"The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane ***1/2

An excellent historical novel by the author of Mystic River but not quite as captivating. The book focuses on two fictional characters, Luther Lawrence an African American who finds himself in serious trouble with the criminal element in Tulsa, and, Danny Coughlin, the son of a powerful police captain in Boston. There is also occassional appearances by Babe Ruth the baseball star. Set at a significant time in American History (1918-19) the political and social unrest is captured through the exploration of the Spanish Inflenza pandemic, the emergence of unions, racism, prohibition and the dramatic Boston Police Strike of 1919. Lehane is a talented writer and book moves at an admireable pace that kept this reader totally engaged.