The Delivery
- Judith D Collins
- Apr 15
- 6 min read
A Mercury Carter Thriller #2
Narrator: Peter Berkrot
ISBN: 9781696622363
Publisher: Highbridge Audio
Publication Date: 03/24/2026
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars (ALC)
Merc Carter is not your typical deliveryman. A former postal inspector, he specializes in moving sensitive or dangerous packages—of all sorts—from point A to B. And sometimes he needs his gun to do so. Carter's current mission leads him to Providence, Rhode Island, but his delivery is interrupted when he comes across a woman badly injured in a car wreck in the pouring rain. Then a man with a gun appears warning Carter away from the scene and Carter leaps into action, disarming the attacker and rescuing the crash victim.
Just as Carter thinks the danger has passed, he discovers a deeper mystery stemming from the crash, a deadly puzzle involving a memorable pair of grifters, a crooked ex-cop, stolen identities, human trafficking, and murder. And it appears that Carter's next assignment will put him right in this conspiracy's perilous center . . .
The follow-up to last year's acclaimed hit, The Mailman, which launched the Mercury Carter series, The Delivery is a fast-paced, unpredictable thriller following a memorable protagonist whose resourcefulness is matched only by his quick wit and determination to never miss a delivery.
My Review
Mercury Carter Delivers Again: A Deep Dive into Andrew Welsh-Huggins’ Gritty New Sequel THE DELIVERY
Intro...
We first met Merc in The Mailman, the innovative courier who treats every delivery as a sacred oath.
In THE DELIVERY, Welsh-Huggins ups the ante by plunging his "off-kilter" hero into the dark underbelly of New England.
Highlights...
The story kicks off with a visceral scene: a rainy night, a brutal car wreck, and an armed man telling Merc to mind his own business. But Merc has a "white knight" complex—especially when a delivery is on the line. He takes the job of finding a missing woman, Terri Watkins, which pulls him into a quagmire of thugs and con artists.
~Character:
What makes Merc so compelling is his nondescript appearance. He’s a bantamweight who uses his federal background as a former Postal Inspector to outsmart enemies who constantly underestimate him. His traumatic brain injury adds a layer of moral complexity that keeps him from feeling like a generic "super-soldier".
~Themes of Duty & Justice:
The book explores how a simple code—just finish the delivery—can lead a man to uncover monstrous crimes. It’s a story about redemption and the length one man will go to keep a promise.
~Final Thoughts:
While the plot has some unpredictable twists, the real star is the propulsive pacing. It’s an exciting, nonstop thriller that cements the series as a must-read for mystery fans.
My thoughts...
One Package, Two Conspiracies: Why You Need to Meet Mercury Carter; Neither Rain Nor Hitmen Will Stop This Courier
~The Hook:
What happens when a "nondescript nerd" with federal law enforcement training refuses to miss a delivery? You get Mercury "Merc" Carter.
In Andrew Welsh-Huggins' The Delivery, a rainy night in Rhode Island turns a simple courier job into a high-stakes rescue mission.
Merc stops to help a car crash victim and ends up with a cryptic envelope and a missing girl's ring. Before he knows it, he’s caught between a deadly human trafficking ring and a massive data theft scam.
THE DELIVERY is a Relentless Page-Turner:A pulse-pounding and fast-paced thriller that never lets off the gas.
~The Hero:
Mercury Carter is a nondescript, unassuming, and resourceful protagonist who uses his federal skills to deliver justice alongside his packages. His commitment to a simple delivery code is what truly elevates the story.
~Masterful storytelling:
Andrew Welsh-Huggins crafts a narrative that is both frenetic and kinetic, blending invigorating action with sharp plotting.
~A "Knight in White":
Described as a contemporary knight in white, Merc Carter is a fiercely principled former postal inspector. He is determined and will stop at nothing to complete his delivery.
~Moral Complexity:
Beyond the non-stop thrills, the series stands out for its moral complexity. Merc constantly navigates ethical dilemmas, making the series feel richer and more satisfying than a standard thriller.
~The Series:
High-octane, and the storytelling in both The Mailman and The Delivery is relentless and propulsive. THE DELIVERY is action-paced, high adrenaline with "full-throttle" energy, making it unputdownable.
~The Writing:
Andrew Welsh-Huggins' writing is sharp, clever, and gritty, blending modern mystery with classic "lone wolf" tropes.
~The character:
Mercury Carter is resourceful and quick-thinking, known for using his ingenuity and specialized tools to overcome much larger threats.
~The themes center on the intersection of professional duty and personal trauma.
~The Sanctity of the "Code."
~Justice vs. Authority
~The Weight of Trauma
~Hidden Conspiracies in Mundane Spaces
~Redemption and Moral Integrity
~Why It Works:
If you love Jack Reacher but want a hero who relies more on ingenuity and "MacGyver"-style resourcefulness than brute force, this is your next binge-read.
~The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A propulsive, gritty sequel that proves Merc Carter is one of the most unique protagonists in modern thriller novels today! Perfect for Reacher fans who want a hero with a morally focused and empathetic heart.
~Tip:
If you haven't read The Mailman yet, you can jump straight into The Delivery, but knowing Merc’s origin makes his dogged determination even more satisfying.
The audiobook....
Peter Berkrot’s (an all-time favorite) gritty, fast-paced narration perfectly matches the "frenetic and kinetic" energy of Welsh-Huggins' writing. He nails that Merc "off-kilter" vibe!
The Mercury Carter series audiobooks are brought to life by the talented Peter Berkrot, an acclaimed voice actor celebrated for his captivating storytelling style that strikes a perfect balance between authority and ingenuity. His powerful narration transforms the listening experience, infusing each installment with a gripping intensity and palpable suspense. Available in unabridged format from Highbridge Audio, these audiobooks promise an engrossing journey that fully immerses listeners in the rich narrative and intricate characters of the series.
About the Narrator...
Peter Berkrot is a highly experienced narrator with over 450 titles to his credit. He is often praised for bringing an "immediacy and urgency" to thrillers that keep listeners gripped. His work has earned him 10 Earphones Awards and a 2012 Audie Award nomination.
Recs...
If you’re looking for your next listen while waiting for the third Mercury Carter book, here are a few other thrillers narrated by Peter Berkrot that have a similar "lone wolf" or high-stakes feel:
~The End of the Road by Andrew Welsh-Huggins
~The Hard Case Crime series (Various Authors)
~The Tracer series by Rob Hart
~The Dismas Hardy series by John Lescroart
Gritty "Lone Hero" Series
These series share Mercury Carter’s "single-minded" dedication and background in specialized fields.
~Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz
~The Gray Man by Mark Greaney
~Dez Limerick series by James Bryne
~Jack Reacher by Lee Child
~Peter Ash series by Nick Petrie
Special thanks to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for graciously sharing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 24, 2026
Praise
“Head-knocking courier Mercury Carter gets tangled in overlapping criminal conspiracies in Welsh-Huggins’s solid sequel to The Mailman.”
― Publishers Weekly
"The Delivery starts strong and doesn't let up until the last page, striking a keen balance between edge-of-your-seat action and careful character work. If Andrew Welsh-Huggins keeps this up, it won't be long before Mercury Carter makes it into the pantheon of literary action heroes."
-- Rob Hart, USA Today bestselling author of the Assassins Anonymous series
"Andrew Welsh-Huggins has done it again with The Delivery—another frenetic, kinetic thriller starring his off-kilter and likeable protagonist Mercury Carter. Carter may be driving, but it's Welsh-Huggins who never takes his foot off the gas." -
- James Byrne, author of The Gatekeeper and Chain Reaction
"Mercury Carter is a terrific addition to the solitary, quick thinking, resourceful contemporary knight in white."
― Crimespree Magazine
"With full-throttle pacing from start to finish, this will have Jack Reacher fans hoping Carter is back in action soon."
― Publishers Weekly on The Mailman
About the Author
Andrew Welsh-Huggins, of Columbus, Ohio, writes the critically acclaimed Mercury Carter thriller series and the Shamus Award–nominated Andy Hayes private eye series. Andrew’s short mystery stories have appeared in multiple magazines and anthologies, including The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021, 2024, and 2025.
When he’s not writing, Andrew enjoys running, reading, cooking, playing the piano, spending time with family, and trying to remember why having both cats and parakeets seemed like a good idea at the time.
