The Crooked Heart of Mercy by Billie Livingston

4 Star

Ben wakes up in a hospital with a hole in his head he can't explain. What he can remember he’d rather forget. Like how he’d spend nights as a limo driver for the wealthy and debauched….how he and his wife, Maggie, drifted apart in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy…how his little brother, Cola, got in over his head with loan sharks circling.

Maggie is alone. Again. With bills to pay and Ben in a psych ward, she must return to work. But who would hire her in the state she’s in? And just as Maggie turns to her brother, Francis, the Internet explodes with video of his latest escapade. The headline? Drunk Priest Propositions Cops.

Francis is an unlikely priest with a drinking problem and little interest in celibacy. A third DUI, a looming court date.…When Maggie takes him in, he knows he may be down to his last chance. And his best shot at healing might lie in helping Maggie and Ben reconnect—against all odds.

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Sabrina-Kate - 4 Star

The Crooked Heart of Mercy was an utterly unique story which is partly what drew it to me in the first place, but also what made it a more challenging read. I loved that it was by a Canadian author and that the characters were so unforgettable. For the three main characters, Ben, Maggie and Francis are anything but the usual characters you'd find in a book.

The quirky and distinct story that we are told was a little difficult to get into, perhaps because it was a bit weird but also because it had three very strong yet very different characters telling the story. I liked that they were flawed and unapologetic about it. It did make the story somewhat uncomfortable but I suspect that was the point. After all, why should a person be comfortable when others are obviously suffering?

I liked this book a lot despite some misgivings but I felt like it made me contemplate some important things and that is always a good idea in my book!

Thank you to Random House of Canada for our review copy. All opinions are our own.

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