Darkness, Take My Hand

By: Dennis Lehane

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

The master of the new noir, Dennis Lehane magnificently evokes the dignity and savagery of working-class Boston in this terrifying tale of darkness and 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 something 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 long-dormant erupt, setting off a chain of violent murders that will stain everything - including the truth.

©1996 Dennis Lehane (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

Liquid

HAZY LIQUID GRIN
I got this book because I am a fan of Lehane. I muddled through the overly descriptive language and clichés for some time waiting for a story to form. I find authors often use this type of language when they don't have much of a story to tell, but a deadline to beat. Jim "The Impatient" don't have time for drivel. You like every scene described in detail, every outfit each person wears described down to the socks, then you may love this.
HIS ALMOND EYES WERE WARM AND LIQUID.

Second Book in the Series EXCEEDS!!

I enjoyed the first book in this Kensey and Gennero series, "A Drink Before the War", so I was worried that the second book wouldn't live up to my high expectations. I was so wrong though. This book was just as original, suspenseful, scary as the first. Again, I was caught by surprise with the clever twists and turns. I was listening while driving in heavy traffic one day and had to turn it off because I was getting so anxious for the safety of the detectives I have grown to love over these two books. Don't start on this audio book until you have a large block of time for listening because it will be the only thing you think of until it is finished. Jonathan Davis is a wonderful narrator. I can imagine the characters so well with his interpretation.

Brutal, Sickinning, Fun

Any additional comments?

This is one of the more messed up books you are likely to read (listen to). It features depravity on a level that cannot be seen on screen. It takes your mind, and makes you an accomplice to these horrific murders, because you are the one imagining them. The sicker you are as a person, the sicker this book will appear in your head. Which, I think, is the point. The story revolves around 2 good people stuck in a shitstorm of sickness and evil that threatens to suck away their morality. With each new scene you can feel their character and beliefs slowly cracking under the strain, because you, the listener, are feeling the same strain. You will leave this story feeling dirty, as if you have third degree stains on your skin and they won't wash out. If this sounds like your cup of tea, then by all means forge ahead into the Darkness, let it take your hand and show you how fun it can be to witness evil. Because it is a good time, a story written by a man at the top of his craft. Lehane knows how to shock you, but never does so unless he needs to, thus allowing the twists to be that much more effective. Read the book(or listen) if you think you can take it

Wow -

This is a fantastic book - I am a big Lehane fan but the depth of the characters & their interaction is remarkable. Great book, great performance. Bravo ~

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.

The Boston Beat

Lehane's psychological suspense novel paints a plot, intriguing and plausible, with characters you care for. You want to read more, and then more, and then you MUST just finish the dang book even if you must stay up all night to do it. And then, you'll want to buy another Kenzie/Gennaro book. The narrator does a pretty good job with the accents. I recommend this buy.

Too much gratuitous violence

This is the second Dennis Lehand book I have read. And where "A Drink Before the War" was very well balance, with violence as something that drove the plot, "Darkness Take My Hand" stepped over that line. Well over that line and into "Saw"-territory. I really don't mind violence in a violent story, but the level of detail with which horrible, nightmare inducing violent crimes are described here is too much in my opinion. And it does not serve a purpose. The story would have worked just as well if the victims had "just" been murdered, but the author chose to describe their suffering in unnecessary detail. Too bad because aside from that the story has a few very interesting plotlines that are continued from the first book of the series.

Wow- outrageously amazing thriller!!

One of the best thrillers I've ever read. Amazing depth of characters, twists and turns of the plot – so real, iso enthralling - I literally could not stop reading this until I got to the end. GREAT story!!

Darkness Prevails

Exemplary follow up to 'A drink before the war'. Jonathan Davis continues to nail the characters without flaw. Any writer looking to pen a series need not look further for inspiration.

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.