The mysteries are captivating, but Ellery is the heart of the book. She is a damaged woman, yes, but always sympathetic and believable. No Mercy is a winner.
Ultimately, this remains more superficially focused on sparking potential romance than creating the same creepy thrills that made Schaffhausen’s debut (The Vanishing Season, 2017) so memorable.
Frequent references to the previous book’s plot may confuse new readers, but Schaffhausen succeeds overall, using emotionally complex characters and a swiftly paced, multifaceted mystery to entertain while exploring the deep and lasting effects of violent crime.
