Mercy by Jodi Picoult

Summary:
The police chief of a small Massachusetts town, Cameron MacDonald, makes the toughest arrest of his life when his own cousin Jamie comes to him and confesses outright that he has killed his terminally ill wife out of mercy.

Now, a heated murder trial plunges the town into upheaval and drives a wedge into a contented marriage: Cameron, aiding the prosecution in its case against Jamie, is suddenly at odds with his devoted wife, Allie, seduced by the idea of a man so in love with his wife that he'd grant all her wishes, even her wish to end her life. And when an inexplicable attraction leads to a shocking betrayal, Allie faces the hardest questions of the heart: when does love cross the line of moral obligation? And what does it mean to truly love one another?

Praised for her "personal, detail-rich style" (Glamour), Jodi Picoult infuses this page-turning novel with heart, warmth, and startling candor, taking readers on an
unforgettable journey. (from back cover)

Review:
If you've read any of my reviews of Jodi Picoult's novels, you'll already know that I am a huge fan of hers and think her books are wonderful. It almost feels superfluous to continue to gush about her books, since I always like the same things about them. In that vein, I'll try to keep this review short and sweet, because it should be obvious what my opinion is.

I really enjoyed Mercy. I love that Jodi Picoult is not afraid to tackle tough issues, and Mercy is no exception. In this book, a man kills his terminally ill wife to end her suffering, and questions on the morality of euthanasia are brought to the surface. This is a very controversial topic, but as always, Jodi Picoult executes the story flawlessly, with style and compassion. Infidelity is also a theme in Mercy, and I thought that this too was written with care.

Mercy is one of Jodi Picoult's first books, and I could definitely tell. While still wonderful, it just wasn't as good as some of her newer books. The story wasn't as detailed, the book was a little shorter, the writing not as good. Even though Mercy was not on the same level, I think it's a testament to Jodi Picoult's skill as a writer that she has improved over the years.

Overall, I loved Mercy and know that I will love all of Jodi Picoult's book. She takes on tough subjects but writes about them beautifully and her books make you think. And I think that is so important.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library.

1997/Washington Square Press/400 pages.