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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A teenage boy is found dead on the grounds of an all girls boarding school. Detective Stephen Moran has it narrowed down to two groups of girls who could have possibly done it. The popular girls vs the outcasts. To make this novel even more intriguing, the pov goes back and forth from the investigation to the weeks leading up to the boys death.
I absolutely love this series. I think I love it so much because each book focuses on and different detective, so it doesn't get too stale. I also love all the misdirection that Tana French puts in her novels, and the intricacy of all the different characters.
I absolutely love this series. I think I love it so much because each book focuses on and different detective, so it doesn't get too stale. I also love all the misdirection that Tana French puts in her novels, and the intricacy of all the different characters.
Despite having many of her novels on my Kindle, this is my first Tana French experience.
Overall, it was a good introduction to her writing and I have already purchased a few of the others in the Dublin Murder Squad series (those aren't on my Kindle already sadly).
I love her writing which can be so evocative and poetic in parts. However, some of it felt a little slow in terms of advancing the plot. This was balanced out by the narrative structure, which flips from current day with the police investigation that Moran and Conway are undertaking; and one year previously when the body of Chris Harper, student at neighbouring boys school, is found in the grounds of St Kilda's girls boarding school. This second timeline is told through the eyes of the girls who may, or may not, be involved in his murder.
I loved how Tana French created two friendship groups of 4 girls in each and then pitted them against one another. However, I did find it a little difficult to keep track of who was who at first. There is a section of the book where Conway and Moran interview each girl separately and this helped to straighten it out a little in my head. There were then a number of boys from the boys school and I had to keep reminding myself who was who there too!
The way Conway and Moran handle the investigation is interesting as Conway is almost seen as the enemy to the girls but her male partner, Moran, is more adept in his interview techniques to get the most out of each different personality. The dynamic between the two detectives is excellent and I look forward to reading more involving them.
The mystery kept me guessing and many nights I stayed up way to late to read 'just one more chapter'.
My main negative in this book was the inclusion of supernatural elements. Thankfully, they weren't overt enough to put me off completely, but it did detract from my enjoyment of this as a mystery/crime novel. I think I understand why they were included but, for me, the book would have been stronger without it.
A few of the reviews say that this is not French's best so I am just pleased that it gets even better from here.
Overall, it was a good introduction to her writing and I have already purchased a few of the others in the Dublin Murder Squad series (those aren't on my Kindle already sadly).
I love her writing which can be so evocative and poetic in parts. However, some of it felt a little slow in terms of advancing the plot. This was balanced out by the narrative structure, which flips from current day with the police investigation that Moran and Conway are undertaking; and one year previously when the body of Chris Harper, student at neighbouring boys school, is found in the grounds of St Kilda's girls boarding school. This second timeline is told through the eyes of the girls who may, or may not, be involved in his murder.
I loved how Tana French created two friendship groups of 4 girls in each and then pitted them against one another. However, I did find it a little difficult to keep track of who was who at first. There is a section of the book where Conway and Moran interview each girl separately and this helped to straighten it out a little in my head. There were then a number of boys from the boys school and I had to keep reminding myself who was who there too!
The way Conway and Moran handle the investigation is interesting as Conway is almost seen as the enemy to the girls but her male partner, Moran, is more adept in his interview techniques to get the most out of each different personality. The dynamic between the two detectives is excellent and I look forward to reading more involving them.
The mystery kept me guessing and many nights I stayed up way to late to read 'just one more chapter'.
My main negative in this book was the inclusion of supernatural elements. Thankfully, they weren't overt enough to put me off completely, but it did detract from my enjoyment of this as a mystery/crime novel. I think I understand why they were included but, for me, the book would have been stronger without it.
A few of the reviews say that this is not French's best so I am just pleased that it gets even better from here.
I liked this a lot. A typical Tana French book that kept you guessing throughout.
Need to restart. Other book priorities.
I did *not* find this version of witchy teen girls convincing
Tana French has done it again. Riveting story, great characters. This story is probably the least "Irish" - I could easily imagine the same tale playing out at an American boarding school. The teenage girl characters for the most part rang true (although I did find it a little hard to accept that four girls who were so close would keep so many secrets from each other). I am hoping there will be more novels with Conway and Moran partnered, as I loved the distrust between the two of them, and yet the way they worked the investigation so well together.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated