• A Drink Before the War

  • By: Dennis Lehane
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
  • Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,786 ratings)

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A Drink Before the War  By  cover art

A Drink Before the War

By: Dennis Lehane
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's summary

With novels like Mystic River and Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane has dramatically altered the landscape of the crime thriller—while boldly overstepping the boundaries that have long separated mystery from literature. Now two of his sensational early novels have been combined in a single volume—two gritty and mesmerizing masterworks of suspense featuring the private eye duo of Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro—brilliantly showcasing the unique voice and dark, exhilarating vision of a crime fiction phenomenon.

©1994 Dennis Lehane (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

What listeners say about A Drink Before the War

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Another Lehane book would be a better choice.

Not his best book, IMO, by any means, but still a solid story. It's worth a listen, but his others are worth more than a few listens.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Started strong, but drug on and on

By the last 3 hours I had lost interest. Narration was done well. Story began interestingly, progressed well to the climax, but the street gang angle lost my interest. Well written, just not for me, I suppose.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hard to push the pause button

I love detective stories. This was well performed and gripping. The characters also had some depth and provided multiple story lines throughout the book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

First shot of a detective series

I have always been a fan of Dennis Lehane. This book was satisfying, and what's not to love political corruption, the mafia, and detectives questioning their moral compass.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Modern noir.

Dennis Lehane and the Kenzie Genero series is great! Start with this one and read in order.
You will not be disappointed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book

A bit gory in parts; some edge of your seat spots; overall excellent listen. I will try another by same author and reader.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Too dark and negative.

I don’t care for books that are so negative about life. It’s like nobody has hope for a better life

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Narration!

If you could sum up A Drink Before the War in three words, what would they be?

gritty, relevant, elegant

What other book might you compare A Drink Before the War to and why?

The Poet

Which scene was your favorite?

vivid car chase

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

description of pictures

Any additional comments?

Sent me to read more by this author and by this narrator.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not the war you're thinking

Basically a detective story , but with lots of morales. Parralels abound between our hero and the villain. Not quite my cup of tea I prefer my detectives not quite so dark. It is a style though. OK story.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
  • GM
  • 07-09-19

Whaaaaat?? Who? When? Where?

Horrible book...couldn’t follow the story at all. Terrible character development and no story line.

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