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The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
The Given Day is a novel set in 1919 and revolves around actual events: the end of World War I, the flu pandemic, anarchist terrorism, and the Boston police strike. Danny Coughlin is an Irish cop who is the son of a cop. Even though he was a hero during the pandemic and works in an elite group that infiltrates anarchist groups, he also the leader of a social club of policemen that are pushing for increased wages and improvement in their working conditions. Danny is also developing affection for Nora, the family maid, creating friction with his father. Luther Laurence is a black man on the run from trouble in Oklahoma and finds work in the Coughlin house. He befriends Danny, and Nora, but a cop who discovers his checkered past tries to use it against him. Against this backdrop of anarchist bombings and racial tensions, it all comes to a boil when the police go out on strike. Dennis Lehane's novel has received mostly positive reviews with the Seattle Times saying, "Steeped in history but wearing its research lightly, The Given Day is a meaty, rich, old-fashioned and satisfying tale. I'd call it Lehane's masterpiece, but he's still young and, it is devoutly to be wished, ready to give us much more."
