Blind Search (Mercy Carr Series #2)

by Paula Munier

Overview

Former Army MP Mercy Carr and her retired bomb-sniffing dog Elvis are back in Blind Search, the sequel to the page-turning, critically acclaimed A Borrowing of Bones

It’s October, hunting season in the Green Mountains—and the Vermont wilderness has never been more beautiful or more dangerous. Especially for nine-year-old Henry, who’s lost in the woods. Again. Only this time he sees something terrible. When a young woman is found shot through the heart with a fatal arrow, Mercy thinks that something is murder. But Henry, a math genius whose autism often silences him when he should speak up most, is not talking.

Now there’s a murderer hiding among the hunters in the forest—and Mercy and Elvis must team up with their crime-solving friends, game warden Troy Warner and search-and-rescue dog Susie Bear, to find the killer—before the killer finds Henry. When an early season blizzard hits the mountains, cutting them off from the rest of the world, the race is on to solve the crime, apprehend the murderer, and keep the boy safe until the snowplows get through.

Inspired by the true search-and-rescue case of an autistic boy who got lost in the Vermont wilderness, Paula Munier's mystery is a compelling roller coaster ride through the worst of winter—and human nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250153067
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/05/2019
Series:	Mercy Carr Series , #2
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	33,172
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Paula Munier is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Mercy Carr mysteries, inspired by the hero working dogs of Mission K9 Rescue, her own Newfoundland-retriever rescue Bear, and her lifelong passion for crime fiction. The first in the series, A Borrowing of Bones, was nominated for a Mary Higgins Clark Award.

She’s also the author of three popular books on writing, Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, and Writing with Quiet Hands, as well as Happier Every Day: Simple ways to bring more peace, contentment and joy into your life and the acclaimed memoir Fixing Freddie: The true story of a boy, a mom, and a very, very bad beagle. She lives in New England with her family, rescue dogs Bear and Bliss, and a rescue torbie tabby named Ursula.

PAULA MUNIER is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Mercy Carr mysteries. A Borrowing of Bones, the first in the series, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award and named the Dogwise Book of the Year. Blind Search also won a Dogwise Award. The Hiding Place and The Wedding Plot both appeared on several “Best Of” lists. HOME AT NIGHT, the fifth book in the series, was inspired by her volunteer work as a Natural Resources Steward of New Hampshire. Along with her love of nature, Paula credits the hero dogs of Mission K9 Rescue, her own rescue dogs, and a deep affection for New England as her series’ major influences. A literary agent by day, she’s also written three popular books on writing: Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, and Writing with Quiet Hands, as well as Happier Every Day and the memoir Fixing Freddie: The True Story of a Boy, a Mom, and a Very, Very Bad Beagle. She lives in New England with her family and Bear the Newfoundland-retriever rescue, Bliss the Great Pyrenees-Australian cattle dog rescue, pandemic puppy Blondie, a Malinois rescue (much like Elvis in her books), and Ursula The Cat, a rescue torbie tabby who does not think much of the dogs. For more, check out www.paulamunier.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2019

In Munier's second novel featuring former military police Mercy Carr and her retired bomb-sniffing Belgian Malinois Elvis (A Borrowing of Bones), a young woman is found dead in the woods of the Green Mountains during hunting season—shot with an arrow. While local officials gather evidence, Mercy and Elvis reunite with game warden Troy Warner and his search-and-rescue dog Susie Bear to track a lost child, potentially a witness to the murder. Susie Bear and Elvis lead them deep into the Vermont forest to Henry, a nine-year-old on the autism spectrum, who has a lot of fear yet trusts in the dogs and seems to hold the keys to mysteries and hearts alike. As attacks accumulate and escalate, Mercy, Troy, and their canine colleagues must unravel the mystery and keep Henry safe. Charming working dogs are the icing on the cake in this story, Vermont is as tough a character as Mercy, and Munier writes them with both intricacy and ease. VERDICT Returning readers will celebrate this sequel; those new to Mercy and Elvis will be delighted to catch a solid series in its early days. All will look forward to more.—Julie Kane, Washington & Lee Lib., Lexington, VA

Library Journal

09/16/2019

The murder of architect Alice de Clare, who was found on the estate of Vermont billionaire Daniel Feinberg with an arrow through her heart, propels Munier’s appealing sequel to 2018’s A Borrowing of Bones. Daniel hires former military MP Mercy Carr and her bomb-sniffing Belgian shepherd, Elvis, to investigate. Mercy’s love interest, game warden Troy Warner, and his search and rescue dog, Susie Bear, lend a hand. They’re aided by nine-year-old math whiz Henry Jenkins, a possible witness, whose father was in love with Alice. The killer could be among the well-heeled hunting party that Daniel is hosting, whose entwined histories date back to the early 1980s, and as Mercy teases out their secrets, she also explores her growing attraction to Troy. The hunting party’s overly complex interpersonal relationships often bog down the action, but Munier’s affection for the dogs she depicts, as well as Henry’s sweet bond with them, will warm hearts. Readers will look forward to the irresistible Mercy and Elvis’s next adventure. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Charming working dogs are the icing on the cake in this story, Vermont is as tough a character as Mercy, and Munier writes them with both intricacy and ease. Returning readers will celebrate this sequel; those new to Mercy and Elvis will be delighted...all will look forward to more." —Library Journal

"There’s so much to praise here: Munier’s deep knowledge of the culture of hunting (especially the bow-and-arrow variety); her brisk, incisive characterizations; the way she maintains a taut line of suspense throughout; and, best of all, her portrayals of wounded yet still courageous pairs of humans and dogs. A not-to-be-missed K-9 mystery." —Booklist

"Munier’s affection for the dogs she depicts, as well as Henry’s sweet bond with them, will warm hearts. Readers will look forward to the irresistible Mercy and Elvis’s next adventure." —Publishers Weekly

"An action-packed story of triumph over adversity." —Kirkus Reviews

"Based on the true search-and-rescue of an autistic boy, this page turner will take you on a roller coaster ride through the worst of winter—and human nature." —Modern Dog Magazine

"'Blind Search' reads like a treatise on how to craft a thriller bursting at the seams with converging subplots without ever moving us to throw up our hands in exasperation. Indeed, we’re too busy using our fingers to turn the pages." —John Land for Providence Journal

"Riveting." —Concord Monitor

Praise for A Borrowing of Bones:

"Munier’s perfectly paced tale crackles with fast-paced dialogue and elegant descriptions that would make the likes of John Hart and James Lee Burke proud. But it’s her writing about animals, dogs in particular, that truly sparkles and distinguishes her from the pack." —Jon Land, Booktrib

"Comparisons may be made between Munier's debut mystery and Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 mysteries. A stronger read-alike is Julia Spencer Fleming's mysteries featuring Rev. Clare Fergusson, another female veteran. The believable dogs, the touches of humor, the independent, determined Mercy, and well-crafted characters will bring readers back." —Library Journal (starred review and debut of the month)

"The portrayal of working dogs will appeal to fans of David Rosenfelt and Margaret Mizushima. The blend of lovingly detailed setting and lively characters, both human and canine, makes this a series to watch." —Publishers Weekly

"Finally, a suspense novel that combines my two loves: a thrilling police procedural, assisted by two fabulous working dogs. A one-sit read that will make you happy you did." —Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Look for Me

"A compelling mix of hard edges and easy charm - I loved this book.” —Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A Borrowing of Bones is a nuanced nail-biter with a compelling quartet of crime fighters: two extraordinary rescue and rescued dogs and their human handlers." — Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author of You’ll Never Know, Dear

"This is why we read crime fiction! The immensely talented Paula Munier had me at page one with indelibly drawn characters in a heartbreaking, compelling and incredibly intelligent story. Plus, the greatest dogs on the planet. Fans of William Kent Krueger and C.J. Box will devour this terrific book." —Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony, Mary Higgins Clark and Macavity Award-Winning Author

"Who let the dogs out? Paula Munier did, in a terrific new mystery thriller about two admirably resilient human characters and their smart, sturdy, resourceful canine sidekicks, who track a collection of murderous suspects across the glorious Green Mountains of Vermont. Come for the action and the mystery, stay for all the other pleasures of a novel that will keep you turning pages right up to the satisfying final passages." —William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Back Bay and Bound for Gold

"Paula Munier has that special gift for bringing fictional dogs to life, and she's just as adept with humans. I read this book in one sitting, and so will you. A Borrowing of Bones is a terrific mystery." —Spencer Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

"Wow! I couldn’t put it down. (Warning: Don’t start this one at bedtime.) Paula is an artist. Her prose is breathtaking, the story compelling, the pace exhilarating. Truly, I loved it. A Borrowing of Bones is an exultant exploration of decency, honor, and patriotism. Beautifully crafted, thoroughly enjoyable." —Jane K. Cleland, Agatha Award-winning author

"If you love dogs and mysteries, you have two reasons to love A Borrowing of Bones. Paula Munier's page turner is made even more memorable by her keen insight and love of dogs." —Larry Kay, award-winning dog author of Training the Best Dog Ever and Life's A Bark

"An entertaining, escapist retreat." —Shelf Awareness

"A novel that hooks the reader from the first page and begins a projected series, A Borrowing of Bones shines as a paean to veterans and service dogs." —Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

“This fast-paced and intoxicating drama immediately grabbed my attention and I was immersed in all aspects from plot-line to character development to the dialogue to just about everything. The author knows how to keep this reader involved by creating a complex and determine yet flawed heroine...” —Dru's Book Musings, Best Books of 2018

From the Publisher

2019-09-02
A boy who likes to wander and dogs that live to find the missing add up to an exciting adventure in rural Vermont.

Still mourning the death of her fiance in Afghanistan but comforted by Elvis, his bomb-sniffing dog, Mercy Carr has formed an attachment to Game Warden Troy Warner and his search dog, Susie Bear, who were her partners in solving a murder (A Borrowing of Bones, 2018). When she hears shots, Mercy tracks Elvis, who's vanished into the woods owned by Daniel Feinberg, her wealthy friend and neighbor. Feinberg's hunting party has found a large bear in the tree to which groundskeeper Gunnar Moe's pack of Norwegian elkhounds chased him. But Elvis has turned up something even more disturbing: a young woman with an arrow in her chest. The dead woman is Alice de Clare, an architect and weekend guest of Daniel's who's been working with his other guests—Blake and Katharine Montgomery, Caspar and Cara Farrow, Lea Sanders and Ethan Jenkins—on a project to renovate the Bluffing Bear Inn. Mercy's discoveries continue when she finds a pajama-clad boy in the woods who may be a witness to murder. The boy is Henry Jenkins, an autistic 9-year-old math genius who speaks little but knows much and finds the dogs calming. As Troy well knows, the woods are beautiful but menacing, occupied by the most dangerous beasts, human lawbreakers. Even so, Mercy believes that the killer is most likely one of Feinberg's guests, most of whom have been friends ever since they attended prep school together. Certain that the headline-seeking State Police detective will get everything wrong, Mercy and Troy use Feinberg's estate as a base for hunting the killer. Their most difficult task is protecting Henry, whose wandering is a danger to himself and the people and dogs who guard him.

An action-packed story of triumph over adversity.

Kirkus Reviews