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Just Mercy
Bernadette Baker lives through every mother's worst nightmare when her adopted sixteen-year-old daughter, Veronica, is brutally murdered in a shocking and random act of violence. Ten years later the murderer, Raelynn Blackwell, is facing execution for her crime, and despite being united in their grief over Veronica, the Baker family is deeply divided on the subject of the death penalty. On one side is Veronica's deeply spiritual and sensitive brother who believes that the death penalty is the last thing his baby sister would have wanted. On the opposite side is their tough-as-nails older sister who vehemently believes that death is the only way justice will be served. In the center is Bernadette, who is deeply ambivalent and longs for a resolution that will help her family move forward. After Raelynn receives a last-minute stay of execution, a secret is revealed that changes everything and leads to an unlikely bond between Raelynn and Bernadette. Just Mercy is a heart-wrenching and ultimately redemptive family drama of forgiveness, destiny, and the true nature of justice.
326 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
49 people are currently reading
1811 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Van Soest
15 books42 followersDorothy Van Soest is a writer, social worker, political and community activist, and educator who holds an undergraduate degree in English literature and a Masters and Ph.D. in Social Work. She is currently Professor Emerita at the University of Washington with a publication record of eleven books and over fifty journal articles, essays, and book chapters that tackle complex and controversial issues related to violence, oppression, and injustice.
Her novel, Just Mercy (Fall 2014, Apprentice House) was informed by her widely acclaimed investigation of the lives of thirty-seven men who were executed by Texas in 1997 and inspired by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue program. Just Mercy personalizes the topic of the death penalty through a heart-wrenching and ultimately redemptive family drama of forgiveness, destiny, and the true nature of justice.
Dorothy's second novel, At the Center, is a Sylvia Jensen mystery that grew out of her experiences with the child welfare system. The stories of two boys are intertwined with the secrets and personal demons of the families and the social workers that shape their lives. From the stark poverty of American Indian reservations to the hidden dangers of affluent suburbia, a foster care supervisor and an investigative reporter must unlock the mysteries of their own pasts in order to bring a killer to justice.
Death, Unchartered (2018), the second Sylvia Jensen mystery, grew out of Dorothy's teaching experiences in the Bronx. When a child's skeleton is discovered during the excavation of the site for a new charter school being built in the Bronx, former teacher Sylvia Jensen is sure the remains are those of a former third grade student of hers and that his death was no accident. Driven to find the child's killer, she delves into the teachers' strikes and political protests of the late 1960s and corporate greed of the present.
The second Sylvia Jensen mystery, Nuclear Option, released December 1, 2020, was inspired by her experiences in the nuclear disarmament movement in the 1980s. In 1984 SYLVIA JENSEN was in love with Norton, an atomic veteran and fellow activist in the nuclear disarmament movement. In 2019 Sylvia is seventy-seven and thinking her activist days are behind her when Norton’s troubled son Corey shows up unexpectedly and draws her back into the fight. To save his life and those of countless others, she and her old friend investigative reporter J.B. Harrell must unravel a decades old mystery and face the truth of the nuclear age before it is too late.
Dorothy Van Soest lives in Seattle, Washington. Her website is http://dorothyvansoest.com/
Her novel, Just Mercy (Fall 2014, Apprentice House) was informed by her widely acclaimed investigation of the lives of thirty-seven men who were executed by Texas in 1997 and inspired by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue program. Just Mercy personalizes the topic of the death penalty through a heart-wrenching and ultimately redemptive family drama of forgiveness, destiny, and the true nature of justice.
Dorothy's second novel, At the Center, is a Sylvia Jensen mystery that grew out of her experiences with the child welfare system. The stories of two boys are intertwined with the secrets and personal demons of the families and the social workers that shape their lives. From the stark poverty of American Indian reservations to the hidden dangers of affluent suburbia, a foster care supervisor and an investigative reporter must unlock the mysteries of their own pasts in order to bring a killer to justice.
Death, Unchartered (2018), the second Sylvia Jensen mystery, grew out of Dorothy's teaching experiences in the Bronx. When a child's skeleton is discovered during the excavation of the site for a new charter school being built in the Bronx, former teacher Sylvia Jensen is sure the remains are those of a former third grade student of hers and that his death was no accident. Driven to find the child's killer, she delves into the teachers' strikes and political protests of the late 1960s and corporate greed of the present.
The second Sylvia Jensen mystery, Nuclear Option, released December 1, 2020, was inspired by her experiences in the nuclear disarmament movement in the 1980s. In 1984 SYLVIA JENSEN was in love with Norton, an atomic veteran and fellow activist in the nuclear disarmament movement. In 2019 Sylvia is seventy-seven and thinking her activist days are behind her when Norton’s troubled son Corey shows up unexpectedly and draws her back into the fight. To save his life and those of countless others, she and her old friend investigative reporter J.B. Harrell must unravel a decades old mystery and face the truth of the nuclear age before it is too late.
Dorothy Van Soest lives in Seattle, Washington. Her website is http://dorothyvansoest.com/
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 25, 2014
You really need to read this book. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. outstanding. I LOVED the book. it is just wonderful!! I highly recommend it to anyone who has a heart and/or a social conscience. Dorothy Van Soest carries us into the lives of the Baker family, where one daughter is murdered, and through the shock and trauma of that event the family comes to grips with the meaning of each of their own lives and their personal stance toward the death penalty. But it is so much more than that. It is about love and forgiveness. It is about family. It is about personal strenth and openness ot change. It is about failed justice and restorative justice and, and, and. Just go read it!!
September 24, 2014
This heart wrenching tale of a family's tribulations with homicide and the death penalty follows the family of a murder victim from the moment of the crime to the scheduled execution of the murderer a decade later.
Dorothy Van Soest applies her research into real life death penalty cases in Texas to this fictional composite of victims, their families and the offenders themselves. It is an unapologetic and thought provoking look at the issue with many view points in a riveting page turner.
Dorothy Van Soest applies her research into real life death penalty cases in Texas to this fictional composite of victims, their families and the offenders themselves. It is an unapologetic and thought provoking look at the issue with many view points in a riveting page turner.
January 3, 2015
This is an excellent book I really liked the different attitudes of the family members and how each person dealt with the situations, I would have liked it perhaps to have been even more in depth but this didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book at all and would give it four and a half stars if I could ... A definite recommendation to read from me
March 21, 2015
I like the different aspects within the family dynamics but for some reason I felt no emotional attachment. I would recommend the book to others. I was not surprised by the twist of the narrative.
I will meet the author this week. Im excited!
I will meet the author this week. Im excited!
June 18, 2018
Excellent! Dorothy takes a complex emotionally laden issue and provides us with authentic characters who struggle to come to an understanding. She does an excellent job of portraying the many ways grief can be expressed. And, the story itself is a page-turner.
February 16, 2019
The true stories of the injustice of black people in courts of law were sobering. That the wrongly convicted could maintain hope while living in terrible prison conditions is remarkable. Thank the Lord some found freedom through the persistence of this law group.
October 29, 2019
Must say I was disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high. Mediocre writing, one-dimensional characters, corny in spots. Sorry, but other than the interesting subject matter I just thought it never made it.
August 20, 2017
Just an okay read. Writing was mediocre at best.
December 19, 2019
Wow. As a mother what would you do? The twists in this book. Wow. Recommend read!
September 27, 2020
Excellent book!
September 9, 2022
I’m speechless .
August 22, 2016
This wasn't great. A friend suggested it, which forced me to stick it out. I wouldn't have finished it otherwise.
Characters were sort of one dimensional. The older sister was firmly about the execution, the brother wasn't. They were so ingrained in their own opinions, and they didn't attempt to resolve difference but just plowed ahead, regardless of the situation. The Dad definitely has other things to care about. He's probably the best character in the book
The Mom made wildly swinging decisions with a strangely fanatic commitments to whims, only to have they work out in shoehorned coincidence. Like the long time friend who she bumped into in the grocery store? She was introduced in the beginning of the chapter and promptly exited stage left after a dozen pages.
And then the characters just seem so wrapped up in the execution WHILE THE DAD GOES TO CHEMO BY HIMSELF??? Like. The author tries to show the concern they had about the execution by juxtaposing it to cancer, but that seemed out of touch with how a family would react.
Finally, the twist is so obscene that is failed to impress me. Maybe if the set up was better, or if the plot didn't have so many random coincidences, it might have elicited a emotional response. Instead it came off as additionally unrealistic.
In the end, the author seems to try to baby feed a view point to you, rather then allowing a situation lend itself to an interpretation. It might be partially using a third person view, that allowed for narration that over explained and a plot that relied too heavily on coincidence for solutions.
Just my opinions. I'm sure other people can find good qualities and resonant sincerely with the text.
Characters were sort of one dimensional. The older sister was firmly about the execution, the brother wasn't. They were so ingrained in their own opinions, and they didn't attempt to resolve difference but just plowed ahead, regardless of the situation. The Dad definitely has other things to care about. He's probably the best character in the book
The Mom made wildly swinging decisions with a strangely fanatic commitments to whims, only to have they work out in shoehorned coincidence. Like the long time friend who she bumped into in the grocery store? She was introduced in the beginning of the chapter and promptly exited stage left after a dozen pages.
And then the characters just seem so wrapped up in the execution WHILE THE DAD GOES TO CHEMO BY HIMSELF??? Like. The author tries to show the concern they had about the execution by juxtaposing it to cancer, but that seemed out of touch with how a family would react.
Finally, the twist is so obscene that is failed to impress me. Maybe if the set up was better, or if the plot didn't have so many random coincidences, it might have elicited a emotional response. Instead it came off as additionally unrealistic.
In the end, the author seems to try to baby feed a view point to you, rather then allowing a situation lend itself to an interpretation. It might be partially using a third person view, that allowed for narration that over explained and a plot that relied too heavily on coincidence for solutions.
Just my opinions. I'm sure other people can find good qualities and resonant sincerely with the text.
July 22, 2015
Reviewed on behalf of Readers' Favorite
Just Mercy by Dorothy Van Soest is a novel about one woman’s personal struggle to overcome the murder of her daughter. Bernadette Baker has waiting many years to see the woman who brutally murdered her youngest daughter, Veronica, come to justice. After trials, appeals, and waiting, Raelynn Blackwell is going to be executed for her crime. Yet, with a stay of execution, Bernadette finds herself thrown into a journey of self-discovery, and learning how far a person can go to find forgiveness. After a program where she has the chance to confront Raelynn for her crime, Bernadette feels she has to seek out the offender’s mother, trying to make peace between the neglectful mother and incarcerated daughter. However, when a shocking fact comes to light, will Bernadette still feel the same about seeing Raelynn put to death for her crimes?
I have always been one to appreciate a well-researched novel, and Just Mercy is certainly that. Miss Soest has taken the time to really explore the many faceted sides of the legal system, and how each individual person is impacted by a crime. Just Mercy has an excellent flow, and the story kept my attention from page one. My heart broke for Bernadette and her family. I work with victims of crime, and I can say from experience, how each of her family members felt about the execution is a fair representation of what families of victims go through. I admired Bernadette as a character, and found her very realistic. Just Mercy by Dorothy Van Soest is an excellent novel, well worth the read for anyone faced with a difficult decision in their path, and desiring the strength to overcome it and find peace.
Just Mercy by Dorothy Van Soest is a novel about one woman’s personal struggle to overcome the murder of her daughter. Bernadette Baker has waiting many years to see the woman who brutally murdered her youngest daughter, Veronica, come to justice. After trials, appeals, and waiting, Raelynn Blackwell is going to be executed for her crime. Yet, with a stay of execution, Bernadette finds herself thrown into a journey of self-discovery, and learning how far a person can go to find forgiveness. After a program where she has the chance to confront Raelynn for her crime, Bernadette feels she has to seek out the offender’s mother, trying to make peace between the neglectful mother and incarcerated daughter. However, when a shocking fact comes to light, will Bernadette still feel the same about seeing Raelynn put to death for her crimes?
I have always been one to appreciate a well-researched novel, and Just Mercy is certainly that. Miss Soest has taken the time to really explore the many faceted sides of the legal system, and how each individual person is impacted by a crime. Just Mercy has an excellent flow, and the story kept my attention from page one. My heart broke for Bernadette and her family. I work with victims of crime, and I can say from experience, how each of her family members felt about the execution is a fair representation of what families of victims go through. I admired Bernadette as a character, and found her very realistic. Just Mercy by Dorothy Van Soest is an excellent novel, well worth the read for anyone faced with a difficult decision in their path, and desiring the strength to overcome it and find peace.
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February 29, 2016Reviews:
JUST MERCY by Dorothy Van Soest - This is a well told story of a huge issue in our time - the death penalty. Also the way of drugs, though this is on the sidelines.
It’s a well told story of the victim’s family as they deal with the years after the murder of a daughter. Each watches the slow progress of punishment of the killer - a poor, woman with no memory of the incident, due to drugs. One supports the death penalty, ones doesn’t, the others deal with their emotions in relation to their principles … The main character is the mother, who reaches out to the murderer, as she learning more about her than any of us would want to know, as she also wishes for the end of the story, death as appropriate.
The end is surprising, as is the mother’s ability to balance her feelings, those of her family, and of the young murderer. Bernadette and her husband work hard to keep a strong family balanced as they deal with this increasingly frequent horror our everyday lives.
I strongly recommend this book!
Susan Sunflower
North Carolina
JUST MERCY by Dorothy Van Soest - This is a well told story of a huge issue in our time - the death penalty. Also the way of drugs, though this is on the sidelines.
It’s a well told story of the victim’s family as they deal with the years after the murder of a daughter. Each watches the slow progress of punishment of the killer - a poor, woman with no memory of the incident, due to drugs. One supports the death penalty, ones doesn’t, the others deal with their emotions in relation to their principles … The main character is the mother, who reaches out to the murderer, as she learning more about her than any of us would want to know, as she also wishes for the end of the story, death as appropriate.
The end is surprising, as is the mother’s ability to balance her feelings, those of her family, and of the young murderer. Bernadette and her husband work hard to keep a strong family balanced as they deal with this increasingly frequent horror our everyday lives.
I strongly recommend this book!
Susan Sunflower
North Carolina
May 8, 2015
I received this as part of the Goodreads Giveaways and I couldn't wait to read it. The plot really intrigued me. Once I started, I didn't want to stop. The characters were interesting and I found myself trying to decide if the experiences and feelings they were having would be something I would go through or not. It is certainly an experience (having a daughter murdered and seeing the person responsible for that on death row) that not everyone will go through, but their reactions tell you that capital punishment is a volatile topic and one that isn't always black and white for people.
This is definitely one worth reading and would make a great book club choice just to have the opportunity to talk about it when you finally finish reading it!
This is definitely one worth reading and would make a great book club choice just to have the opportunity to talk about it when you finally finish reading it!
January 29, 2015
Dorothy Van Soest's book "Just Mercy" painted a vivid picture relative to the process of healing after a family tragedy. Van Soest's knowledge of the prison system, and what goes on behind the bars, gives the reader an insight at what the guilty, and sometimes non-guilty, prisoners may experience as they take the walk to the execution chamber. And, her portrait of the individual family members made me feel their loss of their daughter/sister/aunt and the path they each took to deal with such a tragic journey. Well done!
August 16, 2015
Just Mercy is an excellent read! I received the book through Goodreads First Reads and I highly recommend it to all who appreciate a mystery grounded in the stark reality of capital punishment and the criminal and social justice system. Well-written and thoroughly researched, it is a must read for anyone who enjoys fiction with substance, one that goes beyond entertainment and deals with social issues. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to her next novel based on her experiences with the child welfare system.
September 26, 2019
I bought this at a thrift shop because I’d recalled seeing it recommended and I brought it along on a road trip. I got a few chapters into it and began questioning whether I had the right book...turns out there’s more than one Just Mercy out there 😂 (The one written by Bryan Stevenson is what I thought I’d purchased!)
It was the only thing I’d brought to read so I went ahead and finished it even though it was the “wrong” Just Mercy. It has great themes of forgiveness, grace, and the value of life but the writing and character development are just ok.
It was the only thing I’d brought to read so I went ahead and finished it even though it was the “wrong” Just Mercy. It has great themes of forgiveness, grace, and the value of life but the writing and character development are just ok.
October 4, 2014
A gripping look at murder and the death penalty, coupled with a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of the word "justice"--all done through the eyes of a family drama.
January 8, 2015
Good story.
June 9, 2015
I received this as part of the Goodreads Giveaways.
The book was overall really good with the plot and twists.It grabbed a lot of family and social dynamics but some parts were a bit too slow.
The book was overall really good with the plot and twists.It grabbed a lot of family and social dynamics but some parts were a bit too slow.
September 16, 2015
Fantastic work by Dorothy. Could not wait until her second novel was out....and now it is. Looking forward to her reading in Baltimore in November.
January 28, 2017
This book should be required reading for everyone. It is a true eye opener.
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March 26, 2019Didn't read this book
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews