A cracking start to a new series. Cal Hooper is a fantastic new character and I’ve already bought number 2 in the series.

Tana French’s latest standalone novel, set in the fictional Irish town of Ardnakelty, diverges from her usual fare. Cal Hooper, an American former Chicago cop, relocates to Ireland for a fresh start after a disillusioning career in law enforcement. He buys a dilapidated house to renovate and seeks peace in the rural setting.

Cal, initially content to observe his new surroundings and engage sparingly with locals, is drawn back into investigative work when a local boy, Trey, asks for his help. Trey’s brother, Brendan, has gone missing, and the local police have shown little interest in the case. Cal, despite facing numerous challenges, is determined to uncover the truth.

Though not my top Tana French novel, I found it engaging, especially the developing relationship between Cal and Trey. The story delves into small-town dynamics, capturing the claustrophobic nature of such communities. The slow pace may require some patience, but the novel’s exploration of mystery, ethics, and relationships makes it a worthwhile read. Thanks to Penguin UK for the ARC.

This really wasnt my usual kind of read and it also easnt for me. Well written and a good storyline but i couldnt connect with the characters. I tried to dnf but unfortunately for me it just wasnt keeping my interested so 3/4 through i did actually dnf.
That said i would recommend anyone to try. The beauty of books is every read doesnt suit every reader.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is a well-written character driver mystery, a little slow-paced in places, still worth persevering with as the plot heats up. It's a recommended read.

I honestly adore the way French rights. You can't help but want to know what is going to happen next.

Another great book from this author
I love her writing. It just makes the story come alive
The pacing and storytelling was excellent
Love the front cover too.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

Another great book from this author
I love her writing. It just makes the story come alive
The pacing and storytelling was excellent

I'm a massive fan of Tana French. Having devoured the Dublin Murder series, this book along with Wych Elm have been on my kindle unread with so longer as I was worried it wouldn't be as good. Having recently been approved for an ARC of The Hunter, I was eager to get this read. I wholeheartedly regret not reading this sooner. A slow burn of a book where Tana takes her time building the story and introducing us to her cast of flawed characters, she's absolutely smashed it.

I've loved Tana French for so long so was very excited to read this one! It didn't disappoint and I'm very excited to read more of Cal's story.

"The Searcher" by Tana French is a slow-burning, atmospheric mystery that's as much about self-discovery as it is about solving a crime. Set in a quaint Irish village, it's a refreshing departure from the typical crime thriller. French's writing is immersive, and her characters are wonderfully flawed and relatable. If you're in the mood for a character-driven mystery that unfolds at its own pace, this book is a must-read.

This is a great author, I have read many books from her and this one did not disappoint. Highly recommended

Many thanks Netgalley and Tana French for the opportunity to review this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

What a wonderful book this was. THE SEARCHER is a big mystery in a small town, with a vibrant cast of characters set against a backdrop of a beautifully wild part of the world. This book takes its time introducing each person, and carefully laying the stepping stones to the central mystery (the disappearance of a local young man), as well as through the truth of the mystery itself. Its two main characters form the fan-favourite trope of "lone-ranger man becomes reluctant dad to errant tearaway child and transforms into their heroic protector". And boy, is it done beautifully. The pacing (and realism) of the slow-growing friendship between American ex-pat police detective Cal and maligned local kid Trey is handled so well. I loved them both dearly and am really sad to let go of them. I also need to make special mention of the engagingly brilliant Irish dialogue, which I've come to realize is something really special to me. Once again, Tana French does not disappoint. Thanks to NetGalley UK for the review copy.

The Searcher by Tana French is a mystery novel set in a small town in Ireland. It tells the story of Cal Hooper, a retired Chicago police detective who moves to the town to escape his past. But when a local boy goes missing, Cal is drawn into the investigation and begins to uncover dark secrets about the town. The Searcher is a slow-burning mystery, but it is also a character-driven novel. French does a masterful job of developing the characters and creating a sense of suspense. The novel is also beautifully written, with evocative descriptions of the Irish countryside.

"The Searcher" took me on a journey to the tranquil Irish countryside, where Cal, a former Chicago cop, hoped to find peace and quiet. Little did he know that his dreams of serenity would be shattered when a mysterious teenager unexpectedly appeared in his garden.

Having delved into the world of Tana French for the first time, I must say I was instantly smitten with the author's writing style. The way she brought the characters to life and painted a vivid picture of the tight-knit village community was truly commendable. Each character felt like a real person, and that's always a big plus in my book!

However, here comes the twist in this tale. The plot and pacing left a bit to be desired, and I couldn't help but hope for a thrilling murder mystery that would keep me at the edge of my seat. Instead, "The Searcher" turned out to be more of a character-driven contemporary fiction with a sprinkle of mystery. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good character study, but I couldn't help but anticipate a rollercoaster of suspense and twists that never quite materialized.

Throughout the first 80% of the book, I found myself patiently waiting for something significant to happen, but alas, not much did. My anticipation soared, wishing that the grand finale would salvage my expectations. Sadly, the ending left me yearning for that adrenaline-pumping resolution I had craved.

In conclusion, "The Searcher" might not have satisfied my craving for a heart-pounding thriller, but I can't deny the allure of the author's writing and well-crafted characters. So, if you're looking for a slow-burn, character-rich tale set in the Irish countryside, this might be your cup of tea. But if you're like me, hoping for a nail-biting mystery, you might be better off chasing clues elsewhere.

The story was a tad slow for the majority of the book then suddenly everything happened and the story was concluded. This was not a favourite for me but I’d try others by the author

While the premise of The searcher by Tara French was right up my alley, the book itself took too long to get to certain points and lost my interest so many times I finally quite reading. Normally her books are exactly the type of books I want to read. With great writing ability. This one, sorry to say I just could not finish it.

After the break up of his marriage, Cal Hooper, a retired US cop, decides to up sticks and move to rural Ireland. He buys a semi derelict house and is happy puttering around the house, renovating here and there, getting to know his new neighbours, and exploring his new surroundings. When a local child starts to visit him he soon realises his new found peace and quiet may not be quite so quiet or peaceful There are long buried secrets and lies just waiting to be uncovered.

I've read a few of Tana French's Dublin Murder series, enjoying them al, but this one is not for me. I didn't much care for the main character, finding him somewhat contrived and stereotypical. The style was also quite different and not one I could fall into.

If this is your first French novel, don't discount her, go have a look at the Dublin Murder series and see what you think.

This was my first Tana French, and definitely won’t be my last. I loved the atmosphere that draws you into the thick of the storyline. So beautifully written with tense moments as it all unravels. Wonderful!

When retired detective Cal Hooper moves to a remote village in rural Ireland he is hoping for a quiet life.
Instead he is roped into solving a missing persons case when a local kid asks him for help finding his brother.
This dark, atmospheric novel really took me right to the Irish countryside and with the added humour from the locals it made for a very enjoyable read.
A great twisty page turner I would highly recommend