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Mystic River: 07/04/18
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane opens with a scene of three boys growing up in a working class neighborhood. There's Sam, Jimmy and Marcus. They're thinking about taking a joy ride when a pair of cops pulls up and orders them into the car. One complies and the other two runs off. Turns out they weren't cops. The boy survives and does return home. Everything else takes place decades later in the aftermath of this initial crime. The actual mystery though, is the murder of the daughter of one of those now grown up boys. Her murder has to be investigated by one of the other now grown up boys. Her death stirs up old bad feelings and whatnot. I know lots of people love this book and love the film. I haven't seen the film. I suspect I would like it more as a film. As a mystery, it bored me to tears. Other reviews mention that there's no formula except that there is. It's a horror formula applied to a police procedural. I honestly don't care that there's a formula — it's part of the genre. I just wasn't compelled to turn the pages like I was with Shutter Island. Two stars Comments (6) Comment #1: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 01:17:29 "horror formula applied to a police procedural" Hmm, I think I find that to be a compelling description. ;) I've watched Mystic River; it's good, but such a downer of a movie. I've read and watched both Shutter Island and Gone Baby Gone by Lehane, but I've not yet gotten to Mystic River. Comment #2: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 22:43:00 Pussreboots Moviewise, I've only seen Shutter Island. I've neither read nor seen Gone Baby Gone. At this point I think I'm not interested in reading more of Lehane's books. Comment #3: Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 11:56:10 Shutter Island is the stand-out of the bunch, imo. Comment #4: Monday, July 16, 2018 at 21:13:00 Pussreboots I'm getting that impression. Comment #5: Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 19:53:30 Ah yeah not good if it bores you to tears. That's too bad. It sounds like it would have some potential. Comment #6: Monday, July 16, 2018 at 21:15:00 Pussreboots Lots of readers have enjoyed it. You might. If you think you would like it you should give it a go.
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