A Cape Cod story of forgiveness, second chances, and the healing power of community. Caroline Marcum returns to her childhood home in Wellfleet to care for her dying mother, confronting a past she thought she'd left behind. Ridley Neal, a reformed ex-con, is trying to rebuild his life by taking over his father's oyster and clam farm. A fierce nor'easter throws them together, but their budding connection is threatened by a lawsuit and a chance encounter that stirs up old guilts and new suspicions. Can Caroline and Rid overcome their troubled pasts and the challenges of the present to find forgiveness and love amidst the seashell -strewn shallows of Cape Cod Bay? This 10th-anniversary edition includes an update on the real-life lawsuit that inspired the story. Perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally resonant fiction with a strong sense of place. "With dazzling prose, a merciless eye for truth, and a gotta-know story, A Matter of Mercy stapled me to the couch. Between the remarkable story of class war and aquaculture in Wellfleet, grief etched in acid on glass, and the miracle of love in the most unlikely of connections, author Hugo offers pure gold." — Randy Susan Meyers, international bestselling author, Waisted Love and the overwhelming need to seek forgiveness are the cornerstones of this novel but it also offers a unique insight into a lifestyle few of us have encountered before. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend it. —  Readers' Favorite Vivid imagery perfectly captures the majestic beauty of seascapes, sunrises, and sunsets on the Cape… Hugo uses well-developed characters and multiple side plots to explore recurrent themes of loss, grief, redemption, and mercy. She skillfully portrays the intensity of her characters’ emotions, enabling readers to share their pain, anxiety, and frustration. — The US Review of Books " A Matter of Mercy is a captivating narrative that beautifully encapsulates the universal themes of forgiveness and second chances, inviting us to reflect on our own lives. This story is a call to create fresh memories, embark on new adventures, and embrace the beauty of life's second chances."— Midwest Book Review “With her usual engaging prose, Lynne Hugo unspools a tender tale of parenthood in all its many faces as her characters struggle to live with the outcome of their past decisions.. Hugo’s compassion for her characters—and her readers--shines through.”— Diane Chamberlain, Author of The Last House on the Street "Hugo has built a moving, extraordinary story of hope. I loved it.”— Caroline Leavitt, Author of Pictures of You and Days of Wonder “Choice, destiny, or force? Wrapped around the threads connecting the mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives caught in a decades-secret and fraught adoption are the ingredients for disaster—or deliverance— for all. Pages whipped by in my need to discover their fates. Mothers of Fate places self-determination on the stand.”— Randy Susan Meyers, Author of Accidents of Marriage   "Seamlessly blending fascinating historical detail with a legal drama and a contemporary romance, Hugo exquisitely captures not only the wind-swept landscape of the outer Cape, but also the complicated landscape of the heart." — Karen Dukess, author of The Last Book Party “Lynne Hugo's novel A MATTER OF MERCY is full of intrigue and heart, as gritty as the inside of a clamshell and tender as a beach sunset. You won't soon forget this story of two Cape Cod residents struggling against the tides for mercy and reaching out for each other despite the dark currents of their own pasts.” — Jenna Blum, New York Times & internationally bestselling author of Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers “A richly detailed, intimate look at the struggles of love and hard work and hard choices. With wisdom and compassion, Lynne Hugo explores how we sometimes find our homes in the places and people we've left behind. This book draws you in and won't let you go. A Matter of Mercy is the kind of novel one longs to read - beautifully written, full of crooked fates, terrible loss and hard-won second chances.”  — Laura Harrington, author of Alice Bliss and winner of the Massachusetts Book Award for Fiction "Lynne Hugo has rendered a universe so precise it sings of truth and so human it plucks at all the right strings ... a symphony for both the heart and the ear." — Kim Triedman, author of The Other Room “I could not put this book down. The author draws the reader into each character, and the character literally comes to life before our eyes. This is simply a splendid book.” — Susan Kaplan, NetGalley Reviewer  “Hugo tells a story that must be heard.” — Rosemary Smith, Librarian, NetGalley Reviewer  “A very enjoyable romantic fiction with more depth than most. A very interesting setting with lots of info about oyster farming, two strong lead characters and a complicated past makes for a good, enjoyable read.” — Doris Smith, Booksel