Mercy (Paperback)

by David Lindsey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Lindsey ( In the Lake of the Moon ) has constructed a lean, gripping, psychological thriller around a gruesome subject: a series of brutally sadistic murders among the lesbian demimonde of monied Houston. The victims are found nude, beaten, bitten, slashed--and perfumed and flawlessly made-up, but with their eyelids expertly sliced from their eyes. Lindsey's likable heroine, recently divorced detective Carmen Palma, frantically tries to discover the murderer before another strike, battling both male chauvinism within the department and a growing discomfort with her task: exposure to the brutalized corpses is destroying her peace of mind. Still, she's tough, her powers of deduction remarkable, and the investigation moves swiftly--though it's periodically upstaged by erotic descriptions of murder and incest as well as enlightening asides on the nature and psychology of lesbianism, serial murder, transvestism, fetishism, bisexuality and sadomasochism. In all, Lindsey seems to have achieved a paradoxical goal: to create a sexually charged thriller that entertains in a responsible manner. Written with masterly skill, his chilling, provocative story is propelled by sophisticated characterization, credible dialogue and accurately rendered details. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections; author tour.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"With a sure, steady hand Lindsey ratchets the suspense and sexual tension tighter and tighter, page by merciless page.  The only mercy you'll get is the word on the cover."--Stephen Conts. -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 604 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553289721
• ISBN-13: 978-0553289725
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,080,915 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshingly original and unique mystery thriller, June 29, 1998

By A Customer

I didn't expect to be overwhelmed by this book, thinking it would be the typical albeit entertaining murder-mystery novel. Instead I encountered an exceedingly well written story with a warm, likeable protagonist and a plot that truly keeps you wondering until the last chapter. After reading this novel, I have since sought out and read all of Lindsey's novels. If you like a good, gory thriller, you have to read this book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mercy, November 28, 1999

By	Jill C. Guenther "Ozziemom" (Castaic, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read Mercy a few years ago, as did my Mom and about 10 other women friends, and we all loved it, even though it was about certain things we had never been involved in, it is riveting. The best thing about this book is the main character, Carmen, whose life is as interesting in her personal life with the interplay with her Mother as is her exciting life in her job. David Lindsay, if you ever read these reviews, are you ever going to write a book with Carmen in it? I have waited years for a book with her in it. Please, let us hear from her again. Your writing is wonderful, but this book was really the one that women liked.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a keeper. I've already reread this book twice., November 4, 1997

By A Customer

I read this book years ago and it still ranks in my all-time top 10 list. I shared the book with numerous co-workers and we all agreed that we would like to meet these women (and we're all heterosexual). It's amazing that a man has such insight and sensitivity in depicting the emotions of his female characters. It just goes to show that the rules of love apply to all relationships. I recommend this book highly.