The Searcher

This book was not at all what I expected. Having never read any Tana French but knowing how renown she was in the bookish world for her creepy and atmospheric thrillers, I was expecting a much more fast paced read. Maybe because most thrillers and mysteries I have read in recent years have propulsive storylines and hairpin twists, I was expecting this book to deliver a similar format. I was initially intrigued that it didn't as it made for a refreshing change in pace. But overall this book was too slow for me. I expected this book to build up tension for a big reveal. I was constantly looking for a turn in the plot that never came. That isn't a fault of the writer or the book but I find the slower pace of this novel wasn't as engaging to read. The Irish setting also gave the novel a melancholic energy that wasn't to my reading preference. However I can appreciate that many other readers would have enjoyed that choice.

This book follows Cal, a retired Chicago police detective who moves to the Irish countryside to enjoy his retirement in peace. However his solitude and serenity doesn't last long when one day a local youth Trey, turns up at his door asking for help in finding their missing sibling Brendan. When Cal begrudgingly agrees to help, Cal finds out the hard way that the idyllic Irish countryside isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I enjoyed the writing style and the premise of this book was interesting. I just think I didn't get from this book what I was expecting going in, which left me a little disappointed. But I can see why Tara French is so highly regarded and I am very excited to go back and read her back catalogue and see if I can find another book of hers to connect with better. A 3.5 star read.


Thanks to the author Tana French, Penguin UK and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.