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rachelsonnet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
A coming of age murder mystery that focuses on the power of girlhood and friendship. This was almost perfect for me, except I guessed the ending very early on. It doesn’t matter in French’s work though as I still wanted to know why. That is what sets her mysteries apart from the rest. The twists and turns lead you to learn something about the characters and yourself. I was deeply reminded of my time in high school, how our lives felt so big and small all at the same time and why my high school girl friends are still in my dreams at night.
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
5.0
Tana French never disappoints me. Her novels are interesting and her prose is often very lovely. This particular story is set in a girls boarding school.
Holly Mackey (who French fans may remember as Frank Mackey's daughter) brings Detective Stephen Moran a photo of a boy who was found murdered on the grounds of the boarding school the year previously. The photo was posted on a board where the girls are encouraged to create art or poetry to post anonymously as an outlet for creativity and to reduce gossip (yeah right, but they tried). The photo is captioned "I know who killed him".
Stephen Moran thinks this could be his break into the desirable Dublin Murder Squad (he currently works cold cases). But in order to do that, he must win over the tough-as-nails Antoinette Conway, who is the detective on the case. The story takes them to the boarding school, and I won't say much else now for the sake of avoiding spoilers. I will say you do get appearances by the magnificent Frank Mackey, of course.
The story is told in present day and then moves back in time to before the boy (Chris) was murdered. Those chapters are told from the point of view of the girls. I loved the way Tana French used this story-telling style, because it made you see the vulnerability of the girls in a way that you didn't see from the detectives' point of view. To the detectives, the girls are sassy and secretive and flippant (basically, they are teenage girls). But in their voices you see them as children, navigating their way towards adulthood.
I saw some people say they figured out the whodunnits early on. I personally did not, although I didn't really try to think it through either. Honestly, the why is what is most compelling in this book. The teachers, the students, the detectives, the staff at the school--all are well done as characters.
Holly Mackey (who French fans may remember as Frank Mackey's daughter) brings Detective Stephen Moran a photo of a boy who was found murdered on the grounds of the boarding school the year previously. The photo was posted on a board where the girls are encouraged to create art or poetry to post anonymously as an outlet for creativity and to reduce gossip (yeah right, but they tried). The photo is captioned "I know who killed him".
Stephen Moran thinks this could be his break into the desirable Dublin Murder Squad (he currently works cold cases). But in order to do that, he must win over the tough-as-nails Antoinette Conway, who is the detective on the case. The story takes them to the boarding school, and I won't say much else now for the sake of avoiding spoilers. I will say you do get appearances by the magnificent Frank Mackey, of course.
The story is told in present day and then moves back in time to before the boy (Chris) was murdered. Those chapters are told from the point of view of the girls. I loved the way Tana French used this story-telling style, because it made you see the vulnerability of the girls in a way that you didn't see from the detectives' point of view. To the detectives, the girls are sassy and secretive and flippant (basically, they are teenage girls). But in their voices you see them as children, navigating their way towards adulthood.
I saw some people say they figured out the whodunnits early on. I personally did not, although I didn't really try to think it through either. Honestly, the why is what is most compelling in this book. The teachers, the students, the detectives, the staff at the school--all are well done as characters.
lastpaige111's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't stop listening and now want to read the rest. Was totally hooked and relished the theme of teenage girl friendship.
x_naerwen_x's review against another edition
3.0
It would have been awesome if not for the magical realism/supernatural part. The previous books in the series had those elements as well, but those were subtle and never affected the plot in any meaningful way, so I had no problem with them. The way supernatural was an actual part of the story in this book did not work for me at all, unfortunately.
Spoiler
(and a hefty part of the murderer's motive even!)swfountaine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elysahenegar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tana French writes so beautifully! This true crime mystery is atmospheric and captivating. I felt transported to boarding school, to teenage friendship and romance, to the heady energy of it all, all while being completely plugged into the mystery. It's not imperative to read these in order. Definitely recommend!
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
4.0
Another compelling, well-written, mystery by Tana French.
lelia_t's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second Tana French Dublin Murder Squad book I've read. The first (The Tresspasser) I loved. This one also has French's great writing; however, I've never been a fan of detective fiction that jumps from the detective's pov to the suspect's and, in this book (maybe because I have teenage girls) I got really tense reading about events unfolding from the girls' points of view. So, I decided not to make myself keep reading and left the book unfinished with no regrets. Now I'm reading Broken Harbor (also by French) and enjoying it mightily.
ewilsonn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0