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bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Ah here we are back at the beginning.
I started reading The Kenzie Genarro series after I saw Affleck's excellent adaptation of this novel, now I've finally reached it again, and it's every bit the masterpiece that it should be.
It's nice to see the series get back on track after Sacred. Not that Sacred wasn't good, on the contrary it was an immensely entertaining book. But it took Kenzie and Genarro a bit to far from their stomping grounds. Not that it wasn't fun to watch my two favorite Boston ass whoopers take out the trash, but crazy trillionaires and evil cults was a bit two well far fetched. Not that the adversaries in the first two books where what you'd call low key. But Sacred upped the Anti so much that I was half wondering whether or not Pat and Angie would end up taking on SPECTRE before the series was out.
The other problem with Sacred was it got away from what made the series so great. To put it simply they got away clean. Not that they didn't pay the price for their adventure in Florida, but the lines of good and evil were very clear. Gone Baby Gone plays hardball with a vengeance, and brings everything back to square one. Two relatively good people faced with impossible choices, and attempting to live with their decisions with whatever small amount of grace they can muster.
I started reading The Kenzie Genarro series after I saw Affleck's excellent adaptation of this novel, now I've finally reached it again, and it's every bit the masterpiece that it should be.
It's nice to see the series get back on track after Sacred. Not that Sacred wasn't good, on the contrary it was an immensely entertaining book. But it took Kenzie and Genarro a bit to far from their stomping grounds. Not that it wasn't fun to watch my two favorite Boston ass whoopers take out the trash, but crazy trillionaires and evil cults was a bit two well far fetched. Not that the adversaries in the first two books where what you'd call low key. But Sacred upped the Anti so much that I was half wondering whether or not Pat and Angie would end up taking on SPECTRE before the series was out.
The other problem with Sacred was it got away from what made the series so great. To put it simply they got away clean. Not that they didn't pay the price for their adventure in Florida, but the lines of good and evil were very clear. Gone Baby Gone plays hardball with a vengeance, and brings everything back to square one. Two relatively good people faced with impossible choices, and attempting to live with their decisions with whatever small amount of grace they can muster.
jlclerf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
runsonespresso's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. ending wrapped up too fast. author spends too much time describing neighborhoods
cpt_tusktooth's review against another edition
5.0
Lehane is a master of his craft. I am captivated by the world and characters he has created in his modern noir mysteries. Kenzie and Gennaro are a fantastic partnership. As for the story, I saw the movie many years back, so I was not surprised by any of the twists and turns, the novel was still fantastic, nevertheless.
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
A dark, gripping tale of a kidnapping case that is not what it initially seems. Raises intriguing moral questions in its ending.
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
SO hard to read as a new mom--the horrible things that people are willing and able to do to a child is just heartbreaking, made worse because it's all true.
fitzyfitz88's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a gut wrenching read, and I mean that in the best way possible. There is one hell of a mystery here that kept me guessing until the final reveal. It will leave you questioning Kenzie's decision after you've read the final page.
One thing I have always loved about private detective novels is how they pit a principled character against a harsh and un-caring world. They put them and the reader through an emotional gauntlet and see where the chips fall. This novel wears its moral grayness on its sleeve and offers no easy answers. What hope is there for people in a world that chews them up and spits them out? Is following the law always the correct decision? Who decides what is right and wrong? And what gives them the right? Can the ends ever justify the means?
Lehane is a hell of an author. This is easily one of my favorite detective stories and should not be missed by fans of the genre.
One thing I have always loved about private detective novels is how they pit a principled character against a harsh and un-caring world. They put them and the reader through an emotional gauntlet and see where the chips fall. This novel wears its moral grayness on its sleeve and offers no easy answers. What hope is there for people in a world that chews them up and spits them out? Is following the law always the correct decision? Who decides what is right and wrong? And what gives them the right? Can the ends ever justify the means?
Lehane is a hell of an author. This is easily one of my favorite detective stories and should not be missed by fans of the genre.
brendanb11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5