The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy melds together several genres: romantic comedy and fantasy, in particular, but also elements of mystery and westerns. Did the blending of genres work for you as a reader? Were there some elements or tropes you liked better than others?

World-building is an important aspect of a fantasy novel. In The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, the world is slowly revealed as details become relevant to the characters in the moment. The reader learns about Tanria and drudges as Hart trains his new apprentice. Religion comes into focus bit by bit as Mercy cares for the dead or goes to temple. Did this approach to the book’s fantasy worldbuilding work for you?

The book is first and foremost a love story between Hart Ralston and Mercy Birdsall. Did you believe their slow transition from nemeses to anonymous pen pals to lovers? Were you invested in their relationship? Was there one character to whom you related more than the other?

How did both Hart and Mercy change and grow over the course of the novel? While The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a romantic comedy, it also deals with issues of family, loneliness, and loss. Which (if any) of these themes resonated with you?

While The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a romantic comedy, it also deals with issues of family, loneliness, and loss. Which (if any) of these themes resonated with you?

Was there a scene or a particular line that stood out to you? What made it capture your attention?

There’s a large cast of supporting characters in this story—the Birdsall family, Penrose Duckers, Alma and Diane, the nimkilim ... Were there any characters you particularly liked or disliked? Why?

Since the book is a comedy, were there any moments that made you laugh? And since the story also deals with weightier subjects, were there any moments that made you cry?

Are Hart and Mercy “endgame”? Do you think their relationship will stand the test of time?

If you could choose your own nimkilim postal worker, which animal would you select and why?