Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

I read ‘A Drink before the War’ by Dennis Lehane sometime ago and was not sufficiently impressed to read another.  Then I saw this quote on therealbookspy.com. “I think Dennis Lehane has written the best crime novel in the English language. Mystic River is an incredible accomplishment.”--- James Lee Burke. That accolade from such a mystery writing icon encouraged me to take another look.

Three mischievous boys in south Boston, Sean Devine, Jimmy Marcus, and Dave Boyle have an experience that changes their lives forever.  One day when they are contemplating stealing a car just for the fun of it, two men posing as plain clothed policemen stop and ask them to get into the back seat of their car.  Only Dave does.  Turns out the men were not policemen and Dave is kidnapped and sexual abused before managing to escape.

 

Fast forward twenty-five years… Sean is a state homicide cop and is separated from his wife, and Jimmy is an ex-con who has gone straight, and now has a loving family and owns a neighborhood coffee shop and dry goods store.  Dave is forever guilt ridden, fighting the demons that tempt him to do terrible things.  He drifts from job to job and struggles to hold his marriage together… always mindful his demons may come out.

One night, Jimmy’s teenage daughter is found murdered.  Dave comes home that night with blood on his clothes and tells his wife he beat up a mugger.  Sean draws the case and knowing Jimmy’s history, is afraid he will take the law into his own hands in a fit of vengeful rage.  Here the mystery and suspense kick in.  It’s clear we are supposed to believe, Dave is the killer but enough doubt is strewed to open the possibility of someone else.  What possible motive could Dave have for killing Jimmy’s daughter?  Will Jimmy be able to control his need for revenge or will his criminal instincts overpower him?  Will Sean be able to re-insert himself into the lives of his childhood pals sufficiently and in time to avoid yet another life altering experience for the three men?

Burke was right to praise this outstanding crime thriller.  Lehane not only offers mystery and suspense, he delves deep into the lives of three pretty normal men and makes you search for the good and the bad in each one’s character.  That’s the thing… it’s hard to identify with any one of the three men but it’s easy to empathize with parts of each one.  I guess that’s the point, no man is perfect but some good lives within each of us… excellent read.  Now I need to go find the movie and then select another Dennis Lehane mystery.