Shutter Island

4.5⭐️ This likely would have been a full 5 stars for me if I hadn't already seen the movie years ago and knew what was coming at the end. I so wish I could re-experience the twist anew because it's SO creative. Now I just want to go back and watch it on screen again!

Oh my… how do I begin? This book is a multi-genre creation that has a dark romance woven in storyline; a historical fiction; definitely full of suspense… it will undoubtedly be the psychological thriller I believe I shall never forget. Have you ever been reading a book or perhaps listening to an audiobook, maybe watching a movie or tv show and long before you get to the end you have, in your mind, the plot line and maybe the ending figured out? Well I can assure you THIS will not be the story you will be able to guess the ending of. Indeed this was one of the most intense books I recall ever reading. I couldn’t put it down. I literally went through a pot and a half of coffee while reading until finally finishing. What a truly clever modern masterpiece. This is a book I definitely want to go back and read again very soon. A book I think I shall read often. I wish I could give more detail… more explanation and yet, if you have never read this book and if you have never seen the movie version of this book… you ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT allow anyone to spoil it by telling you too much. All I think I can add is this… this INDEED is a tale where so much of what you THINK you know or understand about the story is definitely surprise you… a tale where indeed so much of what you read is DEFINITELY not at all as it appears. If you love a story full of twists, full of the unexpected… oh my… this should be YOUR next read. I think I will be ordering additional copies of this book to give as gifts. Oh how I wish there was a book club that chose to read and discuss THIS story. Now that is a book club discussion that would be most interesting to be a part of.

Really great story. I was confused by the last page but I really enjoyed this book.

Very good book for anyone who likes crime thrillers with a twist.

First there were the noir detective books. Then "Mystic River", which was 70-80% different. "Shutter Island" is a 100% switch from either of those. I was fortunate enough to purchase mine at a book signing where Lehane answered questions for about an hour. He has taught writing extensively and is a very patient, cordial and articulate inverview (not all writers speak well). Lehane said something that helps understand all his work, but especially this one. He said his stories are about people who strive and strive for what they want, only to wind up with what they need instead, and is makes their soul whole. "Shutter Island" is a very tight (we know what the main character, Teddy, knows - period), freightening story. Still, Lehane laces his outstanding literary skills and fantastic story line with his usual humorous passages, and his wonderful, punchy descriptive metapors. "Shutter Island" is not literally a haunted castle story. All the characters are "real" (human) and there are no ghosts or other-world beings. But it is absolutely, positively the best haunted castle tale I have ever read. This book goes on my list of all-time favorites.

"Shutter Island" is the first book by Dennis Lehane I've ever read. I heard about this book from a movie Website. Apparently Wolfgang Peterson (director of Air Force One, and In the Line of Fire) has optioned this book to be turned into a movie. Reading this book, I can say it would make a FANTASTIC movie. But I digress...Dennis Lehane's prose is very well paced; secrets behind every corner. Plot twists abound, but I can't say the whole book surprised me because I thought of just about every scenario Marshals Daniels and Aule could get into. At first I thought the premise of two US Marshals looking for an insane, escaped murderess on an island during a hurricane was a little to zany to work, but man, I'll tell you, the whole book is so well done! And I was TOTALLY satisfied with the denouement.The dialogue really grabs you. Its funny at times, heartbreaking at others and completely true to life. Kudos to Dennis Lehane! Now I'm gonna have to go back and read his previous works, and I can't wait!