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.
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Tana French has a long wind-up in her books and her prose keeps the read enjoyable. I was thoroughly enchanted by the relationship building that occurs between the protagonist and thirteen-year old kid throughout, and blown away by the perfect ending.
I know that Tana French has a legion of fans, but this is the first book of hers that I’ve read…although I will certainly read more. This is the story of a Chicago cop who retires early and moves to a small town in Ireland, alone, for some peace and quiet and fishing. He does what I think everybody thinks about nowadays, leaving the big city behind for a dilapidated house on some nice acreage in the countryside. If you are looking for a page-turning serial killer novel, this is not it. French takes her time revealing the background of the characters; village life, including the pub; and even the mystery itself. It is beautifully written and worth it.
This book is the story of a Chicago police detective who retires to the Irish countryside for a taste of the quiet life. Instead, he’s drawn into the murky depths of a local mystery and the disturbing secrets of his neighbors. This is not an action-packed whodunit, but rather a meandering mystery meant to be savored rather than devoured. And savor it, I did. I love Tana French so much. Her use of language is inspiring.
My thoughts on The Searcher are mixed. It was definitely worth finishing, but I had expected a much more suspenseful story. The first third or so of the book dragged on for me and there were several times I considered quitting. I will say that the major redeeming aspect of the entire book was the odd friendship between Trey and Cal. There were also two plot twists that added some interest, but overall I felt the mystery was anticlimactic and the ending left too much unresolved.
Love this author. Good read.
Not as good as her Dublin detectives books.
Engrossing and heartfelt. Come for the mystery, stay for the characters. French’s prose never disappoints.
I loved this book. Beautiful, haunting writing. Compelling characters who I couldn’t help rooting for. A heartbreaking but hopeful story
She alwYs writes well. I liked this one the most.
A former Chicago policeman moves to Ireland for a fresh start and to renovate an old cottage. Happy to be left to himself, his life is upturned when a teenage boy requests his help to find his brother. A whimsical stand-alone novel, with great characters and the surprising happenings of a quiet Irish village. Not the usual hard crime type from Tana French the queen of suspense, but a most enjoyable read with a four-star rating.
Tana French is an accomplished author of the suspense thriller. Her writing is so descriptive that you can even imagine the places and people in the book. I find myself trying to figure out who’s responsible. It has you wondering what someone could be capable of. Well done! I will always be grateful to the employee at Border’s, who many years ago told about this new author and her book – In The Woods. I’ve been following Tana French ever since.
This was my first book by Tana French, and now I see why she’s such a best-seller. The setting (rural Ireland) is intriguing by itself, but add to that wonderfully three-dimensional characters and a taut, frightening mystery and you have a winner. Best of all was her writing skill–lyrical and richly descriptive. If you like mysteries at all, you’ll lap this up.
A Tana French novel is always a wonderful gift and THE SEARCHER is no exception.
Retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper is fixing up a small cottage in a small western Ireland village. Visits from his cookie-mooching neighbor, Mart, occasional evenings at the local pub, and inquisitions from grocer Noreen are his only social interactions, and he’s happy.
However, his instincts are that someone is watching him, and that someone turns out to be Trey Reddy. The Reddys are looked down upon by the villagers. Their father did a “runner,” leaving the mother with six children, the older ones prone to truancy and shoplifting. Trey wants to know what happened to older brother, Brendan, and having heard Cal is a former detective, is determined to enlist his help.
Hooper soon learns that even tiny villages have big crimes, and a network of people determined to keep them secret. Without the legitimacy of a badge and the resources of a police department, he is forced to rely on questioning.
THE SEARCHER is deliciously atmospheric, and Cal, Trey, Lena, and even Mart are captivating characters. #TheSearcher #NetGalley
I found this book interesting. It is nice to see good people stepping up to help and following through. Sometimes there is not always a right answer. Book gives lots of food for thought.
THE SEARCHER is another step away from the Dublin murder squad, and an excellent one. It’s also a riff on American westerns. A stranger rides into town, in this case, Cal, a retired Chicago policeman who wants a quiet place to retire outside a small, rural Irish town. There is much stirring under the town’s quiet facade, and before long he finds himself quietly investigating the disappearance of a young man at the urging of his younger brother Trey. As quiet as Cal keeps himself, everyone in the vicinity knows what he’s doing and he receives several warnings–warnings which make him more determined to unravel the local lad’s disappearance. This is a fascinating journey through the heart of Irish tribalism and a searcher who must be constantly on guard against unknown dangers. Well done, Tana French!
I am a huge Tana French fan and I loved this book. I listened to the wonderful audio that made me feel I was right there in the Irish countryside. The story moves at a slow and steady pace with menacing overtones. Cal Hooper, a retired Chicago cop who’s recently divorced, buys a small home in much need of repair. Though he wants a quiet life, Cal finds himself stirring a few hornets’ nests as he helps a young neighbor determined to learn what happened to her older brother.
I am a huge Tana French fan and I loved this book. I listened to the wonderful audio that made me feel I was right there in the Irish countryside. The story moves at a slow and steady pace with menacing overtones. Cal Hooper, a retired Chicago cop who’s recently divorced, buys a small home in much need of repair. Though he wants a quiet life, Cal finds himself stirring a few hornets’ nests as he helps a young neighbor determined to learn what happened to her older brother.
This novel was atmospheric and the conclusion did not disappoint!
Fabulous book by the incomparable Tana French. The characters are so well drawn, the descriptions so vivid. The story moves slowly, very slowly, which worked perfectly for me but might not for everyone.
The Searcher by Tana French is a departure from her Dublin Murder Squad in pacing and theme. This book is a slow build up with a moderate pace. I liked the premise of an American retired cop looking for a peaceful, quiet life in Ireland. Yet, despite his best effort the ex-cop is soon embroiled in a situation he doesn’t understand, but must rectify. The conclusion is not a standard HEA, but is satisfying and realistic .