A review by explikator
The Searcher by Tana French

adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 A slowly burning crime story about a retired cop from America, who bought himself a little farmhouse in an Irish village. He's getting accomodated to the different landscape and the people living there, when suddenly a 13 year old needs his help investigating the whereabouts of a sibling. This search helps the protagonist to see behind the romantic facade, where another set of laws is enforced. 
The story has a very detailed architecture and takes its time to develop its characters. Though the lovers of more gritty thrillers may be dissapointed by the lack of gore - there's another form of violence at work here, that's not less threatening.

I really enjoyed that there are no gun fights and no one had to die. The problems don't disperse suddenly and no villain gets punished. That's refreshing. And, in the same vain, no love story is forced to happen, even more against crime story stereotypes.