Best Book of 2020New York Times |NPR | New York Post“This hushed suspense tale about thwarted dreams of escape may be her best one yet . . . Its own kind of masterpiece.” –Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post“A new Tana French is always cause for celebration . . . Read it once for the plot; read it again for the beauty and subtlety of French’s writing.” –Sarah Lyall, The New York TimesCal … writing.” –Sarah Lyall, 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 how to tell right from wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we stake on that decision.
more
An amazing read. I felt that I knew the characters personally, that’s how great Ms. French is.
A weary but young at heart police detective from Chicago takes early retirement and moves lock, stock and barrel to a farming village in Ireland. Never underestimate the locals…Despite his desire to ease back he quickly becomes embroiled in a local mystery and quickly learns that locals are neither yokels or blindly unaware of problems found in a city setting. An engrossing read.
A book that I found myself wanting more of when it was finished. I loved the characters and would live to see a sequel or series based on these people.
Oh how it pains me to give the incredible Tana French only three stars but this one just didn’t work for me. One of the things I love most about Frenchs books are the Irish characters (And narration) so hearing this one from the POV of an American Ex-cop from Chicago who has just landed in the Irish countryside threw me from the Beth start. Not only that but it was very, very slow to get started. It took ages to get to the actual plot of Cal being asked to help find the missing brother of a sad 13 year old he’s befriended. I loved Treys character. I loved the twist to their real identity. I even loved the way Cal became a sort of father figure to Trey through the book. But as for the mystery, truly there was none. There are hints throughout the book that tell you everything you need to know and I actually found myself wanting to yell at Cal (who is supposed to be this amazing retired detective) to open his eyes. Even still, I held my breath all the way through to the end hoping for something, anything, that would catapult this into 4 or even 5 star range. It just never happened. The story faded out as slowly as it had started and I was left feeling kinda sad because I wanted to love it more than I did. There are plenty of others who have 5 starred this book so don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself. Maybe it’s just what you need and you’ll love it. As for me, I’ll be awaiting f Frenchs next book and hoping she’s back in her A Game.
I love all of Tana French’s novel, but this one is now at the top of my list. The writing is gorgeous and evocative, as always, but it’s the relationships that burrowed their way into my heart. I can’t remember being so touched by a story and that feeling of being blown away by an author’s talent is one I relish. This novel is a slow burn in the best possible way.
Tana French does it again. Such a good book!
Old habits die hard. Especially if you’re a middle-aged ex-cop from Chicago who’s specialized in missing persons and a missing person’s case comes knocking at your door. Read my full review at https://booktrib.com/2020/10/06/tana-french-the-searcher/
An ex-cop retired to rural Ireland. The best Tana French so far. Intense characters, haunting setting, Commitment, moral examination, and a touching adult-child relationship.
The Searcher by Tana French a thrilling four-star read. I have always enjoyed this authors work, this one didn’t hit the usual spot it seemed a little spotty at the beginning, I felt like I was reading the same couple of pages a couple of times. But then a few more chapters in and it all changed, it became gripping and bedded in, the drama and story felt richer and more what I was accustomed to. There is great bubbling’s beneath the surface in this story, little hints about what was happening and tastes of what to come and little hints at the bigger picture, the history, the story.