[.ca] Shutter Island (ISBN 0060554142)

A better novel doesn't exist:
Love this book. A word of advice to anyone reading this novel--try to make sure someone else you know has already read it. That way, when you come to the ending, there will be someone around for you to discuss it with. The novel begins as two detectives are headed towards an small island to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a convicted murderer at a psychiatric institute. The plot just takes off from there. After a couple of twists, you'll wonder just where this whole thing is headed. I had a couple of possible scenarios running through my head. Also recommended: Bark of the Dogwood and Mystic River

Superbly written, intensely disturbing:
After reading Mystic River, I was eager to get my hands on Shutter Island. I wondered if it would be as compelling, and thought that perhaps Lehane had already set his bar so high with Mystic River, he'd have a hard time topping it. Sorry Dennis, I should have had more faith in you. What sets Lehane apart from so many authors, other than his brilliant storytelling and clever plot twists, is his ability to get inside the charaters' minds, the way he can take a guy's heart and soul and present it on a platter, show us all the nasty bits, so to speak. His characters are so real, so three-dimensional that sometimes I forget I'm reading fiction. Having said that, I had a difficult time rating this book. I had a tough time with the ending, not because it was disappointing or unbelievable or poorly written (Lehane couldn't write poorly in his sleep), but because it was so intensely disturbing -- not something I'd necessarily recommend anyone rush out and read. Now, I like a bit of grit; I have a morbid fascination with the dark side, however, there's a fine line between entertainingly gritty and downright brutal, and Lehane soared over that line in leaps and bounds. Granted, he did it very well. So, in the end, I couldn't give this book anything less than five stars. I'd like to read Shutter Island again someday, pick up the clues that I'd missed the first go round, but I think I'll give it a rest for now, perhaps get into something a little lighter, a little easier on the psyche, a little less emotionally taxing. Nick Hornby, anyone?

I must be dumb:
I just didn't understand what the fuss and raves were about. I found this book boring and skipped pages in order to get to the end. It was a waste of time. It was the first Lehane book I read so I did not have any preconceptions about what to expect from that aspect. I'm difficult to please in terms of literature and can only think of two books in years that were good, those being "A Fine Balance" and "Life of Pi". "The Davinci Code" was a masterpiece compared to this.

Fantastic Thriller:
I've just finished reading this page-turner and it was absolutely mind-blowing. I couldn't put it down, and after I finished it, I went back and re-read the first few chapters to pick up on clues I missed. The book starts out slow over the first few pages with a flashback and Lehane uses many more flashbacks during the novel that I initially thought slowed down the story. I won't spoil anything, but the story is crafted wonderfully and every scene becomes relevant as the ending unfolds. This is a great book for the reader who likes a surprise. I thought I had guessed the outcome of many situations and the author managed to flip them around on me still. I definitely recommened Shutter Island (and I agree with a previous reviwere who suggested finding someone else who has read the book so you can discuss it when you finish). It is something that you will think about long after finishing.

Amazing -:
This book shows that Lehane is an amazing writer and story teller. The book was very different than Mystic River, but as complex and engrossing. Loved it !