Live by Night is the second book in Dennis Lehane's trilogy set in the early 20th century, extending the story that began in the epic The Given Day into the Prohibition era. Joe Coughlin is the troublesome son of a Boston police captain; whenever anyone tries to label Joe a gangster, he insists he's an outlaw and there's a difference.
A stint in jail connects the young outlaw with a mob boss and then a job in Ybor, Fla., running rum. Wheeling and dealing, forging relationships and chasing off the competition, Joe proves his worth to the bosses. However, his determined efforts to remain an outlaw in the world of mobsters may prove to be his Achilles heel.
At the heart of Lehane's novel, readers will find a love story wrapped in a crime story, infused with a character study, submerged in a social novel and then topped off in a period piece--and the complexity and interdependence of all these layers make Live by Night irresistibly compelling. Lehane's extensive knowledge of both the period and the geography is undeniable, and his delineation of the cultural and social hierarchies in his Southern Florida setting builds an atmosphere reminiscent of both F. Scott Fitzgerald and Langston Hughes.
And, ultimately, there's no denying Lehane's distinct sound. His sharp dialogue, dark humor and stunning prose make gritty gangsters simply gorgeous. Whether you've read The Given Day or not, Live by Night is a must. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts