BOOK REVIEW – Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro #2) by Dennis Lehane

Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro #2)
by Dennis Lehane
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

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.

Tell me, what are all-time favorites made of? Perhaps we all have a different definition for them, but mine? I read so much that a great, even amazing book can get sidelined if it doesn’t leave a mark on me. On the contrary, a flawed one can earn its stripes if the emotions it makes me feel are unforgettable.

I’d say that if there were one lesson to be learnt from this experience, is that Darkness, Take My Hand will linger. Oh, yes, it will.

➊ a fucked-up male lead I grew to adore and for whom I care so much it hurts : multi-layered, morally ambiguous, sarcastic, wounded, loyal – he’s everything I want in my favorite characters. EVERYTHING.

➋ a kickass heroine I want to hug, because, really, Angie, you rock.

➌ a frightening and captivating suspense in an investigation where nobody is innocent and everyone can be guilty…. See, I’m not easily frightened. A clown, a doll and I’m hiding under the blankets, but a serial-killer? Nope. Darkness, Take My Hand, though? It was chilling.

Just a thing : DON’T FUCK WITH MY FEARS. Like, really – there was an expected twist that scared me to death.

➍ Secondary characters I’m not supposed to like but… I do anyway, because of reasons, I guess.

Yeah, I saw this gif and I thought… Oh, Bubba. You psycho. How in the world can I like you? *hides in shame*

➎ a writing whose ability to express both depth and sarcasm blew me away.

➏ a ending that made my jaw drop on the floor… But unfortunately I guessed who the mastermind was around 50%. It didn’t prevent me from enjoying the book, not really, but it did annihilate a great part of the intended shock factor, and for a moment there I thought that it would cost it its fifth star.

But the fact is, Darkness, Take My Hand deserves its 5 stars nonetheless, because of the impact this book had on me. Here I am, staring at the wall, disturbed in my own core feelings, and I know that I would never forget this book.

See you, friends. I’m going to hug myself now.

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