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Mother Mercy
In this gripping thriller, one woman, haunted by her past, turns to killing abusers in the name of protecting their victims.
She loves her day job—and makes a killing at it.
Abby doesn’t know much about her family, and the memories she does have aren’t great. She spends most of her time killing abusers to save their victims. By night, researches her own history.
It hasn’t led anywhere till recently.
What she discovers is a sad tale of heartbreak and murder.
She tries not to let the new lead get in the way of her work, but when work and personal life cross paths, it’s never a good thing. But maybe this time can be different.
She loves her day job—and makes a killing at it.
Abby doesn’t know much about her family, and the memories she does have aren’t great. She spends most of her time killing abusers to save their victims. By night, researches her own history.
It hasn’t led anywhere till recently.
What she discovers is a sad tale of heartbreak and murder.
She tries not to let the new lead get in the way of her work, but when work and personal life cross paths, it’s never a good thing. But maybe this time can be different.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 12, 2026
This book was received as an ARC.
I’ve know Chandra for almost 5 years, and we have cowritten two books (so far) in the 1,000 word series, but this review is like any other review I’ve given for a story.
I’ve read many stories by Chandra and this one made me forget it was hers because I was so enthralled.
This book is gruesome (understatement due to my limited vocabulary), the characters have clear motives on all fronts, and the chapters are dangerously quick, making the excuse of just one chapter too tantalizing.
I really enjoyed the multiple characters and scenarios our MC found herself in. Nothing felt repetitive or cookie cutter as the MC did the same job for different reasons in new locations.
The last scenario was expected, but one of those where the reader picks up on the details and fortunately the MC was not far behind on figuring it out.
The ending itself did feel, rushed? The main thing I questioned was who sent the note (you’ll know) and I still wasn’t satisfied, however, like in life, we sometimes have to guess the most likely play and assume it is correct.
Still 5 star worthy and I love the nice bow of the bonus scene.
I’ve know Chandra for almost 5 years, and we have cowritten two books (so far) in the 1,000 word series, but this review is like any other review I’ve given for a story.
I’ve read many stories by Chandra and this one made me forget it was hers because I was so enthralled.
This book is gruesome (understatement due to my limited vocabulary), the characters have clear motives on all fronts, and the chapters are dangerously quick, making the excuse of just one chapter too tantalizing.
I really enjoyed the multiple characters and scenarios our MC found herself in. Nothing felt repetitive or cookie cutter as the MC did the same job for different reasons in new locations.
The last scenario was expected, but one of those where the reader picks up on the details and fortunately the MC was not far behind on figuring it out.
The ending itself did feel, rushed? The main thing I questioned was who sent the note (you’ll know) and I still wasn’t satisfied, however, like in life, we sometimes have to guess the most likely play and assume it is correct.
Still 5 star worthy and I love the nice bow of the bonus scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
I received an ARC for this book.
I am no stranger to thrillers, murder mysteries, and crime dramas. In some strange ways, those genres are a comfort read for me. I love knowing that the bad guy gets it in the end and that justice (or vengeance) wins.
While Mother Mercy has many aspects from these genres, I don’t know that I could ever classify this as a comfort read. However, it was uncomfortable for all of the right reasons. The author lays out the crimes in such a way that there is no doubt that the MC MUST act and those actions are designed with a “punishment fits the crime” sentiment every time. (Please note that there are trigger warnings posted for this book that I would strongly encourage all readers to take note of before opening to the first page)
In some way, I knew the MC’s past would catch up to her and I was eager to hear more about how she got started in her work as an avenging angel. By the time I realized where we were heading, I couldn’t stop reading, finishing the second half of the book in one morning.
I truly hope that this is not the last we see from “Abby” and would love to see where she and Matt go from here. I’d also love to hear more about what she discovers through conversations with Percilla or other research into the dealings of her father and his associates. I would have more than welcomed any of that as a part of the ending for this book, but I can recognize the need to “keep them coming back for more”.
If Chandra Arthur gives us more Mother Mercy, I will most certainly come back for more!
I am no stranger to thrillers, murder mysteries, and crime dramas. In some strange ways, those genres are a comfort read for me. I love knowing that the bad guy gets it in the end and that justice (or vengeance) wins.
While Mother Mercy has many aspects from these genres, I don’t know that I could ever classify this as a comfort read. However, it was uncomfortable for all of the right reasons. The author lays out the crimes in such a way that there is no doubt that the MC MUST act and those actions are designed with a “punishment fits the crime” sentiment every time. (Please note that there are trigger warnings posted for this book that I would strongly encourage all readers to take note of before opening to the first page)
In some way, I knew the MC’s past would catch up to her and I was eager to hear more about how she got started in her work as an avenging angel. By the time I realized where we were heading, I couldn’t stop reading, finishing the second half of the book in one morning.
I truly hope that this is not the last we see from “Abby” and would love to see where she and Matt go from here. I’d also love to hear more about what she discovers through conversations with Percilla or other research into the dealings of her father and his associates. I would have more than welcomed any of that as a part of the ending for this book, but I can recognize the need to “keep them coming back for more”.
If Chandra Arthur gives us more Mother Mercy, I will most certainly come back for more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2026
Thank you for the early copy I was sent from a business owner who met the author!
THIS BOOK!!! Omg when I tell you I started this on a whim as I was getting ready to go to an appointment and I COULD. NOT. STOP. READING. Im telling you brushing my teeth while reading, getting dress (awkwardly) while reading, trying to grab my purse and keys while reading and maneuvering down the stairs while reading.
This story follow Abby who lost her mother to her father’s abuse. She saw all of it. Now shes on a mission to make others suffer for their miss doings, she is thorough and she makes sure she sees it all before she goes in. She gets her cases from a family friend who works for “mother mercy ministries”, she gets letters from women or children about whats going on. She sends them to Abby and its a done deal for them.
The detail this book offers is phenomenal, I was not expecting to wince and have to look away from some pages! It satisfied that curiosity without being too splatter punky. There was just enough action and background plot to not be too much gore but it also never left you bored!
THIS BOOK!!! Omg when I tell you I started this on a whim as I was getting ready to go to an appointment and I COULD. NOT. STOP. READING. Im telling you brushing my teeth while reading, getting dress (awkwardly) while reading, trying to grab my purse and keys while reading and maneuvering down the stairs while reading.
This story follow Abby who lost her mother to her father’s abuse. She saw all of it. Now shes on a mission to make others suffer for their miss doings, she is thorough and she makes sure she sees it all before she goes in. She gets her cases from a family friend who works for “mother mercy ministries”, she gets letters from women or children about whats going on. She sends them to Abby and its a done deal for them.
The detail this book offers is phenomenal, I was not expecting to wince and have to look away from some pages! It satisfied that curiosity without being too splatter punky. There was just enough action and background plot to not be too much gore but it also never left you bored!
January 20, 2026
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for granting this digital ARC. Mother Mercy is gloriously glory and the true meaning of ethical vengeance. The vengeful savior dealing out retribution on behalf of the broken and hopeless. A brilliant and emotionally gut-wrenching debut. I’m looking forward to Chandra Arthur’s future works. She’s proven that she’s a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with in the literary world.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have been struggling to put into words how I feel about reading Mother Mercy. I liked it a lot and it deserves every one of the four stars I rated it. That is why it feels so hard to write this review. Saying I loved a book where characters go through some of the worst abuses a person can go experience, feels wrong. But, it is because of the care and love that has gone into this book, that it is such a great book.
In the novel, we follow Abby, a female vigilante that takes out abusers. The trauma that is inflicted on the victims is raw. We feel their pain, but we quickly get to see the justice be served in vivid detail. As a survivor of domestic violence, I never felt like the pain the characters experienced was being done for entertainment or shock value, I felt seen. I cannot say this book is for everyone, because it is not. There are a lot of trigger warnings for a reason, but this book is so much more than just a list of trigger warnings and gore. It is a hug for anyone who has survived abuse.
In the novel, we follow Abby, a female vigilante that takes out abusers. The trauma that is inflicted on the victims is raw. We feel their pain, but we quickly get to see the justice be served in vivid detail. As a survivor of domestic violence, I never felt like the pain the characters experienced was being done for entertainment or shock value, I felt seen. I cannot say this book is for everyone, because it is not. There are a lot of trigger warnings for a reason, but this book is so much more than just a list of trigger warnings and gore. It is a hug for anyone who has survived abuse.
April 9, 2026
4
Cover 4; characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 3; Intrigue 4; Logic 4; worldbuilding 4; Writing 5; Enjoyment 4
Definitely read the content warnings for this one friends! I knew what I was getting into with this one and I knew it *might* be too much for me but the premise had me interested enough to try. I definitely skim read a few sections to kind of cut around the content that I didn't want to read.
Overall, I really enjoyed the plot of this story. I was definitely rooting for Abby throughout and I enjoyed getting to learn more about her as the story progressed. It was interesting to see Abby go discuss with herself the morality behind what she was doing and how she was separate from the people she was doing it to.
If you like a dark thriller where the bad guys die screaming, this is the book for you.
I received an eArc of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have also known Chandra for many years in the authortube corner of the internet. I have purchased my own physical copy of this book.
Cover 4; characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 3; Intrigue 4; Logic 4; worldbuilding 4; Writing 5; Enjoyment 4
Definitely read the content warnings for this one friends! I knew what I was getting into with this one and I knew it *might* be too much for me but the premise had me interested enough to try. I definitely skim read a few sections to kind of cut around the content that I didn't want to read.
Overall, I really enjoyed the plot of this story. I was definitely rooting for Abby throughout and I enjoyed getting to learn more about her as the story progressed. It was interesting to see Abby go discuss with herself the morality behind what she was doing and how she was separate from the people she was doing it to.
If you like a dark thriller where the bad guys die screaming, this is the book for you.
I received an eArc of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have also known Chandra for many years in the authortube corner of the internet. I have purchased my own physical copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book by the author.
To say that this book is a masterpiece of a thrill ride would be an understatement. If you have ever had a desire to gain healing through well-deserved vengeance, then this is definitely the book for you. The twists and turns this book took me on were a welcomed surprise and while the gory nature caught me off guard a little, I found myself cheering for Abby as she exacted revenge on the many who had it coming. That ending, which left me feeling so satisfied, was not only unexpected and jaw-dropping, but it was well deserved (iykyk). Mother Mercy is a gripping and cathartic story by the amazingly talented Chandra Arthur and if this is the literary gold she gives us in her debut novel, I can’t wait to read her next book. I loved every bit of vigilante justice that Mother doled out. Definitely a 5-star read that you will not be able to put down, not for long anyway.
To say that this book is a masterpiece of a thrill ride would be an understatement. If you have ever had a desire to gain healing through well-deserved vengeance, then this is definitely the book for you. The twists and turns this book took me on were a welcomed surprise and while the gory nature caught me off guard a little, I found myself cheering for Abby as she exacted revenge on the many who had it coming. That ending, which left me feeling so satisfied, was not only unexpected and jaw-dropping, but it was well deserved (iykyk). Mother Mercy is a gripping and cathartic story by the amazingly talented Chandra Arthur and if this is the literary gold she gives us in her debut novel, I can’t wait to read her next book. I loved every bit of vigilante justice that Mother doled out. Definitely a 5-star read that you will not be able to put down, not for long anyway.
April 6, 2026
I wonder if there is a sequel. This book reads like a novella. I wish there was more to the plot. It was a good read. Some parts were too intense for me to read, I still read them and took breaks in between to give myself time to adjust. I wish there were more to the story. The author writes well, and it was easy to follow along with the story. I understand the rage for abuser from a personal standpoint.
My opinion- please read with caution
I dont know if murder did it justice for me. I want the perpertator to be punished and spend the rest of there lives in pain. They leave a lasting impression on the vitems that follow them forver. Death seema like the easy way out. I understand her justification that they are likely to be repeated offenders, so murder is the solution. Keeping the abusers crippled for the rest of their lives and misserable.
My opinion- please read with caution
I dont know if murder did it justice for me. I want the perpertator to be punished and spend the rest of there lives in pain. They leave a lasting impression on the vitems that follow them forver. Death seema like the easy way out. I understand her justification that they are likely to be repeated offenders, so murder is the solution. Keeping the abusers crippled for the rest of their lives and misserable.
May 7, 2026
It wasn’t as scary as I thought it be and had far less killing than I anticipated. But baby when that plot thickened it thickened toward the end of the book I was so mad it was ending I felt like it could have went on longer! There should definitely be a part two to this book; if there is somebody let me know because I need to find out how Matt is gonna like working with Abby and if he’s really brave enough for the job. Will they fall in love or will they be more like brother and sister? So much more I want to know, but I guess that’s what make a book good the unknown that leaves you wanting more!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was given a copy of Mother Mercy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
If you’ve ever been abused, this book was written for you.
Revenge is sweet, even if you need a female Dexter to do the job. Check the content warnings before reading, although squeamish “me” found the satisfaction of punishing the evildoers so enjoyable that the descriptions of the payback didn’t bother me nearly as much as I expected. The cherry on top: a surprising ending that had me cheering for the avenger.
Regina Duke, USA Today Bestselling Author
If you’ve ever been abused, this book was written for you.
Revenge is sweet, even if you need a female Dexter to do the job. Check the content warnings before reading, although squeamish “me” found the satisfaction of punishing the evildoers so enjoyable that the descriptions of the payback didn’t bother me nearly as much as I expected. The cherry on top: a surprising ending that had me cheering for the avenger.
Regina Duke, USA Today Bestselling Author
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews