Introducing a remarkable new character from #1 New York Times bestselling writer David Baldacci: Atlee Pine, an FBI agent with special skills assigned to the remote wilds of the southwestern United States who must confront a new threat . . . and an old nightmare.Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Catch a tiger by its toe.It’s seared into Atlee Pine’s memory: the kidnapper’s chilling rhyme as he chose … chilling rhyme as he chose between six-year-old Atlee and her twin sister, Mercy. Mercy was taken. Atlee was spared.
She never saw Mercy again.
Three decades after that terrifying night, Atlee Pine works for the FBI. She’s the lone agent assigned to the Shattered Rock, Arizona resident agency, which is responsible for protecting the Grand Canyon.
So when one of the Grand Canyon’s mules is found stabbed to death at the bottom of the canyon-and its rider missing-Pine is called in to investigate. It soon seems clear the lost tourist had something more clandestine than sightseeing in mind. But just as Pine begins to put together clues pointing to a terrifying plot, she’s abruptly called off the case.
If she disobeys direct orders by continuing to search for the missing man, it will mean the end of her career. But unless Pine keeps working the case and discovers the truth, it could spell the very end of democracy in America as we know it…
“Love it!” –Lisa Gardner“Atlee Pine is unforgettable.” –James Patterson
“David Baldacci’s best yet.” –Lisa Scottoline
“Heart-poundingly suspenseful.” –Scott Turow
“A stunning debut.” –Douglas Preston
“A perfect blend of action, secrets, and conspiracies.” –Steve Berry
“Baldacci is at the top of his game.” –Kathy Reichs
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Couldn’t put it down!
This book was awesome! Grabbed me from the beginning and held me till the end. I couldn’t put it down and finished in one sitting. I love David Baldacci and the stories he writes.
While the plot was a reach, well written, kept your interest
Atlee Pine is now on my list of books to read. Baldacci does a great job developing a plot which took me deep into the book to unwind……..another good look at what happens to those whom we believe are our friends only to find out their own personal power consumes them. Great, action-packed read.
Excellent read
I love David Baldacci and hope to see more of Atlee Pine. I give it 4 stars because it started slow for me and I had a hard time relating to Atlee. By the end though I was thoroughly engrossed and excited for the next book. His characters are always unique and interesting to follow.
David Baldacci is one of a small group of the BEST mystery writers in our country. This book is a great read
It was not one of his best but I found it enjoyable
Atlee Pine is a female FBI agent who has been assigned to the field office in Shattered Rock, Arizona, a remote and quiet town in southwestern U.S.. She has a specific reason for wanting to be assigned to that region. But suddenly she finds herself trying to solve a bizarre crime that occurred at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon. A pack mule has been found stabbed to death and its rider is missing. When Atlee begins investigating, she quickly realizes that the rider was not a tourist and finds clues pointing to a plot that threatens the very democracy upon which the U.S. was founded. When Atlee is ordered to stop searching for the missing rider, she has a difficult choice to make.
As best-selling author David Baldacci leads readers on an action-packed adventure through the rough and untamed Grand Canyon and surrounding area, he reveals details about his new female protagonist’s background and motivations. “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Catch a tiger by its toe” is what the kidnapper sang to Atlee and her twin sister, Mercy, when the girls were just six years old. Atlee never saw Mercy again and her abductor was never apprehended. Why was Atlee spared by being left behind? And is the man Atlee believes to be her sister’s kidnapper guilty? If so, can Atlee extract the truth from him about where he took Mercy on that fateful night . . . and where Atlee can now find her remains?
The Long Road to Mercy is a stunning beginning to what promises to be another spellbinding, adventurous, and deeply moving series from Baldacci. The characters are compelling. Joining Atlee is her quirky, but devoted secretary, Carol Blum. At 60 years of age, Blum has worked for the FBI for several decades and, with Atlee, finally has a chance to experience actual law enforcement work up close. It’s an opportunity she is not about to miss. Then there’s Sam Kettler, the Park Service Ranger who discovered the dead mule, and joins Atlee in her quest to solve the mystery before it’s too late to derail the nefarious plot that threatens U.S. diplomacy and, perhaps, safety.
The Long Road to Mercy is, in true Baldacci style, the kind of book that can easily be devoured in one sitting or a single day. The problem with that is, at the conclusion of this first installment, readers will be disappointed at having to wait for the next volume to be published. That problem aside, The Long Road to Mercy is one of the best books of 2018 and Atlee Pine an endearing character that readers will embrace and cheer on.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
Great book. I can’t wait to see how her character develops! And I love that she kicks butt like Michelle and Jessica!
I’m a huge Baldacci fan but this is not his best work. In many ways not that believable.
David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint me. Atlee Pine (a new Baldacci FBI character) who has suffered a great loss as a young child, seeks to find answers to this personal cold case. The main story opens with a dead donkey found in the base of the Grand Canyon along with the missing rider. The donkey did not die of natural causes. How/why would national security of America be involved? The story keeps your interest with the end coming to a close quickly. Will she still have a job?
Not the most interesting Baldacci book.
Great new series that I look forward to reading more of
The now FBI agent, when she was 6 years old her twin was kidnapped she went and saw the person that was accused of murdering her sister. Then it went into corrupt military corrupt police then at the end it went back to the person aaccussed of abducting her sister. The first part and the ending had absolutely nothing to do with the actual books but it was pretty good story. Narrator’s were pretty good
David Baldacci is one of the greatest writer of our time!!!
I like the new main character and I’m looking forward to reading more
Baldacci always entertains with great characters and plots.
A blazing exciting introduction to David Baldacci’s new series featuring FBI Agent Atlee Pine. Meeting Agent Atlee Pine is like meeting a human superhero. She is sassy and smart with the physical strength to match. The first in I hope many stories about Atlee begins in Arizona and moves seamlessly back east and back to Arizona again. With the backdrop of the beautiful Grand Canyon, you can’t ask for more. I was swept away!
It’s Baldacci! Need I say more?