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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Tana French’s new novel returns her to the storytelling of the first books in the Dublin Murder Squad series. From the title echoing that of the only other book focused on a woman detective, to the dynamic of the first novel, centered around a partnership, this is French at her very best.
Antoinette Conway worked hard to earn a spot on the murder squad, but just two years in, she’s seriously considering leaving for a job with a private security firm. Her co-workers are openly hostile and she’s stuck on the night shift with the newest detective, fielding domestics and bar brawls. It’s not what she signed up for. Then, she and Moran are given what at first looks like another routine domestic murder, except they’ve been called in just as their shift ended and their gaffer has assigned a senior detective to assist them. From there, it only gets messier and before long, Conway has to question everything from the too-convenient suspect of the boyfriend to the actions of her fellow detectives.
This one never loses momentum or lets the reader come up for air. French does her best writing with the rote tasks of police work, and with the complex relationship that exists between two detectives working well together. French is writing something quite a bit more substantial than a simple police procedural and I was with her every step of the way.
And now I’m left to wait for the next in the series.
Antoinette Conway worked hard to earn a spot on the murder squad, but just two years in, she’s seriously considering leaving for a job with a private security firm. Her co-workers are openly hostile and she’s stuck on the night shift with the newest detective, fielding domestics and bar brawls. It’s not what she signed up for. Then, she and Moran are given what at first looks like another routine domestic murder, except they’ve been called in just as their shift ended and their gaffer has assigned a senior detective to assist them. From there, it only gets messier and before long, Conway has to question everything from the too-convenient suspect of the boyfriend to the actions of her fellow detectives.
This one never loses momentum or lets the reader come up for air. French does her best writing with the rote tasks of police work, and with the complex relationship that exists between two detectives working well together. French is writing something quite a bit more substantial than a simple police procedural and I was with her every step of the way.
And now I’m left to wait for the next in the series.
Another great work by Tana French. A quick page-turner.
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this. Most of the action occurred through the interviews which surprisingly I liked. I thought the characters were all very interesting.
Strong portrait of a female detective dealing with harassment from her colleagues while determined to uncover the truth about what appears to be a fatal domestic dispute.
Refreshingly enjoyable: Well written, rich characters; the story took its time to unwind and had a satisfying conclusion. The excellent reader was a bonus.
I am a huge Tana French fan. She always manages to hit the trifecta: truly excellent writing, well developed characters and great plots. The Trespasser is no exception. This one is a true murder mystery, a bit more character focused than her last novels. It also lacked the “creepiness” factor that the last few have had. The Secret Place and Into the Woods remain my favorites, but this one gets a solid 4/5.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol
Tana French gets a lot of content warnings for having foul-mouthed and non-PC characters. One major theme is a main character who has become a "knock-out" after dieting and getting a makeover--but the POV character doesn't enter into a fatphobic paradigm with that.
Like any other Tana French books. Slow start to an under the calm surface mystery.