Rating: 
Summary: Straightforward investigative mystery
Review: This book is a major departure from Lehane's Mystic River, which was so studded with metaphorical allusions that it became not a mystery, but instead a literary novel. I enjoyed the prose, but at times the excessive description almost got in the way of the story.
I liked both Shutter Island and Mystic River, but a general mystery reader will probably prefer this one. It is a straightforward tale of investigation by the protagonist, with internal conflict and flashbacks thrown in. The story builds well, although predictably, with the stakes increasing constantly.
I was expecting more of a shocking climax at the end, but I don't see what the big deal some readers are making about the ending. I thought it was obvious what happened. I also think that it completed the book well and wasn't a "disaster" at all.
It depends on what you are looking for, but to me this was an engaging and satisfying mystery read. It's nice to see an author with a large enough reach to write in different styles and be successful at all of them.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite dissapointed
Review: I had never read a Dennis Lehane book until this one. I saw Mystic River, and thinking the book was probably much better than the film, I went to the bookstore to look it up. I saw this new novel there and decided to give it a try. I found the book to be a very pedestrian "page turner." I didn't believe the dialogue or the situations. It seemed to be predictably confusing, and all the way to the end I was hoping I wouldn't get the anticipated "Shocking twist ending." It's a gimmick that's overused. And in fact, something similar was written by William Peter Blatty; "Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane." Which he made into the film "The 9th Configuration."
It felt like the author took the easy way out to conclude the book, instead of figuring out a way to make all the convoluted goings on pay off in a less predictable way.
I won't judge the rest of Lehane's work based on this one, but I wish I had read something else of his first.
Rating: 
Summary: Reality or Dream?
Review: Small Shutter Island is a facility for the violent criminal insane. No escape from the island possible, and no release granted. Rachel Solando, one of the inmates, has escaped from the dormitory. US marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule are sent to find her, The marshal's work is hampered by the administrator, Dr. Cawley, and head nurse Marino. Is there something strange afoot? Maybe even illegal? Rumors of some treatments line up with the experiments the Nazis did in Germany. Are patients tortured? Marshal Teddy has his own health problems. He gets violent migraines and suffers from recurring nightmares about his wife Dolores and her death two years before. His dreams get more frequent and begin to include episodes of his work in the mental facility. Dream and reality begin to blend. Is any of his work real? Is it all a dream? One gigantic nightmare? Is he really a visiting marshal, or is he perhaps a schizophrenic patient with delusions? Lehane knows how to write this book and to keep the reader guessing. It is quite a story.
Rating:
Summary: Predictable but engaging
Review: Just finished reading my first Dennis Lehane novel and will now defintely hunt down Mystic River et al. As a self confessed mystery buff (adore Pelecanos / Mankell/ Dibdin / Connelly)I found the quality of writing and plot line very satisfying in this novel but as per a few others here guessed the 'real' situation about a third of the way in. I dont care about that as its not the ending I read the book for but how the author gets me there, and Mr Lehane has a delicate yet powerful voice that held me through the night. The setting is disturbing and the final outcome convincing and affecting. I am still thinking back over the troubled life of Teddy Daniels, and his problems on reflection ring true - and truely horrific. A quick and high quality read from a my new favourite author.
Rating:
Summary: HE'S BACK!
Review: What an excellent read this was. I had almost given up on Lehane after Mystic River, which I found HORRID. But, with Shutter Island, he proves just how wonderful a writer he is. The end is an absolute GAS!! You will definitely feel duped. Hey, Dennis, are you EVER going to bring back Kenzie and Gennaro? I'm still wondering what happened to Bubba. . .and, although Shutter Island is pretty close to a modern masterpiece, I do miss the fun of the Kenzie/Gennaro series. Man, this guy can write.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: A great story. I could not put it down. Best fiction Ive read this year.
Rating: 
Summary: A big disappointment.
Review: After reading Mystic River, I thought that anything written by Lehane would be pure gold. However, Shutter Island proved this idea to be very wrong. This story reminded me of so many Dean Koontz novels where the characters and writing were superb, yet the actual storyline falls apart. The tale seemed to try and be so convouluted and cofusing, that by the middle of the book I couldn't wait to get to the very predictable ending. Lehane is very talented and I hope will go on to provide us with many more masterpieces like Mytic River. Still... this one does not live up to the standards set by his previous novels.
Rating:
Summary: Disbelief!
Review: I've not heretofor read any of Mr. Lehane's books, and this one was recommended by our librarian to read while awaiting for "Mystic River" to become available. I read "Shuttered Island" with continuing interest although the story line was becoming a bit bizarre. When I finished the last page, I just sat there somewhat stunned at the ending--"What??????" I really felt I had just wasted my time. I certainy hope "Mystic River" makes more sense!
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!!
Review: This book was fantastic. I almost didn't read it. That would have been such a huge mistake. After reading Mystic River, I didn't think this author could match such a good book. This one beats it!!! It is about an island where they put the criminally insane,called Shutter Island. Teddy Daniels is a US Marshal, there with another Marshal, Chuck. He is trying to uncover what He thinks are unorthodox methods of treatment going on in this institute. When you finish this novel, you will find yourself going back and re-reading passages. The ending really packed a punch!!!! This author writes with such prose you can really envision his characters, practically see them and smell them. Not for the faint of heart but an excellent book!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A major disaster!
Review: The worst type of "mystery"--where you're not sure what to think at the end and don't care. Horribly cliched dialogue and plotted like it was written in a weekend to meet a publishing deadline.
I can't believe the author of "Mystic River" would stoop to this.
| 
