My Five Word TL:DR Review : A Bit of a Mystery

By which I mean I rather liked the way that this one involved something of a mystery element.  Anyhow.  I enjoyed this instalment to the Mercy Thompson series.  Briggs manages to bring something new to the party with the introduction of some Norse mythology and some very interesting characters and both Mercy and Adam end up being in a situation like an Agatha Christie locked room murder mystery when they find themselves snowed in at a lodge with some very interesting characters.

As with most of my reviews I try to avoid spoilers but as this is No.14 in the series – hopefully if you’re reading this, you’ve read the others so I won’t be giving anything major away.

As this story begins, we have the usual day to day trials that make up Mercy’s life.  She’s struggling from the after effects incurred during Soul Taken and Adam and Zee are both worried.  It’s like Mercy has been opened up to everything which, on the one hand gives her so much more knowledge, but on the other leaves her wide open to attack.  So, rightfully, everyone is worried.  Adam is experiencing difficulties with his work, the pack are struggling a little with issues revolving around too many potential leaders.  Then Mercy’s half brother Gary shows up, he’s a bit wild and can’t seem to articulate  and it soon becomes apparent that Mercy and Adam are going to need to take action to find out what lies at the bottom of this latest calamity.  Oh, and the world might be about to end – but, keep that to yourselves for now.

So, Adam and Mercy find themselves travelling to Montana, and there’s quite possibly the most serious blizzard taking place that has ever been witnessed.  Magic is in the air and the two only just make it to the lodge.  Upon arrival, or at least in the morning, they discover they’re not the only ones who have sought shelter.  There are a number of other guests, some who have arrived expecting a wedding.  Some seeking a room until the storms pass.  What makes the group really unusual, there are a number of fae, goblins, an elusive spider, a vampire and plenty of ghosts.  Slowly but surely you begin to discover that something is going on and time is short.

What I enjoyed about this.

Well, when you’re up to number 14 in a series it’s fairly safe to say that you’re loving the characters.  And that is the truth.  I really like Mercy, I like her partner Adam and the connection they have, not just the pack bond, but their respect for each other.  This is a well written and enjoyable relationship that seems to continue to grow.

I also like the family feel with the pack and Jess and Zee.  Although, clearly some of these characters are incredibly dangerous.  And, the pack weren’t as involved in this storyline – although we did have the inclusion of interludes to allow us to keep in touch.  Personally, I quite enjoyed having a story with just Mercy and Adam.

The writing is consistent.  I know when I pick one of these books up it’s going to feel like getting in touch with an old friend after a break, where you just immediately fall straight back where you left off.  There’s a comfort in reading a book where you feel totally at ease – even though the characters might be being put through the wringer.

There’s always more layers being added to the world which is something I love.  As I mentioned above there is some Norse mythology woven into this story which was interesting – particularly the elements around certain creatures that can call the wolves – I wonder how that might play into future instalments.

This instalment does conclude certain elements that have been left hanging from previous books, but one particular element still remains at large – hopefully this threat will be addressed soon.

In terms of criticisms. I don’t really have anything to mention with this instalment – well, the issue with Gary felt very quickly concluded, I was kind of hoping that we might see Mercy and her brother interact a little – that being said, the ending does leave an opening in that respect.

Overall, this was a good read that has left me, as ever, wanting the next in series.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4 of 5 stars