Without Mercy [Paperback]

Lois Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2000

The acclaimed author of River of Summer delivers a compelling and emotionally moving novel of what happens when murder touches the heart of a family-and forever changes their past, present, and future....

Brett McBride is walking in the woods near her grandmother's farm when she discovers a dead body. The police, headed by her ex-husband, believe that no one is above suspicion. And when a devastating blizzard leaves the family snowbound, three generations will be forced to unlock thirty years of silence....

Praise for River of Summer:

"An odyssey of self-discovery...a complex emotional drama."--Romantic Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451409418
• ISBN-13: 978-0451409416
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,053,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I spent the first half of my professional life as an artist and gradually shifted into the realm of writing over the past two decades. After years of trial and error, my novel "River of Summer" (a romance) was published by Penguin-Putnam in 1999. Eleven months later my novel "Without Mercy" (a mystery) was published by NAL Dutton in 2000. All right! I thought to myself. I am HOT! I am ON FIRE! Two book contracts in one year, and a movie deal in the works.

Then I wrote a book that didn't sell. I wrote another book that didn't sell. It took several years -- and oh, maybe a hundred rejections -- for me to find my bearings again as a storyteller. "Returning to Taos" was published by Five Star in 2006, and "Lost in the Gila" (an archaeological thriller) was published by Five Star in February 2009.

My travails in learning how to write all over again and then finding a publisher for my work led me to start "You Can Get Published," a web-based developmental editorial service at www.loisgilbert.com.

My novels have been translated into several languages, and I've lectured on creative writing around the world for Norwegian Cruise Line. I've evaluated manuscripts for University of New Mexico Press, and was a featured speaker for the 2009 New Mexico Women Author's Book Festival. My motto? Life is good. It's never too late to learn, and it's never too late to re-invent yourself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting contemporary suspense, September 13, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Without Mercy (Paperback)

On her beloved gran's farm near Ithaca, New York Brett McBride recovers from the illnesses that she caught while spending a year in Africa providing medical relief. She has spent the past year at home and away from the disasters and death she saw in Ethiopia. However, she still has not reconciled with her teenage daughter Amy, who lived with her dad while Brett played doctor overseas. Amy hates the farm and wants to go back to the total freedom she had with her dad.

While hunting on the property's woods, Brett spots the mangled remains of a murder victim. Brett calls the police. Her ex-husband heads up the investigation that soon points towards Brett, her family, and a hired hand as the prime suspects. However, the identity of the corpse leads to more mysteries that threaten to destroy the loving McBride clan.

WITHOUT MERCY is an exciting contemporary suspense with a pinch of romance that centers on the unraveling of ties that bond a family together. The cleverly designed story line focuses on the fully developed charcaters as they react to the murder especially who the victim is. The audience understands what motivates the cast notably Brett and Gran. Fans of Hoag and Johansen will enjoy Lois Gilbert's taut family thriller.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Entertainment!, September 25, 2000

By 

Chris Baurle (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Without Mercy (Paperback)

Lois Gilbert's Without Mercy is a wonderful read! It is a fast-paced, action filled, suspenseful thriller. I couldn't put it down. Her characters are fully developed and richly drawn. Particularly poignant is Gilbert's portrayal of the lead character's (Brett) relationship with her teenage daughter. It reminded me of my own parenting tribulations and how difficult it is to be either a parent or a teenager. Without Mercy moves very quickly and has a wonderful mix of intrigue, romance, and humor. The excitement and uncertainty build with every page until a final astonishing climax. I can't wait to read Gilbert's next book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Without Mercy (Paperback)

This is a real page turner -- an absolutely riveting, compelling thriller, about family secrets, romance and murder.