Introduced to the works of Dennis Lehane by my brother-in-law, who thinks the world of him. So I picked up A Drink Before the War, his first novel. Very impressive. I like to read hard-boiled-detective novels by newly successful writers to see what's missing from my writing and, judging by this first effort by Mr. Lehane, the answer is: a lot. Lehane's characters are deep and fully developed, even in this his first novel, and the plot is broad and sweeping, filled with violence. Reading this book, I wonder if he's written three or four prequels that were never published but allowed him to develop both his style and his characters.

Certainly, there were some bits that just seemed a little too trite — like how the protagonist, Patrick, just happens to have friends who can provide him with everything he needs at just the right time (the best lawyer, the buddy with access to an arsenal, the newspaper reporter, etc.) — and certainly the ending is telegraphed but the writing is crisp and impressive.

I have to admit, it does disappoint me that every successful writer I read tends to add credence to the argument that your book has to be bloody and explicit in order to sell. There's no room for a well-written mystery about smaller issues (like a single murder, or a kidnapped child) — you've got to throw in lots of gunfire and fistfights, gang wars and brutal cops. It's sad. I had hoped that there would be a market for plots that are more in line with the writers of the first half of the 20th century whom I so admire.

On the other hand, Lehane is masterful at building suspense. I'm usually quite analytical when I read these kinds of books but he really swept me up. I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series. And the next. And the next. And my brother-in-law tells me I just have to see the movie version of Gone Baby Gone.

If I spend so much time reading, when will I have time to hone my own writing?

Tags: Lehane, A Drink Before The War