This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Mystic River

   

   "Mystic River" is a gripping tale set in a close-knit neighborhood in Boston, revolving around three childhood friends - Jimmy, Sean, and Dave. Their lives are irrevocably altered when one of them, Dave, is abducted and sexually abused. Years later, they are brought back together by a horrifying event - the murder of Jimmy's daughter. As Sean, now a detective, investigates the murder, suspicion falls on Dave, leading to a tense and tragic conclusion.

   The 4291st Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Shutter Island

   

   Set in 1954, the story follows two U.S. Marshals sent to a remote island asylum for the criminally insane to investigate the disappearance of a patient. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they encounter a web of deceit, radical psychiatric treatments, and a hurricane that cuts off communication with the mainland. The lead marshal's own troubling memories and hallucinations intensify, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. The narrative culminates in a twist that forces him to question everything he believes about the case, the island, and himself.

   The 7892nd Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Small Mercies

   

   Set in the racially tense summer of 1974 in Boston, the story follows Mary Pat Fennessy, a tough, working-class mother whose daughter goes missing on the same night a young Black man is found dead. As Mary Pat navigates the gritty, divided neighborhoods of South Boston, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets and violence, driven by her relentless pursuit of the truth. The narrative explores themes of racial tension, community loyalty, and the lengths a mother will go to for her child, all against the backdrop of a city on the brink of change.

   The 7922nd Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Gone Baby Gone

   

   In this gripping crime thriller, two private investigators, Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, are hired to find a missing four-year-old girl from a Boston neighborhood. As they delve into the case, they uncover a tangled web of corruption, deceit, and moral ambiguity within the criminal underworld and law enforcement. The investigation challenges their own ethical boundaries and forces them to confront the harrowing question of what is ultimately right when the lines between justice and vengeance blur. The novel explores the complexities of child abduction and the profound impact it has on a community, all while delivering a tense and emotionally charged narrative.

   The 9677th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. The Given Day

   

   Set in post-World War I Boston, the story follows the lives of two families—one Irish-American and the other African-American—amidst social and political upheaval. The narrative intertwines the struggles of a young police officer, grappling with corruption and labor unrest, and a talented African-American baseball player, confronting racial prejudice. As their paths cross, the novel explores themes of justice, identity, and the fight for a better future against the backdrop of historical events like the 1919 Boston Police Strike and the influenza pandemic. Through richly drawn characters and a vivid depiction of the era, the story delves into the complexities of American society during a time of significant change.

   The 14984th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. A Drink Before The War

   

   Set in the gritty streets of Boston, this gripping crime novel follows private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro as they are hired to retrieve stolen documents from a cleaning woman named Jenna Angeline. What seems like a straightforward case quickly spirals into a dangerous web of political corruption, racial tensions, and violent gang warfare. As the duo delves deeper, they uncover dark secrets that threaten their lives and challenge their moral compasses, forcing them to confront the harsh realities of their city and their own pasts.

   The 17151st Greatest Book of All Time