hardcover, 464 pages
English language
Published Oct. 4, 2020 by Viking.
A spellbinding, propulsive new novel from the bestselling mystery writer who "is in a class by herself." (The New York Times) Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets. "One of the greatest crime novelists writing today" (Vox) weaves a masterful, atmospheric tale of suspense, asking what we sacrifice in our search for truth and justice, and what we risk if we don't.
I was going to make a joke about this being Tana French Writes Columbo but the book already made the joke for me
This latest mystery from Tana French is a departure from her usual, and as usual, the writing is just beautiful. This story is more about the characters and relationships than it is about a mystery. It's about healing and closure, life changes, and finding one's way in a new landscape.
I did not need to suspend my belief with this story at all, but just read on, in awe of a narrative that makes everything fall into a peaceful place.
Of course, I recommend this.
A lovely, leisurely read for a cold, rainy day. Lots of nuanced character development and local landscape detail, which sets up some satisfying twists.
It was interesting to have read this directly after Recursion, as both feature the point of view of ex cops with ex wives and distant daughters. But very different in tone.
I've read all of French's books, and this is definitely an inferior effort. The entire premise, an ex-cop from the U.S. setting up in rural Ireland and attempting to find the missing brother of a young boy who turns out to be a girl, is awkward and not believable. The plot is mushy and wandering, and the ending unsatisfactory. The protagonist's character is not clearly drawn, and I never had a good sense of who he is.
French's writing is not up to par here. She seems ill at ease in her depiction of the local pub regulars, and the dialog is often maladroit. She should probably stick to Dublin or the more urban settings going forward. I hope she gets her groove back soon.
You can never finish a Tana French book without missing her characters, that feeling where you're not ready to say goodbye on the last page. I'll be thinking of Cal, the retired detective newly moved to Ireland and Trey his young friend for some time.
As always with French, the writing and thematic construction are 5/5. But I just didn't like this particular story she chose to tell all that much, even if I do appreciate the way she told it.
I loved this. It was dark, in its own way, but subtly - not in the sort of creeping, ominous way that In the Woods was dark. The writing was also less poetically beautiful. Still, the story was well told, and it pulled me in in a way that The Witch Elm did not. I might even buy this one, as I did In the Woods, and I don’t generally buy novels. French is a very good author.
