Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this high-octane series launch, Welsh-Huggins (Sick to Death) introduces scrappy freelance courier Mercury Carter. In the opening pages, Carter arrives at the suburban Indianapolis home of married couple Rachel and Glenn Stanfield to make an urgent delivery, only to find a gang of criminals there, seeking information about the whereabouts of a woman named Stella Wolford. Wolford recently gave a deposition in a lawsuit Rachel's firm was assisting as outside counsel; believing she knows where Wolford is hiding, the gang takes Rachel captive. Carter and Glenn pursue the kidnappers, embarking on a relentless chase that eventually points them toward a scheme to rig the state lottery. Meanwhile, as Carter and Glenn's adversaries leave a trail of destruction in their wake, Det. Rosa Jimenez starts piecing things together as she tries to locate the missing Stanfields. With full-throttle pacing from start to finish, this will have Jack Reacher fans hoping Carter is back in action soon. Agent: Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg Rostan. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
After his mailman father was murdered, Mercury Carter became a U.S. postal inspector with federal law enforcement powers. While investigating his father's death, Merc was attacked and left with a traumatic brain injury. Now, as an independent courier delivering packages, he's never missed a delivery. When he arrives at the home of attorney Rachel Stanfield and her husband, Glenn, he realizes they're captives who are about to be violently interrogated. Although Merc incapacitates several of the kidnappers, two escape with Rachel. With the injured Glenn in tow, Merc sets out across the Midwest, tracking Rachel so he can deliver his package and move on to the next job. In 24 hours, Merc saves several lives, finds Glenn's kidnapped 15-year-old daughter, and discovers there's more than one gang blocking the completion of his job. Although the issues seem to be drugs and lottery tickets, Merc uncovers a bigger conspiracy, which may necessitate police involvement. VERDICT The author of The End of the Road introduces a determined, innovative courier in the vein of Lee Child's Jack Reacher or James Byrne's Dez Limerick. Appearances are deceiving in this fast-paced thriller, and the characters are introduced gradually so as not to overwhelm the outstanding series debut.--Lesa Holstine
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A highly unlikely hero steps up to neutralize a dangerous band of kidnappers. Young Abby Stanfield's horrible grades trigger an argument between her parents, Glenn and Rachel, over the exorbitant tuition at Bellbrook Academy, making for a typical Tuesday evening for the Stanfields until four masked men--Stone and Vlad and Paddy and Finn, the leader--bust into their home and hold the family hostage. Their intent is murky, but apparently focuses on a woman, Stella Wolford, and her connection to Rachel, who's an attorney. The intruders' plan is interrupted by deliveryman Mercury Carter, whom Finn rebuffs at the door. Carter, who's not who he seems, calculates a bit in his Suburban before breaking into the home himself, causing Finn, Paddy, and Vlad to take off with a captive Rachel. After pummeling Stone, Carter gives chase, accompanied by Glenn and Abby. The series kickoff by the prolific author of the Andy Hayes mysteries spools out like a fast-paced treasure hunt, with Finn eliciting info from the steely Rachel in teaspoons while Carter pursues him. A third narrative thread fills in the details of Carter's rocky past in short cuts. The twisty plot relies on periodic revelations; suffice it to say that Carter is not the only character with secrets. Some additional juice is provided by the arrival of no-nonsense detective Rosa Jimenez, investigating a collateral victim of the villains. Welsh-Huggins keeps the story moving, but readers' engagement will depend on the appeal of the iconoclastic Carter. A brisk and busy chase thriller. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
