“The well-oiled plot mechanics, edge-of-the-knife dialogue and explosive bursts of violence are polished and primed in this hard-boiled shocker.”

“In the miserably hot summer of 1999...the superb detective novels of Dennis Lehane--became a kind of lifeline for me.”

“An answered prayer for a summer mystery reader...Dennis Lehane shows a gift for stringing out scenes and creating tension—sexual, homicidal, you name it—that makes a reader eager to find out what comes next as Kenzie puzzles his way toward a sadistic killer. But don't race ahead and cheat yourself out of the local pleasures.”

“Dennis Lehane delivers a combination of high-energy thrills and dead-on portrayals of killers and other bad people.”

“Lehane is a master at balancing thriller gimmicks with wonderfully round characters. The latter make this an A-plus novel—the plus is for thrills.”

“Prayers for Rain is close to perfect in its pacing, characterizations, plot, and suspense. It is a perfect book for the summer hammock, though it won't help you sleep.”

“Fine characterization and edgy dialogue. Prayers for Rain is packed with punchy action sequences, uneasy stretches where the reader squirms in anticipation of impending disaster, and plenty of dark humor. Dennis Lehane has all the tools of a future Grand Master—the dialogue of Parker, the plotting of Block, the psychological suspense of Rendell—and in Prayers for Rain he shows the off to fine effect.”