---

This is another book I picked up on a whim, not at all realizing I was familiar with Dennis Lehane’s Mystic River (which I liked), Gone Baby Gone (which I didn’t), and Shutter Island (Which I loved.)

Small Mercies follows a mother in Southie in the 1970s when her daughter goes missing amidst the backdrop of desegregation protests.

I loved this book and have already recommended it to at least five people. The writing is crisp, the themes are deep, the characters are deeply flawed and yet somehow I couldn’t help rooting for them. The setting was so vibrant I felt like I was there, and while it is dark and gritty, the ending left me satisfied and thoughtful.

An incredible book and perfectly narrated. I’ll definitely be looking up Dennis Lehane’s others that I’ve missed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Thanks for reading!