Holding Mercy by Lori G. Armstrong-A critique

"Holding Mercy" is a 2012 novella of less than a hundred pages by Lori G. Armstrong. It is a part of 3 additional short books on Mercy Gunderson after the 2nd novel "Mercy Kill" published in 2011 and before the 3rd book, "Merciless" published in 2013.

Book Overview (according to Good Reads)

"In this Thriller Short, award-winning author Lori Armstrong's protagonist, FBI special agent Mercy Gunderson, is hoping for a quiet date at the local casino. But getting a night off isn't so easy when you're trained to spot the unusual, like a thief prowling for wallets and purses. Unable to look away, Gunderson follows the thief outside for what she hopes will be a quick arrest, but it doesn't turn out to be quite so simple…"

Critique

I'm happy for them. They have different shifts and less time together but make the time to go on a date. I like that she made extra effort to make it special despite his lateness. They joke about how their date went (being abnormal or horrible because they worked and got dirty) but they still had a good time together. I was surprised Mercy didn't confront the pickpocket until his 5th time and escape. I was also surprised that a white man was the tool to steal from elderly Indian patrons in an Indian Casino on a reserve. Then again maybe to lessen the suspicion because they may be hyper-aware around their people but not around others which allowed the manager and security guard to keep calling him to steal from people like the foreigners and the elderly. The manager encouraged him saying it would be easy to do and they worked together the previous year. 

I thought the white guy was either in dire need of money and taken advantage of or skilled and utilized (as Mercy acknowledged him as a thief for hire). As the skinny white dude said it was all Whitetail's plan. That explains the lack of proper security guards, cameras, and overall safety of the place which Mercy was worried about as she waited for Dawson. She loves her new job as an FBI agent and he loves his job as the county sheriff. He likes seeing her in action but worries for her safety. When holding the thief he asked if she needed help instead of assuming that she did and she appreciated that.

Favourite character: Mercy, Dawson, the little boy.

Favourite scene: The boy saying he recorded everything and sent it to his uncle, the tribal president. Dawson acknowledging her ability and saying he wants her to need him regardless and her response saying she needs him in ways that scare her.

Most memorable thing: "Indian" is mentioned a lot, yes for differentiation as "skinny white guy" is mentioned as well but many of them could have just been named.

Overall: I liked it. Good for them.

Holding Mercy was "Originally published in LOVE IS MURDER edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown."

Book Overview (according to Good Reads)

Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by thirty of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romance suspense today. Go on vacation with Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid, where she saves a man from drowning, only to discover he is in far greater danger on land. Meet Roxanne St. Claire's "bullet catcher"-bodyguard Donovan Rush-who may have met his match in the sexually charged "Diamond Drop." Debut author William Simon shows us what happens when the granddaughter of the president of the United States is kidnapped. And Lee Child's pitch-perfect "I Heard a Romantic Story" puts a whole new spin on Love Is Murder.

Bodyguards, vigilantes, stalkers, serial killers, women (and men!) in jeopardy, cops, thieves, P.I.s, killers-these all-new stories will keep you thrilled and chilled late into the night.

Love Is Murder is the third Thriller anthology written exclusively by members of International Thriller Writers, Inc. Barely seven years old, ITW has a roster that reads like a who's who of thriller writing, with 1,635 members representing 28 countries worldwide and over three billion books in print. Headed by current copresidents Douglas Preston and Kathleen Antrim, its board of directors has included such notables as Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Steve Berry, James Rollins, M. J. Rose, Carla Neggers, Gayle Lynds, David Morrell and David Hewson. More information is available on the ITW website, www.thrillerwriters.org.