Sacred

Sacred is a 1997 book by Dennis Lehane 3rd in the Kenzie/Gennaro series. It won the Nero Award, which is probably why I have it on my shelf. I like to pick up award-winners as I come across them to get an idea of what type of writing is getting accolades. I'm not a fan and am not finishing this one. It's fine enough, but I keep eyeing other books on my TBR shelf and wondering if they would captivate me more.

from the back of the book:

A beautiful, grief-stricken woman has vanished without a trace. So has the detective hired to find her. And a lot of money. Enter saavy, tough-nosed private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. Rooted in the no-nonsense streets of Boston's blue-collar Dorchester, they've seen it all —and survived. But this case leads them into unexpected territory where nothing is sacred —a land of lies and corruption where trusting anyone could get them killed . . . where taking any step could be their last.

It gets good reviews. Kirkus Reviews says it "packs enough beatings, betrayals, unmaskings, resurrections, smart talk, and untrustworthy people for the most jaded palate." Spinetingler Magazine describes it as "an over the top jaunt that is told with tongue planted firmly in cheek" and calls the story "solid".