Long Road to Mercy: 1 (Atlee Pine Thriller)

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Atlee’s character is well developed in this first instalment and we learn what makes her tick, her motivations and her past. Atlee Pine is not only a strong FBI agent, but also harbours a deep backstory that is sure to be handled over a few novels.

I don’t want to spoil anything (even though I REALLY want to), so if you are inclined to, visit my Goodreads version to see spoilers. Another rogue FBI agent who is on a mission to save the world (literally) from conspirators that permeate all the various United States federal agencies. Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she'd given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then. Experiences from her childhood have contributed to her being the person she is and in one particular instance she has carried that into adulthood.David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. In my judgement, Atlee Pine is a true "action hero" moulded from the strengths and weaknesses of a multitude of such characters as John Puller, Kim Stone, John Rain, Jack Reacher, Will Robie, John Milton and the like. Dodging FBI officials and some of the scummier folks seeking to stop their progress, Pine and Blum uncover that there may be a plot that puts America in great danger. Atlee and Carol also stumble across an organisation (the Society for Good / SFG) – a think tank of sorts which also attempts to uncover corruption and right wrongs – and I suspect we might hear from them again.

Atlee’s been at Shattered Rock (as close as you can get to the Grand Canyon without being in the park) a year or so and has built a place and reputation for herself in the community but she holds herself back. I also liked the burgeoning relationship between her and Carol and am keen to see how both characters grow and their partnership develops. Those around Atlee Pine help support her and strengthen the story in their own way, as the reader pushes through this series debut. Atlee Pine is an agent with the FBI, but her unique backstory and location add new depth to her character.

In between we experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon, lots of people dying in dramatic ways, new knowledge (to me) about riding mules down into the Canyon, discovering a nuclear bomb and much political wrangling before a solution is reached. I was excited to start a new series by David Baldacci especially since I love so many of his other books and I had heard Long Road to Mercy had a female protagonist. I won’t recommend it, but if the above reasons for me disliking it don’t matter to you, or you’re a Baldacci fan, or you haven’t read a book by Baldacci before, go ahead and give it a try. Be it thrillers, holiday heartwarming stories, or something with political implications, Baldacci usually knows how to convey his point through well-developed novels. As her life is shaped by happenings of the past I have a feeling that this will be a recurring theme that Baldacci will continue to use throughout this brand spanking new series.

You may have to suspend disbelief at times but overall the plot was compelling and the characters well fleshed out and believable.

If this is the first book in a series I am hoping for improvement in the Atlee Pine character and a better story. The mystery mule and disappearance of people were very suspenseful until I found out the whole story behind it and scratch my head, why? It started off well in the first chapter but became a big mess that was devoid of any tension but chockful of all possible action-thriller tropes possible. Since this is all about a major conspiracy there are other assorted characters where the reader is left to guess as to their allegiance.

Atlee is a top profiler with the agency, and she keeps to herself working on lone missions in her vast assigned territory. She is convinced that convicted serial killer, 57 year old Daniel James Tor, was responsible for taking Mercy, and although Tor's patterns of behaviour make this a possibility, there is no proof. I was surprised a park ranger could work there for 30 years and still know less than 10% of the region. David Baldacci has been able to do this—without collaborators, I might add—and keeps the stories crisp, while never losing his reading base.

David Baldacci introduces us to FBI Agent Ashley Pine in the first of what has been predicted as a new series of books featuring the character. Atlee Pine is the lone resident FBI agent in Shattered Rock, Arizona and that is just the way she likes it.