‘Mystic River’ by Dennis Lehane

My Review (5 stars out of 5)

Three childhood friends – Sean, Dave and Jimmy – are thrown together again when the daughter of one of them is murdered. Now a cop, Sean is part of the investigation and finds himself regurgitating an incident from the past involving Dave, while Jimmy struggles to get his life back on track after a spell in prison.

This is the first book I’ve read by Dennis Lehane but I’m happy to say I absolutely loved it and he’s now in the top slot as my new favourite author. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to get around to Mystic River, as it’s been on my to-read list for years. The story revolves around three pals and a murder that leaves the police considering several suspects. Lehane’s writing is an absolute treat and had me re-reading some passages for the sheer pleasure of his dialogue and wordplay. His use of language is clever and witty and reminded me of James Ellroy (another fav author). Lehane creates well-rounded and thoughtful characters, with authentic detail that places them firmly in their working-class community. Some reviewers have pointed out plot holes in the story, but I didn’t notice any (though it’s fair to say the denouement is a wee bit surprising).

An exciting and enjoyable crime thriller that left me gasping for more.

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