The proof is there, after all, since five of Dennis Lehane’s books have been adapted into films! (Directed by Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and Ben Affleck, no less.)
Hailing from Boston, Dennis Lehane has been writing books for almost two decades. He’s written two popular book series and a handful of acclaimed standalone novels.
So he’s a prolific author. He’s written over a dozen novels so far and has even won several awards for his books – including some of the adaptations that were based on his books.
You might have read one or two of Dennis Lehane’s novels, or maybe none at all. Either way, you’ll definitely want to read them in order, especially since some of his most popular books are part of a series.
Don’t fret, though, as below you’ll find out how to read Dennis Lehane’s book series in the correct order.
About The Kenzie & Gennaro And Coughlin Series
Dennis Lehane has written two book series: the Kenzie & Gennaro series and the Coughlin series.
The Kenzie & Gennaros is the series Dennis Lehane started writing first, which began with A Drink Before the War, Lehane’s debut novel, published in 1994.
The Kenzie & Gennaro series follows detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro as they tackle various cases in Boston – where Lehane himself was born.
There are six books in the series, the most recent being Moonlight Mile, published in 2010.
Dennis Lehane is also known for his Coughlin series, which he started with The Given Day in 2008. The most recent book he wrote for the Coughlin series is World Gone By, published in 2015.
Alongside his two book series, Lehane has released various standalone novels. The most popular of these include Mystic River and Shutter Island, both of which were adapted into movies.
A Drink Before the War was published in 1994. It was Dennis Lehane’s debut novel, which introduced the two main characters, private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. It’s a crime fiction novel with mystery and suspense.
Pros
A must-read for crime, thriller, and mystery book lovers
Widely considered the best book in the series
Cons
As Lehane’s first novel, it’s not as well written as his other books
Darkness, Take My Hand is the second novel in the Kenzie & Gennaro series, which was published in 1996, two years after the first book. It begins a new case, this time involving an Irish gang and a string of murders.
Pros
Sees main characters Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro take on a new case
Considered one of the best books in the Kenzie & Gennaro series
Cons
It’s not as suspenseful or exciting as the series’ first book
Sacred, published in 1997, is the third book in the Kenzie & Gennaro series.
Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro are back investigating another case, this time for Trevor Stone – a dying billionaire who wants to find his missing daughter.
Pros
Contains more humor than the first and second books while keeping the series’ neo-noir mood
Has several unexpected twists and turns
Cons
It’s considered one of the weakest books in the Kenzie & Gennaro series
Prayers for Rain came out in 1999 – the fifth book published in the Kenzie & Gennaro series.
It follows a high-stakes plot involving a sociopath who’s always one step ahead of the detective duo, setting the scene for their biggest challenge yet.
Pros
One of the more fast-paced books in the series
Weaves a strong mystery that will grip you from the first page
Cons
Considered one of the weakest books in the Kenzie & Gennaro series
Moonlight Mile is the fourth and latest book in the Kenzie & Gennaro series, published in 2010.
This time, private investigators Kennie and Gennaro are called to help out with a missing woman investigation – a woman who also mysteriously disappeared as a child.
Pros
Contains a riveting mystery with unexpected twists
The Given Day, published in 2008, is the first novel in Dennis Lehane’s Coughlin book series, which follows main characters Aiden “Danny” Coughlin and Luther Laurence in a plot filled with crime, politics, and corruption.
Pros
Considered the best book in Lehane’s Coughlin series
Features a thrilling plot with two relatable main characters
Cons
The various plotlines might be confusing for some readers
World Gone By was published in 2015, the third book in the Coughlin series. It centers on Joe Coughlin once again, taking place 10 years after the first novel, this time working for a large crime family.
Pros
Readers who love gang stories will enjoy World Gone By
Continues the story of Joe Coughlin, who was introduced in the series’ second book
Cons
Considered the weakest book in the Coughlin series
Mystic River, published in 2001, is the first standalone novel written by Dennis Lehane.
It’s one of his most popular and well-received books, second to Shutter Island, and was made into a critically acclaimed film of the same name in 2003.
Pros
One of Dennis Lehane’s best books
Mystic River was made into a critically acclaimed 2003 movie, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Sean Penn
Cons
Those who have watched the movie will already know the general plot of the book
Shutter Island was published in 2003 and is considered Dennis Lehane’s best book. It follows a U.S. Marshal investigating a missing patient at a psychiatric hospital on the titular Shutter Island.
Pros
Widely considered Dennis Lehane’s best novel
Shutter Island was adapted into a critically acclaimed blockbuster movie, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo Dicaprio
Cons
Those who have watched the movie will already know the general plot (and twist) of the book
The Drop was released in 2014 – the fourth standalone book by Dennis Lehane.
It’s another book of Dehane’s that was adapted into a movie, released in the same year the book came out with Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace in the lead roles.
Pros
Considered one of Dennis Lehane’s best novels
The Drop was adapted into an acclaimed movie starring Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace
Cons
New readers might find the plot of The Drop confusing to keep up with
Since We Fell is the most recent book written by Dennis Lehane, published in 2017.
Unlike his other novels, Since We Fell contains more psychological elements, following the main character Rachel Childs as she deals with agoraphobia and a mystery involving her father.
Pros
One of Dennis Lehane’s most popular books
Deals with new themes not touched on Lehane’s previous books, such as paranoia and isolation
Cons
Readers who prefer Lehane’s crime fiction novels might not enjoy Since We Fell as much
Final Thoughts
And there you have it: how to read all of Dennis Lehane’s books in order, including his Kenzie & Gennaro series, Coughlin books series, and standalone novels.
Thankfully, reading his books in order is simple enough, as all you have to do is read them in the order of release date!
If you want to read his books in order of popularity, however, then you’ll want to start with either Shutter Island, Mystic River, A Drink Before the War (the first book in Lehane’s Kenzie & Gennaro series), or Gone, Baby, Gone.
But whichever order you choose to read Dennis Lehane’s books in, the best thing is that you can spoil yourself to the movie adaptations after, which include Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, Shutter Island, The Drop, and Live by Night.
And if you plow through all of Dennis Lehane’s books and find yourself wanting to read more, he also wrote a short story called Animal Rescue, published in 2009.
So now that you know how to read Dennis Lehane’s books in order, get reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dennis Lehane Books Were Made Into Movies?
Four of Dennis Lehane’s books have been adapted into movies, including Mystic River in 2003, Gone Baby Gone in 2007, Shutter Island in 2010, and Live by Night in 2016.
What Should I Read If I Like Dennis Lehane?
If you enjoy books by Dennis Lehane, then you’ll also enjoy authors such as James Ellroy, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Don Winslow, David Baldacci, and Howard Blum.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
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