Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

 

I'm sure it's a shock that I loved this book. I hadn't read any Lehane before this other than the short story "Until Gwen," but he does have a reputation. Grim and grimy and gritty and dark, a novel of pain and vengeance with just a little hope. Appropriately, brutally violent. Amazing use of language throughout, along with witty, quippy, crackling dialogue that had me simultaneously cringing and laughing out loud. I expect I'm going to be reading more Lehane in the nearish future.