Patrick Kenzie /Angie Gennaro Mystery Series by Dennis Lehane
Relax & read - mystery list descriptions do not reveal major plot points.

Character's Personality:  Patrick Kenzie is sensitive, yet tough, humorous, and a bit of a loner. He loves classic rock (e.g., the Rolling Stones) and fast cars (in A Drink Before the War, he has a 1959 Porsche that he took years to save up for). He has self-deprecating view of himself that is half-humorous, and half-serious.  He's in love with Angela. Angela is tough, outspoken, strongly emotional, independent, and is more organized and socially adept than he is.  Both grew up in the harsh, working-class Boston district of Dorchester.

Character's Occupation: Private investigators

Character's Culture / Ethnicity:  He's Irish-American, and she's Italian-American

Character - Other Notable Traits:  Patrick has father issues:  he's the son of a bitter firefighter regarded as a hero by the community. Behind closed doors, the dad subjected wife and kids to severe physical abuse.  Patrick hated him and sat at his deathbed solely to witness him die (A Drink Before the War). Angela had a physically abusive husband in A Drink Before the War; her resolution of this situation is satisfying if gritty.

Location and Time Period: Contemporary Boston, Massachusetts

Mystery Subgenre: Private investigator

Objectionable Material: Profanity, extreme violence, much racist language, and intense child abuse themes

Other Supporting Characters:

• Bubba Rugowski - an assassin and gun-runner who feels intense loyalty to Patrick and Angela because they were all close friends in childhood.  He's a childlike and simple character unencumbered by burdens such as empathy and morality.  He provides backup, guns, intimidation, and the occasional murder if required.
• Chewick Hartman - Patrick's lawyer (A Drink Before the War)
• Richie Colgan - reporter, African American, friend of Patrick (A Drink Before the War)

Series Description: (brought to you by kat impatientreader.com)

Series List: Purple Copyright Date  = I've read it Title links go to Amazon.com product pages.

• A Drink Before the War (1994). Patrick and Angela get hired by a powerful politician to find a black cleaning lady who disappeared with, supposedly, some valuable documents. What she knows may spark off a huge citywide war between two gangs.  Meanwhile, Patrick, who is desperately in love with Angela, hopes she'll leave her abusive husband.  A good story, if dark.  Title comes from Detective Devin on page 138 offering to buy " ... a drink before the [gang] war."
• Darkness, Take My Hand (1996)
• Sacred (1997)
• Gone, Baby, Gone (1998) – Dilys Award.  Patrick and Angela search the underbelly of Boston for a missing child and uncover a web of police corruption.  An intense, grim thriller lightened by flashes of real humor. Very well written. See a detailed summary with spoilers.
• Prayers for Rain (1999)

Return to Index of Mystery Series Lists

Zen, candles, herbs, bookshelves, bookcases, fine furniture, perfume, jewelry, New Age, mind body connection, cooking, Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, handmade books, cooking, blank books, art, home decorating, carpets, furnishings, pottery, wine, Zen, gourmet foods, spirituality, tabletop fountains, wind chimes, terrariums, houseplants, Tao, handcrafts, handmade furnishings, artisans, shabby chic, meditation, incense, bells, angels, spirits, tribal arts, Tibetan, Zen, Asian art, India, nature, nature crafts, cooking, aromatherapy, music, folk art, dye, weavings, tapestry, Tao, calligraphy, Tibetan Buddhism, cooking, wind chimes, earth mother, earth goddess, gemstones, garden, talisman, labyrinth, maps, treasures, art objects, fine leather, serious readers, tools for serious readers, Buddha, Krishna, weavings, tapestry, calligraphy, Tibetan Buddhism, earth mother, earth goddess, home decorating, americana, carpets, cooking, library, cooking, gourmet food, wine, kitchen supplies, pasta maker, pens, pen set, stationery, book collecting, photography, sauté pans, baking goods, garlic press, cookbooks, cooking gadgets, cooking tools, chef, gourmet chef, pastry chef, coffee, tea, coffee press, teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, pie, baking supplies, grilling, grills, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, potting shed, gardening supplies, bird watching, bird feeders, birding, bird supplies, cooking, gourmet food, wine, kitchen supplies, pasta maker, pens, pen set, stationery, book collecting, photography, sauté pans, baking goods, garlic press, cookbooks, cooking gadgets, cooking tools, chef, gourmet chef, pastry chef, coffee, tea, coffee press, teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, pie, baking supplies, grilling, grills, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, potting shed, gardening supplies, bird watching, bird feeders, birding, bird supplies, cooking, gourmet food, wine, kitchen supplies, pasta maker, pens, pen set, stationery, book collecting, photography, sauté pans, baking goods, garlic press, cookbooks, cooking gadgets, cooking tools, chef, gourmet chef, pastry chef, coffee, tea, coffee press, teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, pie, baking supplies, grilling, grills, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, potting shed, gardening supplies, bird watching, bird feeders, birding, bird supplies, Valkovalin.com