A Merciful Secret, Kendra Elliot, #3; Ritualistic Murder, Family Secrets, and Lies

(Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book)
 A Merciful Secret by author Kendra Elliot, (Mercy Kilpatrick, 3) Is fast-paced and grabs the reader from the beginning scene. This is the first book I have read by this author and it will not be my last, In fact, I have already added more books by this author to my reading library.
I enjoy the tenacity and strong will of the character of Mercy Kilpatrick. Mercy is a special agent with the FBI. Her tendencies for privacy is the reason she is on a snowy and bleak country road after midnight. Mercy was raised by modern-day survivalists and has a cabin hidden deep in the woods where she goes on her days off. The private cabin anchors her to the teachings of her childhood to be able to live off the grid and survive on her own in the possibility of a local or national catastrophe. She was returning from the cabin and sees a small girl running into the road needing help.
Mercy follows the girl deeper into the woods and discovers a grisly scene in the little house. The girl's grandmother has been slashed severely with a knife and dies while Mercy tries to offer help and comfort. Little Morrigan says her mother is away but will be coming back soon.
The mystery deepens when a federal judge is slashed to his death in the same night, not too far from where the grandmother lived.
I won't post spoilers, but this is a very good suspense thriller which is written with good characters, a good plot, and also with heart. I am HOOKED!
(*Some Strong Language)

Art Photography-Diane Lochala