Little Mercies

4 stars - I really liked this novel! This is the first book I have read by Heather Gudenkauf and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. The story is told from two perspectives - children's advocate/social worker, mother of three, Ellen and ten-year-old Jenny. Both characters perspectives were equal......more

Iowa resident Ellen Moore is a loving wife, good mother, and dedicated social worker. In the course of her job Ellen has dealt with dysfunctional families, removed children from abusive/neglectful homes, and sometimes brought parents and children back together. Nevertheless, the system sometimes fai......more

Working as a social worker, Ellen Moore has experienced more than her fair share of child abuse cases. And being a wife and mother herself, Ellen notices that most days she is exhausted not only physically, but also mentally. On a stifling hot summers day, Ellen is distracted and what happens next w......more

Ellen Moore is a seasoned social worker for the Department of Human Services who has had to make many tough, unpopular calls regarding the children she oversees. When she finds herself on the other side following tragic circumstances, Ellen has the opportunity to experience the impact of some of her......more

This was a great story that had me second thinking how I look at and judge others.  The story focuses on Ellen who through a series of unplanned events ends up leaving her child in the car on a hot day. Is this a crime worthy of prosecution and punishment or a terrible mistake? Ellen is a social wor......more