A review by p4chen
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

dark tense

4.25

The Mercies is a story of strength and resilience. 

Of resourceful women, their complexities, their cloistered voices and of the betrayals by men who forced them into submissiveness. 

It is about evil and ambition, which turns deadly, due to the frightening power of hysteria within a community. 

The power of the lies told, with no conscience, using religious beliefs to justify heinous acts of violence was horrific. 

It is sadly reminiscent of modern times and the mindset of those that follow demagogues. 

Because this is based on historic events, it was all the more harrowing to read about the brutality inflicted upon the women by these self-righteous religious leaders. 

A well written debut (adult) novel - the tone is bleak and tense, building as the story progresses and the danger intensifies.