Mother Mercy

by Chandra Arthur

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.

216 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Natalie Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[A Person Called Name · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tracy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!