Title: No Mercy
Author: Joanna Schaffhausen
First published January 15, 2019
307 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250297365 (ISBN10: 1250297362)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
Joanna Schaffhausen’s No Mercy is a captivating sequel to The Vanishing Season that follows the journey of police officer Ellery Hathaway and FBI profiler Reed Markham as they tackle two challenging new cases. Ellery, who is on leave from work, refuses to apologize for shooting a murderer in cold blood.
In group therapy for victims of violent crime, she becomes involved in the investigation of a suspected wrongful arson conviction and finds herself helping a rape victim track down her attacker. As Ellery seeks help from her friend Reed, she ignores warnings from his boss to stay away from him.
Ellery delves into everyone’s past but her own, a move that could cost her everything – including her life. Schaffhausen delivers another thrilling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Joanna Schaffhausen is a skilled author who has honed her abilities through years of studying neuroscience. Her doctorate in psychology reflects her deep fascination with the brain – its development and the myriad of ways in which it can malfunction.
Joanna has experience as a scientific editor within the drug development industry, as well as a background as an editorial producer for ABC News. Her writing has been featured in numerous programs, including World News Tonight, Good Morning America, and 20/20.
Joanna resides in the Boston area with her husband, daughter, and a feisty basset hound.
Editoral Review
Joanna Schaffhausen’s No Mercy is an intense and gripping thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Schaffhausen is an accomplished author with several other titles to her name, and this latest work represents a thrilling addition to her oeuvre.
The book follows the story of police officer Ellery Hathaway and FBI agent Reed Markham as they track down a chilling serial killer. Ellery is herself a survivor of a horrifying crime and has become a skilled detective, but this particular case hits close to home.
The killer is targeting young women who are similar in appearance to Hathaway when she was kidnapped and tortured, and the race is on to stop him before he strikes again. Schaffhausen’s writing is taut and suspenseful, and she excels at crafting complex, realistic characters.
Hathaway and Markham are both flawed in believable ways, and their interactions drive the story forward with a sense of urgency. Schaffhausen also does an excellent job of pacing the narrative, interspersing moments of intense action with quieter, character-driven scenes that allow readers to get to know the protagonists more intimately.
Perhaps what is most impressive about No Mercy, though, is its exploration of trauma and survival. Schaffhausen handles these difficult topics with sensitivity and care, not shying away from the darker aspects of Hathaway’s past but also never sensationalizing them.
This book feels important, not just because of its thrilling plot but also because of the way it grapples with issues that are all too real for many people. That said, there are some minor flaws in No Mercy that detract slightly from its overall impact.
The killer’s motives are not always entirely clear, and some of the scenes feel a bit overly dramatic. However, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise an excellent piece of writing.
Overall, I highly recommend No Mercy to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted thriller. Schaffhausen is an excellent writer, and this book is sure to keep readers hooked until the shocking conclusion.
Just be warned this one is not for the faint of heart.
Washington Post rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
