Darkness, Take My Hand

By: Dennis Lehane

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

The master of the new noir, Dennis Lehane magnificently evokes the dignity and savagery of working-class Boston in this terrifying tale of darkness and redemption.

Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro's latest client is a prominent Boston psychiatrist running scared from a vengeful Irish mob. The private investigators know something about cold-blooded retribution. Born and bred on the mean streets of blue-collar Dorchester, they've seen the darkness that lives in the hearts of the unfortunate. But an evil for which even they are unprepared is about to strike as secrets long-dormant erupt, setting off a chain of violent murders that will stain everything - including the truth.

©1996 Dennis Lehane (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

Riveting.

Riveting. Lehane in his 20s - a master storyteller already. It’s grim at times, sweet, noble, full of empathy and pathos. Humane.

Narrator Jonathan Davies is perfect.

This is book two of a five book series about young Boston private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. Read them in order.

Brilliant

Dennis Lehane is simply the best. His writing is suspenseful and smart. He fuels your imagination, ignites your curiosity and keeps you wanting more. The narrator does a great job giving Lehane’s words life without distracting from the story. I have, and will continue to, re-read/listen to the Kenzie/Gennaro series over and over-just can’t get enough!

Dennis Lehane series

I love his writing style. You become so immersed in the story and characters. My reason for a 3 star ⭐️ story rating is because I almost stopped reading the book 📚 several times due to the over the top descriptive torture and violence. When people read/listen to books 📚 they wish to immerse themselves into the story….not be so horrified by them. You certainly can write a excellent story that doesn’t become such a nightmare that you can’t wait to escape from.

A Little Too Graphic

Enjoyed the story, characters, the narrator and the plot; however, some scenes were just a tad too graphic for my taste. Sometimes it is better to imagine a scene or action rather than to have it spelled out in such detail.

Was really hoping it was read by Jonathan Davis of Korn

A great, tense, dark detective story. There was one scene that I think played into the “Hannibal Lecter” trope of some ingenious supervillain locked up and taunting the authorities that had me roll my eyes, but after that it was all intensity.

One of the Best

Very, Very good. This one kept me edgy and worried till the end. One of the best I have listened to all year.

Fantastic!!

I loved this book! Can't wait for the next one. Well written, well narrated. It was graphic and intense in parts but such a great story!! Highly recommended.

heading optional

a couple of eye-rolling mistakes made by main characters, make this novel not as tight as other ones by DL. I'm not a big fan of serial killer stories, which have been done to death, part of the expression, so that also impacts my experience of the novel. but it is nonetheless excellent story, and the narration is stupendous. one of the best narrators I've heard.

Detail of human characteristics

The degree of detail is amazing. You physically feel the scene.
Spellbinding from chapter to chapter. Fantastic

The Boston Beat

Lehane's psychological suspense novel paints a plot, intriguing and plausible, with characters you care for. You want to read more, and then more, and then you MUST just finish the dang book even if you must stay up all night to do it. And then, you'll want to buy another Kenzie/Gennaro book. The narrator does a pretty good job with the accents. I recommend this buy.