Dennis Lehane – SVWC 2010

After publishing five crime novels featuring the private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, in 2001 DENNIS LEHANE published MYSTIC RIVER, his first book outside that series and the one that ultimately brought his work to a wider public. MYSTIC RIVER was a finalist for the PEN/Winship Award and winner of both the Anthony Award for mystery writing and the Barry Award for crime writing. It also was made into an Academy Award-winning film, directed by Clint Eastwood. Lehane followed that success with three more books, including two New York Times bestsellers: SHUTTER ISLAND, which Martin Scorsese directed earlier this year; and the 2008 historical epic THE GIVEN DAY, also slated to be adapted to the screen, this time under the direction of Sam Raimi.