Mercy by David Baldacci

 (Atlee Pine #4)

416 pages / 12 hours

"For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy’s disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee’s parents inexplicably abandoned her.

"Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents’ abandonment and Mercy’s kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago. 
 
"Though Atlee is tantalizingly close to her family at last, the final leg of her long road to Mercy will be the most treacherous yet. Mercy left at least one dead body behind before fleeing her captors years before. Atlee has no idea if her sister is still alive, and if so, how she has been surviving all this time. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything."  --from the publisher

Well, this story has a lot of abuse/torture, and it was pervasive. I didn't enjoy it, and I'm rethinking my feelings about Baldacci. I give it two stars out of five.

Daylight by David Baldacci

(Atlee Pine #3)
416 pages

"For many long years, Atlee Pine was tormented by uncertainty after her twin sister, Mercy, was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Now, just as Atlee is pressured to end her investigation into Mercy's disappearance, she finally gets her most promising breakthrough yet: the identity of her sister's kidnapper, Ito Vincenzo.

"With time running out, Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum race to Vincenzo's last known location in Trenton, New Jersey -- and unknowingly stumble straight into John Puller's case, blowing his arrest during a drug ring investigation involving a military installation.

"Stunningly, Pine and Puller's joint investigation uncovers a connection between Vincenzo's family and a breathtaking scheme that strikes at the very heart of global democracy. Peeling back the layers of deceit, lies and cover-ups, Atlee finally discovers the truth about what happened to Mercy. And that truth will shock Pine to her very core."

I enjoyed the character combo of Pine and Puller. Some of the subject matter is disturbing, but Baldacci moves quickly past it without giving details. Much of the plot comes from real events maybe?? Think Jeffrey Epstein's island. I give it three out of five stars.

A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci

A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci
(Atlee Pine #2)
300 pages

"FBI Agent Atlee Pine's life was never the same after her twin sister Mercy was kidnapped--and likely killed--thirty years ago. After a lifetime of torturous uncertainty, Atlee's unresolved anger finally gets the better of her on the job, and she finds she has to deal with the demons of her past if she wants to remain with the FBI.

"Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum head back to Atlee's rural hometown in Georgia to see what they can uncover about the traumatic night Mercy was taken and Pine was almost killed. But soon after Atlee begins her investigation, a local woman is found ritualistically murdered, her face covered with a wedding veil--and the first killing is quickly followed by a second bizarre murder."  --from the publisher

I really enjoyed the first installment in this series, but this one is a bit disjointed, imho.  I think it is a bit under par for Baldacci's usual work.  Still, I'm intrigued to find the reason her twin was kidnapped so I'll be reading the next one for sure.  I gave it three out of five stars.

Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci

Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci
(Atlee Pine #1)
404 pages / 11 hrs, 9 mins

"...Atlee Pine, [is] an FBI special agent assigned to the remote wilds of the western United States. Ever since her twin sister was abducted by a notorious serial killer at age five, Atlee has spent her life hunting down those who hurt others. And she's the best at it. She could be one of the Bureau's top criminal profilers, if she didn't prefer catching criminals in the vast wilderness of the West to climbing the career ladder in the D.C. office. Her chosen mission is a lonesome one--but that suits her just fine.

"Now, Atlee is called in to investigate the mutilated carcass of a mule found in the Grand Canyon--and hopefully, solve the disappearance of its rider."    --from the publisher

I like this new character. I think Baldacci does a decent job of writing from a feminine perspective. The setting is great, and the story is interesting even though a bit far-fetched. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.