This Dark Road to Mercy - Book Review

You probably already know how I feel about Wiley Cash and his first novel A Land More Kind Than Home. I raved about it to so many. I even forced a few to read it. If by some miracle  you haven't heard my feelings about this brilliant work, you can read my review *here*. I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of Wiley Cash's newest novel This Dark Road to Mercy, which is published by William Morrow and releases on January 28, 2014.

Twelve year old Easter hasn't seen her father for years--not since he signed the paper relinquishing his parental rights. Now, her mother is dead and she and her sister Ruby are in a home for orphaned children. Even though it's been so many years, Ruby immediately recognizes the man watching her play kick ball after school. Easter overhears her returned father's plea to the woman who runs the home and her response regarding the near impossibilities of regaining custody of his daughters. When he shows up at her bedroom window one night, Easter and her sister go with him willingly. Unfortunately, Easter's father Wade has gotten involved in more than kidnapping and there are people after him that would do him or anyone who got in the way harm.

This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash is a gripping, poignant novel told from the perspectives of Easter, her guardian at litem who is determined to bring her home safely and the criminal who is dangerously desperate to find Wade first. Cash expertly pulls off the various voices--amazing me with his ability to speak as a young girl and in the the next chapter open up the deranged mind of a violent and vengeful criminal.

Every single word in Cash's novel is full of meaning and purpose. There is nothing wordy or verbose. Though the climax scene felt a little rushed, Cash keeps the novel moving at a steady and thrilling pace yet never sacrificing characterization or feeling.

Set in a Gastonia, North Carolina during the 1998 home run race between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire, This Dark Road to Mercy has a different flavor from Cash's debut novel. While I didn't love it as much as A Land More Kind Than Home, the newest work is still universally appealing and emotional. With his second novel Wiley Cash establishes himself as a gifted and true story teller.


**I received a complimentary copy of The Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**