Echoes of Mercy

Kim Vogel Sawyer always writes a great novel; every single book of hers has been compelling, riveting, interesting, and just plain good. So with great excitement, I read Echoes of Mercy and was not disappointed. Kim's writing in this novel gave each of the main characters a voice and a point of view, which made the novel quite intriguing, to say the least.

Carrie is an investigator for the state labor commission sent to the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory to find out how the previous investigator died on the premises. She has quite a soap box that she stands on where child labor is concerned. She can't stand the thought that any child would be deprived of fresh air, sunshine, and an education.

Ollie is actually Oliver Dinsmore, but he's masquerading as Ollie Moore, mild mannered janitor. His purpose in this factory is to learn the candy making business to eventually take over the Dinsmore Chocolate Empire. He's not the best janitor, but he enjoys watching the candy being made, talking to the other employees, and most of all, trying to figure out Carrie.

Noble is Carrie's boss who has raised her like his own daughter. He and his wife, Annamarie, were never able to have their own children, but delighted in Carrie, teaching her about God, to read and write, and giving her the life her own parents declined to give her.

Gordon is the manager of the factory and he is the prototype of a bad guy. He's embezzling from the factory, he wants no intervention in his management of the factory, and he's a womanizer. He's not above other illegal acts to achieve what he wants, no matter what.

Letty is the daughter of a man who makes his children work instead of going to school. She has two younger brothers who go out and collect tin for their father. When their father dies of a ruptured appendix, Letty is forced to find ways to take care of her brothers.

Each character and each plot twist deepen the story and make it one of the most compelling I've ever read. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a box of the fanciest chocolates ever made.