shelby1994 's review for:

The Secret Place by Tana French

5.0

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I don't think I have any more words in my christmas-cookie addled brain to describe how much I love Tana French, so let's let the actual real-life author use her big fancy words to convince you instead, shall we?
"Be scared, you have to be scared, ordering like this is your one absolute duty.  Be scared you're fat, be scared your boobs are too big and be scared they're too small.  Be scared to walk on your own, specially anywhere quiet enough that you can hear yourself think.  Be scared of wearing the wrong stuff, saying the wrong thing, having a stupid laugh, being uncool.  Be scared of guys not fancying you; be scared of guys, they're animals, rabid, can't stop themselves. Be scared of girls, they're all vicious, they'll cut you down before you can cut them. Be scared of strangers. Be scared you won't do well enough in your exams, be scared of getting in trouble. Be scared terrified petrified that everything you are is every kind of wrong. Good Girl."
Read this book (and the rest of the Dublin Murder Squad series) if:
- You wanted to tattoo the "Cool Girl" monologue from 'Gone Girl' across your back '
- You wish more people got murdered in Sally Rooney books 
- You know that friend breakups always hurt more than romantic breakups