Dennis Lehane's "Small Mercies" is a powerful and intense crime drama set against the backdrop of Boston's tumultuous school desegregation crisis in the mid-1970s. This gripping novel combines elements of a murder mystery, a revenge tale, and a suspenseful thriller, all centered around the fierce determination of a mother seeking answers about her missing daughter.
Introduction
In the sweltering summer of 1974, South Boston – affectionately known as "Southie" – is a powder keg of tension. The federal court's recent decision to desegregate public schools through a busing program has ignited a firestorm of controversy and resistance in this predominantly white, working-class neighborhood. Amidst this volatile atmosphere, we meet Mary Pat Fennessy, a tough-as-nails single mother who becomes embroiled in a dangerous quest for truth and justice when her teenage daughter goes missing.
Lehane masterfully weaves together the personal tragedy of Mary Pat with the larger societal conflicts of the era, creating a narrative that is both intimately human and broadly reflective of a pivotal moment in American history. As we follow Mary Pat's relentless pursuit of answers, we're drawn into a world of crime, corruption, and racial tension that exposes the dark underbelly of a city in turmoil.
The Setting: South Boston in Crisis
The story opens in late August 1974, with the impending implementation of the court-ordered school desegregation plan looming over the city. The heat and humidity of the Boston summer serve as a metaphor for the simmering tensions that are about to boil over.
South Boston, or "Southie," is portrayed as a tight-knit, insular community resistant to change. The neighborhood is characterized by its affordable housing projects, like the Commonwealth where Mary Pat and her daughter Jules live. It's a world unto itself, with its own rules, hierarchies, and power structures.
The impending busing program is met with fierce opposition in Southie. While many residents, including Mary Pat, frame their resistance in terms of local control and fairness rather than race, the uglier side of racism is evident in the graffiti and slurs that begin to appear throughout the neighborhood.
Lehane paints a vivid picture of a community on edge, where long-standing social and economic frustrations are being channeled into a misguided fight against integration. This setting serves as the perfect backdrop for the personal drama that's about to unfold.
Mary Pat Fennessy: A Mother's Determination
At the heart of "Small Mercies" is Mary Pat Fennessy, a 42-year-old single mother who embodies the grit and resilience of Southie. Lehane introduces us to Mary Pat as she goes about her daily routine – emptying ashtrays, throwing away beer cans, and lighting her first cigarette of the day. This simple scene immediately gives us a sense of her hardscrabble life and no-nonsense attitude.
Mary Pat's backstory is gradually revealed throughout the novel. We learn that she's been widowed twice – her first husband, Jules's father, disappeared while working for the local crime crew, and her second husband, Ken, has recently left her and Southie behind. She works two jobs – at a nursing home and a shoe warehouse – to make ends meet, but still struggles financially.
The loss of her son Noel to a heroin overdose has left deep scars on Mary Pat. This tragedy, coupled with the departure of her second husband, has made Jules the center of Mary Pat's world. Her fierce love for her daughter is the driving force behind everything she does.
Despite her tough exterior, Mary Pat is a complex character with her own prejudices and blind spots. She initially supports the anti-busing movement, not out of overt racism, but from a misguided belief that it's about preserving neighborhood autonomy. This stance puts her at odds with Jules, who questions the insularity of life in Southie.
As the story progresses, we see Mary Pat's worldview challenged and transformed by the events that unfold. Her journey from a somewhat passive participant in her community's resistance to change, to an avenging force seeking justice regardless of race or social standing, forms the emotional core of the novel.
The Disappearance of Jules
The inciting incident of the novel occurs when Mary Pat wakes up to find that Jules hasn't come home. At first, she tries to rationalize it as typical teenage behavior, but a gnawing sense of unease quickly takes hold.
Jules is described as a handful – smart, questioning, and sometimes difficult. Her relationship with her mother is loving but often strained by typical teenage rebellion and their financial struggles. Jules's boyfriend, Ronald "Rum" Collins, is a source of particular frustration for Mary Pat, who sees him as dimwitted and potentially dangerous.
As Mary Pat begins to investigate Jules's disappearance, she uncovers a web of lies and half-truths. Jules's friends Brenda and Rum give conflicting accounts of the previous night's events, and the name of George Dunbar – the local drug dealer responsible for selling the heroin that killed Mary Pat's son – comes up in connection with Jules's last known whereabouts.
The disappearance of Jules is intertwined with another tragedy – the death of Augustus Williamson, a young Black man found dead on the train tracks at Columbia station. This connection begins to unravel the complex tapestry of events that led to both tragedies.
The Investigation Begins
Mary Pat's search for the truth about Jules's disappearance forms the backbone of the novel's plot. Her investigation is a mix of motherly intuition, street smarts, and sheer determination.
One of the first steps Mary Pat takes is to confront Rum Collins about his inconsistent story. True to her tough nature, she tracks him down at a local bar and physically assaults him, demanding answers. This violent outburst draws the attention of Brian Shea, a member of the local crime crew run by Marty Butler.
The involvement of the Butler crew adds another layer of complexity to the story. Mary Pat has a history with them – her first husband worked for the crew before his disappearance. Now, they offer to help find Jules, but their motives are suspect.
Meanwhile, Detective Bobby Coyne enters the picture. Coyne, a fellow veteran and recovering addict, forms an unlikely alliance with Mary Pat. Their shared experiences and mutual respect become crucial as the investigation deepens.
As Mary Pat digs deeper, she begins to suspect that Jules's disappearance is connected to something much larger and more sinister than she initially thought. The web of lies, half-truths, and cover-ups points to a dark conspiracy involving the Butler crew and the death of Augustus Williamson.
The Tragic Truth Revealed
The turning point in the novel comes when Mary Pat receives a visit from Marty Butler himself. He hands her a bag of cash and tells her that Jules has gone to Florida, urging her to go there and look for her daughter. This moment is when Mary Pat knows, with devastating certainty, that Jules is dead.
This realization transforms Mary Pat from a worried mother into an avenging force. She retrieves her first husband's burglary tools and sets out on a path of vigilante justice, determined to uncover the truth about Jules's fate and punish those responsible.
Through a combination of intimidation, violence, and clever detective work, Mary Pat begins to piece together the events of that fateful night. She learns that Jules, Rum, Brenda, and George were involved in the death of Augustus Williamson at Columbia station. The group had been drinking when they encountered Williamson, leading to a racially motivated attack that ended in his death.
However, Jules's involvement in Williamson's death wasn't what led to her own demise. The real reason for her murder was her relationship with Frank "Tombstone" Toomey, a high-ranking member of the Butler crew. Jules was pregnant with Toomey's child and had been seeking financial support, creating a problem that the crew decided to "solve" permanently.
Mary Pat's Path of Vengeance
Armed with this knowledge, Mary Pat embarks on a brutal campaign of revenge against those responsible for her daughter's death. Her actions are fueled by a combination of grief, rage, and a sense that she has nothing left to lose.
Her first target is George Dunbar, the drug dealer connected to both her son's overdose and Jules's death. Mary Pat follows George, steals his drug stash, and forces him to shoot up with his own supply. Under the influence, George reveals crucial information about Jules's murder and burial.
Mary Pat's next move is to burn down Marty Butler's headquarters, where Jules's body is hidden in the basement. She anonymously tips off Detective Coyne, leading to the discovery of Jules's remains and confirmation of her murder.
The climax of Mary Pat's vengeful journey comes when she confronts Frank Toomey. In a tense and violent encounter at Fort Independence on Castle Island, Mary Pat extracts a confession from Toomey about his role in Jules's death. The confrontation escalates when Marty Butler and his crew arrive, leading to a deadly shootout.
The Final Showdown
The novel reaches its dramatic peak in the standoff at Fort Independence. Mary Pat, wounded but still defiant, faces off against Marty Butler and his crew. In a shocking twist, it's revealed that Jules herself delivered the fatal blow to Augustus Williamson, seeing it as a "small mercy" to end his suffering after the initial attack.
This revelation adds another layer of complexity to Mary Pat's quest for justice. Her daughter was not just a victim, but also a perpetrator in her own right. This moral ambiguity is at the heart of Lehane's exploration of justice, revenge, and the cyclical nature of violence.
The confrontation ends in tragedy, with Mary Pat fatally wounded but managing to take down Frank Toomey and wound Marty Butler before she dies. Her last moments are a mix of defiance and acceptance, as she faces her end on her own terms.
Aftermath and Reflection
In the aftermath of the violent showdown, Detective Coyne is left to piece together the full story. The novel concludes with Coyne visiting Calliope Williamson, Augustus's mother, to inform her about the resolution of her son's case.
The final scene brings together Calliope and Ken, Mary Pat's ex-husband, at Mary Pat's funeral. Their interaction, as an interracial couple facing discrimination even in the wake of tragedy, serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing racial tensions in the city.
Themes and Reflections
The Complexity of Justice
One of the central themes of "Small Mercies" is the complex nature of justice. Mary Pat's quest for vengeance is understandable from an emotional standpoint, but it raises questions about the line between justice and revenge. The novel doesn't offer easy answers, instead presenting a nuanced exploration of how individuals navigate a world where the formal systems of justice often fail.
Racial Tensions and Social Change
Set against the backdrop of the busing crisis, the novel delves deep into the racial tensions of 1970s Boston. Lehane doesn't shy away from depicting the ugly racism that permeated parts of the city, but he also shows how economic anxiety and fear of change fueled much of the resistance to integration.
The story challenges simplistic narratives about race relations, showing how individuals like Mary Pat can evolve in their understanding of racial issues when confronted with the human cost of prejudice and violence.
The Cycle of Violence
"Small Mercies" paints a stark picture of how violence begets violence. From the racial attack on Augustus Williamson to the retaliatory actions of Mary Pat, the novel shows how each act of aggression sets off a chain reaction of further violence. This cycle is shown to be deeply ingrained in the fabric of the community, perpetuated by both criminals and those seeking justice.
Community and Identity
The novel explores the complex dynamics of community identity in Southie. The tight-knit nature of the neighborhood is shown to be both a source of strength and a barrier to progress. Characters like Mary Pat are deeply shaped by their community, but the story also shows the limitations and dangers of such insularity.
Motherhood and Loss
At its core, "Small Mercies" is a story about a mother's love and the devastating impact of losing a child. Mary Pat's fierce devotion to Jules drives the entire narrative, and her grief at losing both her children shapes her actions in profound ways. The novel explores how the bond between parent and child can be both a source of strength and vulnerability.
Character Development
Mary Pat Fennessy
Mary Pat's character arc is the heart of the novel. She begins as a tough, no-nonsense woman with a narrow worldview shaped by her experiences in Southie. As she investigates Jules's disappearance and uncovers the truth about her daughter's death, Mary Pat is forced to confront her own prejudices and the flaws in her community.
Her transformation from a passive supporter of the anti-busing movement to an avenging force seeking justice regardless of race or social standing is both believable and compelling. Mary Pat's journey challenges readers to consider how they might react in similar circumstances and what lines they would be willing to cross in pursuit of justice for a loved one.
Detective Bobby Coyne
Detective Coyne serves as an important foil to Mary Pat. As a fellow veteran and recovering addict, he understands her pain and motivations in a way that others can't. His role in the story highlights the limitations of official law enforcement in addressing complex community issues, while also showing the potential for individuals within the system to make a difference.
Coyne's character arc, while less dramatic than Mary Pat's, is nonetheless significant. His experiences throughout the investigation challenge his belief that people never really change, leading him to a more nuanced understanding of human nature and justice.
Jules Fennessy
Although Jules is absent for most of the novel, her character is central to the story. Through flashbacks and the memories of other characters, we get a sense of Jules as a complex young woman – intelligent, rebellious, and struggling to find her place in a changing world. The revelation of her role in Augustus Williamson's death adds a layer of moral ambiguity to her character, challenging simplistic notions of innocence and guilt.
Marty Butler and His Crew
The members of the Butler crime crew, particularly Marty Butler and Frank Toomey, serve as the primary antagonists of the novel. They represent the entrenched criminal element in Southie that exploits the community's insularity and resistance to outside influence for their own gain. Their actions throughout the story highlight the corrupting influence of power and the ways in which criminal organizations can become intertwined with community identity.
Writing Style and Narrative Technique
Lehane's writing style in "Small Mercies" is taut and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the tension and grit of 1970s Boston. His prose is lean and powerful, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life without ever slowing down the pace of the narrative.
The author employs a third-person limited perspective, primarily following Mary Pat but occasionally shifting to other characters like Detective Coyne. This narrative technique allows readers to deeply empathize with Mary Pat's emotional journey while also providing broader context for the events unfolding in the community.
Lehane's dialogue is particularly noteworthy, capturing the distinctive cadences and slang of Southie without ever feeling forced or inauthentic. The conversations between characters crackle with tension and subtext, revealing as much through what's left unsaid as what's explicitly stated.
The novel's structure is largely linear, following Mary Pat's investigation and subsequent actions, but Lehane skillfully weaves in flashbacks and revelations that gradually piece together the full picture of what happened to Jules and Augustus Williamson. This approach keeps readers engaged and guessing until the very end.
Historical Context and Social Commentary
While "Small Mercies" is first and foremost a gripping crime thriller, it also serves as a powerful piece of social commentary on a turbulent period in American history. The busing crisis in Boston was a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality, and Lehane uses this historical backdrop to explore themes that remain relevant today.
The novel doesn't shy away from depicting the ugly racism that fueled much of the resistance to school integration, but it also shows how economic anxiety and fear of change contributed to the tensions. By presenting characters from various perspectives – from hardened racists to those genuinely concerned about their children's education – Lehane offers a nuanced portrayal of a community in crisis.
Through Mary Pat's journey, the novel also explores how individuals can evolve in their understanding of racial issues when confronted with the human cost of prejudice and violence. Her growing awareness of the complexities beyond her insular world serves as a microcosm for the broader societal changes happening during this period.
Conclusion
"Small Mercies" is a tour de force from Dennis Lehane, combining a gripping crime narrative with thoughtful exploration of complex social issues. Through the lens of Mary Pat Fennessy's quest for justice, the novel examines the intersections of race, class, and community in 1970s Boston, while never losing sight of the deeply personal story at its core.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers or moral absolutes. Instead, it presents a world of moral ambiguity where good people can do terrible things, and where the pursuit of justice can lead down dark paths. By the end of the story, readers are left to grapple with difficult questions about the nature of justice, the cycle of violence, and the possibility of redemption.
Lehane's masterful storytelling and rich characterization bring this tumultuous period of history to vivid life, creating a narrative that is both a compelling thriller and a thoughtful examination of a pivotal moment in American society. "Small Mercies" stands as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of the past on the present and the complex ways in which individuals and communities navigate times of profound change.
For readers interested in gritty crime fiction, historical novels, or stories that grapple with complex social issues, "Small Mercies" offers a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking experience. Lehane's unflinching portrayal of a community in crisis, coupled with his nuanced exploration of human nature, makes for a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.