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Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review from when first read (27 March 2015):
I can only gush. Really I don't think I am capable of writing a proper review. This is one of the most enjoyable crime mysteries I've read in years, and I love this genre. But this was so much than just a really good mystery: fantastic characters, perfect pacing (nothing too rushed, but still suspenseful), and simply gorgeous writing. I think I'm going to be thinking about Rob and Cassie for a long time and I genuinely feel emotional over what happened between them. Cassie, in particular, was a fantastic female lead and I really hope she turns up again later in the series. (Edit: I've just read the synopsis for the next book and yes Cassie's back!!) Honestly, the one thing that surprised me was how sad this book was. It's quiet, emotional and painfully real, perhaps quite the opposite of the fast paced thriller I was expecting. And I loved every second of it.
Review after re-read (28 January 2025):
Well, I certainly chose the right time to reread one of my favourite books of all time! We were without power for nearly 20 hours due to a bad storm, and just getting absorbed in this 600+ page beauty again while trying to stay warm (even in the dark! Yay for ereader front lights 😆) was a GOOD decision.
Rob and Cassie really are one my favourite fictional friendships of all time. I love how French starts the book making it clear that Rob is a jerk. He is! And a complete idiot (he certainly proves that later on!), but he's also very human. Proof that you don't need to necessarily like a character to understand their motives and root for them in the story. You can feel Rob's pain, still the lost, traumatised child even as an adult detective:
I can only gush. Really I don't think I am capable of writing a proper review. This is one of the most enjoyable crime mysteries I've read in years, and I love this genre. But this was so much than just a really good mystery: fantastic characters, perfect pacing (nothing too rushed, but still suspenseful), and simply gorgeous writing. I think I'm going to be thinking about Rob and Cassie for a long time and I genuinely feel emotional over what happened between them. Cassie, in particular, was a fantastic female lead and I really hope she turns up again later in the series. (Edit: I've just read the synopsis for the next book and yes Cassie's back!!) Honestly, the one thing that surprised me was how sad this book was. It's quiet, emotional and painfully real, perhaps quite the opposite of the fast paced thriller I was expecting. And I loved every second of it.
Review after re-read (28 January 2025):
Well, I certainly chose the right time to reread one of my favourite books of all time! We were without power for nearly 20 hours due to a bad storm, and just getting absorbed in this 600+ page beauty again while trying to stay warm (even in the dark! Yay for ereader front lights 😆) was a GOOD decision.
Rob and Cassie really are one my favourite fictional friendships of all time. I love how French starts the book making it clear that Rob is a jerk. He is! And a complete idiot (he certainly proves that later on!), but he's also very human. Proof that you don't need to necessarily like a character to understand their motives and root for them in the story. You can feel Rob's pain, still the lost, traumatised child even as an adult detective:
Losing a chunk of your memory is a tricky thing, a deep-sea quake triggering shifts and upheavals too far distant from the epicentre to be easily predictable. From that day on, any nagging little half-remembered thing shimmers with a bright aura of hypnotic, terrifying potential: this could be trivia, or it could be The Big One that blows your life and your mind wide open. Over the years, like someone living on a fault line, I had come to trust the equilibrium of the status quo, to believe that if The Big One hadn’t come by now then it wasn’t coming [...]
(p.307, Chapter 11)
Cassie, on the other hand, I do want to be best friends with. Please. And it's 100% believable how Rob and Cassie just clicked. French takes a lot of care in making their relationship believable, and that is vital to the success of the whole book:
How can I ever make you understand Cassie and me? I would have to take you there, walk you down every path of our secret shared geography. [...] ...she was my partner. I don’t know how to tell you what that word, even now, does to me; what it means.
(p.285, Chapter 10)
This book is a masterclass in characterisation, all round. Even supposedly minor characters are interesting in numerous different ways. And this is not a short book, so has a lot of characters to go through, but I think it's impossible to confuse any of them, they all are so life-like and distinct.
Above all, I need to reiterate what I said in my first "review": this book is sad. Yes, there are a dozen moments of humour and relief somewhere in these 600 pages, thanks mainly to Cassie and Rob's playful, back and forth dynamic, but also a few other characters like their boss O'Kelly ("When Hell freezes over and the camels come skating home") and Rob's housemate, Heather. Overall, however, the multiple plots and subplots flowing through this epic do not end well, and do not end neatly. That may be frustrating to many readers, even though I think it was the right decision. Despite this being a reread, I was emotionally destroyed all over again. So be prepared for pain when picking this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia, Suicide attempt
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tana French's In the Woods sets out with the promise of a gripping dual murder mystery but ultimately falls short of delivering a satisfying resolution. While the book initially captivates with an intriguing premise, its conclusion leaves much to be desired, resolving only one of the mysteries in an unsatisfying manner and leaving the other entirely unanswered.
One of the most striking aspects of In the Woods is its pervasive misogyny. It's surprising and disheartening to find such a strong undercurrent of sexism in a book written by a woman. Despite the book's contemporary setting, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and attitudes toward women. Cassie, the sole notable female character, shines with professionalism and intelligence, particularly during a standout interrogation scene. Yet, her competence is undermined by the narrative's insistence that "there was no place for women on the Murder squad." This blatant dismissal of her abilities is both infuriating and unrealistic, especially given her pivotal role in the investigation.
The male characters, primarily Rob, are deeply unlikable and consistently portrayed as misogynistic and incompetent. Rob, the protagonist, is especially problematic. His character is mired in self-pity and poor decision-making, and he frequently mistreats women. The expectation that readers should empathize with him due to his troubled past is both presumptuous and ineffective. Rob's downward spiral into desperation and recklessness makes him one of the least likable protagonists in recent memory.
While the book deserves some credit for its strong beginning, the lackluster and disappointing ending overshadows any initial promise. The plot's unfolding towards the end is particularly weak, making In the Woods one of the most unsatisfying mystery novels. The story suffers from a lack of suspense and slow pacing, focusing more on character development—primarily Rob's psychological disintegration—than on the murder investigation itself. This character-driven approach might appeal to some, but it significantly diminishes the novel's excitement and thrill, leaving readers wondering when the police will finally piece together the clues.
Overall, In the Woods fails to deliver on multiple fronts. The unresolved mysteries, flawed policing practices, underdeveloped characters, and pervasive misogyny make it a disappointing read. While it starts strong and has moments of potential, these are ultimately overshadowed by a frustratingly weak conclusion and problematic character portrayals.
One of the most striking aspects of In the Woods is its pervasive misogyny. It's surprising and disheartening to find such a strong undercurrent of sexism in a book written by a woman. Despite the book's contemporary setting, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and attitudes toward women. Cassie, the sole notable female character, shines with professionalism and intelligence, particularly during a standout interrogation scene. Yet, her competence is undermined by the narrative's insistence that "there was no place for women on the Murder squad." This blatant dismissal of her abilities is both infuriating and unrealistic, especially given her pivotal role in the investigation.
The male characters, primarily Rob, are deeply unlikable and consistently portrayed as misogynistic and incompetent. Rob, the protagonist, is especially problematic. His character is mired in self-pity and poor decision-making, and he frequently mistreats women. The expectation that readers should empathize with him due to his troubled past is both presumptuous and ineffective. Rob's downward spiral into desperation and recklessness makes him one of the least likable protagonists in recent memory.
While the book deserves some credit for its strong beginning, the lackluster and disappointing ending overshadows any initial promise. The plot's unfolding towards the end is particularly weak, making In the Woods one of the most unsatisfying mystery novels. The story suffers from a lack of suspense and slow pacing, focusing more on character development—primarily Rob's psychological disintegration—than on the murder investigation itself. This character-driven approach might appeal to some, but it significantly diminishes the novel's excitement and thrill, leaving readers wondering when the police will finally piece together the clues.
Overall, In the Woods fails to deliver on multiple fronts. The unresolved mysteries, flawed policing practices, underdeveloped characters, and pervasive misogyny make it a disappointing read. While it starts strong and has moments of potential, these are ultimately overshadowed by a frustratingly weak conclusion and problematic character portrayals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Suicide
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved the beginning of this book - it's dark, tense, moody, and gives me the same vibes as the TV show Silent Witness, although that may just be because on the characters in the first few seasons is also from Ireland. Rob and Cassie's partnership was very entertaining and felt well-developed. The ending of this book let me down. Even after the discovery of the killer, things felt very open ended, although maybe that's the whole point. I think that author writes very well, although the language was a bit flowery and overly descriptive for a crime thriller, in my opinion. Overall, it was enjoyable, even thought it left me feeling unsettled at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the premise of this book and really wished that it had lived up to my expectations based on the first 10 or so chapters. After that, it dragged a bit for me. I found main character/narrator to be unlikeable, always making questionable choices, and unreliable (though the last one was part of the point of the story, I think).
The ending was surprising, and very sad. I did enjoy feeling like I was a fly on the wall in a true detective’s search for truth, and I think the character’s flaws worked well to portray how the criminal justice system doesn’t always work the way it’s meant to.
The author wrote in a sort of high-brow manner, but the effect to me was a pretentious tone that was un-relatable and a little annoying. There were too many loose ends left strung out at the end, and I know this is #1 in a series, but from what I can tell, the ending of the story I want to hear is never discussed in a sequel. Not planning to read the rest of the series anytime soon.
The ending was surprising, and very sad. I did enjoy feeling like I was a fly on the wall in a true detective’s search for truth, and I think the character’s flaws worked well to portray how the criminal justice system doesn’t always work the way it’s meant to.
The author wrote in a sort of high-brow manner, but the effect to me was a pretentious tone that was un-relatable and a little annoying. There were too many loose ends left strung out at the end, and I know this is #1 in a series, but from what I can tell, the ending of the story I want to hear is never discussed in a sequel. Not planning to read the rest of the series anytime soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Pedophilia
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is good if you're looking for a story with a unapologetically misogynistic, fatphobic, and abusive narrator looking to justify his bad choices that have lead him to lead a miserable life. Additionally, the main character, despite presumably being in his 30s or 40s, speaks very grossly about the young women in the story, including the victim. He is obviously attracted to an adolescent and makes gross remarks about the victim's body, such as remarking on her "budding breasts".
The story is fine, but it's predictable. The author seems to think that the twist in the story was some kind of gotcha that no one could see coming, but I saw it coming from a mile away (or about halfway through the book). There's no reason the book needed to be that long for such a predictable twist. The ending was also lackluster, and simply an ode to a pathetic man who ruined his own life because he couldn't get out of his own misogynistic way. To their credit, the author seems perfectly aware how unlikeable the narrator is, but I don't think the story is good enough to compensate for that.
The story is fine, but it's predictable. The author seems to think that the twist in the story was some kind of gotcha that no one could see coming, but I saw it coming from a mile away (or about halfway through the book). There's no reason the book needed to be that long for such a predictable twist. The ending was also lackluster, and simply an ode to a pathetic man who ruined his own life because he couldn't get out of his own misogynistic way. To their credit, the author seems perfectly aware how unlikeable the narrator is, but I don't think the story is good enough to compensate for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence