Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
In an idyllic Colorado town, a young girl goes missing--and the trail leads into the heart and mind of a remorseless killer.

The late summer heat in Echo Valley, Colorado turns lush greenery into a tinder dry landscape. When a young girl mysteriously disappears, long buried grudges rekindle.Of the two Flores girls, Marisa was the one people pegged for trouble. Her younger sister, Lena, was the quiet daughter, dutiful and diligent--right until the moment she vanished.

Detective Jo Wyatt is convinced the eleven-year-old girl didn't runaway and that a more sinister reason lurks behind her disappearance. For Jo, the case is personal, reaching far back into her past. But as she mines Lena's fractured family life, she unearths a cache of secrets and half-lies that paints a darker picture.

As the evidence mounts, so do the suspects, and when a witness steps forward with a shocking new revelation, Jo is forced to confront her doubts, and her worst fears. Now, it's just a matter of time before the truth is revealed--or the killer makes another deadly move.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 2021

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

M.E. Browning

4 books268 followers
M.E. BROWNING writes the Jo Wyatt Mysteries. The first in the series, SHADOW RIDGE, won the Colorado Book Award for Mystery and the silver medal in the popular fiction category of the Florida Book Awards. The adventures continue in MERCY CREEK, which launches in October 2021. Writing as Micki Browning, she penned the Agatha-nominated and award-winning Mer Cavallo mysteries, ADRIFT and BEACHED, and her short stories and nonfiction have appeared in anthologies, textbooks, diving and mystery magazines. Micki’s novels draw on her twenty-two years of experience in law enforcement. An FBI National Academy graduate, she retired as a captain before turning to a life of crime…fiction.

"An engaging premise, briskly paced through a labyrinth of mystery."
—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series


"Such a terrific book...Fans of Sue Grafton and Julia Spencer-Fleming will find a new favorite series."
—Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of The First to Lie

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
92 (32%)
4 stars
130 (45%)
3 stars
56 (19%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
3,989 reviews12.9k followers
August 19, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, M.E. Browning, and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I can always be guaranteed an intense read when I choose one of M.E. Browning’s novels and this was no exception. Focussing less on the razzle-dazzle of the big city, Browning takes things into a more rural setting and turns her attention on the story, with its strong characters and ever-evolving plot. In Echo Valley, Colorado, Detective Jo Wyatt is still trying to make a name for herself, seeking to step from the shadow her father’s cast. When a young girl goes missing, it’s more than a case, but a trip down a bumpy part of the past. Wyatt is forced to relive a time when she lost a good friend to a jealous accusation and has never been able to settle things. Now, as time passes and the girl is nowhere to be found, it’s a race for answers and truths in a community that almost seems indifferent. The truth is out there, but Wyatt will have to peel back layers of emotion to get to the core of the matter! Another great story that is sure to impress many readers.

In Echo Valley, Colorado, there’s nothing like a fair. The midway, the animals, and even the county competitions stir up intrigue in this small community. However, when young Lena Flores does not show up on Sunday morning, some begin to wonder what’s going on. Her mother, Tilda, is beside herself and cannot get the police out to the house fast enough. Lena’s older sister, Marisa, is sure her sister is only seeking some attention, but this soon turns to worry, when the eleven year-old appears to have simply vanished.

When Detective Jo Wyatt is called to the scene, it’s more than just a job. Wyatt grew up in Echo Valley and has been trying to make a name for herself on the police force, seeking to dodge the reputation her father delivered from a long career on the force. Wyatt’s also got a long history with the Flores parents, dating back to their time in high school when things went horribly wrong. Still, this is a missing child case and Wyatt will do all she can to bring Lena home safely.

Combing through the fields and any video surveillance they can, Wyatt and her partner finger a few possible suspects, including the girl’s father, Lucero. Digging a little deeper, Wyatt tries to piece together what might have happened and who could have wanted to abduct Lena. All the while, she is trying to deal with the politics of a new chief and his plans for Echo Valley.

Working as many leads as she can, including a carny who took an unhealthy interest in Lena, Detective Wyatt tries to make headway in a case that is slipping out of her grasp. With little on which to go and the clock speeding ahead, this could soon morph into a case of a different sort. When a call comes in that some hikers found something along a trail, it sends a frigid jolt down Wyatt’s spine and opens another can of worms best left shelved, as well as a new line of questioning. A strong story and gripping ending shows that M.E. Browning has what it takes to make an impact.

I’ve enjoyed each of the novels M.E. Browning has penned, as they get to the core of the matter in short order and seek to develop a strong story without all the glitz and glamour that some authors feel must decorate their writing. Gritty and heartfelt in equal measure, Browning tells a story and keeps the reader on their toes throughout the experience, trusting the strength of her writing. I powered through this book in short order, as it was that good and found myself connected to the story.

Jo Wyatt is again front and centre in this piece, working through her own issues to serve the community of Echo Valley. She’s got big shoes to fill, something those around her never fail to mention, yet she is always trying to better herself and help those in need. The reader is able to see a glimpse of her personal struggles from a past that had many issues, as well as some growth in her professional career. I am eager to see more of her in the coming years, as she comes across as a no-nonsense cop with a great deal to prove, both to herself and all readers.

Browning develops strong supporting characters throughout the piece, keeping the story moving along without being derailed by too many sub-plots. Things develop effectively with those who complement Detective Wyatt well, as each storyline links together at some point in the larger narrative. Shedding light on both the investigation and an earlier time in Echo Valley, these characters offer something needed to the story without over complicating the delivery.

There’s something about a focused and gritty procedural that gets me every time. M.E. Browning delivers a great deal in this second novel of her new series. With a strong narrative, the story flows well and each subplot finds its place. Gaining momentum through a string of mid-length chapters, the story keeps a good focus and yet develops both plot and character without needing to add unnecessary flourishes. Browning has proven herself yet again and can hold the reader’s attention throughout, using small town settings to hone the basics of the story. I’m eager to see where things will go from here, as this is a series that caught my eye and has so many loose threads yet to be tied off. Let’s hope M.E. Browning feels the same way!

Kudos, Madam Browning, for another great piece. I hope others take notice and find themselves as enthralled as I was throughout.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/me...

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews463 followers
October 3, 2021
That could have been better. Set in Echo Valley Colorado, an 11 year old girl goes missing while the carnival is in town. That’s pretty much it. Did she run away? Or was she abducted?

Lena Flores has lived with her father Lucero since she was 6. Her parents separated when she was a toddler Lena loves animals, any sort of animals and Lucero is a vet. Lena is also a good girl, smart but sensitive and missing! Her 15 year old sister Marisa lives with their mother Tilda Marquet who is an ER nurse. Marisa is much more outgoing and is desperate to leave the small town and expand her social media presence which is already impressive for one so young. Lena was supposed to be with her dad the night she disappeared but he said he had a call out so she should go to her mum’s place with Marisa after the carnival.

In this story there didn’t seem to be any reliable narrators and apparently everyone had secrets and everyone was lying and/or hiding something. I thought that, right there, was already too much. Detective Jo Wyatt is one the case but she went to school with both parents and dated Lucero for a short while so I thought she had pre-conceived ideas about them both (which she did). Suspects, including both parents, were dangled in front of the reader constantly until at one stage I thought everyone in town must be a suspect.

But slowly the lies unravelled and some elements of the truth appeared distantly through the fog of misdirection. Again, I didn’t like the ending, I thought it was overly melodramatic and therefore implausible. I don’t tend to like stories where all the mystery is a product of misdirection. As I said it could have been better. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Profile Image for "Avonna.
1,267 reviews513 followers
October 22, 2021
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

MERCY CREEK (Jo Wyatt Mystery Book #2) by M.E. Browning is an intense small town police procedural/mystery/thriller with a determined female detective lead and a strong cast of secondary characters that is fast becoming a must read for me. This is the second book in the Jo Wyatt series and it is easily read as a standalone, but I feel you should go back and read the first book just because it is as intriguing a crime/mystery and will give you a little more back story on the main characters.

Detective Jo Wyatt is in the dunk tank for charity at the carnival that has come to Echo Valley on a late summer morning when she and her partner are notified of a missing eleven-year-old girl, Lena Flores. Lena’s parents are divorced and she was staying at her mother’s home the night of the 4-H show. Her older sister was with her at the carnival as she took care of her steer in the 4-H show the night before and returns home with her later. But she does not show up for the morning show.

Jo is convinced Lena did not runaway, but something more sinister happened to her. As she and her partner investigate the parent’s, she attended high school with in the past, she discovers secrets and lies which leave her questioning decisions in her past. There are plenty of suspects and with each new piece of evidence in the investigation, Jo is soon facing a shocking revelation which could be her last.

I am always amazed and intrigued with the intricate plotting and step-by-step investigations in this author’s stories. The plots and characters are both believable and emotionally engaging. Jo is the type of strong, intelligent and determined law enforcement officer I love to follow. Her personal life is not smooth and that just makes her more relatable. All the secondary characters are fully developed, good and bad. The crime plot in this book is dark and horrific with a stunning climax. I was on the edge-of-my-seat to the very end.

I highly recommend this new Jo Wyatt book and I cannot wait for more!
1,818 reviews72 followers
September 25, 2021
This is the first Browning I have read and I really enjoyed this book. I will add her to my list of favorite authors. A young girl from a difficult family goes missing and Detective Jo Wyatt is assigned the case. Well done with good plot twists. Recommended to lovers of police mysteries.
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,381 reviews206 followers
October 28, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

📚Mercy Creek, the second book in the Jo Wyatt mystery, delivered an intense and engaging mystery. It kept me glued to the pages, had me guessing, and then it astounded me with an unexpected revelation.

📚Mercy Creek reminded me of the reasons I admired Detective Jo Wyatt. A no nonsense woman who made it her mission to find justice for victims. This time around, the victim is an eleven-year-old girl who went missing after attending a carnival. Everyone believed Lena ran away, but Jo believe it to be a case of kidnapping. She is determined to find Lena before the case of a suspected kidnapping becomes a homicide.

Jo’s investigation led her to Lena’s parents, which opened a big can of worms. Secrets and lies from the past came to light, which led to Jo questioning what was real and what was not. The investigation revealed several suspects, all whom I found distasteful.

Jo’s interaction with her colleagues balanced out the dark side of the investigation. I didn’t like the new police chief. It’s clear he has a hidden agenda, which included trapping Jo in his net. I am so glad she did not fall for the carrot he dangled in front of her. Her best friend Aiden made an appearance and despite them not getting much page time, the chemistry between them sizzled. But of course they are still in denial.

The story slowly developed, gradually picking up the momentum and culminating in a dangerous situation. In the last moments, the story had me on the edge of my seat. The revelation of the identity of the person behind Lena’s disappearance surprised me. I never expected it to be that person, even though their actions throughout the story disgusted me.

I had a great time revisiting Echo Valley, Colorado. The mystery was solid and well plotted; the characters were dysfunctional and authentic, and the story was well crafted. All these combined made 📚Mercy Creek an entertaining and satisfying read.

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Profile Image for Lelia Taylor.
872 reviews18 followers
October 15, 2021
A missing child is guaranteed to cause all sorts of heartache and that’s certainly borne out in Mercy Creek. Police procedurals come in all shapes and sizes but, to my way of thinking, the most effective are those that allow the reader into the characters’ psyches. Ms. Browning does this quite well but then takes us further by giving us a compelling plot.
Red herrings abound here and I was repeatedly led down a garden path, so to speak, a very positive effect for me. No matter what kind of mystery I’m reading, it’s the puzzle that draws me in, the hunt for the truth, and this author kept me guessing, not only about what happened to Lena but also about the psychology behind the crime and the dysfunction of some of the characters (actually, almost everyone, Jo included, to some extent).

Bottomline, this is a nicely crafted detective tale and my only quibble is that I think I might have understood Jo a bit better if I had read the first book. Guess I’ll have to remedy that now ;-)
Profile Image for Melanie Gordon.
371 reviews16 followers
October 17, 2021
This is the second book in the Detective Jo Wyatt books, but can be read as a stand alone. I have not yet read the first book, so dove into this one blind. After reading this, I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by the author!

A young girl, Lena, goes missing in a small, rural Colorado town and detective Jo Wyatt is called to the case. She must determine weather Lena simply ran away, or if she was abducted. Detective Wyatt is determined to solve the case, but with little leads to go on, the case seems to be slipping further and further from her grasp. Jo must also confront and deal with difficult memories from the past between her & Lena’s parents. Will she find Lena alive? Will they catch whoever is responsible for her disappearance?

There are plenty of suspects to follow and keep you guessing along the way. This is a really good mystery read sprinkled with some suspense.

The author does an amazing job of character development and developing a strong story that is sure to keep the reader engaged and interested, I know I was! She does an amazing job at telling the story to the reader in such a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, giving you little at a time, at just the right pace, to keep you in suspense and on edge until the ending.
Profile Image for Jay.
539 reviews19 followers
October 19, 2021
In MERCY CREEK, the 2nd book in M.E. Browning's Jo Wyatt mystery series, Detective Jo Wyatt finds herself tasked with finding the young Lena Flores who has disappeared from her home in the middle of the night. Everyone figured if anyone would find themselves in harm's way, it would be Marisa Flores, the social media "influencer" not the shy, animal loving Lena.

Working the case as a presumed kidnapping, Jo immediately finds herself stymied in the investigation. Less because of the scant facts to go on but rather because she has a history with Lucero and Tilda, the parents of the missing girl. As high school students, the three of them were involved in a long ago incident that left Lucero under arrest by Jo's father.

The parents, now divorced, have no love for Jo and make the early going in the case difficult. Jo and her partner Squint (who is on better terms with Tilda) are trying to locate Lena, but have to deal with a new chief out to make a name for himself, a hungry media and a host of suspects that do everything they can to make themselves look guilty.

If that's not enough to give Jo sleepless nights, she's offered a promotion that she knows she deserves but has to decide if the way she would get it will do more harm to her career than good.

Jo and the rest of the cops are chasing down every lead in the case. But as truths, lies and secrets start to unravel and be revealed, a darker picture starts to emerge. In order to bring Lena home, Jo has to track down a deliberately devious villain who will do whatever it takes to hide from the law. But that will leave Jo in more danger than she could possibly realize where she'll have to worry not just about finding Lena but making it home herself.

I really liked SHADOW RIDGE, the first book in the Jo Wyatt series, but I think M.E. Browning surpassed it with MERCY CREEK. This is a dark tale and her writing manages to straddle a number of lines. There's the adrenaline rush of the danger faced in the book, the page turning need to see what clue will be revealed next, there's moments of redemptive uplift and heartbreaking grief. And while I'm not sure if it was intended or not, I thought I noticed the whole "nurture-vs-nature" argument being lightly touched on as well. And just when you think you know where Browning is going to take you, she shakes up the narrative like an Etch-A-Sketch.

MERCY CREEK is tour-de-force storytelling that will capture the reader's imagination from first page to last as Jo rushes headlong towards a shattering conclusion that will stun readers into breathlessness with its visceral intensity!
Profile Image for Kathy .
3,474 reviews
October 12, 2021
4.5 stars.

Mercy Creek by M.E. Browning is an enthralling mystery. Although this newest release is the second Jo Wyatt Mystery, it can be read as a standalone.

It is late summer in Echo Valley, CO and the fair is in town. Fifteen-year-old Marisa and her eleven-year-old sister Lena are at the fair together, but the two girls could not be more different. Marisa is a social media influencer with plenty of business savvy and a dream for her future. Lena is a tomboy who loves spending time with animals and in the outdoors. Although her older sister is outgoing and popular, Lena is quiet and keeps to herself.

When Lena fails to show up at the 4H barn the following morning, her mother Tilda Marquet is worried because her daughter is reliable and dedicated to her animals. Her ex-husband Lucero Flores denies their daughter is with him and Marisa insists they arrived home together from the fair. Detective Jo Wyatt does not believe Lena wandered off on her own and she, along with her partner Squint MacAllister, begin their investigation. Jo has a bit of history with Tilda and Lucero but she would never allow personal feelings to get in the way of her job. With few clues to go on, will she and Squint locate Lena before she comes to harm?

Jo is tenacious as she works long hours in hopes of finding Lena alive and well. Tilda’s alibi is easy to confirm and she is fully co-operative with the investigation. Jo soon discovers that Lucero is not as forthcoming as his former wife and he makes no effort to hide his animosity toward Jo. With a little girl’s life on the line, Jo is unwilling to antagonize him, but she knows he is hiding something from her. Why would Lucero not be completely honest with her? And why  do some his answers to her questions feel a bit off to Jo? She finds it hard to believe Lucero would harm his daughter, but why else would he be evasive and impede their investigation?

Mercy Creek is a riveting small-town mystery with a fast-moving storyline. Jo is an intelligent woman with sharp investigative instincts. She is a consummate professional who puts all of her energy into locating Lena. She meticulously follows every piece of evidence in hopes of finding answers about what happened to the missing pre-teen. With stunning twists and turns, M.E. Browning brings this clever police procedural to an edge-of-the seat, dramatic conclusion. I highly recommend this outstanding Jo Wyatt Mystery to fans of the genre.
Profile Image for Joan.
3,852 reviews89 followers
October 11, 2021
That Browning has police experience really shows in this novel. The detail of the missing child investigation is engaging. Jo is a tenacious detective. I like her better in this novel than the first one. She doesn't seem to have a chip on her shoulder any longer. She just wants to find the missing child. There are plenty of suspects to follow as additional facts are revealed. There is a good dose of breath catching suspense near the end.

While the investigation of the missing child is prominent, the narrative is just as much about Jo and her complex relationships. Her investigation brings up the past as more of her earlier life is revealed. This is a good mystery for readers who like a balance of investigative procedure and character development. I am liking Jo more and more and will be looking for the next novel featuring her.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,410 reviews35 followers
November 3, 2021
In Mercy Creek, book two of the Jo Wyatt Mystery Series, author M.E. Browning transports the reader to Echo Valley, Colorado, to catch up with Detective Jo Wyatt as she investigates the disappearance of eleven year old Lena Flores after spending Saturday at the Echo Valley fairgrounds.

Detectives Jo Wyatt and Squint Mac Allister get the call to investigate the disappearance of eleven year old Lena Flores when she doesn't report to the 4-H livestock pavilion at the fairgrounds on Sunday morning. Jo and Squint begin a tireless investigation to prove that Lena did not run away, but was a missing child case. Lena's disappearance stirs up secrets and grudges within Lena's family that includes some issues from the past that involves Jo. With a growing list of suspects, Jo is determined to find out what happened to Lena.

Author M.E. Browning weaves a slow-building and suspenseful tale that follows Jo's latest investigation to uncover the truth behind Lena's disappearance. I loved reading this action-packed story. Jo's observations and detail to the police procedure used within the investigation coupled with her past history with the girl's family kept me intrigued as she slowly put the pieces of the mystery puzzle together.

The reader will be easily drawn into this richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as long hidden secrets, family dramas, a growing list of possible suspects, motives, and clues are uncovered, while leaving the reader completely shocked by the surprise ending. And if that's not enough, Jo is still dealing with personal issues: her recent divorce from ex-husband Cameron Finch, and being passed over for the police department's sergeant position by him, while also dealing with a new police chief and trying to strengthen her position as a detective within the Echo Valley Police Department.

I look forward to reading more of Jo's investigations in the Jo Wyatt Mystery Series.

Mercy Creek has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via NetGalley from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Profile Image for Tanya R.
1,020 reviews31 followers
September 17, 2021
Oh my goodness - M.E. Browning has done it again!  I'm totally infatuated with the MC, Jo Wyatt!  There are so many detective books out there but there is something about this one that I really connect with.  She's so full of passion to get to the truth and simply never gives up.

The writing style of the Jo Wyatt stories are very well paced, easy to read and keep me riveted the entire way through.

In Book 1, there was something that occurred, off the main path of the story, that was like a sucker punch right to my solar plexus.  In Book 2, Browning provided another sucker punch, I was almost in tears with this one.   I love the emotional connections that this author creates through her writing.

If you haven't had a chance to pick up Book 1 yet, Shadow Ridge, make sure you grab it soon!  These two books can be read as stand alone but they are so good, you will want to read them both.  I can't wait until the next installment of this series!!

Thank you to #CrookedLaneBooks and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Kari.
3,755 reviews89 followers
June 19, 2022
Mercy Creek is the second book featuring detective Jo Wyatt. This takes place months after the first book. I think it could be read as a stand alone novel. This time around Jo and her partner Squint are looking for a missing girl. Jo has a personal tie to the parents of missing Lena.

I enjoyed this one as much as the first book. I still love Jo as a character. She goes through lot of growth in this book. I was totally on board with her career decision in the end. She goes through a lot in this book. This was definitely a more disturbing mystery. I kept wavering on what I thought really happened. But I don't want to spoil anything, so that's all I'll say. I definitely recommend this one and I can't wait to see what Jo is up to next.
346 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2021
I did not read the first book, but after this I certainly want too.
Meet Lena, 4 H member, lover of nature, total opposite of her older sister Marisa, social influencer, lover of the latest fashion. Lena is missing, runaway, kidnapped …. Detective Jo Wyatt is called in, what makes it harder is that she knows the mom and the dad from her high school days and there is some bad history that makes it hard for those involved to realize that Jo is fighting for Lena.
Excellent book, keeps you guessing on the edge of your seat!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an early read in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Darcia Helle.
Author 28 books720 followers
October 21, 2021
Mercy Creek takes us to Echo Valley, Colorado, where the town is small, the landscape is vast, and the relationships are complicated.

I really enjoyed Shadow Ridge, the first Jo Wyatt Mystery, but I loved Mercy Creek. This is a character-driven mystery full of complexities and insight.

Detective Jo Wyatt is a badass female lead, with just the right mix of flaws and strengths to make her realistic and likable. All the characters are well developed, so I cared about the outcome.

Mercy Creek works as a stand-alone if you want to jump into the series here with book 2.

*I received a review copy as part of the Partners in Crime virtual book tour.*
1 review
Want to read
February 3, 2022
I loved this book. This is the fourth book I have read by Ms. Browning and each one is better than the last. In Mercy Creek, the story was current and the characters were intriguing. I did not know until the very end who actually did it. I read a great deal and sometimes the plots are predictable. Not so with Ms. Browning's books. The plots are always new and exciting. My only complaint is that she does not write fast enough. I want more books by M E Browning. Can't wait for the next one.
377 reviews4 followers
July 13, 2021
This is an intriguing mystery that takes place in Colorado and features the detective Jo Wyatt. This is part of a series. There are a lot of twists and turns and mystery here. I love a good mystery and I love stories that make me ponder and try to figure out what the ending might be. This offers all of that.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion
Profile Image for Cathy.
Author 6 books7 followers
July 25, 2021
This book came into our newspaper office and I swiped it before giving it to the reviewer.

I don’t usually read books that let you meet the victim, so Lena’s death was horrific for me; I really expected her to live. Nevertheless, I couldn’t put it down and Will now read the series from the start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anne - Books of My Heart.
3,293 reviews203 followers
October 14, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 

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

The  Jo Wyatt Mystery  series continues with Mercy Creek.  Many things I said about the first book are still true.  I like Jo Wyatt.  She has the qualities of being smart and compassionate.  She's been on the force 12 years and there have only been 2 homicides; these two books have seen a bunch more.  They have 3 detectives; the senior one is her partner, Squint.  He's a good partner and supportive friend.  Jo does great work, even when she knows nothing about something she figures it out. It is surprising her Internet and phone skills are so little.  She's much better at interviewing and reading people.

Jo has some complexities and flaws which make her very realistic.  I was glad to not see her ex-husband, Cameron, because I don't like him.  We did see her old best friend, Aidan, and while it is not a romance, I  hope they stay close. We see another love triangle from her teen years which she didn't realize existed.  She saw the guy as a friend, nothing more, but the future wife was jealous.

The case starts with the 11 year old Lena going missing.  With her older sister Marisa, ignoring her and being very selfish,  and the county fair setting with a rush of transient people, I was extremely worried.  Lena was such a nice, smart and kind girl.  I did not like Marisa at all.  The parents were a piece of work.  Jo does a great job with following the evidence in the face of extreme pressure.  She really puts herself at too much risk to protect the innocent, and even to try to help the guilty.

I am loving this series and look forward to more.  I would read them in order for the developments in the personal life and the police department.

COYER #26 Water/ ocean on the cover
Profile Image for Kathleen Kelly.
1,375 reviews129 followers
October 14, 2021
Mercy Creek is the second novel in the the Jo Wyatt Series. I have the first in the series but have not read it yet, but that does not deter from reading this novel.

An 11 young girl, Lena, goes missing and it is up to Jo Wyatt, and her partner, Squint to find the girl. Lena and her sister Marisa are the polar opposites, Lena is all about horses and the environment, Marisa is all about herself and her wannabe career as an influencer. Lucero and Tilda are Lena and Marisa's divorced parents where there is a lot of angst between the two.

As the investigation into where Lena is, Lucero becomes a suspect, he has had violent tendencies in his earlier years. Does he know where she is, did she run away from him?

Tilda could easily become a suspect as Jo finds how dysfunctional the Flores family is. The further she gets into the investigation, there are other people who could also know where Lena is.

This case is very personal for Jo as she personally knows both Lucero and Tilda from their high school years. There is a lot of acrimony between the three of them but Jo has to put aside this as she desperately needs to find Lena, alive. As time goes by the reader learns more about Jo and her past.

The author has written a story that tells of the Colorado landscape, the lives of the residents and Jo's past that she does not want to share with others. Well written to the point that the reader can almost feel that they are there in Echo Valley. A taut, suspenseful well researched and written with knowledge that is definitely in the pages of the novel. I highly recommend it and I will definitely be reading the first one in the series about Jo Wyatt.

I received this book for review purposes only.
Profile Image for Grace Koshida.
679 reviews13 followers
September 30, 2021
When 11-year old Lena Flores disappears after going to the summer fair with her older sister Marisa, Echo Valley police detective Jo Wyatt has to determine whether Lena ran away or was kidnapped. Jo also has to deal with difficult memories with Lena's divorced parents Tilda and Lucero.

This was a slow burn of a story with several potential suspects identified and discounted. The fate of Lena is not revealed until 75% into the story. When a shocking new revelation is revealed, Jo goes to confront her new prime suspect and unwittingly puts her life in danger.

I greatly enjoyed reading the first Jo Wyatt book, Shadow Ridge. Unfortunately, Mercy Creek falls flat and did not meet my expectations.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
Profile Image for Cheryl Malandrinos.
Author 3 books64 followers
October 12, 2021
A heart-wrenching, intriguing, and horrifying story set in a small town is what you'll find in Mercy Creek by M. E. Browning.
When eleven-year-old Lena Flores disappears, Detective Jo Wyatt is assigned to investigate. From the beginning, Jo knows it won't be an easy case. Past hurts don't fade in a small town, which impedes the investigation. The deeper Jo digs into Lena's fractured family, the darker the picture turns. And when a witness steps forward with a new revelation, Jo is forced to confront her doubts and her worst fears.

Wow! This was an engrossing but tough read for me. The pain and guilt Lena's mother, Tilda, feels after her youngest daughter's disappearance was so real to me that I couldn't help but wonder what I would do in her place. The author doesn't allow anyone to go unscathed, which in this story made it as superb as it is. There are so many emotions, lots of secrets, and a shocking ending that left me satisfied, but a bit raw.

If you enjoy mysteries filled with secrets, tons of twists and turns, and powerful conclusions, you will want to grab Mercy Creek by M. E. Browning. I know I will be checking out more of her work.
246 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2021
Is there no mercy in Mercy Creek? Sometimes it feels as if there’s none. Especially since no one is saying anything that really helps find a missing child.

There are a lot of suspects that seem to be getting eliminated one by one. Even the suspect I thought was the best possibility.

After what seems like such a long time without any decent clues of her whereabouts, one wonders if maybe she’s no longer alive.

You’re going to get some adrenaline flowing and some surprises near the end of the book.

I definitely want to read more Jo Wyatt mysteries if she can stay alive long enough. Thank you, Ms Browning.

***Book received at no charge from PICT.***
Profile Image for Erica Robyn Metcalf.
1,242 reviews96 followers
October 12, 2021
Mercy Creek by M. E. Browning is a tense story about a girl who goes missing in a Colorado town. As detectives work to solve the case, things begin to get more and more complicated.

This is the second book in the Jo Wyatt Mystery Series. I had previously read the first book, Shadow Ridge, as part of a blog tour, so when book two was announced, I couldn’t wait to dive in! While you don’t necessarily have to read the first book in the series before this one, I would recommend doing so to get more information on each character.

Jo Wyatt is a character that I definitely have my eye on. I loved seeing her really settle into herself in this book, and I can only imagine that things are going to get more interesting from here!

More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/blog-...
Profile Image for Chris Conley.
965 reviews10 followers
December 30, 2021
Oh my. This is such a well-written and crafted mystery. Can’t say more…too easy to drop a spoiler!
Profile Image for Dianna (SavingsInSeconds blog).
902 reviews22 followers
October 8, 2021
I did not read the book that preceded Mercy Creek, but it did not impact my enjoyment at all. I definitely plan to go back and read Shadow Ridge! I loved following Jo and her team into the Colorado valleys. The story was terribly sad and gut-wrenching in some parts. Author M. E. Browning has a writing style that lends itself to introspective action....you can see the wheels turning while you're on the roller coaster. It's exciting and interesting all at once. The only part I didn't enjoy was the language; I prefer books without strong profanity, and there was too much cussing in Mercy Creek for me. However, that's a personal thing, and didn't affect the story's pace or energy. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. Opinions shared are mine.
Profile Image for M.K. Graff.
Author 8 books96 followers
October 12, 2021
Browning's sequel to Shadow Ridge brings Jo Wyatt a tough investigation when a young girl goes missing, vanished at a traveling carnival. Wyatt must confront her own past with the girl's parents as she pushes to find out what happened to 11-yr old Lena. Calling on her own police experience, the author's police procedural aspects bring the case to life, but it's her expertise with fully-realized characters that really make this one hard to put down. An enticing and gripping read.
10.4k reviews174 followers
October 8, 2021
Lena disappeared while at the carnival with her sister Marisa. Detective Jo Wyatt is trying, in this fast paced novel, to find the 11 year old as quickly as possible but she's also got to deal with her feelings about Lena's parents Lucero and Tilda. It's a small town and they've all known each other since childhood. Lots of secrets in this town, lots of lies. It's twisty and there are some surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't worry if you, like me, missed the first book - this will be fine as a standalone and then you, like me,. will be looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Susan Kirk.
Author 23 books87 followers
September 17, 2021
Mercy Creek is a suspenseful story full of twists and turns, and it's a fitting second book in the Jo Wyatt series set in Echo Valley, Colorado. Detective Jo Wyatt is called in when an eleven-year-old Lena Flores goes missing. Page after page, the suspense builds as Jo checks out every lead. She begins with the family, a dysfunctional group with custody of the two girls, Lena and Marisa, split between two parents. Clue after clue, the police spread out with new suspects as well as the family, whose history is also full of suspicion. Secrets and lies abound. Because Browning's pacing is so thoughtful, you'll find yourself turning pages as quickly as possible, checking out clues and trying to stay ahead of Jo and her partner. Will they find Lena alive, and will they catch the kidnapper?

Mercy Creek is full of believable characters and a small-town setting that is so real. A fair and carnival with kids showing animals and 4-H projects is where Lena disappears. Browning's descriptions are so true to life that you'll find yourself back there with the carnival rides and carnies. (One carny in particular was on my radar.) Because Browning lived and worked in Colorado, she has the terrain down perfectly. Her descriptions of the landscape are filled with words that put Colorado on the map. Likewise, she worked on police forces for two decades before she became a writer, and her police procedures in Mercy Creek are flawless. They don't intrude, but they do give the story remarkable realism. I'd strongly recommend Mercy Creek to mystery lovers who enjoy traditional mysteries, detective stories, and police procedurals.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.