Best Mystery Novel In 20 years! SMALL MERCIES / Dennis Lehane / Book Review (spoiler free)

[@DAGDRUM53]

Brian, I always appreciate the warnings that precede your reading passages or back covers of books.

[@GenghisWanghis]

Mary Pat Fennessy may be the most bad ass literary lead I've read in a long while.

[@beardedpriest9715]

Brian, use a hair dryer on a low heat setting. You’ll be able to peel the sticker right off then. That’s how I do all my hardcovers

[@PaulyD412]

I’d definitely be interested in hearing your Dennis Lehane novel ranking! I’ve never read his novels but I’ve loved all of the adaptations based on his books and now I’m really looking forward to picking up Mystic River, which also is my favorite Lehane movie

[@jobuckley2999]

A fantastic book.

[@MementoMori395]

The Mystic River movie was good, but the book was so rough and raw, it was hard to translate onto screen. The part in the movie where the Detectives are questioning Dave, in the book was so awesome. It starts with a feeling like Dave is cornered , but then the beat changes and Dave is commanding the room. Also in his Gone, Baby, Gone movie a lot of the great dialog was left out for some reason.

[@PaulyD412]

@@MementoMori395 I MUST read them both.

[@TheJesseGladSaget]

@@MementoMori395 I’m surprised they never made Darkness, Take My Hand into a movie. That was my favorite K&G book. Super dark and a handful of really fucked up villains

[@Cagney68]

The Given Day is #1 for me, no question. One of my all-time favorite novels.

[@BenjaminKennedy-b5m]

This book was so damn good. Brutal, bleak and unfiltered, that's how I want my books

[@wibre8753]

Small Mercies is the best novel I've read in 2023. Right there with Gone Baby Gone and Mystic River as Lehane classics.

[@FinalGirlHorror]

You can try using a hairdryer on low to heat the sticker then peel it. If sticky residue is left get some Goo Gone and use a small amount on a paper towel or cotton pad and it take it off and not harm the book.

[@angelaroberts-757]

Definitely going on my TBR. Mystic River is one of my favorite books of all time. This one sounds great as well.

[@Paromita_M]

This is great! I loved Mystic River and Shutter Island. Will try Small Mercies next.

[@TheJesseGladSaget]

I loved it as well. The last half was action packed. Lehane doesn’t miss!

[@GenghisWanghis]

From the first protest on, incredible pacing

[@jobuckley2999]

Freeking amazing book. No one captures the gritty urban experience of Boston like Lehane. His characters are deep and original. There are a lot lessons for reflection in this novel. Great review.

[@justdon6288]

Mystic River is in my top three all time of any genre, Shutter Island is excellent and I seriously miss Mackenzie and Gennaro (along with their psycho sidekick Bubba). The last few haven't worked for me though so I'm hesitant here. I miss really good Lehane.

[@GenghisWanghis]

This was incredible. Top 3 for me are Darkness Take my Hand and Shutter Island and this. Small Mercies may be number one. Also liked The Drop

[@frehleyrox]

Dennis Lehane is my number one. A little tip on the sticker. My copy had the same sticker. Peel the sticker off carefully and slowly. Try to lift as much glue as possible while doing so. Then take a microfiber cloth and soak it with WD40. Gently rub the glue on the dustjacket. Dont get any oil on the pages. The WD40 will break down the glue residue and it will not harm the dust jacket.

[@devinreese7704]

Lol. Souther portion of Boston. ---I lived there! in the days perhaps of that photo, Actually it WAS known as the Combat Zone--- up into Chinatown, now--- its like where I lived Mission hill on Lower Tremont Street [where tremont takes a nominal left right turn and the mission hill church is on there] --the what was tremont street continues into roxbury--- its the edge of roxbury to the south of there---

[@MementoMori395]

Ohhh! I didn't even realize one of my favorite authors had a new book out! Looks like my TBR pile just got reshuffled with Small Mercies on top! Mystic River was the best, I don't think that will ever be topped. But I shall see.

[@BigPhilly15]

I’ve yet to get to any Lehane books. Where would you recommend I start?

[@BigPhilly15]

@@justdon6288 Thank you. Saw both movies but am a reader first so sure they’re worth it.

[@joejenkins3595]

The Given Day is also a great novel.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

i started with A DRINK BEFORE THE WAR

[@BigPhilly15]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS thanks!

[@MementoMori395]

I also say, start with his masterpiece, Mystic River. But Shutter Island and Gone, Baby, Gone are good too.

[@kinghenry343]

I'm about to start the 5 warrior angels series are they a trilogy??

[@joniheisenberg]

Loved the book with one caveat. It didn’t make sense to me that Mary Pat continued to drive her old car “Bess” while following people. The car is supposedly on its last legs & makes sounds. Not very inconspicuous. She had the money from Marty to buy a new car so to me it didn’t make sense other than a dramatic plot line.

[@OfJaggedRisings]

Use a hairdryer to remove the stickers.

[@jobuckley2999]

This is my next read so sorry I can't watch this video. Love Lehane books.

[@AlbertTheConjugator]

What's worse? Stickers or bent spines?

[@MementoMori395]

Bent Spines

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Clearly bent spines cuz I have ZERO books with bent spines but a handful with stickers

[@brianmelendy1194]

I too, hate when there is a sticker on a book.

[@sherribugd3799]

Omg I freaking hate stickers on my books.

[@lindabyers4557]

Hi. No Dennis Lahane for me. Too dark and depressing. Love your reviews. 😊

[@brap7551]

mr Brian. am 1/3 in to your 3rd book loving your characters and writing, but there is one huge bother, as a guy that has been a prydain follower way before book tube even existed, couldn't find another name for your evil race than cauldron born? Otherwise, Brian am loving your series....

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

ya i thought about the exact similarity...but they are cauldron born

[@jussiesmollet4137]

Please, please, please read The Prophet by Michael Koryta and get back to us with a review once you’re out of the hospital. Lehane has nothing but good things to say about this guy.