Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

30 reviews

dsuzno's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The racism and bigotry are tough to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Physical abuse

colenoscopy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder

Moderate: Torture and Violence

booksinkandpaper2's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

katierobertsonshaddix's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

lady_grey_with_honey's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

4.5

This was a fantastic mystery set against the real life backdrop of Boston's desegregation busing crisis and organized crime in 1974. Incredible characters that will stay with me and remarkable Boston history woven throughout, as well as landmarks for important scenes. This is a great example of a plot-driven novel with great character development. Also, Robin Miles' narration was outstanding, as always. I loved this and I can't wait for the series on Apple TV+ that is supposed to be coming. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Violence

jennifersmind's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Addiction and Blood

arf26's review against another edition

emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book!  So well written - taking a heavy and charged set of topics and adding humor.  The insight into the South Boston neighborhood, code, and mindset was riveting.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

isabelboswinkel's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy

pcarey1356's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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

the book covers a emotional and turbulent time in history. It's hard to read about those times but I think it was handled well and I gained insight. I'm a big fan of Dennis Lehane and this book didn't let me down. 
 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Violence, and Murder

leonorekoki's review against another edition

3.75

As a historical portrait of Southie in the 70s, I think it’s brilliant—evocative, nuanced, immersive. The mystery/suspense of Mary Pat’s quest is well done, the character comes to life on the page, and the storytelling is masterful. 

As a commentary on racism, however, I wasn’t sold. As others have pointed out, Mary Pat’s arc ultimately isn’t about race.  The barrage of racial slurs  also made for a difficult read, possibly worse in audio where it feels even more visceral and you can’t really skip over words. Historically accurate, sure, but it didn’t feel great about a White author. I don’t doubt his intentions were to show the ugly side of racism, but the absence of developed Black characters left me feeling uneasy and unsatisfied. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence