Dennis Lehane has published 14 novels, 1 novella and 2 short story collections, beginning with A Drink Before the War (1994). 6 feature Angela Gennaro. The best-known is Shutter Island (2003). The latest is Small Mercies (2023).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Dennis Lehane
Start here
Shutter Island
Dennis Lehane's most-read book.
Shortest way in
The Drop
One of the most-read, at about 207 pages.
Newest
Small Mercies
Published 2023.
Standalone novels in order
Mystic River (Feb 2001)
Shutter Island (Apr 2003)
The Given Day (2008)
Since We Fell (2010)
Live by Night (Jan 2012)
The Drop (Sep 2014)
World Gone by (2015)
Small Mercies (2023)
Novellas in order
Shutter Island Graphic Novel (2010)
Short story collections in order
Coronado: Stories (Aug 2006)
Red Eye: Patrick Kenzie Vs. Harry Bosch (2014)
Film and TV adaptations
- Gone Baby Gone (2007)Film · from "Gone, Baby, Gone"
- Mystic River (2003)Film · from Mystic River
- Shutter Island (2010)Film · from Shutter Island
- Live by Night (2016)Film · from Live by Night
About Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane is an American author and screenwriter. He has published more than a dozen novels; the first several were a series of mysteries featuring recurring characters, including A Drink Before the War (1994). Four of his novels have been adapted into films of the same name: Clint Eastwood's Mystic River (2003), Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island (2010), and Gone Baby Gone (2007) and Live by Night (2016), both directed by Ben Affleck. His short story "Animal Rescue" was also adapted into the 2014 film The Drop, noted for being the final film role for actor James Gandolfini.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Dennis Lehane FAQ
- How many books has Dennis Lehane written?
- Dennis Lehane has published 14 novels, 1 novella and 2 short story collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Dennis Lehane's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Shutter Island.
- What is Dennis Lehane's latest book?
- Small Mercies (2023).
- What is Dennis Lehane's most famous book?
- Shutter Island (2003) is Dennis Lehane's most widely read book.
- Which Dennis Lehane books have been adapted?
- 4 books have been adapted for film or TV, including "Gone, Baby, Gone" (as Gone Baby Gone, film, 2007), Mystic River (film, 2003), Shutter Island (film, 2010) and Live by Night (film, 2016).
Authors like Dennis Lehane
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.