Book Review: Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

 Rating: 4.25⭐

“There’s more to this life than just trying to survive it…”

Set in 1999 in the small town of Mercury, Pennsylvania, the story revolves around the Joespeh family who own and operate their own roofing business headed by patriarch Mick Joseph with his sons. In 1990, then a newcomer to the town teenage Marley West meets the Joseph brothers, and though initially involved the Baylor, the eldest son eventually falls in love with and marries Waylon his younger brother and the middle son of the Joseph family. Marley, the daughter of a nurse who moves wherever work takes them, is happy to finally be a part of a family unit with roots. But families can be complicated and as Marley evolves from a lovestruck teenager to a young mother who eventually pushes her way into playing a significant role in the family business over the years she learns how to navigate the complex dynamics between the members, the tragedies and the sacrifices, the financial struggles and the secrets and the conflicting emotions that push each of these members to their emotional limits. When the discovery of a body in the attic of their church shocks the close-knit community, long-buried secrets, suspicions, and cover-ups threaten to fracture the fragile bonds and loyalties within the family.

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns is an intense , absorbing family drama with an element of mystery skillfully woven into the narrative. The strength of this novel lies in its characterization. Burns’ characters are flawed which makes them realistic and relatable. Each of these characters is well-thought-out and the author depicts sensitive issues such as PTSD and dementia with much emotional depth. Though initially we might find it difficult to feel sympathetic toward some of the characters , we are able to explore their motivations and the factors that have contributed to who they are and in doing so, we feel invested in their journey. Marley’s character arc is exceptionally well developed and particularly liked how the author depicts her complicated relationship with Elise, her mother-in-law, and the tender almost mother-child bond she shares with Shay, the youngest Joseph brother. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy character-driven fiction that revolves around dysfunctional families.

This was my first time reading Amy Jo Burns and I hope to explore more of her work in the future.

Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.