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MERCY (The Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 517 ratings

He’s running from the mob…

…she's running from her past.

Can they endure each other long enough to stop a killer?

Through fate—or a temporary misalignment of the stars—Willow Ball and Cooper Chain cross paths for the first time since college. Sparks fly, but not for the right reasons. The ex-lovers stumble over a dead body, but it’s the killer's calling card that leaves everyone chilled to the bone.

How can they make sense of the deadly trail?

Utilizing investigative skills similar to a couple of bickering teenagers, they’re met with one dead end after another. Bodies start to pile up—even two amateur sleuths can see that. But they have one more curveball up their sleeves.

Can the snarky crime-fighting duo stop the killing in the name of mercy?

Or will they be the final victims?

You’ll love this first Ball & Chain novel, because it’s filled with thrills, humor, and a slice of wicked romance.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A first-class first entry in a new series Mefford has impressively crafted. The Ball and Chain duo provide action, thrills, and wit that keep you turning the pages!" -- Jeff Carson, Bestselling Author of the David Wolf Series

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07JNJ4VGC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sugar Hill Press (January 22, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 22, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 517 ratings

About the author

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John W. Mefford
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Amazon #1 Bestselling Author and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

A veteran of the corporate rat-race, John W. Mefford never realized he was mentally documenting every experience of his professional journey—not until he started his first novel during a so-called "corporate timeout."

A voracious reader of mystery-thrillers since before he could shave, John enjoys weaving a twisty tale that keeps readers riveted until the last page. ​He's also learned he's pretty good at embellishing. Just don't tell his fourth-grade teacher.

Connect with John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnWMeffordAuthor

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
517 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining with well-crafted characters and a good balance of humor. They appreciate the fast-paced storyline with plenty of action that keeps the story fresh and interesting. The book is described as an excellent start to a new series by a stellar author.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining with well-crafted characters and compelling storylines. The author is described as fascinating and the book series is praised as wonderful.

"...as with the previous stories, this method keeps the story fresh and interesting since it is constantly changing to a new set of eyes...." Read more

"...Keep up the good work, John." Read more

"...But the good part is that John Mefford is such a good writer that I found little trouble reading this issue and having too many unanswered questions...." Read more

"...This seems assured to be a good, new series from a stellar author." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters and humor. They also appreciate the unusual mystery.

"...first book is a little slow to start, but it sets the background for the main characters very nicely...." Read more

"...book in the Ball & Chain Thrillers series, Mefford gives us well defined characters with a ton of baggage that you just have to connect with...." Read more

"A consistently entertaining novel with well-crafted characters, compelling storylines and more than a few surprises...." Read more

"My first of Mefford's books and very impressive. Especially the characters, the easy flowing humor, and the unusual mystery...." Read more

7 customers mention "Humor"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find the characters witty and engaging, with a good balance of suspenseful threats that keep you turning the pages. The writing style is cheeky but with plenty of action.

"...itself was much lighter than the previous Redemption series, with lots of humor and anecdotes from the characters’ previous time together and their..." Read more

"...As usual, Mefford's style is cheeky but with plenty of action. This seems assured to be a good, new series from a stellar author." Read more

"Cooper Chain and Willow Ball. So funny! I enjoyed the humor in this book...." Read more

"...Quite a lot it seems. Sassy and witty - draws you in waiting to see what they will do next and how they will figure it out. I’m ready for book two!" Read more

6 customers mention "Suspenseful"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful storyline with a touch of humor. They find the thriller engaging, with well-crafted characters and surprising twists. The easy flow of humor and the unusual mystery keep readers turning the pages until the end.

"...There’s plenty of suspense, with a bit of snark, and a touch of sass. Make sure you have time to read MERCY in one sitting...." Read more

"...But they did solve the mystery. I loved Ozzie and Alex, so maybe I'll grow to like these guys too...." Read more

"...I was drawn into the story from the very start and hated to put it down...." Read more

"...Suspenseful threats and a good balance of wit thrown in will keep you turning the pages. I look forward to the next step in this journey. A+" Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the fast pacing of the book. They find it an engaging mystery thriller with plenty of action that keeps the story fresh and interesting.

"...Just as with the previous stories, this method keeps the story fresh and interesting since it is constantly changing to a new set of eyes...." Read more

"...Time will tell. The story moves so quickly that I finished the book in one sitting. Now I'm jonesing for the third installment!" Read more

"...As usual, Mefford's style is cheeky but with plenty of action. This seems assured to be a good, new series from a stellar author." Read more

"Loved this book its ranks right up there with james patterson. It is fast paced and the characters are fun" Read more

5 customers mention "Series development"5 positive0 negative

Customers are pleased with the series development. They say it's a great start to another great series by John Mefford and can't wait for book two.

"...This book shows great promise for the rest of the series and I am looking forward to "Fear" and whatever comes after. Keep up the good work, John." Read more

"This is a new series by John Mefford and he starts it with a bang. There is an old romance which may or may not rekindle...." Read more

"...Somehow while reading it I was hooked! A great start to another great series. Can’t wait for book 2." Read more

"Another winning series in the making..." Read more

Great story!!
5 out of 5 stars
Great story!!
'Cooper Chain' and 'Willow Ball'. They are the names of the two main characters in MERCY. Will this be a play on the phrase 'ball and chain? In the U.S. and Great Britain, in the early 1800's, prisoners had a chain attached to their ankle and the chain was attached to a large steel ball. It really restricted movement. Later it came to mean anything that interfered with letting you do what you want to do. It especially means being tethered to a wife who won't let you do what you want to do.That is what I thought of when I read this was the first in a new series called 'A Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 1'. This novel is full of surprises. If you have read any of the other series by Mr. Mefford you will definitely enjoy this. A little more humorous than his other characters. I think I like Cooper and Willow a little more than Ozzie, Alex and Ivy. Just a hint into the story: even after 18 years a killer still wants to strike. Cooper works in a book store! What on earth could possibly go wrong? I want to highly recommend this book.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
    Mercy is book 1 in the Ball and Chain series - a brand new series for this author. We are introduced to two characters, Cooper Chain and Willow Ball; old high school sweethearts who went their separate ways and meet up again after 18 years. This is where the story begins. The characters tell the story from their own point of view, alternating between them. Just as with the previous stories, this method keeps the story fresh and interesting since it is constantly changing to a new set of eyes. This introductory story itself was much lighter than the previous Redemption series, with lots of humor and anecdotes from the characters’ previous time together and their current endeavors.. Even though a serial murderer was running amok and killing “good” people, the story was mostly an introduction to our main characters, friends, and families. I think this will be a really fun series and look forward to sharing their upcoming adventures.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019
    I nearly wept when John Mefford's Redemption Series made it's final bow; but allgood things must come to an end they say. I shall miss Alex and Ozzie and all of their friends (and enemies?). But now John has introduced us to Willow and Cooper, that is Willow Ball and Cooper Chain. . .Yes, that is BALL and CHAIN! Cooper is being chased by the mob, and Willow only days from her wedding. Murder interferes (doesn't it always? and is'nt that why we love to read these books?). This book shows great promise for the rest of the series and I am looking forward to "Fear" and whatever comes after. Keep up the good work, John.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2019
    I just never got into these characters.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019
    I was sad when the Redemption Series ended, but was also excited to see what he had in store for us with his new series -The Ball and Chain thrillers. The name had me scratching my head - until I started reading it - you'll love where the name comes from.

    This first book is a little slow to start, but it sets the background for the main characters very nicely. Willow and Cooper were together years ago in college, but that ended and they hadn't seen each other in almost 20 years. A lot has happened in their lives that makes running into each other an experience!

    Get ready for a wild ride done in a way only Mefford can do it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2019
    I am so excited for a new John Mefford series! I was heartbroken when the last series ended so I was beyond thrilled to get into a new one!

    Being that I am used to a series already started and going – hey, it’s been awhile since he started this last series – the beginning seemed slow as we got to know our new characters, but the typical John Mefford was definitely there.

    We still had mystery, thrill, and suspense and I definitely feel like we are still missing back stories on our characters so I cannot wait to keep reading to learn more about them. They are definitely different than our past characters and I cannot wait to learn more about them!

    The mystery not only left you wondering who the suspect was, but also left you guessing as to who was going to fall prey at their hands as well – kind of a double edge sword mystery.

    There was also a little side ring circus that kept us on our toes that I am sure will continue to develop and a thorn in that that I feel will also continue to unfold, leaving future stories filled with craziness and suspense!

    I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our new characters and what mysteries John is going to throw our way!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2019
    I just finished reading the second book in this series before reading the one. But the good part is that John Mefford is such a good writer that I found little trouble reading this issue and having too many unanswered questions. But the correct order would have been better, especially since some part of the story lines require sequential reading. Connor and Willow are two very conflicted people who definitely need to be together as they were in college some 18 years prior. They clearly are deeply in love and they seem so compatible but they won't entertain the concept of being together. They also have an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time as well as think/reason a step or two ahead of the police. Their friend even suggests to them the idea of starting a detective agency. Time will tell. The story moves so quickly that I finished the book in one sitting. Now I'm jonesing for the third installment!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2019
    The serial killer came secondary to me as I was much more interested in Cooper Chain (39) and Willow Ball (38) who were college sweethearts, but Cooper disappeared on Willow and they haven't seen or heard from each other in 18 years . Cooper use to be a sportswriter and now finds himself working in a bookstore barely getting by as loan shark thugs threaten him for the $50,000 he owes them. Willow is planning her wedding to a rich, controlling man who makes you wonder why they're getting married as he doesn't seem to have any passion for her. The main interest to keep reading for me was their give and take relationship and finding out what happened to them in the past 18 years. It makes me wonder why Cooper ever walked away from Willow in the first place. You just know they belong together, but for some reason keep dancing around their mutual attraction. Cooper is no macho alpha male, in fact Willow probably has a harder right hook than he does, but does have dry wit and a mouth to boot on him. You add in their parents and friends and you have a zoo on your hands. The killer is eventually caught, but the secondary plots remain unresolved and continue right into the next book. No serious cliff hangers and read free with my KU.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kitler1704
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2019
    This starter for the new series Ball and Chain has me hooked! Excellent characters, perfect plot, and the twists, turns and challenges make this a must read. To be honest, I started reading this with trepidation as I didn't think it possible to write a series that would even come close to the Alex Troutt Thriller series. I am ecstatic to say...this is going to be FANTASTIC! Thanks for yet another mini holiday without leaving the house, John.
  • Norma Miles
    5.0 out of 5 stars "All in the name of Mercy."
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2019
    Anyone who has read any of John Mefford's previous books will know that not only does he have a fine touch with characterisation and back story for his protagonists but also a fine sense of humour. Both of the qualities shine strong in this, the first book of his new thriller series. Cooper Chain, aspiring author who works in a bookshop, and Willow Ball, his one time girlfriend, remeet by chance 18 years, just days before Willow's wedding to a very wealthy man. The murder of one of the wedding guests, Willow's cousin, brings the couple together again as they try to find the killer.

    A high quality mystery thriller with unexpected twists, and Mr.Mefford' s superior ability to bring people and places alive, make this a very enjoyable, immersive but easy read and hold the promise of a really excellent, fun series to follow.
    Highly recommended.
  • Alison
    3.0 out of 5 stars Murder
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2019
    Tbh I've struggled with this book. I think it's because I've read all the redemption series and loved all characters . I have pre ordered the 2nd book in the ball and chain series. I suppose we've been spoilt .
  • barbara wallace
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mercy...Ball and Chain book 1
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2019
    Different to my usual choice of book but once I was into the story I was hooked and have already got books two,three and four already in my library. A well paced tale with so many twists the reader has to keep turning the page to find out what will happen next.

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