Small Mercies

A Novel

By: Dennis Lehane

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Instant New York Times Bestseller

“Small Mercies is thought provoking, engaging, enraging, and can’t-put-it-down entertainment.” — Stephen King

The acclaimed New York Times bestselling writer returns with a masterpiece to rival Mystic River—an all-consuming tale of revenge, family love, festering hate, and insidious power, set against one of the most tumultuous episodes in Boston’s history.

In the summer of 1974 a heatwave blankets Boston and Mary Pat Fennessy is trying to stay one step ahead of the bill collectors. Mary Pat has lived her entire life in the housing projects of “Southie,” the Irish American enclave that stubbornly adheres to old tradition and stands proudly apart.

One night Mary Pat’s teenage daughter Jules stays out late and doesn’t come home. That same evening, a young Black man is found dead, struck by a subway train under mysterious circumstances.

The two events seem unconnected. But Mary Pat, propelled by a desperate search for her missing daughter, begins turning over stones best left untouched—asking questions that bother Marty Butler, chieftain of the Irish mob, and the men who work for him, men who don’t take kindly to any threat to their business.

Set against the hot, tumultuous months when the city’s desegregation of its public schools exploded in violence, Small Mercies is a superb thriller, a brutal depiction of criminality and power, and an unflinching portrait of the dark heart of American racism. It is a mesmerizing and wrenching work that only Dennis Lehane could write.

I could not stop listening

this novel takes you into the minds and hearts of an Era, a neighborhood, and unforgettable characters. so alive and relevant

Brilliant retelling of Boston’s Busing Story from Both Sides

Breathtaking, chilling and poignant plot that reflects the reality for both populations in South Boston during the government-mandated bussing of students across racial lines.

Excellent! Gritty and Honest!

Loved this story! Sad-gripping-angered-satisfaction. It was done with awesome narration too! It kept a flow that never left you lost who someone was or what they were talking about.

Unrealistic but well narrated.

Narrator pulled off a good Boston accent. Racial elements probably true but very uncomfortable. Why the heroine wasn’t a female boxer is beyond me. Tough neighborhood.

Not Quite

I grew up just South of Boston and am Dennis Lehane’s age. Dennis went to BC High and since I attended every one of their dances we probably rubbed elbows. It’s true Southie kids and their parents were a tough lot and the racism, drugs and poverty were very real. But really Dennis, this was so over the top and Mary Pat so ridiculous I’m not even sure how it can be turned into a B movie. That said I still binged on it and listened to the end, It made my long walks go fly by, even with the awful Boston accents. I did appreciate a female vigilante but boy oh boy I’m almost embarrassed to say I couldn’t stop listening.

Fantastic! Top 10 book for me

Beautifully written book, amazing narration. Robin Miles has become one of my favorite narrators. You know the narrator is good when the performance compels you to seek out other performances of her work. Dennis Lehane is amazing. I’ve read or listened to just about everything he’s published. His ability to develop complex flawed characters is a gift. They are so much like real people that the reader immediately becomes invested in them. Can’t recommend this book enough!

Great story, horrendous Boston accent

Lehane spins another solid story set in Boston with plenty of fiction, but some true historical parallels. The only problem with this audiobook was the awful Boston accent that sounded more like Long Island or something far from Boston.

Great listen!!

Wonderfully read, enjoyed listening to this book her Boston accent seem dead on, and I am from New Hampshire. It gave me you have a time in the past. I feel like I learned some thing about life and human nature.

Absolutely gut wrenching & spectacular

Fantastic performance

Story was well written if short on the details at the beginning (they were given just in time, but I might've liked a little more detail in the exposition).

Great story and excellent narration

A book not for the faint of heart, but vey well written and engaging. Appreciated the character development and the honest view of the complexity of the human condition.