Two years later the top editor of his former newspaper and a shrewd lawyer seek him out. They request his experienced investigative talent to help them find a missing reporter who has vanished and discover why he has vanished. In return they promise to help Donovan in his obsessive search for his lost son. They have countless sources, unobtainable to him, which they will put at his disposal.

Donovan’s search reveals long hidden secrets from the past. He must protect a teenage boy, Jamal, who has sought his help. Together with this investigative team, he uncovers a dark and dangerous world where he is pursued by a ruthless killer.

The Mercy Seat is a taut and compelling page turner, which exposes the dark side of the characters’ personalities as well as their conflicting loyaties. The suspense is at all fever-pitch. Donovan’s treatment of Jamal is thoughtful and rewarding. The plot is well-constructed and well-written. This is an excellent trip into a tumultuous world of terror.