Marcy Lane

Human behaviour, in its bounty and diversity, is Marcy’s inspiration, and her character-driven stories star ordinary women facing some of life's impossible situations. Writing about thorny social issues keeps her informed, open-minded and humble. Marcy’s focus is always Canadian.

Marcy grew up as an army brat, the child of parents with itchy feet. She moved a lot, living in many parts of Canada with side trips to the UK and Germany. Some of Marcy’s temporary hometowns are backdrops for her stories.

Marcy Lane published her debut novel, A Mercy of Widows, in August 2023.

Marcy's guilty pleasure is art supplies: pens, crayons, paints, inks, papers—she isn't fussy. Recently, she's tried a variety of new media—the messier, the better. Pour painting, with its uncontrollable results, is fun and surprisingly satisfying. Alcohol ink, even more so.

Home is now a small cottage in southwestern Ontario with her opinionated dogs, Bug and Lucy. (They are struggling to learn the command, "shh", so Marcy can work on her second novel—featuring estranged friends who bridge a culture gap and team up to rescue a lost couple on Haida Gwaii.)

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A Mercy of Widows

Upmarket Fiction, Book Club Fiction

A Widow's Perspective on Assisted Dying

A made-up story where two widows and twelve jurors grapple with Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) laws.

Just before Hugh died, Heddie promised her beloved fiancé she would mend her shattered heart and move on without him. But now she’s having second thoughts. Heddie sacrificed everything to help Hugh fight his disease, to cure him, only to be blindsided by his secret application for assisted death. With his passing, the answers she needs are forever beyond reach.

Heddie remains angry, hurt, confused by Hugh's decision when she’s selected as a juror in a contentious mercy-killing trial. As she delves into the life, choices, and heartache of the accused, whose situation mirrors her own, Heddie reevaluates her own life-and-death decisions. Before Heddie can render a just verdict—or rebuild her own troubled life—she must first face her grief and forgive herself and Hugh for all they got wrong.

Compassionate, occasionally funny, and ultimately hopeful, fans of Lucy Kalanithi’s poignant epilogue to When Breath Becomes Air or Jodi Picoult’s thought-provoking narratives will enjoy A Mercy of Widows.

Early reviewers said:
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“This debut novel fearlessly dives deep into uncharted emotional, moral and legal territory. Plus there are dogs!” HW, Calgary
“It’s a fantastic read.” EB, Calgary
“A memorable read. I loved it!” Janet, Ontario
“Surprisingly funny for a book about death.” CG, Connecticut

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