SOLVED. Mystery about 3 kids and one gets kidnapped by a fake cop [s]

[Alexandra]

My boyfriend doesn't read much but he said he found a really good book and he only got to page 30 or so before he had to put it down and then forgot about it. I was hoping someone could help me find it for him.
All he remembers is that it's a mystery (murder?) book and it starts out with 3 kids that are from the same hometown and they get into a fight and a cop shows up (who turns out to be not a cop?) and basically kidnaps one of the kids. The kid comes back later all messed up and that's all he remembers. He said he read the back of the book and it said something like the three kids came back to their hometown after a long while because of a murder.
He thinks it's James Patterson or Dean Koontz, but we've searched all their books with no luck.

[Kate (Feathered Turtle Press Reviews)]

Maybe Mystic River?

The Wiki summary might be a little more helpful: (view spoiler)[The novel revolves around three boys who grow up as friends in Boston — Dave Boyle, Sean Devine, and Jimmy Marcus. When the story opens, we see Dave abducted by child molesters while he, Sean, and Jimmy are horsing around on a neighborhood street. Dave escapes and returns home days later, emotionally shattered by his experience. The book then moves forward 25 years: Sean has become a homicide detective, Jimmy is an ex-convict who currently owns a convenience store, and Dave is a shell of a man. Jimmy's daughter disappears and is found brutally murdered in a city park, and that same night, Dave comes home to his wife, covered in blood. Sean is assigned to investigate the murder, and the three childhood friends are caught up in each other's lives again. (hide spoiler)]

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Alexandra, was that your book?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Can anyone confirm that Alexandra's summary is what happens in Mystic River? Until then, moving to Abandoned.

[Kym]

Definitely Mystic River. Just read the part where the kids think the guys are cops and take Dave with them. He was returned 4 days later.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Ok. I'll buy that.