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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
The constant summer thunderstorms helped to set the mood while reading this book. In The Woods had the cruel power of a psychological thriller mixed in with a murder mystery plot. Coming from someone who can NOT handle scary movies, and is of the opinion that scary books are even worse because you can turn off your TV, but you can't turn off your head... I really enjoyed this book. It had just the right amount of creepy to keep my heart racing, but also to keep the pages turning. I desperately needed to know what happened to Adam Ryan as a child in those woods, because there had to be a reasonable explanation for the mysterious events, and I was determined to keep reading through the scary mind-twisting stuff in-between in order to reach that conclusion at the end. But of course, Tana French doesn't give up the mystery that easily. And I'm almost glad she doesn't. It gives the book a nice balance. Because the present-day murder case has a logical explanation, I like to think that there is something supernatural, albeit evil, going on in those woods.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I accidentally read this one out of order, since it is the first book in French’s Dublin Murder Squad series. A young girl is found murdered on an archaeological dig, and detective partners Cassie Maddox and Adam “Rob” Ryan are tasking with leading the investigation. French is equally deft at plot and character development; we see Maddox and Ryan’s relationship develop complications as Ryan’s eerie past connection to the murder site is revealed. The two solve the crime, but not before destroying their partnership. ‘In the Woods’ is simultaneously a well-plotted police procedural and a reconstruction of a community, which is probably why it has held up so well over the years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder
DNF 45%
I wanted to read this after the tv series to understand more of the ending, but the writing was so annoying and the chapters were a million pages long. I can't even be bothered to read the ending :( I had high hopes for this series because it is set in Ireland. Maybe I'll try reading the translated version.
I wanted to read this after the tv series to understand more of the ending, but the writing was so annoying and the chapters were a million pages long. I can't even be bothered to read the ending :( I had high hopes for this series because it is set in Ireland. Maybe I'll try reading the translated version.
This book is like if a misogynist noir detective is a more fleshed out person. I saw the mastermind coming a mile away, and I love what French had the narrator say about it. I hated the narrator as a person, but man, he's a great character.
The thing I didn't like about the book is that it wound down several times, like it was the end, but then it would keep going.
The thing I didn't like about the book is that it wound down several times, like it was the end, but then it would keep going.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Rob is such a frustrating narrator and I felt the ending was a little inconclusive. But I think that’s the point of this book. Exploring what a “bad cop” does to a case. The writing is beautiful and I was sooo curious about the mystery.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Drew me in right away and kept me hooked, though the material is quite disturbing. I thought the story was well constructed and told. I would have rated it higher but was put off by the misogyny of the main character - I couldn’t tell if it was reflective of the author’s own internalized misogyny or an important aspect of the character, and unfortunately ended up concluding the former.
had me hooked. loved the characterisation, county Dublin setting, and plot that shouldn't have me very involved but did. ending frustratingly yet satisfyingly realistic made me go !!!!!!!!!!!!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced