New Mercies

by Sandra Dallas

Book Overview

Natchez, Mississippi, in 1933 is a place suspended in time. The silver and china is still dented and cracked from Yankee invaders. And the houses have names...and memories. Nora Bondurant is running... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312336195
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.7" x 1.1" x 5.7"

Customer Reviews

Sandra Dallas brings us another great read!

This book will not leave you disappointed. Has all the intrigue, mystery depth we know and love her for. I won't go into the story too much, but I love these books because she writes about Colorado, and her descriptions just make you feel like you are there. At Avoca, I could see the statue and the goats running around. We find out secrets in this book and our character learns to let go and love again. I wish I could give it more stars!

Haunted Novel

New Mercies is the latest novel by Sandra Dallas, author of The Persian Pickle Club. Dallas' latest book tells of people haunted by the past. Nora Bondurant is haunted by the secret behind her divorce and her ex-husband's subsequent death. When she inherits property in Natchez, Mississippi, she is intrigued by the secrets behind her aunt's murder and a neighbor's suicide. And, in 1933, the people of Natchez are still haunted by the ghosts of the War between the States, slavery, and their own losses. Two ex-slaves, Ezra and Aunt Polly, are the key to Nora's search for answers. Dallas brings her characters and 1933 Natchez to life in this atmospheric novel.

Southern Reading at it's Best!!

This was a great book. Sandra Dallas has once again given us an extremely well written, and totally captivating read. Set in 1933 Natchez Mississippi, this is the story of how Miss Nora Bondurant (from Denver Co.) came to know she had family in the deep south. I'm not going to summerize the book since it's already been done here, but this story is filled with the wonderful, colorful characters that Ms. Dallas always has in her books. I very highly recommend this read. If you're a fan of southern liturature, this is definitely for you. I have read and loved every one of Ms. Dallas's books and I most certainly wasn't disappointed here. Hope you enjoy!!

secrets of the South and beaten biscuits!

This was a slow-going book for me but surely picked up the pace. Sandra Dallas has a talent at writing literature - not to be confused with simple fiction. This story, based in the early 30s in Natchez, MS weaves the past and present of the Bondurant family. Amalia is found murdered in her lush Southern home along with her long-time beau who is thought to have commit suicide after 'he' killed her. Her neice comes to town because she finds out she is heiress and thus begins the mystery of this Amalia and her neighbors. The book is a bit of healing for those intertwined in this plot. If you are a fan of southern reads, you will delight in this one. It will keep you wondering until the last few pages!

perusal of Depression Era Mississippi

In 1933 Nora Bondurant leaves her hometown of Denver to take over the pre-Civil War Avoca mansion that her recently murdered Aunt Amalia left her. Interestingly Nora did not know of the existence of her aunt as her parents never mentioned that her father had a sister or that she came from Natchez. Nora first learned of Amalia when a lawyer sent her a letter informing her she of her inheritance. In Natchez she learns that Amalia was killed by a courting neighbor in a murder suicide. Nora finds the change of scenery welcoming as she hides from feelings of guilt caused by her divorce from Tate and subsequent death of her ex spouse back in Denver. Simultaneously, she also feels somewhat like an outsider since no one will share much about her aunt, her lover who allegedly killed her, or their relationship. For that matter she knows little about this side of the family and no one is forthcoming with information. Still Natchez begins to feel like home due to Ezra, Aunt Polly, and others including the goats. The story line provides an intense perusal of Depression Era Mississippi especially "slaves" through the eyes of a Rocky Mountain expatriate. The murder-suicide adds interesting suspense as Nora wants to know more about her previously unknown aunt, but that takes a back seat to the deep scrutiny of 1930s Deep South relationships. Fans will cherish this powerful historical fiction and seek other works by Ms. Dallas (see THE PERSIAN PICKLE CLUB and BUSTER MIDNIGHT'S CAFÉ). Harriet Klausner