A strong 4. A family in Brighton, Boston on the fringe of society. Some try to escape the town but it drags them back. Except Kevin who returns after 25 years away having just won the Pulitzer Prise.
When his prosecutor girlfriend asks for his help in an old case he is tested about the meaning of family, the price of friendship and the cost of survival where one misstep can cost you everything.

Kevin has two sisters, one is in the drug supply but very low profile, the other one marries and moves away.
The one involved in drugs is just borne a killer. Anyone who gets in her way including her sister, her brother in law, her boyfriend, two dealers and her grandmother. It's not for the money, she can't spend it because she can't exist outside of Brighton. ( )

Twisty, dark, and very, very good. ( )

Kevin Pearce—baseball star, honor student, the pride of Brighton—was fifteen when he left town in the back of his uncle’s cab. He and his buddy Bobby Scales had just committed heinous violence for what they thought were the best of reasons. Kevin didn’t want a pass, but he was getting it anyway. Bobby would stay and face the music; Kevin’s future would remain bright as ever. At least that was the way things were supposed to work, except in Brighton things never work the way they’re supposed to.
Twenty-six years later, Kevin is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist for the Boston Globe. He’s never been back to his old block, having avoided his family and, especially, Bobby Scales. Then he learns his old friend is the prime suspect in a string of local murders. Suddenly, Kevin’s headed home—to protect a friend and the secret they share. To report this story to the end and protect those he loves, he must face not only an elusive, slippery killer, but his own corrupted conscience

I was unsure about this book at first. I almost gave up on it. I have never lived in America and I have no interest in baseball and there did seem to be a lot about this at the beginning of the book which did not appeal to me. However, I kept going and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. ( )

I AM one of those who read and loved this book! Born and raised in Mass., tho not in this area but on the south shore, i think this was one of THE most Massachusetts-y books i've read in a long while. Along the lines of an up and coming Dennis Lehane. Gritty, real, with characters filled with dreams, anger and self- delusion for the most part. Survival on the streets.
Lots of references to places and things i know which struck a chord. Dunkin' Donuts, Weymouth, my dad grew up on Joy St. in Boston, to name a few.... This book is going on my KEEP shelf, THAT'S how much i enjoyed it. ( )