Small Mercies : Shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger 2024
(Author) Dennis LehaneIn the summer of 1974 a heatwave blankets Boston and Mary Pat Fennessey is trying to stay one step ahead of the bill collectors. Mary Pat has lived her entire life in the housing projects of 'Southie', the Irish American enclave that stubbornly adheres to old tradition and stands proudly apart. One night Mary Pat's teenage daughter Jules stays out late and doesn't come home. That same evening, a young Black man is found dead, struck by a subway train under mysterious circumstances. The two events seem unconnected. But Mary Pat, propelled by a desperate search for her missing daughter, begins turning over stones best left untouched - asking questions that bother Marty Butler, chieftain of the Irish mob, and the men who work for him, men who don't take kindly to any threat to their business. Set against the hot, tumultuous months when the city's desegregation of its public schools exploded in violence, Small Mercies is a superb thriller, a brutal depiction of criminality and power, and an unflinching portrait of the dark heart of American racism.[Bokinfo].
Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane is an American author known for his gritty crime novels set in his hometown of Boston. His most notable works include "Mystic River," which was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Gone, Baby, Gone," also adapted into a successful film. Lehane's writing style is characterized by its dark and suspenseful themes, complex characters, and intricate plots. He has made significant contributions to the crime fiction genre, earning critical acclaim and a loyal following of readers. Lehane's impact on literature is evidenced by his ability to delve deep into the human psyche and explore the moral complexities of his characters.