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valdez's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
ajkessel's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cassstillwill's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookwormjimmy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a beast of a story that will gut punch you and leave you hanging dry. But in the aftermath, a light will shine through and give you another chance to resume the absurdity of life. A small mercy after all the other things in life that could happen. Just appreciate what you've got.
With the gritty backdrop of 1974 Boston on the even of school integration, tensions are high and it won't take much to light everything on fire. When a young Black man is found dead, Mary Pat's missing daughter is at the center of the investigation. But with nothing else to lose, Mary Pat takes matters into her own hands as she attempts to figure out what happened to her last remaining family. With that unleashes a chain reaction of violence, drugs, and turmoil that will turn her whole world upside down.
Lehane creates very complicated characters, and a subset of them who are still human amidst the chaos. While set decades ago in a time period that's already rife with literature about it, this one stands apart. Before you know it, you're dropped into the gritty underworld of Boston with barely only a life preserver to stay afloat, and Mary Pat's anger is the only flame that will lead you through this darkness. But it's bright enough to give you your own flame to wield, and perhaps you'll take that to the future and start to recognize the injustices that plague our current society as well.
It's an unflinching portrait of a snapshot in American history, and something that will not let you forget it. I highly recommend this one.
With the gritty backdrop of 1974 Boston on the even of school integration, tensions are high and it won't take much to light everything on fire. When a young Black man is found dead, Mary Pat's missing daughter is at the center of the investigation. But with nothing else to lose, Mary Pat takes matters into her own hands as she attempts to figure out what happened to her last remaining family. With that unleashes a chain reaction of violence, drugs, and turmoil that will turn her whole world upside down.
Lehane creates very complicated characters, and a subset of them who are still human amidst the chaos. While set decades ago in a time period that's already rife with literature about it, this one stands apart. Before you know it, you're dropped into the gritty underworld of Boston with barely only a life preserver to stay afloat, and Mary Pat's anger is the only flame that will lead you through this darkness. But it's bright enough to give you your own flame to wield, and perhaps you'll take that to the future and start to recognize the injustices that plague our current society as well.
It's an unflinching portrait of a snapshot in American history, and something that will not let you forget it. I highly recommend this one.
jennseeg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
degraziap1's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
indianagowland's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0