My favorite mystery writer!

     Hello everyone! This week, I thought I would share with you my favorite mystery author. He has a new book, so I thought it would be appropriate to introduce to Dennis Lehane. I was first introduced to Mr. Lehane by a fellow associate of the bookstore I worked at years and years ago. Since then, Lehane has written many novels, but personally I've always enjoyed beginning with the first book of the series. In this case, that book is A Drink Before the War. This series follows two private investigators, Angie and Patrick. The setting of most of Lehane's novels is Boston. The city itself is often just as important piece of the plot as the characters. Lehane does a great job of painting the darker sides of the city.
     Did I say darker sides? I meant it. Rhese are mysteries, but Lehane incorporates social issues, and the darker side of people. He does a great job of characterization, and I feel like I have come to know Angie and Patrick extremely well. What I love most about Lehane is his writing is smart with a moral complexity to it. Lehane has written 6 novels with these characters, and the newest and final book in the series Moonlight Mile was just released. I haven't read this one yet, but it's next on my reading list. Lehane hasn't written about these characters in over ten years, so I'm really excited.
     During his break from Angie and Patrick, Lehane has written some stand alone novels. You may of heard of some of these, which include Mystic River (which was made into a film with Sean Penn) and Shutter Island (the so-so film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Leonardo Dicaprio). So if you don't feel like starting a new series, but still wanna check out this fantastic mystery writer, read one of these novels. They are wonderful! If you want to get the full Lehane experience, start with A Drink Before the War. My dad has read all of these novels as well, and really loves them too! Enjoy and happy reading!

A great Gothic tale of love, redemption, and gargoyles!

       Hello everyone! I wanted to tell you about the book I just finished reading. It's called The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. The book starts out with the narrator, a man in his 30's, who isn't the best guy. He produces porn films, and does a lot of drugs. The book begins with the narrator being in a horrific car accident. He is  very badly burned, and wakes up in the hospital. Here starts his recovery, and any "friends" from his old life have abandoned him. He has no family, no one, really, until Marianne walks through the door.
      Marianne is a psych patient in the hospital. She tells the narrator that they know each other, although he says they have never me. The narrator thinks Marianne is just crazy, but finds her intriguing. Marianne and the narrator become friends. To pass the endless hours the narrator spends in bed, Marianne tells him stories from the past. The stories are love stories, and one of the stories is somehow connected to our characters. The stories are very moving, and I found myself wiping away a tear or two as I read.
     I loved this book. It was very descriptive, so if you are faint of heart, this isn't the book for you. The descriptions of the accident, and other violent acts are quite colorful, and I thought it was, although a little gross, really interesting. The author had obviously done his research, and the details about burn victims and their recovery was fascinating. The book was really moving. It felt like a horror story, love story, and Gothic mystery, along with some Dante's Inferno, all rolled into one. I loved all of the characters, and I loved all of the historical tales told throughout. This is one of the best things I've read in awhile. The author is from Canada, and there was a lot of buzz internationally when this book was published in 2008. So grab a copy of The Gargoyle, and let this story move you, while at the same time, horrify you. Happy reading!