Customer Reviews

A Drink Before the War/Darkness, Take My Hand

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dennis Lehane is the best at taking uniquely Boston characters and making them come alive. As a Bostonian perhaps this book hits home harder, the images, the feelings, the characters seem so familiar. This double novel brings two into one so cleverly. Great job Dennis keep them coming. I just started The Given Day.

I have finally found an American mystery writing author who puts "meat" into the plot! Both books are terrific. These two books kept me so engrossed that I became a part of the plot. This has not happened to me since I was a child. Dennis Lehane's writing method is excellent! I plan on reading all of Mr. Lehane's books.

I read both the novels in this book over a single weekend and don't have any regrets. Great characters, interesting and well designed situations and plot lines, and always feels realistic -- although horrifying on occasion. I have been in the Boston area for quite some time, so all of the locations are at least somewhat familiar, but I think that just added to my appreciation for stories that were already fine suspense/action fiction. You begin to miss the main characters as soon as you've finished the book. I've already ordered 4 more Lehane titles.

I loved this book, I recently went on a rampage reading Dennis Lehane's books, its so much fun to find an author you have never read before. I read Shutter Island and loved it, then went on with this book and Gone Baby Gone, and a couple more. I sent Shutter Island to my son and actually bought a copy of this book and gave it to a friend. I'm getting the word out there one person at a time.

The Book is great........What else can I say, intrique, politics, friendship,violence, and a great story. What else could a reader ask for.

Definately reccomend this to anyone who is alive..........

After reading the first of the two books, I can say that Dennis Lehane has written a very compelling story with real characters who are loaded with personality. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am eager to read the second part of the book.

definately has become my new favorite author. read mystic river years ago and loved it, but had not heard of the author before. I'm now a true follower of Denni Lehane and cannot wait to read more

This was my first introduction to Dennis Lehane's novels. I had watched Shutter Island and Gone, Baby, Gone, and was intrigued enough to pick this up. I am glad I did. Lehane does a great job drawing you into the stories by crafting fantastic characters. Kenzie's sharp tongue and clever wit reminded me much of Archie Goodwin from Rex Stout's classic Nero Wolfe series. The stories themselves were also well done, and the book was my constant companion for the week as I was compelled to take every free moment to continue reading. He portrays the world as a stark, cruel place. In some parts, especially in A Drink Before the War, the mystery takes a back seat to just the drama of the hard life that his characters are a part of. Overall, they were two very gripping stories very conveniently priced, and I plan to continue reading Lehane.

I LOVED this books. GREAT character development. Could stand alone if did not read the series BUT when reading the series flowed well. I wish he would write MORE!

I gobbled up this series in about two weeks and can't wait for more. These are some of the best detective books I have read in a long time.

Dennis Lehane is a great fiction writer. I love his writing style and character development. I'd recommend all of his books. These two were good. The subject matter in most of his books is about dark moral issues, though.