I finished Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane the other night. As I said before, I didn’t see the movie before reading the book. I will say that I’ve seen and read both now. Right after I finished reading the book, I ran to Netflix and watched the movie. First let me say that  my usual overall reaction is the book is better. I really have to draw a line and remember that they are two different mediums and judge them solely on that fact.   In this case, overall…the book was much better. So if you loved the movie, I highly recommend the book.  Thrillers aren't for everyone, I know. I, myself, love a good thriller. This one had a nice line that didn't get crossed for the gruesome factor. Yes, there was some but it was all well within context of the story and none of it over the top. There was a scene or two that was a little sexually descriptive but again, well with in context and definitely not smut material.

I have never read Dennis Lehane before this. I’ve seen a few movies based off his works but not actually sat and read his writing. It was a nice surprise. The text flows very well. He blends flashbacks extremely well and you don’t feel like you are running to catch up with where he is at. I like this in writing. Often I’m several pages into something when I realize that the characters are either in a flashback or just come out of a flashback…leaving me racing to figure out what is what. That’s not the case with this book.

It’s a not so simple story of nothing is as it appears to be. It’s quite difficult to review this book without giving away too much. Let me just say it’s worth the read.

A pair of US Marshalls, Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, go to an island off the coast of Massachusetts that houses a hospital for the criminal insane to investigate a patient’s disappearance. From the first moment they arrive they are suspicious of everyone. Things just do not add up. With the approach of a hurricane, all heck breaks loose allowing the Marshalls to do more snooping around. This leads to even more questions that they cannot answer. To top it all off, Marshall Teddy Daniels is dealing with the loss of his wife and just knows that her killer is on the island. He’s running out of time as he tries to find the patient, the killer, and keep from losing his own mind or at least from letting the hospital make others think he’s lost his mind to keep him silent. You know that there is going to be twists and turns but when they happen you really can’t imagine that it happens the way it does. It’s a good thing though. The entire first two-thirds of the book lays out an intricate world and sets up a great plot only to be completely spun out of control in the last third in a very good way. The book ends with you in just amazement. Trying to understand everything that happened and coming to terms with it. It was great.

The movie gave too much away in my opinion with eye contact and the way that the dialogue went.  There were too many things crammed together in an attempt to get as much of the story together as possible within the constraints of a movie. I understand that but the book was so good at painting the background within the flashbacks that I just wished they could have put more of it in the movie. I will add; however, I loved the last lines of the movie which were added and not in the book. They left you with the feeling that things were still not as they appeared.

My overall feeling was this was a great read. The transitions from flashback to present were well done and the twists and turns you go through are also well done. I loved the writing and I loved the story. Even if you think you’ve figured it out…you haven’t. It’s well worth the read. If you saw the movie, it’s still worth the read. It’ll give you a much better understanding of what’s going on. I do believe I'll be looking for more to read from Dennis Lehane in the future. Happy reading!