Rating: 
Summary: Give this book more than 5 stars
Review: This is my first Lehane book and I was more than pleased. A very taut, well written story, Shutter Island gets your attention from the first page and doesn't let up. I was really surprised by the ending which was quite an unexpected turn of events. Enough said; knowing the ending will spoil this great story. I particularly like Mr. Lehane's style. It is very direct, void of superflous narrative and descriptive details. He tells just what needs to be told and no more. Character development is excellent and the plot moves right along with no impediments. I plan to enjoy more of this author's books.
Rating:
Summary: Two Times The Charm
Review: Stupefaction is the best word to describe my reaction to the out of left field ending of this work of taut prose. The book is as good if not better than Lehane's others. Better, I think, because of the whiplash frenzy you'll get rereading pages for clues missed when you're done. This is the first book in a long while that you'll have to read again immediately because you can't belive you missed that nugget, the key that unlocks genius of Shutter Island.
Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Book by Lehane
Review: This book is equally as entertaining as Mystic River. It has a great ending and is as much a page turner as Mystic River. Great book!
Rating: 
Summary: Lehane succeeds in a predictable genre
Review: Following Mystic River is certainly a difficult task and Lehane chose to write a completetly different type of novel for his follow-up. Shutter Island is a phsycological thriller set over four days and with a minimum amount of characters. Where Mystic River had a ride, rambling scope, Shutter Island focuses on US Marshall Teddy Daniels and his investigation of the mental health facility at shutter island. I know if I had spent more time reading each and every word Lehane wrote, I might have figured out the ending, but Shutter Island is too quick of a read to spend too much time on. Still, looking back, I can see how well Lehane devised the story and all of the action leads to the ending we get. Lehane hopefully has a long career ahead of him. I like is mugshot in the back of the hardcover. It looks to me like Lehane knows that he has it made writing books for a living and getting paid to do what he enjoys. This is a good book and I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: dissatisfied
Review: I loved the authors other works and looked forward to another. This story I read until the middle and then threw the book out.
Rating:
Summary: Lehane's weakest novel
Review: This is easily Lehanes' weakest novel, and I've read them all. I'm not one who needs Angie and Patrick to return, so that's not my beef. I missed the maturity, character development, humor, hard hitting, well developed issues, plotting and incredible dialogue of Mystic River.
This book develops Teddy's character thoroughly, but no one else. The rest of the cast is cardboard.
The plot is implausible time and time again, the writing mundane and too concise. Particularly in the first half.
The social or interpersonal issues raised are not of the scope of Mystic or covered with any degree of similar depth.
I saw Lehane speak at a bookstore in California, and he was attentive, articulate, funny and very impressive. I hope the money hasn't affected his writing motivation, because it appears he churned this one out without much thought or depth.
Bring back the best mystery writer of this century, Dennis. Take your time and do it right, as you can.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I honesty thought that I would never again read a book as breathtakingly good as Mystic River. Now I have. "Shutter Island is simply brilliant. All I can say is Wow! I can't wait to see the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing-a must read book.
Review: If one day I was driving to work and author Dennis Lehane plowed into me-wrecking my car, then got out laughing, telling me I had on an ill-fitting suit and an ugly tie and that he'd been by my house earlier in the week and my wife, kids and dog weren't too much to brag about either...I still think the only thing I could say back to him is-thank you for writing this book. It's that damn good. What an amazing novel.
Rating:
Summary: Highest Praise
Review: I'll add to the lavish praise because... well, Lehane more than deserves it. I thought Lehane would disappoint me after leaving his Patrick/Angie stories. Man alive, was I wrong. This novel was spellbinding, to say the absolute least. I stayed up well into the night to keep from missing out on what happened next. When this book ends, you almost have to physically stop yourself from flipping back and starting it all over again. Buy this book. For [the price] here, it's a steal.
Rating: 
Summary: Forgive me
Review: I had high hopes but I found this book contrived and it fell flat as a pancake at the end. I could feel the author trying to complcate the story at the expense of the flow. Sorry. Maybe it's just me. just me.
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