I was so excited to read my first Tana French novel. Unfortunately this just did not work for me. While the writing and descriptions were beautifully written, it made the story too drawn out and slow.

The Searcher by Tana French is one of those relatively rare books that grips me and keeps me reading from the first page. Immediate atmosphere, authentic characters and an air of mystery. All the factors that work so well are additionally enhanced by the location of the story. Tana skilfully describes the geography and the culture of the area, which Cal has recently moved to, without using tedious descriptors or cliches. The tension builds with many unanswered hints about Cal’s family, and about a local missing person but life is breathed in to it all by the evolving picture of a bereft sibling, Trey. (Therein lies another great twist!) This book was a delight despite it being disturbing with a somewhat surprising revelation. Even though there was a disappointing outcome to the mystery, Tana still achieves a good ending! Definitely in my five star list. I’d love to follow Cal’s journey, as I believe there are many sequels just waiting to be written

The Searcher follows Cal who moves to Ireland to get away from his past life as a detective and ends up searching for the missing brother of a local boy who asks for his help.

I really enjoyed the writing style of the book, the book is slow paced and there is a lot of focus on the setting and village life/villagers – not something I typically read and I thought I would get bored but I was really invested in the story. I really liked the build up and suspense in the story; getting to know the various characters and seeing two sides to them, the different ways Cal questioned some characters and the general atmosphere of the book with the small village who are nosy and yet keep each other’s secrets.

I did like Cal as a narrator and enjoyed reading about how he dealt with things and how he adapted to his new life and the new people around him. I also enjoyed the growing relationship between him and Trey and how they helped each other out. The ending reveal was not surprising, but I liked how it was dealt with.

4/5

Cal Hooper is a retired American police detective who's left for Ireland to find peace and escape. He's purchased a run down cottage near a rural Irish village; but peace eludes him. He's dragged into a mystery by a local kid and finds himself getting involved in a missing persons case. Deep down he knows something is wrong and no one else seems to care about this isolated family, but even Cal didn't expect to uncover layers of darkness all too close to home. There are a whole host of supporting characters and this rural location is brought to life with amazing detail.

It's atmospheric, realistic, compelling and intense. Tana French is a master at her craft, writing detailed locations, deep characters with history and demons all of their own, and twisty stories that keep you turning page after page relentlessly. I'm genuinely sad this is a standalone, because Cal is such a brilliant character. I'd love to drag him back to the city and watch him put back to work!

An absolute must read, possibly my favourite book of 2020 so far!

All of a sudden he has that sensation he kept getting, back when Trey was an unknown quantity and Cal was deciding what to do about him: an intense awareness of the spread of the dark countryside all around his house; a sense of being surrounded by a vast invisible web, where one wrong touch could shake things so far distant he hasn’t even spotted them. [loc. 1436]
A stranger comes to town ... Cal Hooper was born in North Carolina and served for a quarter of a century in the Chicago police force before taking early retirement and emigrating to Ardnakelty, a small village in the west of Ireland. He wants peace and quiet, and the soft-focus loveliness promised by the Irish Tourist Board: instead, he encounters a complex and shuttered community, and Trey, a teenager who's desperate to learn the fate of beloved older brother Brendan.

Cal realises that if he doesn't help Trey, nobody will, and he starts asking questions about Brendan's disappearance. It quickly becomes apparent that the Irish Tourist Board has elided some key aspects of rural life in Ireland: feuds, poverty, criminal enterprise. The gardai are, in different ways, as corrupt and prejudiced as the police force from which Cal took early retirement: and his core belief, that truth and justice matter more than anything else -- a belief which contributed to estrangement from his family, though Cal is still not sure how that happened -- is profoundly shaken.

French is one of my favourite authors: this may be my least favourite of her books. That's at least partially because of my own expectations, based on prior novels. The Searcher is told in third person, not in first, which robs it of some (though not all) intimacy. The setting is rural, and the folk he encounters have long memories: little resemblance to the city bustle and shifting allegiances of the Dublin Murder Squad. And I kept waiting for the weirdness: and, unless you count one character's riff about sheep-mutilating aliens in UFOs, there was none.

Once I acknowledged and set aside my expectations, I could focus on the creeping sense of threat; the restraint with which French describes the unspoken undercurrents of a night at the pub; the descriptions of Cal's loving manual work on the decrepit house he's bought; the rich atmosphere of the Irish countryside, its air 'rich as fruitcake, like you should do more with it than just breathe it'; the ominous flocking of crows. It's fascinating to see Cal trying to conduct an investigation without either the tools of his trade or the status of the badge he resigned. And, though on the face of it Cal is more privileged than Trey, or Brendan, could ever aspire to become, he's very much an outsider. ... Perhaps that's where I felt the dissonance between this and previous works: French's other novels frequently feature an insider discovering secrets within their community, their family or even their own mind.

Vivid secondary characters (I especially liked Mart, the neighbour who somehow manipulates Cal into buying him biscuits, and whose ignorance is almost a caricature); marvellous prose; a powerful story about masculinity and community in fast-changing times, and about justice in its various forms. Yet I'm not sure I'll come back to this one, at least for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this honest review. UK Publication Date: 05NOV20

Recently divorced and after twenty-five years in the Chicago police force, Cal Hooper relocates to a remote Irish village where he thinks renovating an old cottage will be a quiet escape. However, when a local kid asks for his help to find out what happened to their missing brother, Cal reluctantly investigates and finds that the pretty village and it’s inhabitants aren’t what they seem.
Very descriptive making you feel you are there and good characterisation.

I love Tana French. Her way of drawing characters is flawless & even when the plot meanders a little you stick with it because of the sheer beauty of the writing and the compelling characters. I absolutely loved Trey & her relationship with the MC, the vibrancy of the setting & the page-turning plot. Highly recommended.

Well, I can’t say I enjoyed this book at all. So many pages were just descriptive and dull. Then suddenly things start to happen and even they are long and drawn out. And all of a sudden it’s finished! Sorry but this was not a food read at all #NetGalley#TheSearcher

Tana French is an American-Irish author of psychological mystery/crime fiction and Ireland has been the backdrop for all of her books so far, as she has lived there since the '90s. You may have heard of her Dublin Murder Squad series (it starts with Into The Woods) or perhaps her 2018 standalone novel, The Witch Elm, and this year, The Searcher is another standalone novel set for release in November. Personally, I have never read a Tana French novel before even though I do enjoy the odd crime novel and like to read a good mystery now and then, so this review is coming from a Tana French newbie!

Having no expectations or preconceptions, I was drawn to the book because of its setting and the fact the main character was no longer working in law enforcement. To me, a crime novel without all of the cops offered something different.

The Searcher follows Cal Hooper, a recently divorced, recently retired policeman from Chicago. He's now in the fictional small town of Ardnakelty for some fresh air, good scenery, and to throw himself into the project of fixing up the old farmhouse he's trying to live in. It doesn't take long for another project to demand his attention. The object of his search is a missing nineteen-year-old, and Cal must do his searching without all of the tools of the police at his disposal. This means Cal has to figure out the town and its people, seek them out, get them talking, and get to uncovering secrets all the while trying to fit in as the American stranger in their town.

The setting and surroundings within The Searcher add to the enjoyment of the novel. Ardnakelty is almost a character itself as it is always present but changing. The isolated rural town adds to the slow-growing tension and gives off a good atmosphere. At times, it was almost a cosy reading experience because of the plentiful descriptions of the weather, animals, and the food. I read this as the weather changed to a grey, rainy week in October, which is similar to The Searcher as it is set during the time of year where the darker nights are closing in.

The slower pacing allows time to introduce the reader to the residents of Ardnakelty, as well as giving a bit of background to Cal. The character of Marty helps the reader get to know about who's who. This is done well as the same time he's getting Cal up to speed on his neighbours, the reader is being informed too. This helps the reader on their journey as they are trying to work out the secrets along with Cal. Although the slow start is not a negative, I would have liked to see an increase in pacing after the halfway point, because slow burners are not for everyone.

I'd have liked a fuller conclusion for an ending, but I appreciate different readers are going to want different things. It would have been more engaging to have a bit more drama, or a twist in the plot of the mystery, but on the other hand, too much drama would have been out of place with the setting of the novel. I think this is one of those stories and endings that will divide opinions!

Also, I must add a mention that Tana French gets some bonus points for dropping in a mention of the amazing musician, Hozier!

I found The Searcher to be a bit of a slow burn yet I did enjoy it. I liked most of the characters and found that the story was about them as well as a bit of mystery bringing some of them together. The story is set in a small village where typically everyone knows everything going on. The main character is a newcomer and is also a retired police officer and trying to adjust to his new life.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. #TanaFrench #thesearcher

The Searcher is a crime novel that doesn’t rely on over the top dramatic twists, instead we get a beautifully written character driven, carefully plotted novel that takes place in rural Ireland.
Cal Hooper, separated from his wife and disillusioned with the Chicago police force, retires and moves to a small village in rural Ireland. His wish for a quiet life is disturbed when Trey a local youth from a troubled family tells Cal about her brother who is missing and asks for Cals help to discover what has happened to him, as the local police have shown no interest in his disappearance. Also, local farmers are concerned that someone or something is killing and mutilating their sheep. Could the events be connected?
Really like the way the characters are developed and suspense is maintained as Cal gradually unravels the truth. Needless to say many characters are misdirecting and withholding information from Cal.
A classy crime novel where nothing is as it seems.

I enjoy Tana French's story telling quite a bit, but this book was a departure from her usual British mysteries. The main character of the story is retired American police officer who buys a fixer upper cottage in Ireland only to find intrigue with his assortment of neighbors in the small community.

“The Searcher” is the latest in a series of impressive thrillers by Tana French who must now be regarded as one of Ireland’s preeminent crime thriller authors. In this story, a retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper has made a conscious decision to settle in a remote village in rural Ireland and leave behind his former life which became too complicated for a number of reasons. Instead he finds a different kind of complicated where he never expected.

Cal makes friends easily in the small town where he works on fixing up the ramshackle cottage that he has moved into. His local neighbour Mart, guides him in the established local customs, greets him in the bar and generally looks out for him. Cal’s impressive physique and exotic accent ensure that he stands out - everyone knows who he is before he meets them. Unexpectedly, Cal starts looking out for one particular kid and then finds himself more involved than he ever intended to be.

In the course of recounting this frightening tale, the author also manages to juxtapose the expansive freedom of the rural setting with the pernicious claustrophobia of the small town where everyone knows who you are and everything about you.

I enjoyed "wych elm" but haven't read any of Ms French's Dublin crime series. Unfortunately, judging by this book I probably won't be searching her back catalogue, as I found it quite verbose and almost dull at times. The descriptive pieces were well written but I felt at times that they were at the expense of the plot and characterisation.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book

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.

This is a stand alone, slow burner of a book by Tana French. Set in rural Ireland, it is beautifully written with some heart warming descriptive passages and is a real character driven mystery. The main character of Cal, a retired Chicago cop, is seeking to have a change of lifestyle. He soon becomes friendly with a 13 year old trying to find a missing brother. Different from the normal thrillers out there but definitely one to read and I would recommend it very much. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Another solid standalone thriller, more gentle and warmer than The Wych Elm. Beautifully written, as usual, and the approximation of a Western atmosphere in a rural Irish setting is unusual and well done.

I enjoyed it. It is different from her Dublin Murder Squad series.

It is super slow slow slowburn. I was visibly bored by 15% of the book and wondered if I should stick with it. It picks up in Chapter 8. Here is Cal Hooper, ex-cop, leading a retired life, drinking with his buddies, building chairs and tables, trying to repair his house—basically the laid back retired life. Now here is why it is clever—American in Ireland; hence unfamiliar territory to solve a mystery; retired cop so he can only ask around, not verify statements or get backup force or even have friends to ask for favours. I loved the relationship between Cal and Trey, the kid whose brother is missing (the mystery that Cal has to solve). I enjoyed how the investigation progressed. It was like jumping into the dark. You go forward by intuition only. Another positive about the book is how the atmosphere builds up—I felt damp, wet, walking through Ireland. There's some shooting of animals, gossip sessions and small town talk, all of which enhance the rural life.

As is usual with Tana French, there's a mystery at the forefront and the personal problems of the main character at the background. This is the same. I didn't feel a big connection to Cal, but I was happy the way he and Trey got along. There's forgiveness, redemption and all the flaws that make us human. Note, The Searcher is in third person. If you aren't a very patient reader, the slowness might irk you though. Rating : 3.5 stars

I do so enjoy Tana French's writing as do the library readers as there is always a wait for her books. This one certainly did not disappoint. Crystal, beautiful evocative writing with the Irish countryside, immersed in the story as powerful as any other character.
Will certainly be including this as part of the libary's book club.
Thank you for the advance copy

I absolutely loved this book! It had everything I love - bold characters, a great mystery, a wonderful setting. I absolutely loved Cal and Trey; I thought they were amazing characters. They were brave and tragic and had their own moral codes, and they set after what they wanted and dealt with everything that threw at them the best way they could. This book makes me want to become a detective and then retire in Ireland. 5 big, bright stars!!