The Drop

This gritty gem from Lehane (Mystic River) has a curious origin. The short story “Animal Rescue,” which appeared in 2009’s Boston Noir, was the basis for the screenplay of the soon-to-be-released film The Drop, to which this is the tie-in. Boston bartender Bob Saginowski pulls a beaten pup from a winter trash can, a small good deed with large consequences. The rescue leads Bob to Nadia Dunn, who helps him take care of the dog, and also to crazy Eric Deeds, who claims the dog is his. While Bob tries to fend off Deeds, his cousin Marv, onetime owner of Cousin Marv’s bar, contends with money issues and pride and the Chechens, who now own his bar and use it as a money drop. A parade of weary, quirky characters—thieves, thugs, and hard guys—will resonate with Lehane fans. Amid his struggles, Bob establishes a tenuous relationship with Nadia, and finally takes a stand in this stark and moving short novel. [em]Agent: Ann Rittenberg, Ann Rittenberg Literary. (Sept.) [/em]