THE SHARP EDGE OF MERCY
by Connie Hertzberg Mayo
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Pub Date May 06 2022 | Archive Date Apr 08 2022
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Description
A young nurse in turn-of-the-century New York City believes she knows right from wrong, but soon finds out that determining what is ethical for terminally ill patients while fending off unwanted attention of a doctor in power is anything but clear cut.
Lillian Dolan is optimistic about her new job at the New York Cancer Hospital after dreaming for years of becoming a nurse. But she struggles to fit in, and her only friend at the hospital is Jupiter, a Black man who runs the crematorium. When the confident Dr. Bauer arrives as the new surgeon and takes a shine to Lillian, she is thrilled to be noticed.
Lillian has been warned not to get too close to the patients, but Mrs. Sokolova draws her in, and Lillian wins praise from the nurses for making progress with a difficult patient. But when Mrs. Sokolova’s situation becomes dire, she puts Lillian in an impossible situation, all while Lillian is trying to keep control of her relationship with Dr. Bauer, which has taken a turn she did not foresee or want. Her decision to help her patient throws her life into chaos, and Jupiter may be the only person who can help her with the choice before her: capitulate to Dr. Bauer’s demands or face possible arrest.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“THE SHARP EDGE OF MERCY is a stunning tale of a woman caught between the ethics of the day and the truth of the human heart. Mayo writes with enormous eloquence, transporting the reader into the distant past in a manner that feels familiar and immersive. An absolutely riveting book!”
—CRYSTAL KING, author of Feast of Sorrow and The Chef’s Secret
“With sharp dialogue and a rich setting, this work of historical fiction had me rooting for Lillian from the first pages.”
—EMILY CAVANAGH, author of Her Guilty Secret and Everybody Lies
“A timely novel that speaks of racism, economic disparities, and the role of the frontline healthcare workers in the hospital setting… a captivating window into a bygone era that reminds us that as much as things change, some things stay the same. This is a beautifully written book you won’t put down until the last page.”
—LYNNE HINTON, New York Times bestselling author of The Beekeeper’s Wife and The View From Here
“Rich in period detail, The Sharp Edge of Mercy is a deeply immersive look at a New York City hospital at the end of the 19th century. With her well-drawn characters and crisp prose, Hertzberg Mayo's novel is a treat to read. I look forward to whatever she does next.”
—STACIE MURPHY, author of the Amelia Matthew Mysteries
“With Mayo’s previously demonstrated skills (The Island of Worthy Boys) at portraying poor, disadvantaged characters rising to adversity with resilience and grace, and her thorough research, the reader is immersed and enchanted by The Sharp Edge of Mercy. Mayo deftly weaves Lillian’s story of ambition, love, loyalty and friendship set against challenges of race, class, disability, sexual preferences and questions of medical ethics. This is historical fiction that anticipates many of the weightiest issues of today through an engaging read.”
—BARBARA STARK-NEMON, author of Even in Darkness and Hard Cider
“In her second and aptly named novel, The Sharp Edge of Mercy, Connie Mayo takes little-known nuggets of old New York history and weaves them into a smart and thought-provoking page-turner. As young nursing assistant Lillian Dolan discovers the scandalous secrets of the New York Cancer Hospital and its staff, she is caught between controversy and conscience in a compelling tale that will captivate lovers of historical fiction.”
—KRISTEN HARNISCH, Internationally bestselling author of The Vintner's Daughter series
Marketing Plan
From the award-winning author of THE ISLAND OF WORTHY BOYS
From the award-winning author of THE ISLAND OF WORTHY BOYS
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781942762836 |
| PRICE | $27.00 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Yolanda C, Reviewer
This was a wonderful book. It spoke of race and class in a realistic way for the time and I learned new things about this time period. I felt main character was engaging and real and it had a good plot. Very good book!
Jacquie W, Reviewer
A young, determined, inquisitive woman (Lillian) finds work as a nursing assistant at NYC’s famed Cancer Hospital. It’s 1890 and medical ethics are not what we expect. Well-researched with a diverse array of well-written characters! One of my favorite reads this month - highly recommended! Expected release date: 3 May 2022.
Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC - I was under no pressure to provide a review
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