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Mercy Street #3
Acts of Mercy
From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes a novel of sexy romantic suspense for fans of Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter, and Karen Robards.
Former FBI agent Sam Delvecchio brings the keen skills of a profiler to his new position as a Mercy Street Foundation operative-and not a moment too soon. His first assignment, the cold-case murder of a local soup kitchen volunteer, has all the telltale signs of a serial killer's work. That grim suspicion is confirmed when FBI agent Fiona Summers shares the details of two other killings with eerie similarities to Sam's case: The bodies in all three cases have been carefully posed. And when a fourth victim is discovered, the two investigators realize they're pursuing the same twisted quarry.
Local parish priest Kevin Burch, Mercy Street founder Robert Magellan's cousin, recognizes the posings for what they are: The killer is staging the church' s seven Acts of Mercy ("Feed the hungry, clothe the naked . . .") with the bodies of his victims. But as Sam and Fiona race to prevent the final three murders, taunting messages from their target lead to the most chilling realization of all.
Former FBI agent Sam Delvecchio brings the keen skills of a profiler to his new position as a Mercy Street Foundation operative-and not a moment too soon. His first assignment, the cold-case murder of a local soup kitchen volunteer, has all the telltale signs of a serial killer's work. That grim suspicion is confirmed when FBI agent Fiona Summers shares the details of two other killings with eerie similarities to Sam's case: The bodies in all three cases have been carefully posed. And when a fourth victim is discovered, the two investigators realize they're pursuing the same twisted quarry.
Local parish priest Kevin Burch, Mercy Street founder Robert Magellan's cousin, recognizes the posings for what they are: The killer is staging the church' s seven Acts of Mercy ("Feed the hungry, clothe the naked . . .") with the bodies of his victims. But as Sam and Fiona race to prevent the final three murders, taunting messages from their target lead to the most chilling realization of all.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 25, 2009
About the author
Mariah Stewart
96 books1,470 followersMariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)
After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?
After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 10, 2019
Boring, poorly written, flat characters, contrived plot, none of it conducive for me to suspend disbelief, which is a necessary process to enjoy fiction. Consequently I couldn't care about anyone or anything and found myself skimming pages, especially pages of maudlin histories of even minor characters that only distract from the story, sophomorically written, verging on wooden, and this includes the lackluster dialogue. This seemed more like a self-published book rather than a novel from Random House. If it was published in the 80's, I could understand, but by 2009 I would expect authors to move on from standard packaged pulp fiction to a more original, fresher style.
(I understand that Ms Stewart started out as a romance novelist, but to excuse the poor writing on that point is an an insult to that genre
(I understand that Ms Stewart started out as a romance novelist, but to excuse the poor writing on that point is an an insult to that genre
February 21, 2017
This is the 3rd and final book in the "Mercy Street" series. The first book Mercy Street was a fantastic read- a 4 to 5 star read. Then the second book Cry Mercy which continued the story line, was another 4 to 5 star read- and now the last and final book Acts of Mercy to me was a 3 star read- but I bumped it up to 4, for I truly loved this entire series. Trust me- start from book 1 . All 3 books are pretty fast reads.
If anything I was just a bit disappointed in this last book- hard to explain why, without giving anything away, so I'm not even going to attempt it.
Even though this was the final in this series- (and yes, all questions are answered!) I'm sure the author could make more books with the characters. I hope she does.
Well worth the time to pick up these 3 books and enjoy!
All in all a great great !!
If anything I was just a bit disappointed in this last book- hard to explain why, without giving anything away, so I'm not even going to attempt it.
Even though this was the final in this series- (and yes, all questions are answered!) I'm sure the author could make more books with the characters. I hope she does.
Well worth the time to pick up these 3 books and enjoy!
All in all a great great !!
August 25, 2012
This book seems to be bring these 3 books to a close. The foundation is going like gangbusters and Robert is getting answers to his missing family.
I found the new guy, Sam, to be interesting, part of him was broken, part of him was healing. He could go either way with his future. Working the case helped Sam work through so many issues, I enjoyed seeing him get past those hurdles.
Robert really ran the gauntlet in what happened with him. I loved that he was finally see Suzanna as more than a friend, loved that Trula needled him about it. But the best thing was the last bit that happened, it gives me hope that there are happy endings for all the characters.
I wish there were more books in this series to read.
I found the new guy, Sam, to be interesting, part of him was broken, part of him was healing. He could go either way with his future. Working the case helped Sam work through so many issues, I enjoyed seeing him get past those hurdles.
Robert really ran the gauntlet in what happened with him. I loved that he was finally see Suzanna as more than a friend, loved that Trula needled him about it. But the best thing was the last bit that happened, it gives me hope that there are happy endings for all the characters.
I wish there were more books in this series to read.
July 17, 2017
A good finale to the three part series. I liked the unique signature Mariah Stewart created to be used by killer.
October 20, 2022
Like Always, Mariah Stewart, Does it Again***** Great Read :-) Love her Books******
September 15, 2024
Best if you read books in order but all are good.
June 27, 2013
This was a great end to the Mercy Series. I really enjoyed the book.
The Mercy Street Foundation was set up in the first book of the series, Mercy Street. It was founded by the billionaire, Robert Magellan, his cousin Father Kevin Burch and former detective Mallory Russo. The goal of the foundation is to look into cold cases that the various police departments have run out of leads on. They do this at no cost to anyone.
The foundation is still in the process of staffing all the positions. When the application of a former FBI profiler comes across Mallory's desk, she jumps on the opportunity to interview him.
Sam DelVecchio, left the FBI after the death of his wife at the hands of a serial killer he was tracking. He has just come back from a long vacation trying to clear his head, and decide what he wants to do next. When he finds the information on the Mercy Street Foundation. He needs a job, and figures it cant be any worse than what he left behind.
Sam's first case is the murder of a husband and father, an all around good guy that was found behind the center he and his wife volunteered at feeding the homeless. All leads have been followed, and the case has gone cold. The detective working the case mentions that an agent with the FBI has looked into the case in connection with one she is working on.
Fiona Summers has worked with the FBI for over 12 years, she has a tough reputation, no nonsense, and everything strictly by the book. When she is contacted by Sam about his case, they get together and compare notes and discover that not only do they have a serial killer on their hands, their killer is choosing dates and places that have a connection to Sam. It's only when Father Kevin sees the photos that he suggests, by the way the victims have been left, the killer is reenacting the seven Acts of Mercy. Three down four to go and Sam is sure he is to be number seven.
In a side story, Robert has been searching for his wife and infant son since the first book, they've been missing for fifteen months. Part of that story was resolved in the last book, Cry Mercy. We get the conclusion to the story in this one.
This series so far only has the three "Mercy" books. But it is part of her FBI series. It can be read as a stand alone book. I've read them all, and find she likes to bring back earlier characters or sometimes just a quick mention of a person or a case. It's like getting a visit from an old friend when they pop up in another book.
I hope this is not the last book in the series.
The Mercy Street Foundation was set up in the first book of the series, Mercy Street. It was founded by the billionaire, Robert Magellan, his cousin Father Kevin Burch and former detective Mallory Russo. The goal of the foundation is to look into cold cases that the various police departments have run out of leads on. They do this at no cost to anyone.
The foundation is still in the process of staffing all the positions. When the application of a former FBI profiler comes across Mallory's desk, she jumps on the opportunity to interview him.
Sam DelVecchio, left the FBI after the death of his wife at the hands of a serial killer he was tracking. He has just come back from a long vacation trying to clear his head, and decide what he wants to do next. When he finds the information on the Mercy Street Foundation. He needs a job, and figures it cant be any worse than what he left behind.
Sam's first case is the murder of a husband and father, an all around good guy that was found behind the center he and his wife volunteered at feeding the homeless. All leads have been followed, and the case has gone cold. The detective working the case mentions that an agent with the FBI has looked into the case in connection with one she is working on.
Fiona Summers has worked with the FBI for over 12 years, she has a tough reputation, no nonsense, and everything strictly by the book. When she is contacted by Sam about his case, they get together and compare notes and discover that not only do they have a serial killer on their hands, their killer is choosing dates and places that have a connection to Sam. It's only when Father Kevin sees the photos that he suggests, by the way the victims have been left, the killer is reenacting the seven Acts of Mercy. Three down four to go and Sam is sure he is to be number seven.
In a side story, Robert has been searching for his wife and infant son since the first book, they've been missing for fifteen months. Part of that story was resolved in the last book, Cry Mercy. We get the conclusion to the story in this one.
This series so far only has the three "Mercy" books. But it is part of her FBI series. It can be read as a stand alone book. I've read them all, and find she likes to bring back earlier characters or sometimes just a quick mention of a person or a case. It's like getting a visit from an old friend when they pop up in another book.
I hope this is not the last book in the series.
April 9, 2016
More suspense than romantic of all the series, and dealing with a serial killer which is definitely not in my comfort zone. The hero is a burnt-out FBI profiler who goes to work for the Mercy Street Foundation to help find missing persons, but his first case is an unsolved murder without clues, except for the bizarre way the victim is staged after his death. The very tiny romantic elements come from the FBI agent who brings in other murders that seem to be staged the same way. Most of the story is about tracking the clues and piecing together what they mean. It's a good story. I just don't really care for serial killer stories or books with the villain ' point of view. Ick. Still, it's a good read.
March 12, 2021
2.5
Meh... I liked Sam and Fiona much better than the female heroine (Emme) in Book 2. The slow unfolding of Sam's case was great, until...the ending. Sam's story ended predictably and was obviously cliche. I did like him and Fiona together once she got her head out of her arse about it. I didn't like how she was so secretive and made me lose any sympathy for her situation. I had whiplash over her background. It was so far fetched. So finally we get answers to Roberts dilemma but it was rushed and not very realistic. Just boom! Done after all the slow buildup throughout the series. Not just with the mystery of his son, but with Susanna too. I was left wanting more.
Meh... I liked Sam and Fiona much better than the female heroine (Emme) in Book 2. The slow unfolding of Sam's case was great, until...the ending. Sam's story ended predictably and was obviously cliche. I did like him and Fiona together once she got her head out of her arse about it. I didn't like how she was so secretive and made me lose any sympathy for her situation. I had whiplash over her background. It was so far fetched. So finally we get answers to Roberts dilemma but it was rushed and not very realistic. Just boom! Done after all the slow buildup throughout the series. Not just with the mystery of his son, but with Susanna too. I was left wanting more.
July 28, 2011
I loved it! Completed the book in a day and I'm missing the characters right now! Wishes that the series would return but it was a good ending.
May 8, 2017
what former FBI agent Sam Delvecchio brings the Mercy Street Foundation is the keen skills of a profiler. As a new operative he is assign to the cold-case murder of a local soup kitchen volunteer, the.murder has all the markings of a serial killer. his suspicion is confirmed when FBI agent Fiona Summers shares the details of two other killings with eerie similarities to Sam's case: The bodies in all three cases have been carefully posed. And when a fourth victim is discovered, they realize they're pursuing the same twisted quarry. in a team meeting and with agent Summers, the Local parish priest Kevin Burch, and his cousin and Mercy Street's founder Robert Magellan's ,
recognizes the posings for what they are: The killer is staging the church' s seven Acts of Mercy ("Feed the hungry, clothe the naked . . .") with the bodies of his victims.
recognizes the posings for what they are: The killer is staging the church' s seven Acts of Mercy ("Feed the hungry, clothe the naked . . .") with the bodies of his victims.
August 15, 2021
The third and final installment of this superb crime series. I really enjoyed reading them one after the other and loved the continuity of the characters. The author keeps the tension going and settles the outstanding mysteries that have continued to be part of the storyline. I was sad to see this series end but look forward to reading more of Mariah Stewart's work. Highly recommended.
August 20, 2022
I've always enjoyed a good serial killer mystery/suspense/thriller. Compared to the first two books which are good detective work but more on the soft side (i.e., not much gore), Book 3 offers a nice upgrade. I enjoyed the unfolding of the serial killings, but I felt the ending was not as strong. So overall, 4.5 stars.
July 28, 2018
A great story that ran well through the whole book. The main characters of Sam Devecchio and Fiona Summers are solid. The murders build up as the detectives get closers to killer ending in stunning climax. Well worth the read!
September 13, 2018
Want more
Sadly, this was the end of a trilogy. Suspenseful with well thought out characters and the perfect amount of romance. If, like me, you want a book that has characters you really know, murder mystery with a bit of love them start with mercy street and read this trilogy.
Sadly, this was the end of a trilogy. Suspenseful with well thought out characters and the perfect amount of romance. If, like me, you want a book that has characters you really know, murder mystery with a bit of love them start with mercy street and read this trilogy.
November 11, 2019
I really enjoyed rereading this series again. It's been years but I still find the plot and characters both interesting. That being said, there seemed to be a lot going on in this book and sometimes it took me a moment to remember either certain details or who a specific character was.
June 1, 2020
This is the first series of Mariah Stewart and I love how she can make me laugh and cry with the story line. Not many authors can do that. I wish the series would go on there are so many story lines to go this this series.
August 25, 2024
The final book in a three part series.The book answers all the questions of the first two books and closes out the series really well. It would be enjoyable if the character Sam could be in more books.
October 11, 2017
This is the third book in the Mercy Street series. I read this book on audible. The DB number is.
DB73683
DB73683
May 2, 2018
Wish there was another book added to the series! These are really good!
February 14, 2020
Final book of the series. I think it’s plot best of the three. Kinda clunky ending to Robert’s story with his wife and son, but overall satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2020
Thoroughly Enjoyable
This was a nice mystery. It was not gruesome as so many are lately. Sometimes you just want a nice light read and this filled the bill.
This was a nice mystery. It was not gruesome as so many are lately. Sometimes you just want a nice light read and this filled the bill.
August 15, 2021
DANG! I read this book in 24 hours because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Mariah Stewart is GOOD. I'll be looking for more of her.
March 18, 2022
2.5
Not sure why the Fiona back story was necessary. On the other hand, I wanted more resolution wrt Navarro from the previous book. Glad I finally finished this series.
Not sure why the Fiona back story was necessary. On the other hand, I wanted more resolution wrt Navarro from the previous book. Glad I finally finished this series.
May 1, 2022
Especially nice to see the bad guy get killed!
December 6, 2022
You can guess how some things will end with this book. I did like the story and characters. Could read more it there were more than 3 books! Good trilogy overall
August 10, 2023
It was a very good series did she write anymore Mercy street books?
August 31, 2023
Another great read from this author. Hip hip hooray.
October 26, 2017
****4 Stars. Enjoyed this serial killer mystery in which the killer stages each killing accordance with one of the churches' seven acts of mercy.
September 14, 2009
Good follow up to the last book "Cry Mercy". Because the books are written as sort of ensemble POV - certain characters get more lead time than others. Robert, Suse and Kevin are always in the books no matter way, but I would like to know more about Mal and Emme as well. Did Emme stay with that guy? How fast did Mal and Charlie's relationship progress?
I'm also dying to know how Suse and Rob will handle having a damaged child to care for as well as the obvious UST!
I mean come on!
Now, this story in particular, Sam was a good character to stay with during the book however there was a deep sense of disconnection between Mercy Street and Sam's story. I suppose if I hadn't gotten caught up with the mystery itself I would have realized that this was a sign of things to come.
The character building of the second lead in these stories, for me, always happens a bit too late and then it is scrambled together and I'm supposed to believe that they've progressed as far as they have in the short amount of time it took me to read the backstory. I think the best examples of chemistry and backstory have been Mal and Charlie and obviously Suse and Robert.
However, the mystery was good, I wish the backstory of Fiona had happened earlier and that way we could see have seen both Sam and Fiona as the drawing board characters and watched her progression the way we watched Sam. I mean, if it's going to switch back and forth between POVs might as well make it work, right?
Fiona was sort of a flat character but I dug Sam. Looking forward to the next one.
I'm also dying to know how Suse and Rob will handle having a damaged child to care for as well as the obvious UST!
I mean come on!
Now, this story in particular, Sam was a good character to stay with during the book however there was a deep sense of disconnection between Mercy Street and Sam's story. I suppose if I hadn't gotten caught up with the mystery itself I would have realized that this was a sign of things to come.
The character building of the second lead in these stories, for me, always happens a bit too late and then it is scrambled together and I'm supposed to believe that they've progressed as far as they have in the short amount of time it took me to read the backstory. I think the best examples of chemistry and backstory have been Mal and Charlie and obviously Suse and Robert.
However, the mystery was good, I wish the backstory of Fiona had happened earlier and that way we could see have seen both Sam and Fiona as the drawing board characters and watched her progression the way we watched Sam. I mean, if it's going to switch back and forth between POVs might as well make it work, right?
Fiona was sort of a flat character but I dug Sam. Looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews