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 14985th 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 17152nd Greatest Book of All Time

7. 7. Since We Fell

   

   The novel follows Rachel Childs, a former journalist whose career and personal life unravel after a public breakdown. Struggling with agoraphobia and a troubled past, Rachel finds solace in her seemingly perfect marriage to Brian. However, her world is turned upside down when she discovers unsettling truths about him, leading her into a web of deception and danger. As Rachel confronts her fears and the mysteries surrounding her husband, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience, ultimately fighting to reclaim her life and identity.

8. 8. Coronado

   Stories

   

   The book is a collection of five short stories and a play, exploring themes of crime, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. Each story delves into the darker aspects of life, featuring characters who are often flawed and facing moral dilemmas. The narratives are set against gritty backdrops, capturing the raw and often harsh realities of their environments. With sharp dialogue and intricate plots, the stories examine the consequences of choices and the often blurred lines between right and wrong.

9. 9. The Drop

   

   The novel centers around Bob Saginowski, a quiet and solitary bartender in a Boston neighborhood bar that serves as a drop point for local mob money. When Bob discovers an abandoned puppy in a trash can, he forms an unexpected bond with the dog and its rescuer, Nadia, which leads him into a complex web of crime and violence. As Bob navigates the dangerous underworld, he must confront his own past and the moral dilemmas that arise from his involvement with the mob. The story unfolds with tension and suspense, exploring themes of redemption, loyalty, and the struggle for a better life amidst a backdrop of crime and corruption.
10. 10. World Gone By

    

    Set during World War II, the story follows Joe Coughlin, a former crime boss who has transitioned into a more legitimate life as a consigliere to the Bartolo crime family in Tampa, Florida. Despite his efforts to leave his criminal past behind, Joe becomes entangled in a web of betrayal, violence, and moral dilemmas when he learns of a plot against his life. As he navigates the treacherous underworld, Joe grapples with his own conscience, the legacy of his past actions, and the impact on his young son, leading to a gripping exploration of loyalty, redemption, and the inescapable nature of one's choices.

11. 11. Live By Night

    

    Set during the Prohibition era, the story follows Joe Coughlin, the son of a prominent Boston police captain, as he descends into the world of organized crime. Initially a small-time outlaw, Joe's ambition and cunning propel him into the upper echelons of the criminal underworld, where he navigates the treacherous landscape of gang rivalries, betrayal, and violence. As he builds his empire, Joe grapples with the moral complexities of his choices and the impact on those he loves, ultimately facing the consequences of living a life defined by crime and ambition.

12. 12. Sacred

    

    In this gripping mystery, private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro are drawn into a complex web of deceit and danger when they are hired by a dying billionaire to find his missing daughter. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a trail of corruption, betrayal, and dark secrets that threaten to engulf them. With their lives on the line, Kenzie and Gennaro must navigate a world where nothing is as it seems, testing their resolve and challenging their moral compass in a relentless pursuit of the truth.

13. 13. Darkness, Take My Hand

    

    In this gripping thriller, private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro are drawn into a chilling case that begins with a seemingly simple request for protection but quickly spirals into a web of violence and terror. As they delve deeper, they uncover a series of brutal murders linked to a dark past, forcing them to confront their own demons and the sinister forces lurking in the shadows of Boston's gritty underworld. The narrative weaves a tense and atmospheric tale of betrayal, vengeance, and the haunting power of secrets long buried.

14. 14. Moonlight Mile

    

    In this gripping continuation of a beloved series, private investigator Patrick Kenzie is drawn back into a haunting case from his past when Amanda McCready, a girl he once rescued, goes missing again as a teenager. As Patrick and his partner, Angie Gennaro, delve into the shadows of Boston's underworld, they confront moral dilemmas and personal challenges that test their resolve and relationship. The narrative weaves a tense and intricate tale of loyalty, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of truth, all set against a backdrop of societal change and personal growth.
15. 15. Prayers For Rain

    

    In this gripping thriller, a private investigator finds himself drawn into a complex web of deceit and danger after a seemingly straightforward case takes a dark turn. When a young woman he once helped is driven to suicide, he becomes determined to uncover the truth behind her tragic end. As he delves deeper, he encounters a sinister adversary who manipulates and destroys lives for sport, leading to a tense and suspenseful showdown. The narrative explores themes of morality, justice, and the psychological depths of human nature, all set against a backdrop of relentless tension and unexpected twists.