59 pages • 1 hour read
Dennis LehaneMystic River
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane follows three childhood friends, Dave, Jimmy, and Sean, who are forever changed by a traumatic event involving Dave's abduction. Twenty-five years later, they're drawn back together when Jimmy's daughter, Katie, is murdered, prompting Sean, now a detective, to investigate. This entangles them in a web of suspicion, secrets, and vengeance, testing their bonds and moral convictions.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dennis Lehane's Mystic River captivates with its masterful storytelling and deeply complex characters. Critics praise the novel's gripping narrative and atmospheric detail. Some feel the pacing drags in parts, but the emotional depth and suspense are highly commended. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.
Who Should Read Mystic River?
Fans of dark psychological thrillers with rich character development and moral complexities will enjoy Dennis Lehane's Mystic River. Similar to works like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer, Lehane's novel appeals to readers who appreciate gripping, multi-layered crime stories with a focus on human nature.