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  • Published: 5 January 2022
  • ISBN: 9781643857626
  • Imprint: Crooked Lane Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $59.99

Mercy Creek

A Jo Wyatt Mystery



In an idyllic Colorado town, a young girl goes missing—and the trail leads into the heart and mind of a remorseless killer.

In an idyllic Colorado town, a young girl goes missing—and the trail leads into the heart and mind of a remorseless killer.

The late summer heat in Echo Valley, Colorado turns lush greenery into a tinder dry landscape. When a young girl mysteriously disappears, long buried grudges rekindle. Of the two Flores girls, Marisa was the one people pegged for trouble. Her younger sister, Lena, was the quiet daughter, dutiful and diligent—right until the moment she vanished.
 
Detective Jo Wyatt is convinced the eleven-year-old girl didn’t run away and that a more sinister reason lurks behind her disappearance.  For Jo, the case is personal, reaching far back into her past.  But as she mines Lena’s fractured family life, she unearths a cache of secrets and half-lies that paints a darker picture.
 
As the evidence mounts, so do the suspects, and when a witness steps forward with a shocking new revelation, Jo is forced to confront her doubts, and her worst fears. Now, it's just a matter of time before the truth is revealed—or the killer makes another deadly move.

  • Published: 5 January 2022
  • ISBN: 9781643857626
  • Imprint: Crooked Lane Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $59.99

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Praise for Mercy Creek

Praise for Shadow Ridge: Florida Book Awards 2021, Silver Medal for Popular Fiction Colorado Book Award Finalist 2021, Mystery "An engaging premise, briskly paced through a labyrinth of mystery. There’s something to be said for good ole’ fashioned suspense. Enjoy this one." —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series "An impressive debut. M.E. Browning has created a real page turner, and a compelling series character with Jo Wyatt."  —Chris Mooney, bestselling author of the Darby McCormick series “A first-rate mystery! M.E. Browning paints a convincing portrait of Detective Jo Wyatt, a second generation cop in an uphill battle for the truth. Compelling and fast-paced, Shadow Ridge will leave you wanting more.”  —Bruce Robert Coffin, bestselling author of the award-winning Detective Byron Mysteries  “Such a terrific book! The oh-so-talented M.E. Browning knows her law enforcement stuff--and uses it to the fullest to craft this riveting, realistic and totally readable story.  Fans of Sue Grafton and Julia Spencer-Fleming will find a new favorite series, and a new favorite sleuth in the smart and savvy Detective Jo Wyatt. Loved this." —Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of The First to Lie “Excellent...A must-read.” —Booklist, starred review “Convincing action and vivid characters...Police procedural fans will look forward to seeing more of tough, smart Jo.” —Publishers Weekly “Retired police captain Browning...is best on Jo’s professional frustration with a department that values her labors as long as she doesn’t step out of line.” —Kirkus Reviews “Browning’s Jo should be with readers for a long time.” —Newsday “An energetic police procedural and an appealing heroine set against a vivid Colorado background.” —South Florida Sun Sentinel “Winter’s coming, and this is a great book to curl up by a fire and enjoy.” —Durango Herald “The pacing here is spot-on...The ending will leave readers hopeful for more books featuring Jo Wyatt and the Echo Valley citizens.” —BOLO Books