Content Warning: This section discusses rape, racism, sexual violence, graphic violence, and pregnancy loss.

A recurring character in John Grisham’s Camino series, Mercer Mann is a central character in the novel since her literary struggles launch the main conflict. Mercer is an author and creative writing professor at the University of Mississippi. As the novel opens, she enters a new chapter of her life by marrying her longtime boyfriend and journalist, Thomas. Her friend Bruce Cable presides as their “fake minister” during the ceremony. Mercer feels connected to Camino Island because it was her grandmother Tessa’s home, and Mercer spent several summers there as a young girl. Mercer’s second novel, Tessa, a story about her grandmother, made her a best-selling author, guaranteeing her a book contract with Viking Press. Mercer dislikes her teaching job and longs to become a full-time writer, but as a young author, she needs a regular income. However, Mercer struggles with writer’s block: She has no idea for her next book. Mercer enjoys a happy married life, and she and Thomas have a mutual understanding, sharing their writing struggles. Her friendship with Bruce is a catalyst because he introduces her to the history of