The bestselling novel by Tana French, author of the forthcoming novel The Searcher, is “required reading for anyone who appreciates tough, unflinching intelligence and ingenious plotting” (The New York Times). She “inspires cultic devotion in readers” (The New Yorker) and is “the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years” (The Washington Post). “Atmospheric and unputdownable.” — Post).
“Atmospheric and unputdownable.” —People
In bestselling author Tana French’s newest “tour de force” (The New York Times), being on the Murder Squad is nothing like Detective Antoinette Conway dreamed it would be. Her partner, Stephen Moran, is the only person who seems glad she’s there. The rest of her working life is a stream of thankless cases, vicious pranks, and harassment. Antoinette is savagely tough, but she’s getting close to the breaking point.
Their new case looks like yet another by-the-numbers lovers’ quarrel gone bad. Aislinn Murray is blond, pretty, groomed-to-a-shine, and dead in her catalog-perfect living room, next to a table set for a romantic dinner. There’s nothing unusual about her—except that Antoinette’s seen her somewhere before.
And that her death won’t stay in its neat by-numbers box. Other detectives are trying to push Antoinette and Steve into arresting Aislinn’s boyfriend, fast. There’s a shadowy figure at the end of Antoinetteʼs road. Aislinnʼs friend is hinting that she knew Aislinn was in danger. And everything they find out about Aislinn takes her further from the glossy, passive doll she seemed to be.
Antoinette knows the harassment has turned her paranoid, but she can’t tell just how far gone she is. Is this case another step in the campaign to force her off the squad, or are there darker currents flowing beneath its polished surface?
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My daughter gave me a Tana French book several years ago and I loved it. When I saw a new one, I bought it immediately, read it immediately, and gave it to her. It’s one of those rare books that I find that I can block out just about anything and keep right on reading no matter how late it is. Her characters are very real with traits both likeable and unlikeable. French uses many Irish expressions so just pretend you’re racing around town with her on a chilly, rainy day and sit back with tea and a scone or a Guinness and enjoy the ride.
Maybe it’s just me, but while reading this I kept hearing it in a lovely Irish accent. This author just does that to me! I was sucked in right away and could not put this one down. Antoinette, the only woman on the Murder Squad, and her partner, Steve stuck with all the routine domestic cases that involve no “real” investigating to solve are chomping at the bit for a real case. Yep, they finally get one, along with a senior detective who’s purpose is to keep them focused or is it? This one is an in-depth look at police procedure with sabatoge and vicious pranks thrown in along with a red herring or two. After reading this I feel like I want to go back to the first book she wrote and read them all over again.
For many reasons, I love reading Tana French. This is her latest in a series. Best advice, start with book one.
This book made my anxiety run rampant. That’s how invested I was with this story. When Conway is being harassed and it feels like her entire world is working against her, pushing her further into a corner where she will have no escape, I wanted to scream for her, cry for her and take her for a drink. I’ve been in love with Moran for multiple books now snd he continues to be a favorite. Their interactions made this book for me and I couldn’t help but smile every time French described his boyish features and red hair poking out in all directions. The twists in this one are complex and just when you think you’re on the same page you realize you snd the detectives are both wrong. Another must read from French.
Asilinn Murray is found dead in her own apartment. But every surface is wiped clean. A search of her apartment does not explain much about her as a person, either. It seems that she furnished her apartment and dressed and coiffed herself as if following the advice of magazines. Nothing looks natural or normal. Everything is just too perfect.
Detective Antoinette Conway is trusted with this strange case, and she, and her partner, Steve, enthusiastically hit the streets, looking for clues. However, Antoinette has never had it easy at the squad. The men all play practical jokes on her and give her a hard time, and, to top it off, there is a man standing at the top of her street, casing out her apartment. And their only suspect so far seems like an unlikely one. Antoinette and Steve have their job cut out for them. But when they finally discover the truth, they almost wish they hadn’t.
I love Tana French’s mysteries! This one, like her others, are impossible to figure out. Her characters are strong and realistic and oh so human! Her settings are unforgettable.
My favorite author.
Tana French is a great storyteller.
Introduce a mixed-race woman into an all-male Irish homicide squad and you have a police procedural laden with so much grist, conflict and raw emotion that it’s almost overwhelming. But the author doesn’t get stalled in the obvious social significance of her protagonist’s situation: “The Trespasser” examines every word of every interview, every strand of fiber and every bit of electronic data a book like this should. The author is especially good at describing interviewing technique – and not just how the cops handle a suspect but the tricks they use to manipulate each other. This book is a true tour de force. Don’t miss it.
I’d say this was my favorite so far.
The main protagonist in ‘The Trespasser’ Antoinette Conway is the only woman detective on the Murder Squad. She is tough as nails, takes no mess and has a chip on her shoulder the size of the Rock of Gibraltar. Her persecution complex, Daddy and Mommy issues and tendency to repress anything that smells like emotion actually make her a great detective, but it’s also her Achilles heel. And this case, a case where a pretty young woman is found dead in her apartment, triggers all of Conway’s weaknesses, even while it calls for her to draw on her greatest strengths to solve it. I was exasperated with her for much of the book, but enjoyed how her sharp edges and volatile temper were a foil for her much more laidback partner, Steve. I loved seeing the dynamics of the squad play out, with the various personalities and rivalries, the conflict and the competition, almost as much as I was engrossed in the mystery. And I have to say, this writer is so skilled, I found myself second-guessing every step of the way, even up to the last 20 pages, who might have done what and why.
This is only the second book of hers I’ve read, and I think I can already say that I’m now a dedicated Tana French fan. Painstaking development of characters, intricate and tight plots without a single loose end, or false note. This is mystery-suspense and police procedural done right, or at least, to my taste. What I think I admire most though, is that the writing is so, so good, never rushed, full of atmospheric details and mood. If you like mysteries and police procedurals, but are also a fan of literary fiction, her books will give you a taste of both. On the other hand, if you’d just like to get to the shock-and-awe stuff, and could do without the slow, layered unfolding of backstory as well as the primary narrative, this author might have you pulling your hair out. This is not rushed, cheap-thrill fiction. This is a master storyteller, who also happens to be a damned good writer as well.
Get the book! Read it! You will be glad you did, I guarantee it.
I wasn’t sure I would like this Irish police procedural at first. But French’s flawed, paranoid detective hooked me and I raced through it.
Antoinette Conway is my new heroine!
Waiting for her next book. Fantastic author.
This is the type of book that is like a magnet pulling you back home to read it. I went to a wonderful lunch and all I could think about was how I needed to get home to finish this. It is a page turner, the characters are well drawn out. Even though Antoinette, the ‘heroine’ is deeply flawed, you still root for her and are on her side. Wonderful world building and gripping. I need more books like this.
Don’t care for the foul language. Not necessary to convey authenticity but story development was good.
If the book had been adapted for American audiences to change the Irish slang, I’d have given it a 5. Currently watching Dublin Murders based on 2 of her books.
The Trespasser will appeal to readers who like their thrillers on the obsessive side: the same small patch of earth dug and dug until something different eventually emerges. The story is small, the number of characters is small, and there’s very little sense of “place.” The novel is nearly all talk. But its protagonist is so snarky and her relationships so fraught that it actually makes for compelling reading–in a compulsive kind of way. French keeps the tension taught until the very last page.
Another in the ‘Dublin Murder Squad’ series. I loved this one as much as the others. I really like how each book concentrates on a different member of the murder squad, but you still get hints and peeks at characters that were the main focus in previous books. I thought the plot here was really outstanding… Twisty, believable and a satisfying ending! You can’t go wrong with Ms. French.
Did not finish reading this book. The first couple of chapters are tedious to plod through. The book is nothing like the author’s previous offerings which I loved.