Mercy's Child

A Novel

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About The Book

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans, synonymous with emotionally powerful Christmas storytelling, comes a new novel based on a historical figure, set in Gilded Age New York. One woman whose single act of courage ignites a movement to protect the most vulnerable.

Based on a true story

In 1874, Marietta “Etta” Wheeler left the small, upstate New York farm town she was raised in to follow her husband to the bustling metropolis of New York City. In her new world, she feels small and lost, and finds herself looking for purpose in her life.

That purpose finds her in the tenements of Hell’s Kitchen, when she comes across a young girl living in brutal conditions no child should face. With a singular mission to save the girl, Etta finds herself tested by the highest levels of society and bureaucracy, and finding bravery that surprises even herself.

What begins as a simple act of compassion unfolds into a journey that will not only change the course of both of their lives but will change the nation’s history.

About The Author

Photo by Emily Drew.

Richard Paul Evans is the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than forty novels. There are currently more than thirty-five million copies of his books in print worldwide, translated into more than twenty-four languages. Richard is the recipient of numerous awards, including two first place Storytelling World Awards, the Romantic Times Best Women’s Novel of the Year Award, and five Religion Communicators Council’s Wilbur Awards. Seven of Richard’s books have been produced as television movies. His first feature film, The Noel Diary, starring Justin Hartley (This Is Us) and acclaimed film director, Charles Shyer (Private Benjamin, Father of the Bride), premiered in 2022. In 2011 Richard began writing Michael Vey, a #1 New York Times bestselling young adult series which has won more than a dozen awards. Richard is the founder of The Christmas Box International, an organization devoted to maintaining emergency children’s shelters and providing services and resources for abused, neglected, or homeless children and young adults. To date, more than 125,000 youths have been helped by the charity. For his humanitarian work, Richard has received the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award. Richard lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children and two grandchildren. You can learn more about Richard on his website RichardPaulEvans.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Gallery Books (October 20, 2026)
  • Length: 320 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781668264218

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Raves and Reviews

Praise for the #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans

"King of Christmas fiction."
The New York Times

“The most popular holiday tale since Tiny Tim.”
Newsweek

“The master of the holiday tearjerker . . . Fans of Evans’ work will be both moved by and invested in this semiautobiographical tale.”
Booklist

“Chock-full of holiday spirit . . . this enjoyable Yuletide tale deserves a place under many a Christmas tree.” 
Kirkus Reviews

“Masterful storytelling . . . in true Evans form”
Deseret News

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