NEW MERCIES by Sandra Dallas
Dallas is a master of the slowly unfolding plot and this book is one of the best. The Civil War is long over but the Great Depression is still affecting people’s lives when Nora, the daughter of two socially prominent Denver families, inherits a Southern mansion from an hitherto unknown relative. Stilling from a divorce and then the death of her former husband, Nora escapes to Natchez, Mississippi.
Nora discovers that her aunt had secrets just as Nora herself has secrets. Avoca, now her mansion, comes complete with retainers, secrets, a herd of goats, and a murder. Natchez is a major player in this family drama. Its citizens - family retainers in the form of two former slaves - a family lawyer who knows more than he lets on - as well as friends (and enemies) of her aunt abound. You will laugh at the foibles of various characters, be shocked at the secrets as they are slowly revealed and be heartened by the writing of a master story teller.
Lots to love and discuss here.
5 of 5 stars Note: if you are easily offended by non-PC language and situations, you have been warned. ( )

In 1933, Nora Bondurant was living in Denver, divorced & widowed. Her father died when she was very young & she knew nothing about his family. She received a telegram "Amalie Bondurant dead. You only relative heir to Avoca. Come Natchez, Mississippi." Her aunt had been killed in murder suicide. The people in Natchez seem very reluctant to discuss what happened. I liked this book, but found it frustrating at the attitudes toward African/Americans, although I'm sure it was worse then written in the book.

Set in 1933 in Denver and Natchez, MS. A woman divorces her husband, but keeps the reason a secret. Then he's in a plane crash.
Nora's father died when she was three and no one from his family acknowledged him, so when Nora received a wire from an attorney saying she'd inherited the family home she was a little perplexed.
This is a quick, easy read. The characters aren't fully developed, but Nora's character grows and the others are interesting enough to keep the reader turning pages. ( )

Dallas turns her attention to the deep South in her latest historical novel, inspired by the real-life murder of the “goat lady” in Natchez Mississippi.

The time is 1933. Nora Bondurant Tate, barely recovering from her divorce just about a year previously, has been notified that an aunt she didn’t know she had has left her entire estate to Nora. She leaves Denver for Natchez with the mistaken notion that she’ll be staying at Avoca, the house that has been in the Bondurant family since before ‘the Unpleasantness’ (i.e. Civil War). But when she arrives she finds the place nearly in ruins, guarded by two servants, who have been with the family since the days of slavery.

It’s not easy adjusting to this new climate and the secretive ways of Natchez society. As she goes about settling her aunt’s estate she finds that there are rules of social conduct of which she’s completely unaware; and several people feel free to tease her with innuendo about what really happened.

Dallas does an adequate job and her novel moves quickly. But I found her characters somewhat wooden in this effort. Also, I got tired of the “southernism–followed–by–‘English’–translation” device. And, I guessed the “secrets” (both of them) very early on. Still, I love Sandra Dallas … this is just not her best work. I recommend [The Diary of Mattie Spenser] instead. ( )

What a great book - a nice combination of two compelling stories. Nora Bondurant in this story is the granddaughter of Alice Bullock of "Alice's Tulips" and there is a sense of satisfaction in catching a glimpse of "what happened" to those characters. Nora is suffering a great hurt when she goes to take care of the estate of an unknown relative. As she unravels the secrets of her aunt, she also begins to come to terms with her own failed marriage. ( )