A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Drink Before the War
Book Review: Overrated?
Summary: 3 Stars
I've often heard Dennis Lehane mentioned, along with George Pelecanos and Michael Connelly and others, as one of the top crime novelists in America. And, I do realize this book is his first novel and he may have hit his stride later. For example, the storyline for the movie Mystic River was outstanding, in my opinion. But, I thought this particular book was not that great.
It started promisingly, with a great description of the meeting at the hotel where the politicians hired Kenzie. But, as the book moved on, I thought the author was too frequently over sensationalizing characters and actions. To me, great crime fiction should be more believable and subtle than much of this book is. I just think that over the top stuff belongs in action hero stories and not in well crafted fiction. And, unlike Pelecanos' Washington D.C. settings, I didn't feel like Lehane was painting me into many good Boston area word pictures.
Still, since this was his first novel and since I really liked the movie, Mystic River, I'll probably read at least one more Lehane novel to see if his later work is more engaging.
Book Review: A Great Start to a Great Series
Summary: 5 Stars
My editor introduced me to Dennis LeHane. She called and said, "You have got to read this guy. He is sooo good." Now, when your editor tells you another author is good, you read him or her. ASAP. So, I did.
Well, she was right. He's really, really good.
Normally I'm not a huge fan of mysteries, private investigators or books told in first person. I prefer suspense or thrillers written in third person, and well, PI's just don't do it for me. However, LeHane hooked me with A DRINK BEFORE THE WAR. Then I went on to devour everything else he'd written.
Why?
Well, first off, he has a compelling voice, something which is essential to pull off a first person tale. Add to that his wonderful characters, and you have a winning combination. It doesn't surprise me at all that he's become a mega-star. He is, simply, both an exceptionally story teller and writer.
I'm looking forward to his collection of short stories coming out in September.
Book Review: Back to the beginning!
Summary: 5 Stars
So having picked up Sacred recently, I decided to go back to the beginning of the series. Man, Lehane is good! This is a great start, an amazing establishment of the characters, and a fantastic action-packed, thought-provoking crime drama. You really can't help but get sucked in to this book. What I found, though, coming away from it, is that it's a discourse on modern society also. Much like George Pelecanos' crime dramas, you come away from the book a little troubled and thinking about where you stand on subjects like race, politics, gentrification, death penalty, gang violence. Whereas Pelecanos' books hit you with the subject like a hammer, blunt and knowing you are going to miss the point, Lehane's a little subtler. He wants you to think about these subjects but he doesn't grab you by your ears and yell "Think about this!" in your case like Pelecanos does. Lehane entertains you, he thrills you, and then you realize after the book is done, "Wow, that's really got me thinking." I'm not saying that his way is better than Pelecanos', just different.
This is a great start to a fantastic series. Don't miss it.
Book Review: A literary mystery with swift pace, solid characterization and the right touch of humor
Summary: 4 Stars
Lehane's first work is just a taste of things to come. He's not quite as masterful here as in future novels, there are spots where the novel slows, but not quite stills.
"A Drink Before the War" refers to the drink Patrick Kenzie shares with his three new employers: some of Boston's 'old school' politicians. The trio has a problem---a Statehouse cleaning woman has absconded with what they proport to be important documents.
This is not the first thing to be 'not as it seems.' Kenzie and his parter, Angela Gennaro, quickly discover the woman and the photographs the pols were looking for. The initial photo shows one of the trio in a hotel room with a man who looks to be a pimp.
From there, layers peel off. We discover Patrick's relationship with his hero father, Angie's with her husband, and the relationship between a father and son whose fight will potentially destroy Boston.
Like most of LeHane's work, "Drink" is hard to put down. He's got a way with words that adds just just a spice of black humor to what would otherwise be a difficult situation. This is well worth a read--I'll definitely continue on with Kenzie and Gennaro.
Book Review: A master!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Dennis Lehane, to me, is one the most gifted fiction writers of our time. Patrick and Angela are not your cookie cutter detectives and A Drink before the War is not your ordinary mystery/thriller. It's hard to talk about this book with out giving too much away...but trust me when I say that you won't be sorry when you read this book. And when you're done-you'll do what I did--buy the entire series!