The Drop    by Dennis Lehane Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth The very popular Dennis Lehane has done it again – written a book that I'm sure will reach best-selling status. In fact, as I write this, a major motion picture from Fox, with the screenplay by Lehane, is in the works. Sure to be a winner. A very lonely bartender, shortly after Christmas, finds a puppy in a trash can. The little thing had obviously been abused and thrown away. The story begins there – but there is a back story that enlightens the reader about Bob's background. We also are introduced to frequent drinkers at the bar where Bob works. While rescuing the dog, Bob meets Nadia who seems as lonely as he is. Strangely, Bob also knows men in the Chechen mafia; stick-up artists who never seem to get it right; a cop who is very curious and questions everything and everyone; and a man who claims he is the owner of the puppy; as well as the man who supposedly owns the bar but in reality is just a front for a drop for drug money. The man claiming the puppy as his own bothers Bob a great deal. He has come to depend on the puppy as his dear friend. Besides, the previous owner is the one responsible for almost killing the dog. That Bob cannot forgive. Where Bob works is just an everyday bar. I can picture that. But what he experiences and causes to happen is a bit beyond my imagination. However, The Drop is a mesmerizing story that one wants to keep on going - more pages, more story, more characters. But Lehane obviously knows when to shut the door to more. He does it well and keeps the reader in thrall. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews