The Shape of Mercy

Title: THE SHAPE OF MERCY
Author: Susan Meissner
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
2008
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7456-3
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Lauren Durough is tired of living on her family’s laurels. She is privileged with an unlimited credit account, and watching her roommate and friends work their way through school. So, she applies for a part-time job with an eighy-three year old former librarian Abigail Boyles. Ms. Boyles has turned down numerous applicants for this job, and Lauren for some reason believes she is the one Ms. Boyles has been waiting for.

Abigail does hire Lauren, and her job is to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor, Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials. Lauren takes an immediate affinity with Mercy, which forces Lauren to take a new look at her own life.

THE SHAPE OF MERCY is a powerfully written story, gripping, haunting, and so well written that the reader simply has to keep turning the pages. Written in both Lauren’s point of view, and then Mercy’s point of view, the reader can’t help but connect with both characters—the ancient one and the modern one.

The faith message is deftly woven in, and isn’t preachy. THE SHAPE OF MERCY is a tale that will stay with the reader for months to come. Don’t miss this story. If you read one book this year, make sure it is THE SHAPE OF MERCY. It will change your life. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 304 pages.