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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
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.
A dark, gripping tale of a kidnapping case that is not what it initially seems. Raises intriguing moral questions in its ending.
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As the second book I've read of Dennis Lehane's, I've caught on to a recurring theme that he seems to emphasize in his writing, and yet again, its that inevitability of life, and how crushingly harsh and callous the world can be. I have never in my life cried reading a book as much as I did with one certain scene in this book, and it continuously makes me cry out inside, "Why?! Why?! Why?! What is wrong with people? How are human beings capable of such horrendous things?" Additionally, it also questions the overruling of the law in certain cases in life, and numerous times questions the validity of those laws themselves. Though I wasn't too fond of the guns-police-detective aspect, the overall novel itself was extremely insightful and thought-provoking.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4 Stars. This one was good but the subject matter was tough and actually slowed things down. Definitely their most difficult case so far. Lehane can really develop the mystery create an atmosphere that fits. The characters are excellent. This was a great example of the skill that has made him who he is. Looking forward to the next one.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No