Reviews

I can't remember how this got onto my TBR, but have been trying to read some of the books that have been on there for longer, so I borrowed this when I saw it. I didn't remember what I'd heard about it and just knew it was some sort of mystery involving a missing kid. This was probably the most disturbing book I've read- horror and thriller can do their best, but nothing is as gut-wrenching as the elements of this story that could have been pulled from a news article.
The main story was engaging, twisty, and heartbreaking, but

the section around the 3/4 mark involving the missing boy and the torture that he was subjected to was the most horrible thing I could imagine reading. I know this was a catalyst and important to the plot, and that it was probably important to the author to reflect a reality that's hard to think about, but it was so hard to get through due to the nature of it.

Overall, I think the author did a good job of balancing mystery, action, and well-rounded characters (I know this is part of a series following the PIs, but having never read any of the other books I still felt like they were three-dimensional) and managed not to shy away from the horrors of humanity while still offering an almost satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion.

Content Warnings

nobutireadthebook's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

3hundtony's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rainbowsparkle7x's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow. Just wow. This book left me utterly speechless with a spinning mind, my thoughts and feelings so powerfully roaring throughout this story. Dennis Lehane fully blossoms with this novel. My favorite so far, even though I had to turn away from the book at one point, to collect my heart. He is a master at twisting and turning the plot, and the subject matter of this story as the plot develops provokes some serious reckoning with the gray areas between right and wrong. Just wow.

ekamtay's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

billymac1962's review against another edition

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3.0

This was pretty good, but there was a lot of running around and plot twists so frequent that I was almost losing track of who was who.

Unlike Lehane's first two novels, there is very little character
development now, and I'm beginning to feel a little bored with Patrick and Angie. I think they've run their course with me.
This is a pretty run-of-the-mill whodunnit, although, as is his talent,
Lehane still leaves you with harrowing images and moral dilemmas that stay with you long after the book is returned to the shelf.

cgb126's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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