A review by jedore
In the Woods by Tana French

dark informative mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

“She informed me, matter-of-factly, that she was old enough to know the difference between intriguing and fucked up. "You should go for younger women," she advised me. "They can't always tell.”

This is Tana French’s debut novel that introduces us to Detective Rob Ryan and his partner Cassie Maddox, members of the Dublin Murder Squad. They are called to investigate the murder of a young girl, Katy Devlin, whose body is found in the woods near her home. But these woods aren’t just any location for Detective Ryan—they’re the very place where, as a child, he was found traumatized, with no memory of the disappearance of his two friends. As the case unfolds, Rob finds himself forced to confront his past, though he’s unsure if it will lead him to answers or greater darkness. *In the Woods* is part psychological thriller, part police procedural, and it deftly blurs the line between past and present mysteries.

I often find police murder mysteries can feel a bit predictable or even cheesy, but this one wasn't. Tana French’s writing is excellent, without relying on the typical tropes that can make this genre feel overdone. The characters—Rob, Cassie, and the supporting cast—aren’t overly developed, but they’re definitely intriguing and more than enough to hold your attention throughout the novel. Their relationships aren't cliché or predictable. The distance French keeps between the reader and the characters works here; it maintains a focus on the mystery itself and the complexities of human dynamics, rather than a deep dive into any single character’s emotional world.

Since French keeps the characters at a slight distance, this isn’t a story that’s particularly deep or emotional. The appeal is more about uncovering the layers of mystery and exploring the tense dynamics between people. French builds suspense well, and also focuses on how people relate to one another under pressure—whether as partners, suspects, or even friends. 

This book is engaging and intriguing...I’ll definitely be reading more of Tana French!
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