Cry for Mercy

“OMG what an opening. Talk about being hooked… The words ‘OH WOW’ left my mouth when I realized I had finished it!… This is a must read for all crime fans… 5 massive stars.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


The girl’s eyes were open, her gaze softened with a milky hue. Her perfect skin and halo of blonde hair made her look angelic. It was a brutal contrast to the rope suspending her from the high-vaulted ceiling, and the bruises that had blossomed on her arms. Eleanor reached forward then caught herself. This woman was past saving.


When a beautiful young woman is found murdered in a derelict power station, Detective Inspector Eleanor Raven hurries to the scene. The girl’s body has been ritualistically posed, with cherry-red lipstick painted across her mouth. And when she catches sight of the engagement ring crusted with blood on her delicate finger, Eleanor pushes back on the grief it provokes. Lydia Greystein had so much to live for. The only way Eleanor can help now is to find the killer responsible, and she and her team immediately set to work.


As Eleanor and the team work together to unpick the killer’s motivations, another woman is found, bound and posed in the same ceremonial stance. Suddenly, Eleanor’s case becomes more twisted and urgent than ever. Just when they think they’ve hit a dead end, Eleanor finds a link between the victims and a cold case—an unsolved death with a connection to her own hidden life outside work. To follow the clues now risks bringing her secrets into the open.


But as Eleanor begins to understand the killer, he starts to understand her too.


Eleanor must solve this case before more women are taken. Could the secrets she keeps from those closest to her be the final clue to break open this case… or will they ultimately cost Eleanor her life?


A fast-paced, tense and completely gripping mystery thriller that will keep you hooked until the final page. Karen Long will be the newest favourite crime author for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons and Robert Dugoni.


Cry for Mercy was previously published as The Safe Word.


Readers love Cry for Mercy:

“I absolutely loved it… OMG what an opening. Talk about being hooked… The words ‘OH WOW’ left my mouth when I realized I had finished it! That’s how much I enjoyed it. This is a must read for all crime fans it ticked all the boxes for me. I highly recommend this book giving it 5 massive stars.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Excellent!!!… Fantastic read!!! Do yourself a favour… read it… NOW!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Loved, loved, loved this book.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“This book had me gripped with suspense from page one. I couldn’t put this book down. Such a perfect serial killer thriller. Fantastically written.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“One of the most gripping books I have read… From the off the action was fast-paced and exciting… I cannot recommend it enough.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“I stayed up well into the early hours of the morning to finish this… Just outstanding.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Absolutely brilliant I could not put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Without a doubt, one of the best crime books I have read all year!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Couldn’t put the book down… kept you guessing in the action all the way to the end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“I don’t give out 5-star reviews lightly… I’m so glad I stumbled across this gem.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Unputdownable… Eleanor Raven is an amazing female character.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“This book is a one-sitting read. You will think you have it figured out in chapter one but do you? You will be sucked in.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Eleanor Raven is quite easily one of my favourite female characters this year… Gritty, suspenseful and captivating.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Excellent thriller… Eleanor Raven is not your average detective by any stretch of the imagination!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐