Missing Mercy (An Ironwood Novel)

Title: Missing Mercy (An Ironwood Novel)

Author: Stephenia H McGee

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publishing Date: Oct 1, 2019

Length: 376 Pages

About the Book:

The venture ahead could leave their friendship behind.

Made a safe-haven after the Civil War, Ironwood Plantation is a refuge of equality for former slaves. But twenty years and a new generation later, they have become an isolated community with little contact with the rest of the world.

Mercy Carpenter is everything the world thinks she shouldn’t be. Educated and adventurous, she longs to make a life for herself beyond the beautiful prison of Ironwood. When she secretly submits an article to the Boston Globe under a man’s name and receives an enthusiastic response and an offer for employment, she’s determined to take advantage of the opportunity. But she isn’t prepared for a startling world that won’t accept her color or her gender, and her ambitions soon land her in grave danger.

The privileged daughter of a plantation owner and an aspiring suffragette, Faith Harper is determined not to marry. Especially not her father’s opportunistic new business partner. She doesn’t want any man telling her what to do, least of all the annoyingly chivalrous Nolan Watson. But when Mercy goes missing, Faith will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means trusting a man she doesn’t understand. In a time where prejudices try to define them, Mercy and Faith must push the boundaries of their beliefs and trust in the God who holds the keys to freedom.

My Review:

After recently reading the other books in this series, I’ve been excited to dig into this one to see the conclusion of Ironwood. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised by the path it took.

Mercy was easily my favorite character in this book possibly because she experienced the most transformation. I also adored Hezzie because of her influence in leading Mercy to a real relationship with her Heavenly Father. She wasn’t afraid to challenge Mercy even when she was feeling down. She pushed her (in love) to face the difficult truths she didn’t want to hear and grow from them instead of getting bitter. Hezzie was truly a Titus 2 woman for Mercy, as Mercy experienced what it was like to be a Jonah.

The growth that Faith experienced was very different. Although she faced very real hurtles herself, it felt more like a natural maturing into adulthood. She learned to take responsibility for her actions and consider others before herself. She had to come to terms with the fact that she couldn’t have everything she wanted in life. She also learned that men weren’t all exactly as she’d come to perceive them.

Beautifully written and highly thought-provoking, this is a read I’m sure will stay with me. I feel as if I am nowhere near ready to let the characters go but alas, this was the conclusion of the Ironwood novels. I highly recommend this series to historical fiction fans!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

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