Mystic River

By: Dennis Lehane

Narrated by: Scott Brick

When they were children, Sean Devine, Jimmy Marcus, and Dave Boyle were friends. But then a strange car drove up their street. One boy got in the car, two did not, and something terrible happened - something that ended their friendship and changed the boys forever. Twenty-five years later, Sean is a homicide detective. Jimmy is an ex-con. And Dave is trying to hold his marriage together and keep his demons at bay - demons that urge him to do horrific things.

When Jimmy's daughter is murdered, Sean is assigned to the case. His investigation brings him into conflict with Jimmy, who finds his old criminal impulses tempt him to solve the crime with brutal justice. And then there is Dave, who came home the night Jimmy's daughter died covered in someone else's blood. While Sean attempts to use the law to return peace and order to the neighborhood, Jimmy finds his need for vengeance pushing him ever closer to a moral abyss from which he won't be able to return.

©2001 Dennis Lehane (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent book!

I loved it! Hard to put down! Keeps you guessing the whole time while feeling empathy for all three characters

Phenomenal

I saw this movie before I ever knew about the book and man I wished I knew about the book first. The narrator delivered the story stunningly.

A fantastic tale

LeHane is a master storyteller.

This is one of those rarities, where the writing and the story are equally well-crafted. I wish I could read it fresh, all over again.

Great listen.

I read this book after having seen the movie years ago. I had to read it after reading James Lee Burke's comments about it.

Very gripping sad tale

This is a novel about how our choices and actions stay with us forever and continue to shape our lives. I found a few parts just too convenient, which kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery/thriller. I watched the movie after reading and the book far surpasses it, though
The movie is pretty faithful to the novel in dialogue and action.

AMAZING

Everyone needs to read this book! I could not put it down. I wasn't sure how this would compare to his other book Shutter Island, but it is just as good!!

Desperately Lacking the Boston Accent

Would have benefited immensely from a narrator with a Boston accent. It hurt hearing so much of the “r” in “Jimmy Marcus”. Still adequate. I made it through to the end, but missed opportunity.

Darkly compelling.

This is not a crime novel for the faint of heart. The story spans generations and shows how a single evil act can have broad repercussions. Megan's is a truly gifted writer. My only caveat is a conversation in which a character opines that children who are molested invariably become molesters themselves.

A well written sneaky shocker!

The main characters are well developed, a bit hackneyed and yet fitting given the time period. You may think you have the mystery well in hand, but you can't be certain. It's a good read. Cheers, Ken

Multi Faceted Story, well written

I found the first few chapters rather dull and a bit hard to follow. A lot of characters introduced. Hard to keep them categorized. But after that, the story takes off and it’s difficult to put it down. Enjoyed it. Off to watch the film now.