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pegasusjones's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jshenry's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lynguy1's review against another edition
3.0
A Drink before the War by Dennis Lehane was re-released by William Morrow on April 6, 2021 and was first published in 1994. It was also the debut novel by this author and the first book in the Kenzie and Gennaro series.
Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro are private detective partners as well as childhood friends. They’re hired by some powerful Boston politicians who are willing to pay a lot of money for them to find a missing cleaning woman who is accused of stealing some documents. What seems a simple job becomes something much bigger than finding a missing person.
The characters of Patrick and Angela have amazing depth for a debut album; especially for Patrick. There is also a host of supporting characters that will hopefully show up in future books in the series ranging from a reporter to police detectives to a friend that seems to have an affinity for weapons of all types.
The plot is well-written with excellent pace and well-developed ideas. There is plenty of action to go with some intermittent reflection. The world-building is good and it felt like I was on the Boston streets with the characters. Themes include racism, murder, domestic violence, child abuse, child molestation, gangs, poverty, corruption, and much more. However, it also about relationships between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, friends, and sisters.
Overall, this was a suspenseful, disturbing, and thought-provoking start to a new series. My reason for rating this 3 out of 5 stars instead of 4.5 stars is due to the repeated use of a racial slur.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro are private detective partners as well as childhood friends. They’re hired by some powerful Boston politicians who are willing to pay a lot of money for them to find a missing cleaning woman who is accused of stealing some documents. What seems a simple job becomes something much bigger than finding a missing person.
The characters of Patrick and Angela have amazing depth for a debut album; especially for Patrick. There is also a host of supporting characters that will hopefully show up in future books in the series ranging from a reporter to police detectives to a friend that seems to have an affinity for weapons of all types.
The plot is well-written with excellent pace and well-developed ideas. There is plenty of action to go with some intermittent reflection. The world-building is good and it felt like I was on the Boston streets with the characters. Themes include racism, murder, domestic violence, child abuse, child molestation, gangs, poverty, corruption, and much more. However, it also about relationships between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, friends, and sisters.
Overall, this was a suspenseful, disturbing, and thought-provoking start to a new series. My reason for rating this 3 out of 5 stars instead of 4.5 stars is due to the repeated use of a racial slur.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
blondierocket's review against another edition
3.0
My first Dennis Lehane book and it wasn’t bad. Kinsey and Gennaro are friends who run an private investigation business. They’re hired to find the wareabouts of a woman who took some documents and disappeared.
It took me awhile to get into the story only because all I could picture was Casey Affleck at Kinsey and it just didn’t seem to fit unless you’re actually watching Gone Baby Gone, which is based on another book by Lehane. Once I was halfway through I could slowly start putting his image out of my mind and focus on the story at hand.
It’s an easy read and intriguing. I will be picking up the next in the series in the near future and continuing on their journey.
It took me awhile to get into the story only because all I could picture was Casey Affleck at Kinsey and it just didn’t seem to fit unless you’re actually watching Gone Baby Gone, which is based on another book by Lehane. Once I was halfway through I could slowly start putting his image out of my mind and focus on the story at hand.
It’s an easy read and intriguing. I will be picking up the next in the series in the near future and continuing on their journey.
rainbowsparkle7x's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book was not all that engaging, but then the story picked up pace and I finally became interested in the characters. They took a long time to dimensionalize. I did enjoy the story and I loved Shutter Island, so I'll continue to read on to the next book.
coleycole's review
1.0
It just doesn't age well at all. Lots of characters (mostly the white characters...) pontificating about race in a very 90s way... The handling of the issues around child abuse...
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
I read this after reading many gushing reviews for Darkness, Take My Hand, the second novel in this series.
I figured I had better read this one first and I'm glad I did. It's set in Boston, where I spent a lot of time as a kid, so it brought back some memories.
It's a well written novel, but I have a feeling the next one is much better. Stay tuned.
I figured I had better read this one first and I'm glad I did. It's set in Boston, where I spent a lot of time as a kid, so it brought back some memories.
It's a well written novel, but I have a feeling the next one is much better. Stay tuned.
cblunier's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jenncaffey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Pedophilia and Domestic abuse