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karenolsen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nmeadors's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hinesight's review against another edition
3.0
This has got to be the worst title in the history of literature. Reminds me of that howler of a made-for-TV move, "Mother, May I Sleep with Danger." I hope the books is better than the title.
dukesilver's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
billymac1962's review against another edition
5.0
After devouring this novel I was drained. This is the second in Lehane's series featuring private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro and it really packs a wallup.
The first novel, [b:A Drink Before the War|21685|A Drink Before the War|Dennis Lehane|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167322952s/21685.jpg|22786], did a fine job of introducing these characters, along with an adequate story. This novel digs deep into the relationships of these people, and all the while we're being pulled through a harrowing serial killer mystery.
Lehane has pulled out all the stops here. Sure, there are many authors who will try to shock you with gruesome details, but in this novel
it's the sense of helplessness of the victims that stays with you long after you leave the story.
If you're like me, and have already read dozens of rave reviews about this, you'll be about 100 pages into it and will be wondering what the big deal is all about. Trust me on this: the novel is so well
structured and timed that it very slowly begins to build up, as if you're treading water just at the edge of a whirlpool. Slowly and gently the current begins to tug at you, and before you know it you're caught in its grip and being pulled to its depths......ugh, I'm beginning to sound like a Kirkus Review. Sorry.
But the novel is that good and the characters are incredibly well drawn
and complex. Here's a quote from the story that will stick with me forever: "We're human, so we're messy."
The first novel, [b:A Drink Before the War|21685|A Drink Before the War|Dennis Lehane|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167322952s/21685.jpg|22786], did a fine job of introducing these characters, along with an adequate story. This novel digs deep into the relationships of these people, and all the while we're being pulled through a harrowing serial killer mystery.
Lehane has pulled out all the stops here. Sure, there are many authors who will try to shock you with gruesome details, but in this novel
it's the sense of helplessness of the victims that stays with you long after you leave the story.
If you're like me, and have already read dozens of rave reviews about this, you'll be about 100 pages into it and will be wondering what the big deal is all about. Trust me on this: the novel is so well
structured and timed that it very slowly begins to build up, as if you're treading water just at the edge of a whirlpool. Slowly and gently the current begins to tug at you, and before you know it you're caught in its grip and being pulled to its depths......ugh, I'm beginning to sound like a Kirkus Review. Sorry.
But the novel is that good and the characters are incredibly well drawn
and complex. Here's a quote from the story that will stick with me forever: "We're human, so we're messy."
brensullivan's review against another edition
5.0
Darkness, Take My Hand is probably my favorite Dennis Lehane book, and that's saying a lot. True to its title, this book is dark and sinister, with a twisted mystery and plenty of gruesome murders. The case that detectives Patrick and Angela take on is one that makes them question themselves, their livelihoods, and their relationship with each other and those around them. I would use the word "hopeless" to describe this book, but it is hopeless in the best way. Dark, bleak, but always entertaining and well-written, I would recommend this book to all. Once you pick it up you cannot put it down.
sdb27's review against another edition
5.0
This is edge-of-your-seat stuff, folks; Darkness, Take My Hand left me feeling as drained and weary as the main characters must have felt at the end of their ordeal. There is no slow part to this book. It's all action, and just when you think that Patrick or Angie is safe, just when you think that they've maybe bought themselves a moment's respite, BAM! Everything's gone further to hell.
Lehane's writing style is crisp, snappy, and well-paced, which serves to make an already good plot even richer and more exciting to the reader. I think that one of the reasons I truly appreciate Lehane's style of prose is because he writes how someone (such as myself) might think: not too profound, not too simple. This is especially useful as the main POV is in first person present, and so it provides a very realistic narrative that draws the reader in and keeps them focused on the task at hand. Lehane isn't heavy-handed with his descriptions, either, and yet manages to come up with on-the-nose and almost poetic ways to portray scenes without coming across as verbose or pretentious.
The main characters aren't the bad guys, of course. But they tread that very fine line in their quest to find the true villains. Once or twice they teeter dangerously close to the edge, close enough to peek over and see the darkness that lies on the other side of that line, and maybe even allow it to seep into their hearts for a time. Lehane expertly crafts two protagonists both complex and imperfect, so grittily real that the book feels less like a work of fiction and more of a docudrama, drawing parallels to such television series as The Wire, and equally as harrowing in its scope.
If the protagonists are compelling, then the antagonists are absolutely bone-chilling. Cold-blooded, no conscience, born to reave and rape, to raze the Boston suburbs to the ground in the bloodiest way possible. I've never been a fan of violence in books, probably because I see enough of it on the news every day, but I understand that in this case, the violence Lehane describes his villains commit is an important contrast against the doings of his protagonists. And what turns this book into a pseudo-horror book, at least for me, is how very human all these killings and acts of violence are. It makes you take a good, hard look at society today and at all the sickos that are out there, preying on the innocent every minute of every day.
It's disturbing, and to capture that so well in text signifies excellent writing.
Exciting from the first, Darkness, Take My Hand keeps you on the edge of your seat, guessing until the close of the book. You're taken on the same nerve-racking journey as the main characters, and by the conclusion there's no doubt that Lehane is one of the definitive writers of the neo-noir genre.
Lehane's writing style is crisp, snappy, and well-paced, which serves to make an already good plot even richer and more exciting to the reader. I think that one of the reasons I truly appreciate Lehane's style of prose is because he writes how someone (such as myself) might think: not too profound, not too simple. This is especially useful as the main POV is in first person present, and so it provides a very realistic narrative that draws the reader in and keeps them focused on the task at hand. Lehane isn't heavy-handed with his descriptions, either, and yet manages to come up with on-the-nose and almost poetic ways to portray scenes without coming across as verbose or pretentious.
The main characters aren't the bad guys, of course. But they tread that very fine line in their quest to find the true villains. Once or twice they teeter dangerously close to the edge, close enough to peek over and see the darkness that lies on the other side of that line, and maybe even allow it to seep into their hearts for a time. Lehane expertly crafts two protagonists both complex and imperfect, so grittily real that the book feels less like a work of fiction and more of a docudrama, drawing parallels to such television series as The Wire, and equally as harrowing in its scope.
If the protagonists are compelling, then the antagonists are absolutely bone-chilling. Cold-blooded, no conscience, born to reave and rape, to raze the Boston suburbs to the ground in the bloodiest way possible. I've never been a fan of violence in books, probably because I see enough of it on the news every day, but I understand that in this case, the violence Lehane describes his villains commit is an important contrast against the doings of his protagonists. And what turns this book into a pseudo-horror book, at least for me, is how very human all these killings and acts of violence are. It makes you take a good, hard look at society today and at all the sickos that are out there, preying on the innocent every minute of every day.
It's disturbing, and to capture that so well in text signifies excellent writing.
Exciting from the first, Darkness, Take My Hand keeps you on the edge of your seat, guessing until the close of the book. You're taken on the same nerve-racking journey as the main characters, and by the conclusion there's no doubt that Lehane is one of the definitive writers of the neo-noir genre.
esshgee's review against another edition
4.0
Despite the dark storylines, I am really enjoying Dennis Lehane's writing. Need to read some "lighter" material before the next one in the series though!
twilitlugia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, and Rape