No Mercy is a fast-paced, readable revenge thriller with a solid hook: a band of aging ex-military operatives reuniting for one last mission to honor their fallen comrade. When Frankie Chapman is killed and his medals are stolen, the “11/06 club” swings back into action, and the story barrels forward with a blend of old-school camaraderie and modern-day vigilantism.
The plot has its moments—there’s a certain comfort in the familiar beats of a caper story where the good guys (mostly) outsmart the villains. The addition of Frankie’s daughter Josie, who’s out for more than just justice, adds a welcome edge to the narrative. However, it’s hard to ignore how conveniently the pieces fall into place for the team. Each obstacle is met with what feels like an all-too-easy solution, which saps the tension and stakes that a story like this really needs to thrive.
The characters are serviceable but not especially believable—gruff, loyal, and a bit thinly drawn. Fans of gritty realism in crime fiction may find this one lacking in depth. Knowing that Max Connor is a pseudonym for Neil Lancaster (a superb Scottish crime writer) makes the contrast even starker; No Mercy doesn’t hold a candle to the more nuanced and compelling DI Craigie novels.
Overall, No Mercy is a decent bit of escapism for those who enjoy military-flavored revenge tales. It doesn’t demand much from the reader—and doesn’t offer quite enough in return to leave a lasting impression. Personally, I won’t be rushing to pick up a sequel if one appears.