Author Dennis Lehane in conversation with David Leonard about novel Small Mercies and the 50th anniversary of the Boston desegregation busing crisis

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling writer and former Boston Public Library Trustee Dennis Lehane will converse with the President of the Boston Public Library about his 2023 detective mystery, which is an all-consuming tale of revenge, family love, festering hate, and insidious power, set against one of the most tumultuous episodes in Boston’s history. They will also discuss the 50th anniversary of this Boston desegregation busing crisis as well as his general writing process.

Following the talk, there will be time for audience Q&A. Local independent bookstore partner Trident Booksellers and Cafe will be available to sell copies of Small Mercies to in-person attendees. Online attendees may order copies from Bookshop dot org.

Dennis Lehane was born and raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Since his first novel, A Drink Before the War, won the Shamus Award, he has published twelve more novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and become international bestsellers. His new novel, Small Mercies (HarperCollins, April 25, 2023), is set in the anti-busing violence and racism of southern Boston in 1974. Small Mercies will be developed into a drama series by Apple TV+.

Attendance and registration information:

This program is presented in partnership with the Boston Public Library Fund and will happen in-person in the Rabb Lecture Hall of the Central Library in Copley Square and online over Zoom webinar. Registration is required.

To register for in-person attendance, please visit the Registration Required box on the Event website. For in-person attendees, we plan to open doors fifteen (15) minutes in advance of the program.

To register for online attendance, please visit this Zoom webinar registration page.

Event Listing Photo Credit: Gaby Gerster, Diogenes, Zurich

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