Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Live By Night; Dennis Lehane

Title:  Live By Night
Author:  Dennis Lehane
Publication Year: 2012
Publisher: Harper Audio / William Morrow
Edition: audio and eGalley
Reader: Jim Frangione (very good)
Source: publisher
Date Completed:  November/2012
Rating: 4.5/5 
Recommend: yes

When I began this book I wasn't aware that is was a sequel to the author's earlier book, The Given Day, which I own, but hadn't read.  Despite that, I found this story extremely easy to get hooked on, and I can honestly say this one would be fine to read or listen to as a stand-alone novel.

In this story Joe Coughlin is the youngest son of a corrupt, Irish police captain.  The story begins in 1926, it's the Prohibition era, and the Coughlin family is well off compared others in his neighborhood.  Joe's a smart kid, but that doesn't stop him from getting himself involved in risky business as a teen. He thinks getting away with things is fun, and enjoys the opportunity for some easy money even if the money comes dishonestly from the pockets of Boston mobsters.

Live By Night is a sprawling saga with so much going for it that it's sure to have plenty to please most readers.  There is corruption, murder, moral issues, issues of faith and there is even romance -- a woman named Emma, that Joe becomes obsessed with, who happens to be the girlfriend of a big time mobster.  The characters are well developed, and I loved that the story took place during the time of Prohibition. The author did a great job enlightening the reader to all the corrupt financial opportunities that existed at that time, all of which made for some exciting listening and reading. I am now looking forward to reading the prequel, The Given Day.  A long time Lehane fan, I've read at least 5 of his previous books and enjoyed them all.

22 comments:

  1. Your review makes this sound very interesting. I don't think I have read a book by him, but I may have to get this one!

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  2. This sounds like a really good one. The era intrigues me. For some reason I thought Lehane only wrote in today's time frame. Glad you enjoyed this one,Diane. Have a good week!

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  3. I love reading about that time period. Sounds good!

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  4. I hate finding out that I am reading books out of order but sometimes it happens. The marketing isn't clear or they are translated out of order (the case with Nesbo).

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  5. I'm a Lehane fan too but haven't had time to read these two. Will be sure to get to them this winter. I'm also a sucker for almost anything set in Boston.

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  6. Sounds like one I would enjoy. Now I just need to find the time to read it and the book that comes before it.

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  7. I am glad that you told me that this was a sequel, because I have this book, and I need to read it. I am going to go ahead and buy Any Given Day when I can. Very nice review today!!

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  8. It's good to know that this is a sequel as I do like to read series in order. I loved Shutter Island and have been on the lookout for more of his books.

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  9. I attended an author event today and the author was talking about The Given Day. Now, I want to read both of these books!

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  10. This sounds like a fun audio book and I see that you thought the narrator was good so that is a plus!!

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  11. I loved Lehane's "Kenzie/Gennaro" series, and thought Shutter Island was fantastic, but I haven't delved into either of these new books. For some reason, they haven't really appealed to me. I may just have to go ahead and give them a try.

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  12. I have yet to read any Lehane and I obviously have been missing out!

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  13. I don't know why I haven't read more of his books … I really should.

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  14. I haven't read Dennis Lehane yet, but The Given Day has been on my wish list since it was released. Think I'll start there.

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  15. I've read a few of the Kenzie and Gennaro series and I'm looking forward to this one. I didn't realize it was book 2 in a series. The story does sound like it's good enough to just plunge in without reading the first book.

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  16. I need to read me some Lehane and soon!

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  17. A long time since I stopped by, I saw a comment you had left on Suko's blog and thought I'd drop by to say hello.

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  18. I've seen a couple of movie adaptations from Dennis Lehane's books: Shutter Island and Mystic River, but haven't read any of his books. From the movies, I can tell he's a good and deeply psychological writer. Have you seen any of his film adaptations? Do you like the book or film more?

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  19. I really love Lehane. I'm reading Moonlight Mile right now and he isn't disappointing me.

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  20. I have never read anything by this author before, it's added to the list. Thanks Diane. I've just finished the new Louise Penny "The Beautiful Mystery" in the Inspector Gamache series. It left me hoping that she is already writing the next one. I hope it's not too long.

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  21. I have this book and Any Given Day, but I didn't know that Any Given Day was the first in a series and Live by Night was the next installment! Thanks for the heads up, Diane1

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