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503 reviews
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Set in a small Pennsylvania town in the 1930s, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store dives into the lives of its Black and Jewish residents. The story kicks off when a skeleton is discovered in a well decades later, unraveling a tale of love, community, and defiance in the face of oppression. At the center is the grocery store, run by a Jewish woman whose compassion ties the community together in unexpected ways.
Fun facts: James McBride is not just an award-winning author but also a talented musician and composer. He also won the National Book Award for The Good Lord Bird.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and this one was a unique story about a time and place I hadn’t read much about before. The story shines a light on a lot of struggles and triumphs of black and Jewish people in the earlier part of the 20th century. It's worth a read, but it’s not an easy one to get through.
The plot bounces around as much as the characters do. The disjointed structure made it hard to stay engaged. Honestly, if McBride had focused on just one or two main characters, this could have been a much more powerful read.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“The difference was that the white man in the South spoke his hatred in clear, clean, concise terms, whereas the white man in the new country hid his hatred behind stories of wisdom and bravado, with false smiles of sincerity and stories of Jesus Christ and other nonsense that he tossed about like confetti in the Pottstown parade.”
Set in a small Pennsylvania town in the 1930s, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store dives into the lives of its Black and Jewish residents. The story kicks off when a skeleton is discovered in a well decades later, unraveling a tale of love, community, and defiance in the face of oppression. At the center is the grocery store, run by a Jewish woman whose compassion ties the community together in unexpected ways.
Fun facts: James McBride is not just an award-winning author but also a talented musician and composer. He also won the National Book Award for The Good Lord Bird.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and this one was a unique story about a time and place I hadn’t read much about before. The story shines a light on a lot of struggles and triumphs of black and Jewish people in the earlier part of the 20th century. It's worth a read, but it’s not an easy one to get through.
There are a lot of characters in this book. Just when I started to connect with one, the story would jump to someone else—or back to a character I’d already forgotten about. It made it hard to feel emotionally invested in the story, which is something I usually look for in a book.
The plot bounces around as much as the characters do. The disjointed structure made it hard to stay engaged. Honestly, if McBride had focused on just one or two main characters, this could have been a much more powerful read.
So, I recommend it to more patient readers who are willing to be challenged—it’s ambitious and rich in detail, but the scattered storytelling and character overload might leave you feeling more intrigued than moved.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
This is a moving and educational work of historical fiction set in 1930s Kentucky. The story follows Cussy Mary Carter, one of the last living “blue people” of Kentucky and a dedicated packhorse librarian. As part of the WPA’s Packhorse Library Project, launched under FDR’s New Deal, Cussy rides through the rugged Appalachian terrain to deliver books and hope to impoverished families. Cussy faces prejudice due to her unusual blue-tinged skin (she's actually considered to be "colored" like her black neighbors) and her role as a working woman; her resilience and love for books help her to keep forging connections and transforming lives in her community.
Kim Michele Richardson, a Kentucky native, is deeply connected to the region she writes about. She is also the author of a memoir, The Unbreakable Child, which explores her own experiences of abuse in a Catholic orphanage. Her personal history and love for her home state infuse her writing with authenticity and compassion.
This book introduced me to two fascinating pieces of history I previously knew nothing about:
1. The Packhorse Librarians: This program was part of FDR’s New Deal during the Great Depression and aimed to increase literacy in remote regions while giving people in need work so they could survive. The mostly female packhorse librarians rode miles on horseback, often through treacherous conditions, to bring books and education to families in rural areas who had little to no access to them otherwise.
2. The Blue People of Kentucky: Cussy Mary is based on a real genetic condition known as methemoglobinemia, which caused the skin of some families in Kentucky to appear blue. The condition, though harmless, made them the subject of ridicule and discrimination.
While the plot was somewhat formulaic, I still enjoyed this book. The details about the packhorse librarians and the struggles of the blue-skinned people brought a new perspective on resilience, prejudice, and the transformative power of books.
If you’re looking for a story that combines history, heart, and a unique heroine, this one is well worth your time!
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
“Their hunger for books could teach them of a better life free of the hunger, but without food they'd never live long enough or have the strength to find it.”
This is a moving and educational work of historical fiction set in 1930s Kentucky. The story follows Cussy Mary Carter, one of the last living “blue people” of Kentucky and a dedicated packhorse librarian. As part of the WPA’s Packhorse Library Project, launched under FDR’s New Deal, Cussy rides through the rugged Appalachian terrain to deliver books and hope to impoverished families. Cussy faces prejudice due to her unusual blue-tinged skin (she's actually considered to be "colored" like her black neighbors) and her role as a working woman; her resilience and love for books help her to keep forging connections and transforming lives in her community.
Kim Michele Richardson, a Kentucky native, is deeply connected to the region she writes about. She is also the author of a memoir, The Unbreakable Child, which explores her own experiences of abuse in a Catholic orphanage. Her personal history and love for her home state infuse her writing with authenticity and compassion.
This book introduced me to two fascinating pieces of history I previously knew nothing about:
1. The Packhorse Librarians: This program was part of FDR’s New Deal during the Great Depression and aimed to increase literacy in remote regions while giving people in need work so they could survive. The mostly female packhorse librarians rode miles on horseback, often through treacherous conditions, to bring books and education to families in rural areas who had little to no access to them otherwise.
2. The Blue People of Kentucky: Cussy Mary is based on a real genetic condition known as methemoglobinemia, which caused the skin of some families in Kentucky to appear blue. The condition, though harmless, made them the subject of ridicule and discrimination.
While the plot was somewhat formulaic, I still enjoyed this book. The details about the packhorse librarians and the struggles of the blue-skinned people brought a new perspective on resilience, prejudice, and the transformative power of books.
If you’re looking for a story that combines history, heart, and a unique heroine, this one is well worth your time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence
Minor: Stalking
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
This is a sweeping story of resilience, love, and survival set against the backdrop of 18th-century Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) and New Orleans. It follows Zarité, a young woman born into slavery, who endures unimaginable suffering yet never loses her fierce spirit. Her life is deeply entangled with her owner, Toulouse Valmorain, a French plantation owner who is both dependent on and oppressive toward her. Through Zarité’s eyes, we experience the horrors of slavery, the Haitian Revolution, and her enduring quest for freedom and dignity.
In addition to being one of the most celebrated authors in contemporary literature, Allende is also the niece of Salvador Allende, the former president of Chile who was ousted in a military coup in 1973. This event deeply shaped her life and her writing, accounting for her recurring themes of resilience, displacement, and the struggle for justice that are woven into her novels.
Isabel Allende is hands down one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers novels that are impeccably researched, beautifully written, and rich with complex characters. Her ability to transport readers to another time and place while delving into the deepest aspects of human nature is nothing short of amazing.
This was a heart-wrenching read, particularly because of the relationship between Zarité and Valmorain. He is a pathetic excuse for a man—weak, entitled, and totally unscrupulous. While he depended on Zarité to keep him afloat, he viewed her as mere property, incapable of seeing her humanity. His broken promises and cruel secrets made him despicable, yet tragically reflective of the era’s harsh realities.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Allende never leaves her readers without hope. Through Zarité, she paints a portrait of unwavering strength and resilience, showing how even in the darkest of circumstances, the human spirit can endure and find light.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this book deserves a spot on your reading list. You'll learn so much about Haiti, New Orleans, and slavery. It's not an easy read, but it will teach you a lot while touching you emotionally.
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“There is no worse suffering than to love with fear."
This is a sweeping story of resilience, love, and survival set against the backdrop of 18th-century Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) and New Orleans. It follows Zarité, a young woman born into slavery, who endures unimaginable suffering yet never loses her fierce spirit. Her life is deeply entangled with her owner, Toulouse Valmorain, a French plantation owner who is both dependent on and oppressive toward her. Through Zarité’s eyes, we experience the horrors of slavery, the Haitian Revolution, and her enduring quest for freedom and dignity.
In addition to being one of the most celebrated authors in contemporary literature, Allende is also the niece of Salvador Allende, the former president of Chile who was ousted in a military coup in 1973. This event deeply shaped her life and her writing, accounting for her recurring themes of resilience, displacement, and the struggle for justice that are woven into her novels.
Isabel Allende is hands down one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers novels that are impeccably researched, beautifully written, and rich with complex characters. Her ability to transport readers to another time and place while delving into the deepest aspects of human nature is nothing short of amazing.
This was a heart-wrenching read, particularly because of the relationship between Zarité and Valmorain. He is a pathetic excuse for a man—weak, entitled, and totally unscrupulous. While he depended on Zarité to keep him afloat, he viewed her as mere property, incapable of seeing her humanity. His broken promises and cruel secrets made him despicable, yet tragically reflective of the era’s harsh realities.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Allende never leaves her readers without hope. Through Zarité, she paints a portrait of unwavering strength and resilience, showing how even in the darkest of circumstances, the human spirit can endure and find light.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this book deserves a spot on your reading list. You'll learn so much about Haiti, New Orleans, and slavery. It's not an easy read, but it will teach you a lot while touching you emotionally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Grief, Colonisation
Minor: War
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
This is a raw, deeply introspective memoir about grief. Written after her husband’s sudden death and her daughter’s grave illness (who died after the book was published), it chronicles her attempt to process unimaginable loss while confronting the fragility of life.
Joan Didion is celebrated for her literary analysis of societal and personal crises. Before her fame as a memoirist and novelist, she worked as an editor at Vogue and was part of the "New Journalism" movement, blending literary techniques with traditional reporting, which cemented her reputation as one of America’s most important literary figures.
To me, the title of this book was a bit misleading. I anticipated a narrative about how Didion used “magical thinking” to pull herself through grief—a kind of personal empowerment story. Instead, I found the book to be a harrowing descent into her sorrow. I later learned that her “magical thinking” was actually her desperate belief that she could somehow control or reverse these events.
Didion’s typical New York literary style often alienated me. The text is sprinkled with niche cultural references and name-drops that even well-read people might struggle to grasp. These, combined with too much focus on the minutiae of her daily life, pulled me away from her grief and left me feeling a bit annoyed.
I had hoped this book would offer insights into grief that would resonate even with those who hadn’t experienced the loss of a loved one—perhaps those grieving other life changes or struggles. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for me. The book felt too specific and too personal to Didion’s experience to offer me much comfort or perspective.
Although this book is a poignant exploration of loss, it’s not for everyone. It's not going to uplift you or deliver much accessible wisdom on grieving. I think it might resonate more with intellectuals who have lost someone close to them and who appreciate a more cerebral exploration of grief.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
"Grief has no distance. Grief comes in waves, paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blind the eyes and obliterate the dailiness of life."
This is a raw, deeply introspective memoir about grief. Written after her husband’s sudden death and her daughter’s grave illness (who died after the book was published), it chronicles her attempt to process unimaginable loss while confronting the fragility of life.
Joan Didion is celebrated for her literary analysis of societal and personal crises. Before her fame as a memoirist and novelist, she worked as an editor at Vogue and was part of the "New Journalism" movement, blending literary techniques with traditional reporting, which cemented her reputation as one of America’s most important literary figures.
To me, the title of this book was a bit misleading. I anticipated a narrative about how Didion used “magical thinking” to pull herself through grief—a kind of personal empowerment story. Instead, I found the book to be a harrowing descent into her sorrow. I later learned that her “magical thinking” was actually her desperate belief that she could somehow control or reverse these events.
Didion’s typical New York literary style often alienated me. The text is sprinkled with niche cultural references and name-drops that even well-read people might struggle to grasp. These, combined with too much focus on the minutiae of her daily life, pulled me away from her grief and left me feeling a bit annoyed.
I had hoped this book would offer insights into grief that would resonate even with those who hadn’t experienced the loss of a loved one—perhaps those grieving other life changes or struggles. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for me. The book felt too specific and too personal to Didion’s experience to offer me much comfort or perspective.
Although this book is a poignant exploration of loss, it’s not for everyone. It's not going to uplift you or deliver much accessible wisdom on grieving. I think it might resonate more with intellectuals who have lost someone close to them and who appreciate a more cerebral exploration of grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Grief
Moderate: Medical content
West with the Night by Beryl Markham
informative
medium-paced
I actually added this book to my reading list on three separate occasions…first more than 20 years ago when I started paying attention to strong women, again when I flipped through the pages of “1,000 Books to Read Before You Die,” and a third time last January after I finishing (and LOVING) the fictionalized version of Beryl’s life (“Circling the Sun” by Paula McClain).
I had two expectations about this book: 1) I thought it would be mostly about Beryl’s transatlantic solo flight (only the very end covered this incredible feat…and definitely in short) and 2) I thought I would love it (I much preferred Paula McClain’s story).
While Beryl was an excellent writer in terms of language, for me, too much of the book was focused on Africa and she skimmed over the relationships in her life. This is the biggest reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me. (My guess is that’s exactly why Paula McClain was inspired to write her version.)
Beryl’s love of Africa is infectious, so I would highly recommend that anyone going to East Africa read this book on the plane ride over. Although it’s doubtful I’ll ever get there, Beryl definitely made me question this decision. If I could time travel back to the 1920s-1930s, my choice would very likely be a different one!
I had two expectations about this book: 1) I thought it would be mostly about Beryl’s transatlantic solo flight (only the very end covered this incredible feat…and definitely in short) and 2) I thought I would love it (I much preferred Paula McClain’s story).
While Beryl was an excellent writer in terms of language, for me, too much of the book was focused on Africa and she skimmed over the relationships in her life. This is the biggest reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me. (My guess is that’s exactly why Paula McClain was inspired to write her version.)
Beryl’s love of Africa is infectious, so I would highly recommend that anyone going to East Africa read this book on the plane ride over. Although it’s doubtful I’ll ever get there, Beryl definitely made me question this decision. If I could time travel back to the 1920s-1930s, my choice would very likely be a different one!
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
This is a fictionalized account of the life of Belle da Costa Greene, a brilliant yet little-known historical figure who served as J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian and helped build his renowned book and art collection. Belle is an intelligent and ambitious woman who rose to prominence in the early 1900s, maneuvering through New York’s elite circles while concealing her true identity as a black woman. Her journey is a powerful exploration of identity, ambition, and resilience as she walks a very thin line of societal expectations and personal secrets to make her mark in a world dominated by privilege and prejudice.
I’ve thoroughly enjoy learning about key historical figures who have been largely overlooked, like Belle da Costa Greene. What a remarkable life full of contributions to art, history, and culture—she's an inspiring woman who navigated a time in U.S. history with significant social limitations. This fictionalized take on her life gives us a peek inside her world in an engaging way mainstream history books rarely capture.
It was both challenging and enlightening to get a glimpse of the entitled and often misogynistic individuals who were influential figures in U.S. history. Benedict does an excellent job of revealing the complexities of the period when influential people were rarely all good or all bad. Many of the men around Belle are depicted as both influential and deeply flawed—individuals who were capable of building legacies yet were complicit in upholding systems that marginalized those who were not like them.
I do feel like the story was tainted by a bit of "toxic positivity." This was solidified for me when Belle reunites with her father 17 years after he left the family and started another one and she expressed only positive feelings when he came back into her life. Not so realistic, especially since Belle was the one who took on all of the responsibility of supporting the entire family after he left.
This is an outstanding read for fans of historical fiction, and particularly for women who draw strength from learning about trailblazing sisters like Belle.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
“Being a woman, I know that I must do my job twice as well as any man to be thought half as good.”
This is a fictionalized account of the life of Belle da Costa Greene, a brilliant yet little-known historical figure who served as J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian and helped build his renowned book and art collection. Belle is an intelligent and ambitious woman who rose to prominence in the early 1900s, maneuvering through New York’s elite circles while concealing her true identity as a black woman. Her journey is a powerful exploration of identity, ambition, and resilience as she walks a very thin line of societal expectations and personal secrets to make her mark in a world dominated by privilege and prejudice.
I’ve thoroughly enjoy learning about key historical figures who have been largely overlooked, like Belle da Costa Greene. What a remarkable life full of contributions to art, history, and culture—she's an inspiring woman who navigated a time in U.S. history with significant social limitations. This fictionalized take on her life gives us a peek inside her world in an engaging way mainstream history books rarely capture.
It was both challenging and enlightening to get a glimpse of the entitled and often misogynistic individuals who were influential figures in U.S. history. Benedict does an excellent job of revealing the complexities of the period when influential people were rarely all good or all bad. Many of the men around Belle are depicted as both influential and deeply flawed—individuals who were capable of building legacies yet were complicit in upholding systems that marginalized those who were not like them.
I do feel like the story was tainted by a bit of "toxic positivity." This was solidified for me when Belle reunites with her father 17 years after he left the family and started another one and she expressed only positive feelings when he came back into her life. Not so realistic, especially since Belle was the one who took on all of the responsibility of supporting the entire family after he left.
This is an outstanding read for fans of historical fiction, and particularly for women who draw strength from learning about trailblazing sisters like Belle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism
Moderate: Antisemitism, Abortion, Abandonment
Minor: Death, Death of parent
Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik
This book follows the journey of 19-year-old Lily Bushwold who in search of a fresh start leaves heads to Bolivia for a teaching job. There she meets Omar, a charismatic man who quickly becomes her boyfriend and invites her to join him in his remote Amazonian village. In the jungle, Lily faces a world that is both awe-inspiring and relentless, forcing her to confront the jungle’s hazards and her own fears and limitations.
Living in what I’d call the “jungle lite” here in Panama, I found myself relating to Lily’s experience—steering clear of strange (and very large) bugs, carefully navigating the hidden threats off the beaten path and in the water, and witnessing the invasion of humans for financial gain. Ferencik paints a vivid and accurate picture of the jungle’s beauty and its dangers.
Lily’s not a typical hero; she’s scarred by her past and deeply flawed, but it’s these imperfections that make her journey compelling. I was silently cheering her on as she transitioned from a vulnerable young woman to one who is strong and capable.
The depiction of Omar’s family was also spot on. They were understandably suspicious of Lily, seeing her as an outsider and keeping her at arm’s length until she earned her place in their world.
This is an especially compelling read for expats living in Panama or those drawn to adventurous coming-of-age stories.
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
"I was learning fast that the best policy in the jungle was to take whatever bounty comes to you, when it comes to you.
This book follows the journey of 19-year-old Lily Bushwold who in search of a fresh start leaves heads to Bolivia for a teaching job. There she meets Omar, a charismatic man who quickly becomes her boyfriend and invites her to join him in his remote Amazonian village. In the jungle, Lily faces a world that is both awe-inspiring and relentless, forcing her to confront the jungle’s hazards and her own fears and limitations.
Living in what I’d call the “jungle lite” here in Panama, I found myself relating to Lily’s experience—steering clear of strange (and very large) bugs, carefully navigating the hidden threats off the beaten path and in the water, and witnessing the invasion of humans for financial gain. Ferencik paints a vivid and accurate picture of the jungle’s beauty and its dangers.
Lily’s not a typical hero; she’s scarred by her past and deeply flawed, but it’s these imperfections that make her journey compelling. I was silently cheering her on as she transitioned from a vulnerable young woman to one who is strong and capable.
The depiction of Omar’s family was also spot on. They were understandably suspicious of Lily, seeing her as an outsider and keeping her at arm’s length until she earned her place in their world.
This is an especially compelling read for expats living in Panama or those drawn to adventurous coming-of-age stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Medical trauma
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
A Different Kind of Normal by Cathy Lamb
This book follows the journey of a single mom and her adopted son, who has a rare cranial condition. Together, they navigate the challenges of judgment and misunderstanding, and share a unique and loving bond. It’s a story of resilience, love, and finding beauty in unexpected places.
I found this book to be pretty average. One of my main struggles was the dialogue—it felt overly cheesy and didn’t quite match the characters' ages or experiences, which pulled me out of the story. The characters, too, felt a bit simplistic and underdeveloped, especially given the weight of their actual circumstances. With such complex issues, I was hoping for deeper character exploration and more realistic exchanges. Instead, I'd say that, for the most part, it felt a lot like toxic positivity.
If you’re into Hallmark-style fiction that wraps up in a nicely packaged, feel-good way, then this is your book!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
“Let's face it. you become a deeper person amidst adversity. You become a more perceptive, strong, resilient person when life is not handed to you on a silver platter held by a butler.”
This book follows the journey of a single mom and her adopted son, who has a rare cranial condition. Together, they navigate the challenges of judgment and misunderstanding, and share a unique and loving bond. It’s a story of resilience, love, and finding beauty in unexpected places.
I found this book to be pretty average. One of my main struggles was the dialogue—it felt overly cheesy and didn’t quite match the characters' ages or experiences, which pulled me out of the story. The characters, too, felt a bit simplistic and underdeveloped, especially given the weight of their actual circumstances. With such complex issues, I was hoping for deeper character exploration and more realistic exchanges. Instead, I'd say that, for the most part, it felt a lot like toxic positivity.
If you’re into Hallmark-style fiction that wraps up in a nicely packaged, feel-good way, then this is your book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Medical trauma, Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
In the Woods by Tana French
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Couldn’t get into it