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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
3.5-4 stars-I can’t decide. I really enjoyed the detectives in this book, their personalities somehow worked well together. As for the murder plot, I enjoyed how she had a flashback chapter between the current day. And it was refreshing that the killer wasn’t painfully obvious the entire time. It felt like you were figuring it out along with them instead or saying that it’s glaringly obvious.
Have you ever read a book that feels tailor made for you? Like someone hopped inside your brain, picked out exactly what you love in a book, and then actually took the time to write said book? That’s what Tana French’s The Secret Place is for me. It’s an ideal balance of crime fiction and YA drama. Never has an author so perfectly portrayed the delicate balance between uncontrolled innocence and terrifying insecurity.
I received a copy of this book through the First to Read program with the agreement that I would write a review before the release date. That meant that I had to read this book out of order in the series. I cannot explain how much this would normally bother me. I have put off books for years so that I could read the ones that come before it. But, I had no choice this time. How much I liked this book, knowing I still needed to read the ones between it, speaks to the talent of the author. She crafts this world of the Dublin Murder Squad in a way that weaves seamlessly together from book to book, but also allows a reader to pick up any book in the series and enjoy it without ruining anything from a previous book.
I’ve read In the Woods, and part of The Likeness. That means I haven’t met Stephen Moran yet, but I know he’s going to show up in one of the books, as is Holly. I know a little bit about his story, but it hasn’t been spoiled for me. I noticed the same skill in the portion of The Likeness I’ve read. The strength of this book has made me more excited to get back to the other ones. Tana French is eating my life!
Full review at http://hellphiesfiendishfiction.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/the-secret-place-by-tana-french/
I received a copy of this book through the First to Read program with the agreement that I would write a review before the release date. That meant that I had to read this book out of order in the series. I cannot explain how much this would normally bother me. I have put off books for years so that I could read the ones that come before it. But, I had no choice this time. How much I liked this book, knowing I still needed to read the ones between it, speaks to the talent of the author. She crafts this world of the Dublin Murder Squad in a way that weaves seamlessly together from book to book, but also allows a reader to pick up any book in the series and enjoy it without ruining anything from a previous book.
I’ve read In the Woods, and part of The Likeness. That means I haven’t met Stephen Moran yet, but I know he’s going to show up in one of the books, as is Holly. I know a little bit about his story, but it hasn’t been spoiled for me. I noticed the same skill in the portion of The Likeness I’ve read. The strength of this book has made me more excited to get back to the other ones. Tana French is eating my life!
Full review at http://hellphiesfiendishfiction.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/the-secret-place-by-tana-french/
Though French’s writing continues to impress, I’m just not much for spending so much time in the heads of teenage girls like this.
Teen girls weren't my jam even when I was one. Like many reviewers have noted, the teen-speak in this novel is obnoxious and probably way more exaggerated than what actual teens use. Also, an effort was made to differentiate the 8 girls who were suspects, but it didn't work for me. When the killer was revealed I felt like she was basically chosen by throwing a dart at the wall.
A generous 3.5 stars. I knew pretty much from the beginning who did it, but it just reads really well. Good quick mystery (Still 500 pages). The only thing that was really weird was the .
Spoiler
whole magic part, I don't think that was necessary, there could have been something more relevant.
The Secret Place is a deeply disturbing and highly thought-provoking tale of a high school clique gone wrong. Becca, Holly, Selena, and Jules are ultimately the most exclusive and tight-knit group at the boarding school. They let no one get between them, but unfortunately when Chris Harper, popular student from the neighboring boarding school Colm's, turns up dead on St. Kilda's lawn, suspicions arise. The story is told from the point of view of a rising detective, once linked with the ever famous Holly Mackey, daughter of the obnoxious Frank Mackey, he has to prove himself in this case with the cold shouldered Conway. I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense in the story. Not until the very end could I even guess what happened in the case or who was particularly involved because of the interweaving stories and connections. The writing is exquisite and character development is outstanding. Throughout the whole book, you start to feel a part of this clique the four girls have and start defending them yourself. How Tana French presented the regular high school friend group and connected them with a murder and suspicions is genius. Her plot keeps you on your toes and not wanting to every put the book down. It also connects with the rest of the series through the detectives, which makes it all the more interesting because you can see the connections in this small world, or rather yet "Murder Squad." True friendship is often displayed in the means of protection, as easily proven by this book.
This was a pretty good murder mystery. I liked that it was set at a girls' boarding school. I had some trouble sticking with this book because the story went back and forth in time constantly. For me, that narrative style didn't work well with the story. I stuck with the book, though, and the ending surprised me. Interesting story, but not a page-turner.