Title: Shutter Island: A Novel Author: Dennis Lehane type of book: Psychological Thriller call number: Fic

This book is strong in character, story and setting.

Summary:
U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels and his new partner are sent to a secretive psychological hospital for the criminally insane on an island off Boston -- hence the title. Teddy is ostensibly investigating the disappearance of a patient, but the "truth" is that he put himself in position for this assignment because the arsonist who killed Teddy's wife is incarcerated in the same place. A hurricane bearing down on the island adds further atmospheric dread.

I would recommend this book!

Why?
To say this book has a shocking ending is a huge understatement -- you want to reread the whole book, then you realize you've been pulled into a masterful mind game. Critics are right: this is a tour de force. Less glowing reviewers whine that Lehane writes for potential screenplays (in fact, Clint Eastwood is now making a movie of his last blockbuster, Mystic River). So what -- the writing was superb, and I was made a fan.

Other suggested reading:
If you like the Boston locale, you must of course read Robert B. Parker. But much as I love the character Spenser, Parker's books aren't much of a whodunit. This book was more of a "WHY didn't I see that coming?"

Employee Initials: SB Review Date: April 2003

Read other reviews by this staff member.