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I liked it less as it went on, probably partly due to my own expectations. This is much more a character study than it is a mystery or even a thriller, and I think French does an amazing job breathing life into the people in her novel.
But the central mystery of the story is nothing that hasn't been (over)done, and the twist at the end was not only predictable but also poorly executed. It was revealed in a way that was frankly bizarre.
Not sure how I feel about the ending yet. I see what she was going for, I just....don't know if it fully landed.
I will say, I'm leaning towards not reading the next book in the series. Just because I think the ending works a lot better that way.
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Grief, Murder
Minor: Suicide, Car accident
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia
Minor: Vomit
Graphic: Animal death, Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Police brutality, Murder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
Minor: Suicide, Stalking
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol
Minor: Suicide
This is a quiet, character driven, literary style of mystery (otherwise known as my favourite kind of mystery). Yes, it’s slow paced. Yes, not a lot “happens,” and what does happen doesn’t come in any kind of rush. But somehow French creates a foreboding sense that kept me turning the pages, curious to know where things were going, and fine with the slow and steady telling.
A strong sense of place is one of the winning qualities of this read, and the relationship between Cal and Trey is quite wonderful. I was surprised to find this one really quite moving by the end. And the audiobook was excellent. Well worth the time - my review lands on the “read it” side of things.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Transphobia, Police brutality
Since completing the book, I have read several reviews indicating The Searcher is unlike Tana French's other novels, particularly her Dublin Murder Squad series. I cannot speak to that comparison. However, I found The Searcher to be an enjoyable read with solid character development and a good mystery to be resolved.
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Medical content, Car accident, Abandonment, Alcohol
Related: I think often about our collective engagement with crime novels because the genre's success often relies on a binary sense of justice and the unchecked necessity of policing. What is a thriller in an abolitionist world? It's a question I don't have an immediate answer for, but I really appreciate how French doesn't shy away from it altogether.
Excited to check out her backlist of works!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Alcohol
Minor: Suicide, Police brutality
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia