Salem's Mercy

By Rebecca Southwick

Book Overview

In 1638, Cassandra Southwick wonders if she has made an enormous mistake. She made the epic journey to Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony with her husband and their five children to escape religious persecution. She expects a freer life in the New World... but she's in for a big surprise.
In 1659, frightened out of her wits, Provided Southwick stands on the auction block to be sold as a slave. Her crime? She's not attending the Puritan Church. Instead, she's been secretly meeting with people who value women's voices--the Quakers. The Quakers are hanged for espousing their beliefs, beliefs that she shares. Will she be next?
In 1692, Mercy Southwick fears for her life as the Salem Witch Trials rage. She's hearing voices and seeing spirits--is she a witch? After befriending two of the girls who are accusing women of witchcraft, she tries to stop them. Will they betray her and see her hanged too?
Ten generations later, Rebecca Southwick shares the true stories of the Salem Witch Trials based on the lives of her ancestors.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1667875612
• ISBN13: 9781667875613
• Release Date: March 2023
• Publisher: Bookbaby
• Length: 394 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.1" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Mercy! David Southwick (4 of 8) Reviews Rebecca's (6 of 8) Salem's Mercy

I’m guessing that Salem’s Mercy is a triple pun. The idea of mercy to describe the Salem Witch Trials is a striking choice. Mercy is a major character in the book who will bring tears to your eyes several times. And Mercy has a final walk on at the very end of the book. Rebecca has been writing this novel for years, and I, David, number four in our family of eight siblings, (Rebecca is six), had to wait years to get to read this. I’ve heard much about Rebecca’s research and long stint of writing but I never managed to read the draft. She did ask her Uncle Albert, the historian of our family, to read her draft when he was 100 years old. Uncle Albert never whispered a word to me about it. Now I’ve read her book and am thoroughly intrigued by her theory of how the Salem witch accusations began and wonder if there were historical hints suggesting it or whether it sprang fully from her creative mind. It has been fascinating to read of our ancestor’s persecutions for their Quaker beliefs. Within our family have circulated tales about such persecutions but to read it in a more historically based yet fictionally embellished story is delightful. This tale, from Lawrence and Cassandra’s voyage to the new world to their Quaker persecutions, then onto the Salem witch trials is a page turner and a tearful read. Please read and enjoy!