Book Review: ‘Mercy River’ Is The Next Exciting Van Shaw Novel

Van Shaw is back for his fourth adventure on the new book Mercy River. He’s in Seattle waiting to meet his ex Luce to sign some papers. When he checks his voice mail on his phone he has an urgent message from his old friend Leo Pak, a Ranger friend. He’s been accused of murder and robbery. He is in the small town of Mercy River in Oregon. He rushes there to find out what’s going on. He hires his lawyer friend Ganz to help with Leo’s defense.

When he gets there he finds out there’s a rally going on with Rangers (a yearly event). He gets to the jail and finds Leo in a bad way, having been beaten up and maybe a concession. He tells Shaw to find his girl Dez and get his medicine he needs. She gives it to him and says to keep their relationship on the down low. Shaw starts to investigate the murder. He doesn’t think Leo is guilty of it. Leo please guilty though against his lawyers advice. The cops have evidence that makes it look for sure that Leo did it.

As Shaw investigates he finds more than he bargained for and starts to ruffle people the wrong way in this small town. He also meets a lot of Ranger brothers and is soon dragged into something more than the murder. There is a whole deal going down with drugs and Shaw must help investigate it to clear help clear Leo. If forces Shaw to work with his Ranger brothers and it could mean exposing things that he finds and putting his own life in jeopardy in the search for the truth.

My first time reading a Van Shaw book and I am in for more (you don’t have to have read the first three in order to understand this one). Shaw is an interesting character who cares for his friends and will go to any length to help protect him. If you’re a fan of bad ass characters that can fight the odds, that are smart and fun to read, this is the series for you.

You can pick up Mercy River from Glen Erik Hamilton in stores on Tuesday, March 12th from Morrow.