Just Mercy

A very emotional and well-written book by someone who clearly knows the issues around the death penalty. The book tries to show the issue from tall sides -- the victim, victim's family, murderer, murderer's background & family, and law enforcement. The issue is very complex and, in the end, I am still not sure how I feel about it, but I certainly do have a better understanding of the subject. It is certainly worth reading.

This book, a novel, reflects on different responses to capital punishment. It helps readers see why different people often feel differently about the application of capital punishment for murder. Short, engaging chapters make for easy and engaging reading. As a novel, it avoids an academic approach to an important issue. The book has a gripping twist mid-way through, which helps to hold the reader's attention. Perceptive questions and topics for discussion are included in the book.

Ok, I have to admit it took me a long time to reach for this book. I could offer many excuses for not doing so...too busy, I'm not prone to read fiction, too busy, whoops I already used that one. So why now, and the answer is actually a question posed to me about the Boston city bomber. "Would I choose the death penalty for this young man?"Before reading " Just Mercy," I was on the fence. After reading "Just Mercy," I would absolutely say "No!"From the first few lines to the last few words I was totally engrossed in this novel, wanting to know the ending but not wanting it to end.Superb writing. My other revelation, I guess like fiction afterall. Who knew? That's easy, Dorothy Van Soest.

I had to take a moment to say how fantastic I think this book is. I had been waiting to read it when I had a chunk of time to really dig my teeth into it. Well, that time came last night. I said I would get started and read maybe a third and over the rest of the week finish it. I'll have you know I couldn't put it down, once I got started. I finished it at 3:45 a.m this morning.I think this will be a best seller. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Who could have predicted the ending. It was pure genius! I can't wait till the next one. This author should be counted among the best novelists in the country.

What a book!!! Couldn't put it down. So rich. So deftly written. So thought-provoking -- with believable characters and relationships, and an unbelievable plot twist. The author clearly knows her subject matter. By using fiction to explore the controversial topic of capital punishment, she gathers us into a family touched by murder and with a history of taking part in social justice activities as a means of exploring this topic's nuances and facets without coercing us to take sides.

I loved it.

Every step of the way while reading Dorothy Van Soest’s “Just Mercy” I believed I understood how each of the characters felt about the capital punishment of the woman who had murdered a beloved family member and who was days away from death by lethal injection. And I certainly knew exactly what my feelings were about capital punishment in theory and what they would be should I face the same situation as this family did. I was so sure that I was completely caught off guard by the events at the end of the book. I do not want to be a “spoiler” so I will simply say that Van Soest has done a remarkable job here and I highly recommend the book. It is both engaging and provocative.

I ordered this book from England on the recommendation of my friend in America.After waiting two weeks (international shopping) I finally got my book and it was well worth the wait.This book has the reader griped from start to finish, a roller coaster of emotions along the way, from crying, laugher and frustration to happiness in the end seeing a family joined together once more.An excellent read a book you just have to read!