Rating: 
Summary: A winning addition to the private investigator club
Review: This book showed up in the Recommendations section of Amazon.com, and given my feelings for the Spenser series (I love them), I felt it was worth giving another "private investigator in Boston" story a try. It proved to be extremely enjoyable, and I intend to follow the Kenzie/Gennaro team through all of their adventures. The characters are just what PI's should be: wise-cracking, gun-toting gumshoes, with the vulnerability and sense of right-and-wrong that make them interesting to read about. The relationship between the two major characters, Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, is a major cog in the smooth machinery Lahane has built. Throw in the quirky supporting characters, the slow revelation of Kenzie's relationship with his father's ghost, and the requisite shoot-'em-up action, and there's always something to keep you turning the pages, feeling you've made a worthwhile investment by buying this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat lethargic
Review: Well, I disagree with other readers, although Patrick Kenzie is a very well drawn character, the story does not match in quality his virtues, as this book far from being a well crafted mystery novel, is an attempt that falls short from the making of something appealing and gripping unless you have been born in Boston. I question the simplicity of the plot as it could not get rid of the dull pace that was set from the very beginning and also the inability to elaborate the mystery into something more complex and interesting. Can say is better than other Lehane work as Patrick provides life and color with his humorous occurrences
Rating:
Summary: Look for something else
Review: Although Patrick Kenzie is a very well drawn character, the story does not match in quality his virtues, as this book far from being a well crafted mystery novel, is an attempt that falls short from the making of something appealing. I question the simplicity of the plot, its permanent dull pace set from the very beginning and also the impossibility to elaborate the mystery into something more complex and interesting. This book is not gripping !!!
Rating:
Summary: Mr Lehane, Don't screw this up!
Review: As I read this wonderful Boston PI story, one thought kept coming to mind. This series could go bad real fast. Searching for a politician's maid puts Pat Kenzie and Angela Gennaro in the line of fire of a deadly gang war. Great story-wonderful characters-but this whole thing could go rotten. Mr. Lehane, please please please DO NOT make Pat and Angie a romantic couple. THe characters are just fine, but nothing ruins a series like that cheap TV sitcom sweeps stunt where 2 characters who had a definite tension, finally find the wherewithal to forge ahead with a romantic relationship (even worse when it graduates to marriage and a baby carriage). Mr. Lehane, I love these characters. Don't ruin 'em!
Rating:
Summary: 3 Star start to a 5 Star series!
Review: As a lifelong, native Bostonian, I'm always glad to find another great Boston based series. I wasn't quite sure at first if this series would be one after reading the inaugural entry by Dennis Lehane. But ultimately the pros outweighed the cons. Lehane gave a great sense of the neighborhoods and streets that I've spent my entire life in and on. Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, the two protagonists, are flawed, human characters with enough real life foibles to provide enough conflict to propell the series forward. And in their psycho friend, Bubba, Lehane provides the killing machine that every successful detective series requires. (You know; Hawk, Joe Pike, Easy Rawlins cousin, Mouse, etc.) My main exception to the story was the depiction of gang war in Boston that made the opening of 'Saving Private Ryan' look tame. I thought that Lehane went way overboard with the body count. It just didn't seem realistic. But, as you can see by my heading, I felt that there was enough here to make me look forward to the subsequent sequels. I think that the quality of the plots took a leap in subsequent installments and the overall series is terrific. I highly recommend the entire series.
Rating: 
Summary: Discover Dennis Lehane!
Review: I stumbled across Dennis Lehane while searching through Amazon customer recommendations, looking for something new to read. Thank goodness I found him, this is a remarkable first novel. Kenzie and Gennaro make a compelling team. Although their partnership is somewhat cliche (best friends since childhood, he has unrequited feelings for her), their characters go beyond the cliche to reveal scarred souls with tremendous depth. The story itself is outstanding, the ultimate twist of the plot heartwrenching. This author is a master at building suspense, I had a hard time putting this one down. I am an instant fan and have purchased all the subsequent novels in this series. Don't miss out on this author!
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular First Novel
Review: Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, two tough blue collar, wise-cracking Dorchester PIs, are hired by a couple of well known State Senators to find an office cleaning woman, Jenna Angeline and they're willing to pay a premium price to locate her. It seems that she's stolen some sensitive, confidential documents from their office and disappeared. Patrick (never Pat) and Angie think this job, a simple "find and a phone call" will be fast, easy money, but that just isn't going to be the case. Within 48 hours of starting the job, Jenna is found and gunned down and Kenzie and Gennaro find themselves at the center of gang warfare, political corruption and murder. Dennis Lehane has written a stunning, action-packed first novel full of great characters and compelling, riveting scenes, that jump off the page. The writing is smart and gritty and Lehane shows a wonderful ear for dialogue. This is a terrific story that has it all...a fast-paced, tight plot, superb writing and two of the most original characters to come along in a long time. A Drink Before the War is the start of a wonderful series and a novel that shouldn't be missed by mystery/suspense fans. After you finish this book, make sure you read them all.
Rating:
Summary: A Superb Story
Review: A first I thought I was reading a cheap imitation of Robert Parker. Thankfully, this did not turn out to be the case. It was an exceptional first novel, with interesting and fully developed characters. I particularly liked the male-female detective duo. It was a little choppy at first, and some of the jokes seem forced, but Lehane eventually makes it work. It isn't as funny as Parker and the dialogue isn't as sharp, but the story is superb and the race element adds a compelling dimension. A very promising debut and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. A couple more strong efforts like this and he may crack my top 5 mystery authors (Block, Burke, Connelly, Parker and Saylor).
Rating:
Summary: an unlikely gem
Review: so i bought this book because amazon listed 5 dennis lehane books in my recommendation section, so i took the earliest. thank you amazon for depleting my wallet, since now i have to get the rest of the series. now. must read now. i was very impressed by both the style of writing and the characters. patrick, angie and even bubba are a set of detectives i can't wait to read more about. i love that they have their office in a church belfry-where no one will tell them what happened to the bells- that they have all sorts of back story which is never overtly in your face, but subtlely intertwined so that you just assume the author is refreshing your memory since it seems you have known these characters forever. ok, gotta go, i've got to start reading the next book!
Rating:
Summary: I want more!
Review: Where HAVE you been Lehane? This is my 2nd Lehane novel, the first being 'Prayers For the Rain' and this is just a good as Prayers, if not better. I have never encountered a writer like Lehane. He really brings his characters to life and the he is a great suspense/thriller/crime writer. He would definately have to be my favourite at the moment, definately better than Jeffrey Deaver. If you are tired of the usual crime/thriller novels that are around & think that maybe you could write better, then take a look at Dennis Lehane's books. I have just gone out and bought the entire set and I can't wait to read them! Brilliant!!!
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