WARNING: Wait, WHAT?! Oh yes, it's another unpopular opinion...

I honestly never EVER expected this to happen. I mean, I absolutely LOVED the first five Washington Poe books, and Tilly and Poe are probably one of my favorite character duos out there. I've been struggling with a beginning reading slump, and I thought what better solution than to turn to one of my favorite series to try and beat it?! I guess I was wrong. The Mercy Chair doesn't follow the same formula as the rest of the series, and for me this wasn't a good change. One of the things I love about this series is the banter between Poe and Tilly, and there was frankly not nearly enough Tilly in this sequel. On top of this, the way Poe treats Linus becomes both repetitive and highly annoying... And it honestly made me like him a bit less. His comments/behavior might have been somewhat funny initially, but when you repeat a joke over and over again it kind of fizzles out... Just like this story for me. I honestly kept putting it down and it took me ages to actually make it to the final pages; something that has never happened before, as I'm usually up until the early hours to finish it. I think this also had to do with the heavy focus on religion/cult, which is never a topic I enjoy. The Mercy Chair might also be one of the darkest books of the series... Which made it even stranger when I found myself to be distracted or even bored at times. I think the story might just have been overlong? Some of the big twists were also quite easy to guess, which kind of put a damper on things for me as well. And with how things ended, I'm not sure how this series will continue... If it means no more Tilly in the future, then it might be time for me to leave this series be. 

How I love this series, yes, the book can be read as a stand-alone, but why would you? I think the previous books give the character development and explain the relationships of Washington Poe, Tilly Bradshaw, Stephanie Flynn, and Estelle Doyle, Poes few (and only friends). It's hard to describe the plot without giving spoilers, but Poes' investigation leads him to a religious cult when a man is found stoned to death. The book is very dark, so read the triggers before embarking on this twisty, fast ride of a book. Tilly and her naivety provide light relief. Poe and Tilly are joined in their investigation by Linus, quickly renamed Snoopy by Poe. The book starts with Poe seeing a therapist for PTSD as he is not sleeping as he stays awake to avoid seeing a murder of crows. A thrilling, dark, twisty, extraordinary, innovative superb book. I can't wait to read the next in the series, but unfortunately, it is not out until next year. I am bereft and is counting down the days for my next Poe and Tilly fix as there is much to be sorted out from the end of the book. I love it so, wonderful writing with wonderful characters including Tilly, my favourite geek and Pie my favourite rougue police sargent. Pure brilliance.