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janisrogers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
jennifyr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mary Pat Fennessy is a powerhouse of a character and Lehane is able to make the many crimes and sides of the bussing race wars of 1974 seem understandable by telling them through the various characters' points of view. I loved all the accurate Boston references and the nuanced approach to tough topics and decisions. Mostly, this book is about a Mother's drive to get justice (even if street justice) for her daughter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Racism, and Violence
lee_ann_a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fair warning before you dive into this gem of a historical fiction novel: It’s gritty and ugly. It’s written mainly from the perspective of Mary Pat, a feisty as hell Irish-American woman living in public housing in 1970’s Boston, and it doesn’t hold back. Her thoughts, her prejudices, her general beliefs during that time period along with those around her - it’s all there without any sort of politically correct modern day filter. If you’re offended by the word “fuck,” or if it’s hard for you to stomach derogatory language for people of color, then this book may not be for you. It’s rife with racism and a side of homophobia. But I applaud the author for taking the risk, and staying true to life at that time, and also giving us glimmers of how we are still struggling with a lot of the same issues. The writing it raw and real and the characters are palpable. I read an interview with the author who said, “My job is not to write to your safe space.”
<i> “They keep us fighting among ourselves like dogs for table scraps so we won’t catch them making off with the feast.”</i>
It’s the summer of 1974, its hot in the projects of South Boston, the schools are about to be integrated by mixing predominately Black and white school districts together, the mob is busy waging a war against the forthcoming desegregation, and Mary Pat’s daughter has gone missing. Mary Pat is a multi-faceted character who has grown up with her fists swinging, using anger and violence to protect herself both physically and emotionally. As the story of her missing daughter unfolds, she learns to slowly confront some of her long held beliefs about herself, life, and people of color, all while she tries to get to the bottom of where her child is. This is where we also gain the perspective of Bobby Coyne, a homicide detective, recovering addict, Vietnam Veteran and someone who becomes Mary Pat’s unlikely ally.
This book is a deep dive into racism, power, the cycle of poverty, and how rage fueled one summer in the projects of Boston. Five unapologetic stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
shellbell31's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Grief, and Murder
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this is incredibly dark and hard to read. this book is very very depressing but it’s a good and important story that shows a woman having to face her own racism, as well as the racism in her community, while searching for her missing daughter. there are no heroes in this story, and there is no happy ending. while this is a crime novel, it covers racism, politics, grief, and much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
magicinwords23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a spectacular read. I was bewitched from the first page. Mary Pat was a badass and someone you want fighting your corner. The courage she showed in front of some of the most dangerous criminals and situations she found herself in was commendable. Her efforts in searching for Jules and the lengths she went to were so admirable that no one could fault her loyalty and love for her daughter.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Grief, and Murder
This story takes place over the summer of 1971, during a heatwave, in the housing projects of Southie, Boston. The city has decided to desegregate the white and black public schools and no one is happy about it. Mary Pat Fennessy is a single mother trying badly to keep her head above water. Having spent her life in the housing projects she is tough and doesn’t let too much get by her. One night her daughter Jules doesn’t come home, the same night a black kid is suspiciously killed mysteriously by a train in Southie. After a few nights and there is no sign of Jules Mary Pat becomes worried and starts doing her investigation, interrogating those who might know her whereabouts. Mary Pat’s interrogation does not go down well with Marty Butler, the boss of the city’s mob and his crew, and along with this, the recent killing of the black kid and the desegregation, it forces a shining beacon over Southie and Marty’s dodgy businesses. But Mary Pat’s whole life is her daughter and will not let anything stand in her way, not even Marty and his posse, to find Jules.gracelearns2read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Race relations in Boston during the 1970s. At times hard to read with all the racial slurs. Protagonist is a true anti-hero, but so is basically everyone else
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
wendylady101's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The language was hard and why I couldn’t give it a 5.0.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
noladawnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, and Pregnancy
jackjcaseyv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Just as a warning, there is a lot of violence and extremely racist dialogue. The writer uses this to portray the darkness that can live within humanity, and tackles modern day problems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Murder