Crime · Thriller
Mystic River
Three boys from a Boston neighbourhood are changed forever when one is abducted. Decades later, one friend's daughter is murdered, and the police detective on the case is another of the three.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2001
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 478
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a crime novel that cares more about grief, class and old wounds than about clever clues.
Skip this if you are sensitive to stories involving harm to children, or want a light read.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Mystic River
- What is Mystic River about?
- Three boys from a Boston neighbourhood are changed forever when one is abducted. Decades later, one friend's daughter is murdered, and the police detective on the case is another of the three.
- Who should read Mystic River?
- Read it if you want a crime novel that cares more about grief, class and old wounds than about clever clues. Skip it if you are sensitive to stories involving harm to children, or want a light read.
- How long and how fast is Mystic River?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 478 pages, first published in 2001.
- Does Mystic River have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Child sexual abuse, Kidnapping, Grief.
- Can I borrow Mystic River for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Mystic River; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Mystic River?
- Readers who liked it often move on to In the Woods, The Black Echo, The Lovely Bones.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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