Review of "This Dark Road to Mercy: A Novel" by Wiley Cash

Twelve-year-old Easter Quilby and six-year-old Ruby Quilby have lived in a foster home in Gastonia, North Carolina since their mother died from a drug overdose. 



Their father, Wade Chesterfield - an unsuccessful former minor league baseball player - had unwillingly given up parental rights and longs to get his daughters back.



So when Wade gets the chance he robs a gangster of money from an armored truck heist.



Wade then sneaks his daughters out of the foster home, and runs off with them.



The story is told from three points of view: Easter Quilby, a mature wry young lady who sees things as they are;



Bobby Pruitt, a vengeful bouncer/hit man hired to get the money back;



and Brady Weller, former cop and guardian ad litem for the girls who's determined to bring them home.



In the background of the story is the 1998 rivalry between major league baseball players Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa, who are both trying to break the home run record.


Mark McGuire


Sammy Sosa

On the road, Wade hustles to evade Pruitt as he takes the girls around the country. Unfortunately Pruitt is hot on their heels and will stop at nothing - not even murder - to accomplish his mission. And Brady, struggling with his own demons, is chasing them all.

Though suspenseful and dark, the story is also warm and touching. Good book.

Rating: 4 stars