Mercy

Cameron is a police detective in a small town. When his cousin Jamie shows up in town, Jamie has his dead wife with him and says (in a very public place) that he killed her. It turns out, Jamie’s wife had terminal cancer and it was getting worse. She had asked him to smother her, so he did out of love to end her suffering. Meanwhile, Mia appears in town and ends up working for Cam’s wife, Allie.

Audio. I really could have done without the Scottish backstory to Cameron and his family. Not sure exactly what that had to do with anything (though it’s possible I missed some connection, as I listened to the audio). I also didn’t like the Mia/Cam storyline at all. I suppose without those additional pieces, there wasn’t much left to show more the book, but it was Jamie killing his wife and the subsequent trial that most interested me. I mostly do like Jodi Picoult’s books, but I think this was an early one and I’ve come across a few early ones that aren’t nearly as good; this was one of those. I’m rating it ”ok” just for Jamie’s story and trial. show less

This is one of Ms. Picoult's older books that's been on my reader for a while. I'm sorry I waited so long to read it as it's an excellent story.
A small town in western Massachusetts is basically a Scottish clan's home away from the highlands. They were transported here after Culloden and have kept a lot of their clan rules. The clan chief is also the local police chief. Cam McDonald is the one his cousin Jamie turns to after he kills his wife in a mercy killing. She was dying of cancer and begged him to relieve her pain. Cam arrests him but also secretly hires a lawyer for him in his guise as clan chief. Cam's wife Allie does her best to help Jamie, not knowing that Cam is embarking on an affair with her new assistant at her flower show more shop.
Ms. Picoult does a fine job exploring the intricacies of these two marriages: Jamie adored his wife, maybe too much when he does her bidding to kill her, and Cam and Allie who have something missing in their marriage. The mercy killing is the impetus for them to explore what's wrong and make adjustments.
It was intriguing how the author integrated the Scots clan laws and customs into their current society. As a descendent of the McDonalds myself, I really liked this part of the book, but it's a great story all in all, one you'll think about for a long time after reading it. show less

The small, primarily Scottish town of Wheelock, Massachusetts gets a shock when Jamie McDonald drives into the town square and confesses to murdering his wife. As the details of the crime come out, it becomes clear that Jamie killed his wife in accordance with her wishes in the late stages of her terminal cancer.

Meanwhile, Cameron McDonald, Jamie's cousin and sheriff of Wheelock becomes attracted to the strange woman who has come to town. She's exotic, free and unfettered, unlike anyone he's ever known. She's also working in his wife's flowershop.

Like all of Picoult's books this is a novel of challenging issues, flawed characters, and difficult family struggles.

A swing and a miss from Picoult, whose novels I usually like.

This one was just too sappy for my taste, borrowing liberally from "The Bridges of Madison County" (which I really hated) and letting that co-plot vitiate what might have been a sensitive and thoughtful look at the subject of mercy-killing.

I thought this very cleverly written, even if some of the characters are a bit stereotyped. There's an intriguing prologue, a basic introduction of two of the main people in the book, and then right into the arrival of two newcomers, and a confession of someone having killed his wife.

I didn't find this as tense as some of Jodi Picoult's novels, but was still gripped. Perhaps the middle section dragged a bit, and I did skim a bit in places... but I could hardly put it down. Alongside the preparation for a court case is an adulterous affair, and the question is asked: is it possible to love too much?

I gather some readers didn't like this at all, but I thought it very well done. I was unsure of the outcome until the last chapter, and then show more wondered whether the verdict was entirely correct...

Recommended if you like women's fiction with some depth.

Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2024/12/mercy-by-jodi-picoult.html show less

Euthanasia is not usually a subject I like to read about, in any kind of context. I'm not sure why, it's just something that bothers me. This novel had a way of dispelling the discomfort of the subject by weaving it between many different relationships, as well as two other central love relationships. I've read novels I enjoy more by Picoult, and I think my liking this one less only comes from the fact that it pointed out so many things in my own relationship that are lacking. Somehow I think it's not really fair to rate your degree of liking a book based on how it makes you feel, but then again, that's the sign of a good book right? Something that makes you feel, and think and wonder. Sometimes though, when you're using books to show more escape, seeing the truth written out like it was here, hits a little too close to home. It's a good read for someone who wants to see just how far the depths of loving someone can go. and all the different kinds of things people do because of how much they love someone else. show less

My reviews can also be read at: https://thenovelquest.blogspot.com/

Let me start by saying that I love a good Jodi Picoult book. She tackles controversial issues with grace and, of course, beautiful storytelling. I was intrigued by the story from the beginning. Now, why 3 coffees, you’re thinking? I needed more story!!

I have seen a lot of reviews on this book claiming that the characters are shallow or underdeveloped. I did not feel that way at all! I actually felt a wonderful connection to each main character (Cam, Allie, Graham, Jamie, Angus, and even Maggie) early on. That’s where my need for more comes from!

SPOILER ALERT - please don’t read any further if you want the events of the book to be a surprise for you!

I needed to show more have details surrounding Angus’s death. He just died, no funeral details, no reactions from his family members, no thoughts on what this meant for the small, close-knit, clan that made up Wheelock. Angus was portrayed as a man known by EVERYONE in the town, and half the town was related to him. His story seemed very unfinished, and I personally needed more.

Cam & Allie - the problem couple. I was totally wrapped up in their history and quirky, rote relationship. Then, the affair was secret and sensual, and, for me, like watching a train crash in extremely slow motion. I mean this in the best way possible. Mia and Cam’s tryst seemed to go on for an agonizing amount of timw before Allie found out. And how! Props to her for selling all Cam’s crap in a yard sale. That was awesome. But then Mia leaves for good, and after the trial, they just get back together in one line and that’s that. Oh dear Jodie, I needed an epilogue! Or a “One Year Later”. I needed an update. This, too, felt unfinished.

Finally, a very small detail that is driving me nuts since having finished the book - who wrote the letters, and to whom? I viewed them as Jamie’s letters to Maggie, but now I don’t know. I need to know! I am too nosy for my own good.

As for the controversial issue in this book, the plot centers ariund a husband who smothered his wife with a pillow because she was terminally ill and asked him to. Mercy killing. Euthanasia. Definitely a hot-button topic. The fact that the act was physical (smothering) vs. something passive (taking an overdose of pills) is what really drew me into this story. I think, as I mentioned before, that Picoult handled this with grace, and beautifully-written prose. The trial was the most thrilling part of the book for me, and I cheered inside with every tiny victory Graham earned in the courtroom. I truly enjoy the way this topic was tackled in the book.

Overall, I truly loved the story. And the constant switch in character/point-of-view genuinely kept me on my toes throughout. It is a 3-coffee for me because I wanted closure and...more. The stories of Angus, Cam, and Allie were left hanging in a way that was unfinished for me. show less