"A Drink Before the War" is a crime novel by Dennis Lehane, published in 1994. It introduces private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, who are hired to find the missing daughter of a powerful politician in Boston. The story explores themes of morality, loyalty, and the complexities of urban life. As Kenzie and Gennaro delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of corruption and violence that challenges their beliefs and ethics. The novel combines elements of mystery and social commentary, highlighting the struggles of the characters against the backdrop of a gritty city landscape.