Rating: 
Summary: TEN STARS!!!
Review: Lehane, long a favorite author of mine, has completely outdone himself with "Shutter Island." This was one of those rare books that avid readers pine for...the ones where the last page comes far too soon.
Taking a dark and surprising twist on the standard mystery/thriller, "Shutter Island" lures you into its story, making you believe you're in for a pleasant and well-written mystery. Somewhere around 2/3's of the way through, you begin to realize that you've been taken to a place you never expected, like the middle of a creepy, dark woods, and left to fend for yourself. To say what this book is about would be to spoil it for anyone brave enough to venture in....so I'll leave it at: READ THIS NOW! You won't be sorry!
Rating: 
Summary: What was that ending all about?
Review: I was very dissapointed in Shutter Island, my first Lehane novel. The writing style was interesting but the story was cliche after contrivance with confusion thrown in for good measure. And what was that ending? It lost me completely and made me feel that my time spent on the book was wasted. If it hadn't been a library book I would have left it on the plane. And I won't be reading another Lehane any time soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Great premise, mediocre writing
Review: I'm amazed by both the positive and negative reviews. Shutter Island will NOT stay with you long after you read it, it is NOT a classic, but at the same time the ending is NOT as confusing as some have indicated. The premise is compelling, and while the writing is very good in places it is often annoying. For example, I have no problem with profanity as long as it is used in proper context, but Lehane is obviously infatuated with the 'F' word. It's overuse in this book is contrived and forced into awkward sentences. Also, I've noticed in other books by this author that he has a seemingly intelligent character take a page of dialogue to understand something that is perfectly clear to the reader (like Whitey in "Mystic River", who doesn't catch an obvious revelation
until it's explained by another cop). I've read three other Lehane novels and find him to be somewhat overrated. They all feature characters who act and speak too much like one another, and extended deviations from the plot that inspire much skimming. If you like the Dan Brown novels, you'll like this. If you're looking for substance and memorable writing, you won't find it here.
Rating: 
Summary: And Now For Something Completely Different
Review: Dennis Lehane had a problem after Mystic River. How does one follow up that brilliant psychological drama? Shutter Island is the answer and it will probably disappoint fans of Mystic River as it seems a throw-back to an earlier form of crime novel, more stylized than naturalistic. This new novel takes place on one very dark and stormy night and the cliches do not stop piling up after that. The author even seems to love this chance to indulge in as many as he can squeeze through the pages. There is a wonderfully clammy paranoic feel to the book, making its setting in the early fifties feel appopriate. The mystery becomes a little obvious and somewhat forced so it is best if the reader just hangs on and enjoys the ride without thinking too much. A decent follow-up, much heavier on creeping suspense than intelligent insight and charaterization than his previous books, but still worth the trip.
Rating:
Summary: Whew! What A Stunner!
Review: Shutter Island sits off the coast of Boston and is home to Ashcliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. Teddy Daniels, U.S. Marshall, and his partner, Chuck Aule, arrive on the island to help in the search of a missing patient. What actually goes on at Ashcliffe? Unconventional psychiatric treatments? It's difficult to review this book without giving too much away. Several other reviewers have said they were unprepared for the shocking ending. So I prepared myself by paying close attention to all the clues. But it wasn't enough. As I finished this book, sitting in a well air conditioned room, I actually broke out in a sweat. That has never happened to me before. What a stunner! Some reviewers have said they thought Lehane's previous novel, Mystic River, was better. I just can't imagine that. So, I'll put Mystic River on my must-read list. It's going to take me awhile to get over Shutter Island, though.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, Dennis! Write On, Write On...
Review: Working at a store that sells mainly best sellers and older books written by those same authors, I have a really odd way of picking out what books to follow through with and read. What I was looking for in Shutter Island was for a psychotic Rachel Solando to be lurking in the shadows, making bodies turn up and clues slowly appear, but instead, I found a delightful, less brutal alternative that was more psychologically unsettling, which worked very well in this book. Shutter Island has a dark feel through the pages, and between uncovering the secrets of Ashecliffe Hospital and figuring out how much Teddy Lehane's past affects his future will keep you flipping pages they're turning into flames after completion. Trying to figure out what is REALLY happening will have you reprimanding yourself constantly for being wrong, but don't worry, on the last few pages, I'm sure you'll figure it all out! Great Psychological Thriller, great job, Dennis Lehane. *also read Mystic River, another great one to check out
Rating:
Summary: Everything Isn't As It Seems
Review: US Marshals, Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, set off on an assignment to Shutter Island, home of Ashcliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. Their assignment while on the island, just off the coast of Boston, is to investigate the unexplainable disappearance of a female patient/prisoner Rachel Salondo. As Teddy and Chuck try to unravel her mysterious escape, they only discover more questions without answers. Teddy can't shake the feeling that unethical and terrifying experiments are going on at Ashecliffe and if he's not careful he may find himself a patient/prisoner himself. However he can't force himself to abandon his mission and leave the island because he has a motive of his own....to find and kill his wife's murderer who he believes is housed at Ashecliffe. Dennis Lehane has written an extraordinary novel full of suspense, terror, paranoia and a plot twist that will have you thinking for days after you've turned the last page.
Rating:
Summary: Lehane Presents a Stunning Psychological Thriller
Review: Shutter Island grips you from the start, and keeps you reading long after bedtime! As you turn the pages, you begin to wonder what the heck is going on on this island, and the more you read, the better it gets. However, be prepared for an ending that will rock your world! I have not read a book of this quality in a while, Lehane has really created a Psychological Thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably Entertaining
Review: Shutter Island is a great mystery story with a fantastic ending. I recomend it strongly!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT!!
Review: you will not be able to put this book down. Be prepared for a ride.
Loved it!! Recommend.
If you are looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this book is for you.
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