a medical issue, but his sharp mind, his instinct and his Army background as an investigator give him an advantage over the criminals as well as other law enforcement. When a government plane’s computer is hijacked, a prized bull is blown up. This is only the beginning of this complex mystery. Beck can’t believe that a sixteen-year-old girl, a brilliant computer hacker, may have been able to take over the plane’s controls. Meeting Mercy Vaughn soon changes his mind. He now believes she is capable, but how since she is not allowed access to computers. He is further dealing with the growing problem of fentanyl in his county, a second incident of a vehicle’s computer hijacked, a fire out of control and now Mercy is missing. I wanted to know how this would all end, but I also didn’t want it to end! Loved it! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)