★Welsh-Huggins, Andrew. The Mailman. The Mysterious Pr. Jan. 2025. 360p. ISBN 9781613166109. $26.95. M

After his mailman father was murdered, Mercury Carter became a U.S. postal inspector with federal law enforcement powers. While investigating his father’s death, Merc was attacked and left with a traumatic brain injury. Now, as an independent courier delivering packages, he’s never missed a delivery. When he arrives at the home of attorney Rachel Stanfield and her husband, Glenn, he realizes they’re captives who are about to be violently interrogated. Although Merc incapacitates several of the kidnappers, two escape with Rachel. With the injured Glenn in tow, Merc sets out across the Midwest, tracking Rachel so he can deliver his package and move on to the next job. In 24 hours, Merc saves several lives, finds Glenn’s kidnapped 15-year-old daughter, and discovers there’s more than one gang blocking the completion of his job. Although the issues seem to be drugs and lottery tickets, Merc uncovers a bigger conspiracy, which may necessitate police involvement. VERDICT The author of The End of the Road introduces a determined, innovative courier in the vein of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher or James Byrne’s Dez Limerick. Appearances are deceiving in this fast-paced thriller, and the characters are introduced gradually so as not to overwhelm the outstanding series debut.