Investigative reporter Mercy Malone is determined to find
out who murdered her older brother, Harley, ten years ago. She finds new evidence, forcing the Texas Rangers to reopen Harley's
case. She and grumpy but hunky Ranger David Durant team up
to go over the new evidence. They start interviewing new people and
learn more about the night Harley died. They obtain a confession
from a man who assumes that he killed Harley; however, he does
not remember shooting Harley, and the gun has disappeared. At first
Mercy and David think that they have closed the case, but
more and different evidence piles up.
Mercy takes care of her frail mother, who had a stroke some years ago.
Her mother wants nothing so much as to see Mercy married well and
pressures her into trying to find a fiancée. Both Mercy and
her mother have to deal with the strong emotions that the death of
Harley has left, and their grief is well-written.
Romance is a strong element in the mystery. Mercy and David
feel a strong mutual attraction, even though they irritate
each other at first sight. Determined that they are not right
for each other, they fight the attraction. David believes that
being infatuated is just a phase in life that he has outgrown.
Mercy, dating a nice but boring guy, thinks that she can settle
for him. But that attraction keeps growing...
Mercy Triumphs is a short book and easy read. The murder mystery
does not follow the usual patterns. While that makes it more life-like, it may frustrate those expecting a more traditional
case. Most of the people in the book are either very
kindhearted, some of them even despite outward toughness, or vicious
drunks. This yawning divide between the characters makes the book less
believable.