Reviews

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

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marycorrigan's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

mikkangel's review against another edition

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5.0

This was an amazing book!

My favorite thing about it was how the author shows the audience the events not in chronological order. The way it was presented was perfect, I thought.

It was interesting how Marley's story became Elise's, in a way. My other favorite part about it was all the different relationships between the characters. Waylon and Baylor, Marley and Elise, Marley and Baylor. All of their circumstances were so unique and each carried their individual weight to them. I wouldn't have minded if the book was a hundred pages longer. This is definitely one I need to reread now that I knows everything that happens.

It's the 90's and it has it all! Murder, romance, family drama... seriously what more could you ask for.

booktalkwithkarla's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“Way’s father viewed the business as a kind of inheritance for his sons, and his mother saw it as a problem for them to solve.”

The Joseph family owns a roofing business - each has their own level of commitment and their own reasons for loyalty. We hear from different members of the family as we learn the origin story and what happens over the decades, including Marley who is new to the family.

Amy Jo Burns is a great storyteller and writer. It is obvious she has insider knowledge. She tells a family drama story with a mystery at the center.

I found this book interesting because my husband is in the roofing business. Mostly I liked learning about both the family and the family business. There was a section that was exasperating. But the novel’s ending was meaningful and one of my favorite parts, so I’m glad I persevered. This is a book about family, secrets, love, devotion, wounds, and healing.

“… what kind of understanding passes between a husband and a wife as they live side by side. At some point, a marriage must become a junkyard of things, unfinished sentences and earring backs scattered across the floor.”

“It was lonely sometimes, being a roofer’s wife.”