Dennis Lehane’s last novel, Since We Fell, came out in 2017. He smashes that silence with Small Mercies, the most powerful novel I’ve read since S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears. In fact, any book group that chooses to pair these two unforgettable novels will have enough material to discuss for several months.
Lehane’s novel is inspired by one night in 1974 when his father took a wrong turn, and the family car ended up in the middle of the anti-busing riots in Boston. Imagine the fear of a nine-year-old boy who saw figures burning in effigy, and experienced the rocking car in the midst of an angry mob. That incident turned into Small Mercies, a novel of Boston at the time, with its rage and fear and explosive possiblities.
Mary Pat Fennessey grew up in the Irish projects. She’s never lived anywhere else, and she raised both of her children there. She already lost one child to drugs and the streets. She’s worried about sending her seventeen-year-old daughter, Jules, into the violence of an integrated high school in just ninety days after the court ruling saying Boston’s high schools will be integrated. But, she worries more about losing her daughter to her drug-dealing and using friends, all products of the white projects.
The night that Jules doesn’t come home, a young Black man dies in the subway. Mary Pat recognizes Auggie Wiliamson’s name in the newspaper because she works with his mother. Despite all the gossip, Mary Pat wonders if it’s fear and racism that assumes the young man was a drug dealer. But, at the moment, she has greater worries. Jules is missing.
Mary Pat’s first instinct is to question her friends, and then ask for help from the men who control and “protect” the residents of the projects, Marty Butler’s crew. She even talks about her missing daughter when a homicide cop, Bobby Coyne, comes looking for Jules, asking about the night of Williamson’s death. But, Coyne has no idea that Mary Pat’s search will explode into violence. He can only watch in awe as she burns through the neighborhood, a tough Southie broad demanding answers. What happened to her daughter, Jules?
Small Mercies is a remarkable novel that explores the racism, hatred and fear in Boston in 1974 through the life of one woman, and the observations of a local cop. It’s a rage-filled story that demonstrates the ability to change, just as Cosby’s novel did. As I said, pair these two stories of grieving parents who demand answers. They’re both representative of a time and place, but they have so much to say about the simmering anger in this country.
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane. Harper, 2023. ISBN 9780062129482 (hardcover), 320p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley to review for a journal.
A new Lehane novel is a cause for celebration. Great review.
Sandra, I’m thinking that when COVID shut down Hollywood, Dennis Lehane had time to write a novel again. It is a reason to celebrate.
Terrific review. It’s been a long time since I read a Lehane – I know I missed a few – but if you compare it to Cosby’s Razorblade Tears, it is a must read for sure,
This one is a a must read, Jeff. I even ordered a signed copy from The Poisoned Pen although I’ve already read it. And, there are really no spoilers in the review. There’s just enough to tantalize, I hope.
I also pre-ordered a signed copy from the Pen based upon your mention of the book earlier in the year. I have never read anything by Dennis Lehane, but am looking forward to reading this. Noticed he has a detective series set in Boston. Has anyone read that?
Jennifer, yes. It is very dark in parts but really good.
I agree with Jeff, Jennifer. I read that entire series, and it was excellent except for the last book, written years later, probably because fans wanted it. Not up to the earlier books.
Thanks, Jeff and Lesa. Will look for the books after I finish up the Bill Slider series.
Jennifer, don’t miss Lehane’s Mystic River. A modern classic, beautifully written and stunning in every respect. That book alone is enough to ensure his legacy.
Sandra is right, Jennifer. I have to say, though, that I preferred Small Mercies. And, Gone Baby Gone, in the PI series, is excellent.
Thanks, Sandra. Will check out that book as well!
I definitely want to read that one!
Excellent book, Carol.
Oooooh I cannot wait!! Glad he wrote a new one!