Mercy Town
A Novel
For fans of Ann Patchett and Louise Erdrich, a contemporary women’s fiction novel set in northern Wisconsin about one grief-stricken family’s journey toward redemption and forgiveness in a rural town divided by the past.
After years away, Margaret Payne returns to her rural northern Wisconsin hometown on a work assignment, only to find it still haunted by the tragic accidental shooting of her younger brother, Bean. Amidst the lingering pain, Margaret uncovers plans for a development on Dell Landing, a hill home to generations of Native Americans—including Mr. Kipp, the reclusive man responsible for Bean’s death.
With her mother trapped in denial, her father consumed by anger, and a town bitterly divided, Margaret must confront both the past and the present, rising tensions. Facing Mr. Kipp will test everything she believes, but before it’s over, Margaret will discover the freeing power of unconditional forgiveness—even for her brother’s killer.
A poignant, redemptive tale, Mercy Town reminds us how forgiveness, even in the deepest sorrow, heals wounds, binds us as human beings, and remains truly unconditional.
Praise for Mercy Town
. . . [An] Impressive blend of pacing, contemporary issues, and drama . . .
With the language of a poet and the precision of a journalist, Chadwick artfully unfolds an unforgettable tale of family, unspeakable grief, and the glory of the human capacity for forgiveness.
Chadwick’s writing is patient. Her prose breathes, settling deep into the emotional grain of things without ever rushing. . . . I’d recommend Mercy Town to readers who enjoy quiet, character-driven novels with emotional depth. If you’ve ever carried the weight of unfinished grief or struggled to forgive someone (including yourself), this book will feel like a gentle, persistent tug at your heart.
This heartwarming, tender story of letting go and forgiveness is beautifully told. In its poetic descriptions of nature, and of small-town life in the midst of change, Mercy Town comes fully alive.
Chadwick has crafted a story that lingers in our hearts long after we have put the book down. This book will remind you that forgiveness—not just for others, but for yourself—heals the heart.
Nancy Chadwick takes us deep into the hearts of those whose lives are upended by others’ mistakes and shows what mercy can mean to all.