Cry for Mercy: An utterly addictive crime thriller with gripping mystery and suspense

· Detective Eleanor Raven Book 1 · Bookouture
4.4
7 reviews
Ebook
350
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

OMG what an opening. Talk about being hooked… The words ‘OH WOW’ left my mouth when I realized I had finished it!… This is a must read for all crime fans5 massive stars.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


The girl’s eyes were open, her gaze softened with a milky hue. Her perfect skin and halo of blonde hair made her look angelic. It was a brutal contrast to the rope suspending her from the high-vaulted ceiling, and the bruises that had blossomed on her arms. Eleanor reached forward then caught herself. This woman was past saving.


When a beautiful young woman is found murdered in a derelict power station, Detective Inspector Eleanor Raven hurries to the scene. The girl’s body has been ritualistically posed, with cherry-red lipstick painted across her mouth. And when she catches sight of the engagement ring crusted with blood on her delicate finger, Eleanor pushes back on the grief it provokes. Lydia Greystein had so much to live for. The only way Eleanor can help now is to find the killer responsible, and she and her team immediately set to work.


As Eleanor and the team work together to unpick the killer’s motivations, another woman is found, bound and posed in the same ceremonial stance. Suddenly, Eleanor’s case becomes more twisted and urgent than ever. Just when they think they’ve hit a dead end, Eleanor finds a link between the victims and a cold case—an unsolved death with a connection to her own hidden life outside work. To follow the clues now risks bringing her secrets into the open.


But as Eleanor begins to understand the killer, he starts to understand her too.


Eleanor must solve this case before more women are taken. Could the secrets she keeps from those closest to her be the final clue to break open this caseor will they ultimately cost Eleanor her life?


A fast-paced, tense and completely gripping mystery thriller that will keep you hooked until the final page. Karen Long will be the newest favourite crime author for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons and Robert Dugoni.


Cry for Mercy was previously published as The Safe Word.


Readers love Cry for Mercy:

“I absolutely loved itOMG what an opening. Talk about being hooked… The words ‘OH WOW’ left my mouth when I realized I had finished it! That’s how much I enjoyed it. This is a must read for all crime fans it ticked all the boxes for me. I highly recommend this book giving it 5 massive stars.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Excellent!!!… Fantastic read!!! Do yourself a favour… read it… NOW!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Loved, loved, loved this book.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“This book had me gripped with suspense from page one. I couldn’t put this book down. Such a perfect serial killer thriller. Fantastically written.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“One of the most gripping books I have read… From the off the action was fast-paced and exciting… I cannot recommend it enough.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“I stayed up well into the early hours of the morning to finish this… Just outstanding.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Absolutely brilliant I could not put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Without a doubt, one of the best crime books I have read all year!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Couldn’t put the book down… kept you guessing in the action all the way to the end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“I don’t give out 5-star reviews lightly… I’m so glad I stumbled across this gem.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Unputdownable… Eleanor Raven is an amazing female character.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“This book is a one-sitting read. You will think you have it figured out in chapter one but do you? You will be sucked in.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Eleanor Raven is quite easily one of my favourite female characters this year… Gritty, suspenseful and captivating.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Excellent thriller… Eleanor Raven is not your average detective by any stretch of the imagination!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

4.4
7 reviews
Mags_louise
November 16, 2020
Cry for Mercy introduces readers to Detective Inspector Eleanor Raven. A brilliant and clever detective, who, it's fair to say has secrets in her private life which come close to the surface, as she investigates the murder of two young women, whose deaths have links to the BDSM scene, a cold case and possibly Eleanor herself. And as starts to series go, I quite enjoyed this one, and certainly Eleanor Raven is not your usual detective. But honestly, I couldn't make up my mind if I actually liked her or not. Yet, there's no denying it was a good mystery, and there were plenty of procedural details, and the author certainly kept me guessing, and I was engaged throughout, but I wasn't hooked, and frankly, I have put this story down a few times over the past week. However, the lure of the killer has kept me coming back, and I'm genuinely glad I did. Would recommend. **I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
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Marnie Harrison
November 18, 2020
If this book sounds familiar to you, it was first published under the title The Safe Word, back in 2014. I do like this title better, but it’s new one, Cry For Mercy, still fits in well with the theme of the story. This is the first book in the series, featuring DI Eleanor Raven and it is a ripper! The first chapter was eye opening and not what I expected at all. It is not everyday you read a book where the main protagonist has a secret life that is so far removed from her day job and it is this, that makes this book a standout for me above other female lead police procedurals. Eleanor Raven is a very interesting character, but I have to admit that I did struggle to connect with her. I can’t fault the way she has been written and it is only book one, so I am hoping that this will change in future books as I get to know her more. I did enjoy the supporting cast, who play out their roles well. This is the first book I have read from Karen Long and I enjoyed her style. She was able to draw me in and hold my attention and it’s intriguing storyline with it’s cat and mouse approach, makes for an entertaining read. The subject matter won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it is not too graphic or overdone in any way. Cry For Mercy is a gripping series opener, that will have you flicking the pages well into the night. It is dark, twisted, well written and will take you on one chilling roller coaster ride! I look forward to seeing where the second instalment will take DI Eleanor Raven next.
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Judy Odom
November 16, 2020
I reviewed this book under the title of Cry for Mercy. ( it has also been published under The Safe Word. ) Cry For Mercy is a great start to a new series with Detective Eleanor Raven and her rookie partner Laurence Whitefoot. ( He even comes with the best dog Monster) . Eleanor and her team are scrambling to find out who is killing and then posing all these victims and why. I love the fact that it takes place in Toronto. There were twists and turns and clues left , some I missed and the ending was excellent. Pages flew by. I look forward to seeing these characters develop in the next of the series. Can't wait.
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