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A review by joaniemaloney
Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane
4.0
Well, this was bleak.
At least I got my wish about this book being better than [b:Sacred|425124|Sacred (Kenzie & Gennaro, #3)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388234249s/425124.jpg|1352373]. It definitely was. I had more expectations coming into this one because of the film, actually! When I started the series, it was the recognition with this title that piqued my interest, along with the Kenzie/Gennaro partnership. So it was with some anticipation that I started this, and in terms of the plot and characters and everything, this book did not disappoint. Not at all.
No matter how dark the previous books got, I could depend on there being some hope, whether it's regarding the relationship with the characters or the case, but I felt pretty hopeless reading this. I knew the topic wouldn't be a happy one, especially with how gritty these cases get for these two, yet I still wasn't prepared. On top of everything, Patrick and Angie's relationship takes another turn, for better or worse, into something more serious. I mean, these kids aren't getting any older. I'm rooting for them with all of my heart and believe that they're meant to be, if it comes down to it, but Lehane doesn't make it easy. It's perfectly understandable with the sort of work they're doing, and frankly makes even more sense for them to quit after oh, I don't know, the 2nd book. The stakes are raised even higher in this one. What I've always liked best about these books were how fleshed out Patrick and Angie were, not just in relation to each other, but as individual characters. They exist beyond their work and their relationship. They both have their own demons to deal with, and seeing that come into play with everything they do is something special. Every case leaves them more scarred, and it carries over. The struggle can be painful at times but the conflict is done so well.
So far I'm having a tough time ranking the books I've read so far, but an easy choice is [b:Sacred|425124|Sacred (Kenzie & Gennaro, #3)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388234249s/425124.jpg|1352373] being at the bottom of that list. I'm weak for prequels/backstory/first books so by default [b:A Drink Before the War|21685|A Drink Before the War (Kenzie & Gennaro, #1)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386921356s/21685.jpg|22786] would sit on the top spot, and then it's really a near tie between [b:Darkness, Take My Hand|21681|Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro, #2)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392049150s/21681.jpg|1356228] and this. I can't choose between the two. As far as emotional rollercoasters go, they're the most intense ones, and there's this dread and emptiness that lingers a bit, but this one may have the slight edge. I think I may have to prepare myself a bit before seeing the film - still haven't seen it - because it was almost too much to read about. I'm a lot weaker with dealing with seeing something come alive on screen with the imagery and the sound, so I'll put it on hold.
I'm not sure whether I feel like a lot of time has passed since I started this series or whether none has passed a lot because I've been trying to read them so quickly, but I'm happy I decided to give Dennis Lehane a shot. Kenzie/Gennaro is now up there in terms of my favourite partnerships in fiction. I don't exactly have a concrete list, but they're up there. Just two more books left! :(
At least I got my wish about this book being better than [b:Sacred|425124|Sacred (Kenzie & Gennaro, #3)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388234249s/425124.jpg|1352373]. It definitely was. I had more expectations coming into this one because of the film, actually! When I started the series, it was the recognition with this title that piqued my interest, along with the Kenzie/Gennaro partnership. So it was with some anticipation that I started this, and in terms of the plot and characters and everything, this book did not disappoint. Not at all.
No matter how dark the previous books got, I could depend on there being some hope, whether it's regarding the relationship with the characters or the case, but I felt pretty hopeless reading this. I knew the topic wouldn't be a happy one, especially with how gritty these cases get for these two, yet I still wasn't prepared. On top of everything, Patrick and Angie's relationship takes another turn, for better or worse, into something more serious. I mean, these kids aren't getting any older. I'm rooting for them with all of my heart and believe that they're meant to be, if it comes down to it, but Lehane doesn't make it easy. It's perfectly understandable with the sort of work they're doing, and frankly makes even more sense for them to quit after oh, I don't know, the 2nd book. The stakes are raised even higher in this one. What I've always liked best about these books were how fleshed out Patrick and Angie were, not just in relation to each other, but as individual characters. They exist beyond their work and their relationship. They both have their own demons to deal with, and seeing that come into play with everything they do is something special. Every case leaves them more scarred, and it carries over. The struggle can be painful at times but the conflict is done so well.
So far I'm having a tough time ranking the books I've read so far, but an easy choice is [b:Sacred|425124|Sacred (Kenzie & Gennaro, #3)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388234249s/425124.jpg|1352373] being at the bottom of that list. I'm weak for prequels/backstory/first books so by default [b:A Drink Before the War|21685|A Drink Before the War (Kenzie & Gennaro, #1)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386921356s/21685.jpg|22786] would sit on the top spot, and then it's really a near tie between [b:Darkness, Take My Hand|21681|Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro, #2)|Dennis Lehane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392049150s/21681.jpg|1356228] and this. I can't choose between the two. As far as emotional rollercoasters go, they're the most intense ones, and there's this dread and emptiness that lingers a bit, but this one may have the slight edge. I think I may have to prepare myself a bit before seeing the film - still haven't seen it - because it was almost too much to read about. I'm a lot weaker with dealing with seeing something come alive on screen with the imagery and the sound, so I'll put it on hold.
I'm not sure whether I feel like a lot of time has passed since I started this series or whether none has passed a lot because I've been trying to read them so quickly, but I'm happy I decided to give Dennis Lehane a shot. Kenzie/Gennaro is now up there in terms of my favourite partnerships in fiction. I don't exactly have a concrete list, but they're up there. Just two more books left! :(