Rating: 
Summary: The Best Lehane Yet!
Review: Dennis Lehane's psychological thriller, Mystic River is his best book to-date, which is quite a compliment given that each of his five previous books were very, very good. In my opinion, Lehane is now the king of the mystery thriller genre. Mystic River is much more than a well-told story. It is a masterpiece of passionate narrative and deeply moving characterizations. In Mystic River Lehane tells a great story of love, loyalty, faith and family, in which three former childhood friends find themselves in adult life on an unalterable crash course with the dark truths of their own pysches. I highly recommend that you get a copy of Mystic River as soon as possible and move it immediately to the top of your to-be-read list.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO FOR LEHANE
Review: I first encountered Lehane's books when I purchased "Prayers for Rain" and the book was everything one would expect in a knock-out thriller. So, I went back in time and purchased his earlier books and was disappointed with his work. His books clearly have a pattern of improving with each one written. This one is no exception.The main characters are Dave Boyle, Jimmy Marcus and Sean Devine. On one unforgettable night in their youth, Dave gets into a car while Jimmy and Sean do not. That night will change Dave's life forever - he is molested. Twenty-five years later, Jimmy, an ex-con, owns a corner store, Sean is a policeman, and Dave is desperately trying to hold his marriage together. Jimmy's daughter is murdered and Sean responds to the call. Are the ghosts of Dave's past bringing his psychological problems to light? What happens when fate brings these three men together once again? From start to finish, this book is a fantastic psychological thriller that will stay in the back of your mind long after the pages have been read. The characters are bold and audacious; the plot intense and gripping. The book is sheer talent and Lehane at his finest.
Rating: 
Summary: The one star is for effort!
Review: I eagerly awaited Dennis Lehane's new novel, knowing that it was not about Patrick and Angie, but hopeful that it would keep me on the edge of my seat as all previous novels had. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. I started and stopped twice while reading the first chapter before making a commitment to myself to read the book through; by the end I was skimming so as to be done with it. I expected so much more...I guess I really expected Patrick and Angie! Oh, well, I guess I'll dig in my heels and settle back for the next year while I await the next Lehane novel!
Rating: 
Summary: Great writing, too many words...
Review: I see absolutely nothing of Hammet or Chandler or Hemingway in Lehane's writing (I've read at least 10 books by the three of them so I feel confident in the comparison). Those three kept their writing sparse, compact, and straight to the point. Lehane's writing is overflowing with extra thoughts, actions, and words in general. So if you are thinking of reading this because of comparisons to the masters, don't. Instead, this book is more of a fully populated world in which a brutal murder occurs. we get deep, deep, deep inside the head of every character, important or not, through page after page of interior monologues and flashbacks (a little more so than I'd like, but it is handled well). The characters get so introspective that occaisonally I had to remind myself what was happening in the story before they started thinking (not a good thing). I gave it 4 stars because it is extremely well written and the mystery is diffused enough so that you don't guess the killer until fairly late in the book. It was a fresh approach to an over-used plotline. Bottom line: A good mystery about 100 pages too long.
Rating:
Summary: Lehane's Mystic River Disappointing
Review: Coming from the Boston area I found Dennis Lehane's novels fascinating and fast-paced. I was first in line for Mystic River. All of his other books I read at one sitting, this one I can't do a chapter a night. I understand how some authors feel drained and want to chart new territory, but not at my expense. Please go back to your tried and true success, Mr. Lehane.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting...
Review: As boys, Dave, Jimmy and Sean are friends. But, they are friends only because their fathers are aquaintances. They will spend time together, as their fathers do. But, beyond that, they will barely acknowledge each other. Of the three boys, Dave has always been the different one, maybe the nerdy one, the victim. On a day when the three are getting into mischief, a car stops, and a man calls out, claiming to be a policeman. Of the three, only Dave will get into the man's car. The car will speed away, leaving Sean and Jimmy behind; and, the three boys, will be sometime-friends no more. Dave will escape the man/men that have captured him. But he will return a troubled and tortured boy. All his peers, and the adults he knows, will suspect what has happened to him. His victimization will continue. Years later, Jimmy's daughter is killed. Jimmy has been in prison, has ties to his local mafia. What he may or may not do to help solve his daughter's murder, is the focus of Lehane's Mystic River. And, Sean, a policeman, will be the officer leading the murder investigation of Jimmy's daughter. Dave, will become a center of that investigation. Those who know Dave, including his wife, fears the "victim" has become a "victimizer". Even though it has been a month since I'd read this book, I have found myself haunted by it. These boys/men seemed so real to me. And yes, the book is depressing; there is no happy ending. But, it is a book I didn't put down, until I'd finished it.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Long a fan of Dennis Lehane, I found Mystic River to be his best so far. The characters are well-developed and the dynamics between them are excellent. The story is suspenseful and carries you along to its conclusion. Dennis, hopefully you will afford us closure between two of your characters (and you know who I mean) in your next book. Continued good writing!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Long a Lehane fan, I believe he truly achieves what he is capable of writing with Mystic River. I found more depth in his characters, as well as well-drawn tension between them. Wonderful portrayal of actions going awry and the consequences. Thanks Dennis for a good read. Can't wait for your next book - how about a sequel with Jimmy & Sean bringing closure.
Rating: 
Summary: Dark and unsatisfying.
Review: If the author's sole intention was to create a depressed, hopeless atmosphere he succeeded admirably. If he wanted me to care about any of the characters he failed. There was no consistency to any of his people and I came away, at the end, feeling, I had not had a payoff. The pedopjhiles had too large of a play in the novels events to be left so poorly explored. Lehae is a great writer and I have loved his others. Hats off for from straying from his genre.
Rating:
Summary: Mystic River- another Dennis Lehane winner
Review: Another excellent book by Dennis Lehane.I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates wonderful writing. Mr.Lehane's people truly come to life, as does the city.Beautifully plotted and while the end may surprise you, he doesn't cheat. All the clues were there for us to see. I hope we see more of Sean and Jimmy. I also want another Patrick and Angie. ASAp Mr. Lehane. Thanks!
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