Darkness, Take My Hand

By: Dennis Lehane

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Master of new noir Dennis Lehane magnificently evokes the dignity and savagery of working-class Boston in Darkness, Take My Hand, a terrifying tale of redemption.

Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro’s latest client is a prominent Boston psychiatrist, running scared from a vengeful Irish mob. The private investigators know about cold-blooded retribution. Born and bred on the mean streets of blue-collar Dorchester, they’ve seen the darkness that lives in the hearts of the unfortunate.

But an evil for which even they are unprepared is about to strike, as secrets that have long lain dormant erupt, setting off a chain of violent murders that will stain everything – including the truth.

With razor-sharp dialogue and penetrating prose, Darkness, Take My Hand is another superior crime novel from the author of Mystic River; Gone, Baby, Gone; and Shutter Island.

Fantastic story, great author yet, strange narration.

I love this book! All of Dennis Lane's books are fantastic, actually evoke South Boston, Dorchester of the 1990s. However, this particular narrator was truly odd. Instead of doing a south Boston accent or no accent at all, he would slip into a southern accent for those Dorchester men. This really did not work and actually, Took away from the enjoyment of this fantastic and riveting story. I will continue to read Dennis Lehane books but will watch out for this narrator in the future. I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good psychological thriller… try not to let the narrator get in the way of your enjoyment.

5/5

Fucking incredible. Dennis Lehane is a beast. Immediately starting the next book. Love it.

A Little Too Graphic

Enjoyed the story, characters, the narrator and the plot; however, some scenes were just a tad too graphic for my taste. Sometimes it is better to imagine a scene or action rather than to have it spelled out in such detail.

Was really hoping it was read by Jonathan Davis of Korn

A great, tense, dark detective story. There was one scene that I think played into the “Hannibal Lecter” trope of some ingenious supervillain locked up and taunting the authorities that had me roll my eyes, but after that it was all intensity.

The pace was exciting and the suspense kept me reading nonstop.

Love the BOSTON setting since that is a location that I know well. It was a grizzly read!

Dennis Lehane series

I love his writing style. You become so immersed in the story and characters. My reason for a 3 star ⭐️ story rating is because I almost stopped reading the book 📚 several times due to the over the top descriptive torture and violence. When people read/listen to books 📚 they wish to immerse themselves into the story….not be so horrified by them. You certainly can write a excellent story that doesn’t become such a nightmare that you can’t wait to escape from.

Brilliant

Dennis Lehane is simply the best. His writing is suspenseful and smart. He fuels your imagination, ignites your curiosity and keeps you wanting more. The narrator does a great job giving Lehane’s words life without distracting from the story. I have, and will continue to, re-read/listen to the Kenzie/Gennaro series over and over-just can’t get enough!

Exquisite detail. Beautifully written

The reading. Just extraordinary. So many characters that were easy to delineate. Kudos to the reader!

Riveting.

Riveting. Lehane in his 20s - a master storyteller already. It’s grim at times, sweet, noble, full of empathy and pathos. Humane.

Narrator Jonathan Davies is perfect.

This is book two of a five book series about young Boston private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. Read them in order.

One of the Best

Very, Very good. This one kept me edgy and worried till the end. One of the best I have listened to all year.