A review by chicafrom3
The Searcher by Tana French

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.25

Cal Hooper, freshly divorced and freshly retired from the Chicago PD, buys a fixer-upper in rural Ireland and sets himself to starting a new life, free of the complications of his old one - only to get drawn into the mystery of a neighbor kid's missing brother and discover that small towns have just as many dirty secrets as big cities, if not more... Gorgeously written, with lush descriptions of the Irish countryside serving to amp up the tense atmosphere and unsettling story. Cal is trying his best and doesn't always know what that is; Trey is determined, frightened, and in desperate need of direction; Lena is unspeakably wonderful and nuanced - and our wide range of supporting characters are varied, complex, and much more than they seem at first glance. Things unfold slowly, but the pace never lets up. A very satisfying novel.