Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci

Just finished Long Road to Mercy (Atlee Pine #1) by David Baldacci. It is our August Mystery Book Club selection.

Our library just opened curbside pickup in the past month so I put this book on hold right away, not knowing how long and complicated the process would be. But it was available within three days of my placing it on hold. I received the instructions on picking up the book, including the rendezvous points, the required disguise and the secret code...Couldn't help it. That is how "this" all feels sometimes. I received the instructions about where to park or the drive up option, I assumed a mask if using the drive up window and have your library card ready with the account number.

Since I got it so quickly and finished already, and need to return it, I am going to go ahead and talk about it rather than wait for the group responses. I have a feeling everyone liked it.

About: " #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci introduces a remarkable new character: Atlee Pine, an FBI special agent assigned to the remote wilds of the western United States. Ever since her twin sister was abducted by a notorious serial killer at age five, Atlee has spent her life hunting down those who hurt others. And she’s the best at it. She could be one of the Bureau’s top criminal profilers, if she didn’t prefer catching criminals in the vast wilderness of the West to climbing the career ladder in the D.C. office. Her chosen mission is a lonesome one–but that suits her just fine. 

Now, Atlee is called in to investigate the mutilated carcass of a mule found in the Grand Canyon–and hopefully, solve the disappearance of its rider. But this isn’t the only recent disappearance. In fact, it may be just the first clue, the key to unraveling a rash of other similar missing persons cases in the canyon."

I think this was an excellent book; definitely a page tuner, very suspenseful, lots of action. It is a complex story that will keep you interested and thinking things like "could this happen, did this happen?" 

Atlee is young, a loner and very capable, what with her FBI training and the things that happened to her growing up. She is searching for an answer to what happened to her twin sister, Mercy, and this drives her to be what she is. Carol is a great side kick. She is middle aged, intelligent, and while she doesn't have the physical strength of youth, she has life experience, emotional and mental strength. Together, Atlee and Carol make a very good pair. Carol likes to compare them to Thelma and Louise. Sam, a park ranger, also carries some baggage and he and Atlee are bonding with events from their pasts. A very intriguing underlying thread with a cliff hanger.

There are two more books in the series at this time: 

A Minute to Midnight

Daylight

I do want to read them sooner than later.