Book Talk About The Death Penalty With Dorothy Van Soest Author Of Just Mercy

Just Mercy is a novel where a grieving mother forms an unlikely bond with her daughter’s murderer. Ten years after the crime, the murderer is facing execution, but after a last-minute stay, a secret is revealed that changes everything and leads to an unlikely bond between mother and murderer. Just Mercy exquisitely portrays the complexity and difficulty of forgiveness and its power to take us to the inescapable truth that we are all connected. Bernadette Baker and her family will touch your heart and shake your soul so that, regardless of your position, you will never feel the same about the issue of the death penalty. This family drama is a must-read that teaches us about the true nature of justice and our very humanity —Sr. Helen Prejean, csj, Author of Dead Man Walking Dorothy Van Soest is a writer, social worker, and political and community activist. A retired professor and university dean, she holds an undergraduate degree in English literature and a Masters and PhD in Social Work. She is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington, with a research-based publication record of nine books and over fifty journal articles, essays, and book chapters that tackle complex and controversial issues related to violence, oppression, and injustice. Her debut novel, Just Mercy, was informed by her widely acclaimed investigation of the lives of thirty-seven men who were executed by Texas in 1997 and her knowledge of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Restorative Dialogue program. Dorothy Van Soest lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is currently working on her next novel, a mystery inspired by her experiences with the child welfare system. Her website is www.dorothyvansoest.com