The Mercy Chair (Washington Poe Book 6) by M.W. Craven

Book Blurb

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin . . .

Washington Poe has a story to tell.

And he needs you to listen.

You’ll hear how it started with the robber birds. Crows. Dozens of them. Enough for a murder . . .

He’ll tell you about a man who was tied to a tree and stoned to death, a man who had tattooed himself with a code so obscure, even the gifted analyst Tilly Bradshaw struggled to break it. He’ll tell you how the man’s murder was connected to a tragedy that happened fifteen years earlier when a young girl massacred her entire family.

And finally, he’ll tell you about the mercy chair. And why people would rather kill themselves than talk about it . . .

Poe hopes you’ve been paying attention. Because in this story, nothing is as it seems . . .

My Review
M.W. Craven’s Washington Poe series has fast become on of my favourite crime series so it’s always exciting when a new book is released. The Mercy Chair sees Poe and Tilly Bradshaw looking into the death of Cornelius Grreen, the leader of a religious group, who is found stoned to death at the famous Lightening Tree. But like the tree there are many different branches to this case, that will take Poe and Tilly on their darkest and most dangerous journey yet.

I don’t know how M.W. Craven does it, but this series just keeps geting better. The story is told slightly differently, with Poe sitting in a therspists office talking about the murder of Cornelius Green, the complexity of the case, and how it has left him with nightmares of ravens. I loved this idea of Poe reflecting on the case, going through the murder investigation step by step, with therapist Dr Lang, analysing his actions and thoughts that have brought him to her office.

As always Poe is his usual sarcastic self, not sufferng fools especially the auditor Linus, aka snoopy, who is sent to join them on this case. Of course Poe doesn’t trust him, treats him like a dogs body which leads to many moments of wit and humour, and as a reader I didn’t trust him either. He does add an interesting dynamic to Poe and Tilly’s relationship. What always makes these books a joy to read is the relationship between Poe and Tilly, their upmost respect and loylty to each other. No matter where the case takes them, the danger they find themselves in they are always there for each other. There is also their reparté, their banter that always warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.

M.W. Craven is a masterful storyteller and plotter, this book went in so many shocking and different directions that I felt dizzy. The plot itself is the darkest and most shocking yet, what seem innocuous clues and notes slowly weave together to paint a horrifying picture; the Mercy Chair from the title is something I will never forget. There were parts where I did feel uncomfortable but in a good way, and strangely it was this that had me utterly gripped.

I say this after every book but The Mercy Chair is the best book in this series yet. This is a book that once started you will sit there until finished so make sure you have a spare day to read it. As always the characters and their relationships are heartwarming and add wit and humour to a plot that is seriously twisted in parts. Deliciously dark and addictive, this will leave you with a huge book hangover.