In 1954, United States Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, pay a visit to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient named Rachel Solando. This woman, convicted for murdering her three children, has somehow escaped her locked and guarded cell and is presumed to be hiding somewhere on the island. The two marshals’ investigation of the island quickly suggests an institution-wide conspiracy, involving everyone from the patients to the guards to the warden. Faced with a devastating hurricane and enemies wearing friendly smiles, Teddy Daniels struggles to unravel countless mysteries, and with each new clue and piece of evidence, he comes closer to the shocking truths of Shutter Island, Ashecliffe Hospital, and himself.

The author’s writing style. This story is a good one, with a fast pace, great characters, and intriguing plot, but it is Lehane’s expertise in storytelling and syntax that make it a pleasure to read. Like most of Lehane’s writing, the mood is grim, the themes dark, the ending bleak, but a writer with a more succinct, impactful technique you will not find elsewhere.

I don’t have much to criticize with this novel – I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It is full of twists and turns, which, for me, make an interesting read. For others, it may be confusing if you’re not paying attention. At the same time, those most familiar with psychological thrillers may predict a few of the twists and turns, as Lehane’s plot borrows from a couple oft-used devices of that genre.

Reread the opening chapters. As there are several revelations near the end of this one, it was worth taking a closer look at how Lehane set things up.

Is one of the best contemporary authors of the dark thriller genre. If you have never read him, do yourself a favor and pick up this book or Mystic River. You will not be disappointed.

If you are a reader, it is entertaining and will keep you turning pages. If you are a writer, there is a lot you can learn from Lehane’s technique. Not a word wasted, and each one perfectly chosen.

For those in search of a pick-me-up tale of inspiration and optimism, you probably will not like this novel. Lehane isn’t going to brighten anyone’s outlook on human nature.

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Created Feb 08, 2005 at 1:35am • Submit your own review...