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Small Mercies: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Dennis Lehane (Author), Robin Miles (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 22,084 ratings
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
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Instant New York Times Bestseller

“Small Mercies is thought provoking, engaging, enraging, and can’t-put-it-down entertainment.”—Stephen King

The acclaimed New York Times bestselling writer returns with a masterpiece to rival Mystic River—an all-consuming tale of revenge, family love, festering hate, and insidious power, set against one of the most tumultuous episodes in Boston’s history.

In the summer of 1974 a heatwave blankets Boston and Mary Pat Fennessy is trying to stay one step ahead of the bill collectors. Mary Pat has lived her entire life in the housing projects of “Southie,” the Irish American enclave that stubbornly adheres to old tradition and stands proudly apart.

One night Mary Pat’s teenage daughter Jules stays out late and doesn’t come home. That same evening, a young Black man is found dead, struck by a subway train under mysterious circumstances.

The two events seem unconnected. But Mary Pat, propelled by a desperate search for her missing daughter, begins turning over stones best left untouched—asking questions that bother Marty Butler, chieftain of the Irish mob, and the men who work for him, men who don’t take kindly to any threat to their business.

Set against the hot, tumultuous months when the city’s desegregation of its public schools exploded in violence, Small Mercies is a superb thriller, a brutal depiction of criminality and power, and an unflinching portrait of the dark heart of American racism. It is a mesmerizing and wrenching work that only Dennis Lehane could write.

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  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 23 minutes
  2. Author
    Dennis Lehane
  3. Narrator
    Robin Miles
  4. Audible release date
    April 25, 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B0B8PHDJLD
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 23 minutes
Author Dennis Lehane
Narrator Robin Miles
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 25, 2023
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0B8PHDJLD
Best Sellers Rank #9,324 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#25 in Historical Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#63 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (Audible Books & Originals)
#309 in Historical Thrillers (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
22,084 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They praise the writing quality as good, believable, and well-narrated. The story is described as poignant, touching, and intense. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and their understanding of humanity. The book provides thought-provoking insights into racism and its impact on life among the working class in Boston in the 1970s. Customers describe the pacing as fast and gripping, keeping their attention throughout.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityWriting qualityHeartfelt storyCharacter developmentInsightPacingDrawing styleViolence level
287 customers mention "Readability"272 positive15 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as a powerful, unforgettable novel set in 1974 Boston. The story is relatable and captivates readers with its action-packed plot. Readers praise the book for being an authentic, relatable thriller that succeeds on several levels.

"...That makes it sound depressing, but ultimately I think it ends on a progressive note...." Read more

"...I enjoyed "Mystic River" by this author more, but this is a worthy read, especially because it's pretty short." Read more

"...As unforgettable a book as you will ever read." Read more

"Great story,, very well written. Quite violent (to put it mildly), but that probably represents the culture, the times, and the circumstances...." Read more

143 customers mention "Writing quality"132 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the dialogue crisp and authentic, with believable characters and wise action. The prose is well-thought-out and true to life. Readers appreciate the author's skill and unerring eye for detail. The book reads like a screenplay with lots of conversations, making it easy to follow.

"...The characters are so nuanced and fairly written, the time and place is so viscerally represented, and it just made me laugh and cry and think a lot..." Read more

"...The dialogue is believable, though, as are many of the characters...." Read more

"Intense painful humanity, beautifully written. Tore at my heart and head. I'll never forget this book...." Read more

"...touching humanity of this story and its characters, while the level of writing with its clever invisibility allowed me to deeply identify with the..." Read more

137 customers mention "Heartfelt story"105 positive32 negative

Customers find the story gripping, poignant, and touching. They describe it as intense, suspenseful, and full of OMG moments. The book combines storytelling with history in an unforgettable place and time. Readers appreciate the well-written and insightful description of life in South Boston.

"...characters are so nuanced and fairly written, the time and place is so viscerally represented, and it just made me laugh and cry and think a lot..." Read more

"Intense painful humanity, beautifully written. Tore at my heart and head. I'll never forget this book...." Read more

"...As I read on, I became immersed in the raw, touching humanity of this story and its characters, while the level of writing with its clever..." Read more

"...This is not gritty realism. The story is lip-smacking, sadistic, graphic violence with a thin veneer of character development and social relevance...." Read more

100 customers mention "Character development"89 positive11 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed. They appreciate the author's skill in portraying their strengths and weaknesses.

"...The characters are so nuanced and fairly written, the time and place is so viscerally represented, and it just made me laugh and cry and think a lot..." Read more

"...of writing with its clever invisibility allowed me to deeply identify with the characters...." Read more

"...It's as though he understands people with all their faults and bravery, weaknesses and strengths...." Read more

"...His writing is intense and so detailed that you love the characters and are cheering them on or hating them with the same amount of emotion." Read more

92 customers mention "Insight"80 positive12 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They describe it as a riveting story about racism and the culture of having a code of honor in Boston in the early 1970s. The book provides an honest glimpse at life among the working class in that time period. Readers appreciate the social commentary, psychological study, and heartfelt insights into the human condition.

"...represented, and it just made me laugh and cry and think a lot about parenthood and justice and how we can all be better and keep trying to be..." Read more

"...on several levels as a taut action-packed thriller, a social commentary of the time and place, and a psychological study of people who have run out..." Read more

"...This is a raw novel about poverty, hatred, and the loss of hope...." Read more

"...Small Mercies explores American racism and takes you down into the ugliness of poverty, crime and the complexity of human nature...." Read more

39 customers mention "Pacing"34 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it gripping and easy to read, with a fast-moving plot that keeps them hooked until the end. Many readers read the book in one sitting and say it stays with them for a long time.

"Gritty and fast, but I did have to suspend my disbelief more than usual. The dialogue is believable, though, as are many of the characters...." Read more

"...Overall it was a raw, heartfelt story. Solid 4 stars." Read more

"...Vigilante mom versus mob during the 70s - I’m not buying it! Quick and easy read, but disappointing." Read more

"...Which made this Novel a fun ride and a quick read." Read more

29 customers mention "Drawing style"29 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's drawing style and imagery. They find the characters well-drawn, with great imagery and a good depiction of Boston during that time period. The writing is clear and crisp, and the characters are colorful and unique.

"...The characters we meet. from Jules friends, to police, to the mob figures are colorful and well drawn. Many of them are not at all likable...." Read more

"...It really gives a good depiction of Boston during those times." Read more

"...The focus is at first on the mother Mary Pat Fennessey, a brilliantly drawn, if fatally flawed character, but then becomes split with Detective..." Read more

"...Bravo, Mr. Lehane. Your book is brave and unique." Read more

69 customers mention "Violence level"40 positive29 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the violence level in the book. Some find it brutal, honest, and gut-wrenching. Others feel the unflinching violence and racist language are difficult to read.

"Gritty and fast, but I did have to suspend my disbelief more than usual. The dialogue is believable, though, as are many of the characters...." Read more

"This book was like a hard whiskey, strong and harsh and a little bitter, so put it down after a few chapters...." Read more

"Intense painful humanity, beautifully written. Tore at my heart and head. I'll never forget this book...." Read more

"Great story,, very well written. Quite violent (to put it mildly), but that probably represents the culture, the times, and the circumstances...." Read more

Keeps you guessing - leaves you thinking
4 out of 5 stars
Keeps you guessing - leaves you thinking
Summer 1974. Boston. Mary Pat Fennessy is a single mom trying to keep it all together. She's had her share of hardships but, as they say in her Southie neighborhood, "What you gonna do?" When her teenage daughter disappears and nobody seems to be able (or willing) to help her out she begins to take matters into her own hands. Asking questions that maybe shouldn't be asked. Confronting and antagonizing dangerous people who don't take that sort of thing lightly.Mary Pat is making waves during a time when everyone is under close scrutiny from the outside. When the local crime boss tries to warn her off she ignores it. And the more she finds out the less she knows... and the more she begins to wonder just how well she knows her daughter.Dennis Lehane is a great writer and he's written a deeply moving story. Small Mercies keeps you guessing with some unexpected plot twists and leaves you thinking about it long after you've finished. For my personal tastes it gets a little too preachy at times; too obvious and "on the nose" with some of the racial protests and things of that nature. It's still a good book that will keep you thinking long after you've finished.BOTTOM LINE: Recommended.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jaimie Mertz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel to Say Nothing
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first Dennis Lehane novel I’ve read but I’ve seen several film adaptations of his books and I was surprised at how much I liked this. I am not usually a crime story person, but this was recommended to me because I was reading about the Troubles in Say Nothing. That recommendation tracks a thread that really makes sense to me: this is not just a crime thriller, but a story about how and why people become damaged enough to want to inflict that hurt. And about the futility of using violence and self destruction to try to effect change. That makes it sound depressing, but ultimately I think it ends on a progressive note. The characters are so nuanced and fairly written, the time and place is so viscerally represented, and it just made me laugh and cry and think a lot about parenthood and justice and how we can all be better and keep trying to be better to each other. Looking forward to the adaptation, and now I want to rewatch (or perhaps read) Mystic River for what I missed the first time.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jason Crouch
    4.0 out of 5 stars Swiftly paced thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Gritty and fast, but I did have to suspend my disbelief more than usual. The dialogue is believable, though, as are many of the characters. I enjoyed "Mystic River" by this author more, but this is a worthy read, especially because it's pretty short.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Vinnyvan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Devastating and wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Intense painful humanity, beautifully written.
    Tore at my heart and head. I'll never forget this book.
    Writing this in the beginning of Trump 2.0 and possibly the beginning of the end...of something.
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  • Chad Peery
    5.0 out of 5 stars Damn Good Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book was like a hard whiskey, strong and harsh and a little bitter, so put it down after a few chapters. When I picked it up again after a couple of months its authentic reality and straight truths staggered me a bit but also got me hooked. As I read on, I became immersed in the raw, touching humanity of this story and its characters, while the level of writing with its clever invisibility allowed me to deeply identify with the characters. It was like hearing a story about old friends I'd forgotten over the years, come to life as if it were only yesterday. As unforgettable a book as you will ever read.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jim
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great story,, very well written. Quite violent (to put it mildly), but that probably represents the culture, the times, and the circumstances. Mary Pat was a great but flawed hero. I liked how the author pointed out the evil burden of racism on a community.
    ,
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  • switterbug/Betsey Van Horn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, authentic period piece
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Nothing prepared me for an antihero like middle-aged mother Mary Pat Fennessy in Lehane’s electrifying and turbulent new novel. Lehane put Southie (the mostly Irish part of South Boston) on the literary map in his early crime novels, and in SMALL MERCIES he achieves the pinnacle of his career. You are about to go on one of the wildest rides of your life (sometimes in a car named Bess)! Mary Pat is “built for battle” and will defend her turf and her family with relentless fury.

    It’s 1974. It was a hot, steaming, rainless summer in Boston, and temps were high not only in the skies but on the ground, between the white Southies and the Black citizens of Roxbury, both districts under a busing mandate to bring Black students to the all-white South Boston High School, and white students to mostly Black Roxbury. Forget the PC talk, and don’t expect Mary Pat to be the exceptional white woman who embraces desegregation. In fact, she demonstrates her own roots of being brought up by what we would now call racists. The entire South Boston population was on the verge of violence in these weeks before the first day of school.

    Something had to give, but was forced busing the answer? Lehane bravely tells a story of the racial divide, without sentimentality, without fear, and with an unstoppable plot. This is an unputdownable novel, not for the faint of heart. Prepare for graphic violence and plenty of moral ambiguity, as Lehane explores this time in history through the eyes of mostly the Southies, Mary Pat as the primary character. It’s the eve of protests, rallies, and riots, and Lehane flawlessly weaves in true pieces of history with his period piece.

    No need to cover the plot—that’s for the reader to enjoy as the pages turn. Mary Pat lost a son to an OD after surviving Vietnam. Her daughter, Jules, is seventeen and will be one of the bused students when school begins. Mary Pat has lived in Southie her entire life, she is a solid citizen of the community. Southie is guarded and run by the Irish mob (think Whitey Bulger)—the Butler crew, known as “Southie’s protector.” They will protect you, but you have to submit to their code, their ethos.

    This story gets explosive when Mary Pat collides with the mobster crew, while the busing mandate looms in the backdrop. She needs them to help her find her daughter, who failed to come home on a Saturday night. On the same night, a young Black man is found dead on the train tracks of a subway platform. The mob crew want to control Mary Pat’s actions, have her play by their rules, and let me tell you, you don’t want to get on Mary Pat’s bad side, either.

    The detective on the case, Bobbie Coyne, is trying to help Mary Pat. He refers to her as broken, but unbreakable. He knows her kind—the fierce Southie woman--but also recognizes that she is unknowable. She is as gritty as this tale, as raw as this story. Recently divorced from her second husband, she takes no prisoners in her quest to find Jules, and she’s scared of nobody.

    Racial conflicts, class clashes, and a gripping crime. Lehane spares no bigoted racial slur for the reader in these pages. There were times I could barely stomach these words, but Lehane is from Dorchester, and he knows the genuine language of the time and place. Mary Pat does recognize that her racism is inherited, that there is no “factual” basis for it, except that her parents passed it down to her, and in Southie, it is generational. The language here is not gratuitous, but it doesn’t go down easy. The story peeks at redemption, and Mary Pat nearly vibrates off the page. Once you start, you’re hooked. It’s heroin for readers.
    77 people found this helpful
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  • Molly
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good history, but violence porn
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is the only Lehane novel I’ve read. I was intrigued by reviews because I was well aware of the racist violence in South Boston in 1974-75, and was in a pro- integration march attacked by the racists. I saw the notorious South Boston Defense League, thugs whose dads were rumored to be local cops. The real power came from Louise Day Hicks and ROAR, and from the well heeled mob that would soon grab the governorship. The book is well written and the history is accurate in linking violence to the Irish Mafia, drug traffic, and crooked cops, though this might distract from its deep roots in political power. I should have realized the genre was not for me. This is not gritty realism. The story is lip-smacking, sadistic, graphic violence with a thin veneer of character development and social relevance. Calling it porn is not a metaphor, as the tropes are the same. Ultraviolent acts are preceded by a teasing sequence, are sadistic and perverse, and always involve the target begging for mercy while being tortured. The Black characters are two-dimensional and serve only to motivate actions by white heroes and villains.
    19 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lusimeire Graciotti Pistori
    5.0 out of 5 stars incrível!!
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 27, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    O melhor livro que li nos últimos dois anos.. cheio de ação, informação histórica, excelentes diálogos.. um escritor para guardar no coração…
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  • Norma Burns Connors
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love Dennis Lehane
    Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Always a good read. Dennis Lehane never disappoints
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  • Amazon Customer CarlosE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bueno
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Cumple el propósito como todo lo de Lehane.
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  • Dididle
    5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner
    Reviewed in Germany on October 13, 2024
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    Best book I've read in a long time. The main character is awesome and the plot very good.
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  • Bego MC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in Spain on September 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing, amazing book👏🙌
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