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Long Road To Mercy
David Baldacci

Long Road To Mercy

Quick Answer

Start with "Long Road To Mercy" to begin the Atlee Pine Series. It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the David Baldacci's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

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2018416 ppSeries Starter
Atlee Pine, an FBI special agent assigned to the remote wilds of the western United States. Ever since her twin sister was abducted by a notorious serial killer at age five, Atlee has spent her life hunting down those who hurt others. And she's the best at it. She could be one of the Bureau's top criminal profilers, if she didn't prefer catching criminals in the vast wilderness of the West to climbing the career ladder in the D.C. office. Her chosen mission is a lonesome one--but that suits her just fine. Now, Atlee is called in to investigate the mutilated carcass of a mule found in the Grand Canyon--and hopefully, solve the disappearance of its rider. But this isn't the only recent disappearance. In fact, it may be just the first clue, the key to unraveling a rash of other similar missing persons cases in the canyon.
Next Recommended Book

A Minute To Midnight

Book #2 of 4 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Atlee Pine Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Long Road To Mercy?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Long Road To Mercy before other books in the series?

Yes, Long Road To Mercy is the first book in the series and is the ideal starting point for new readers.

Is Long Road To Mercy required reading for the Atlee Pine Series?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Long Road To Mercy in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Long Road To Mercy is A Minute To Midnight (Book #2).