Another pacey thriller from someone who is fast becoming the heir to Donna Tartt. Gripping and intriguing with lots of twists.

I was intrigued to find out more about "The Searcher" after reading a description on Goodreads.

I was drawn into the world of "The Searcher", Cal, and village life right from the beginning - who was hoping for a simple life in an picturesque Irish village, but we soon find out that a quiet and simple for Cal is not to be when Trey knocks on his door.

The story delves beyond the idyllic scene of village life to uncover the complexity of human relationships and that actions can set off a chain reaction, with dire consequences for some.

Cal is asked to search for Trey's missing brother, and as he does this, other things are uncovered. Just like an onion, Cal peels one layer of stories to find more underneath. Where and when will it all end? And what will Cal find out about Trey's brother?

I particularly enjoyed seeing village life through Cal's eyes from the descriptions and conversations shared. At times, I was on tenterhooks - what's going to happen next?

That said, there were a few times towards the end of the book that I felt like asking, "are we there yet?" Or maybe it was simply me wanting to find out "who dunnit?"

This was the first book by Tana French that I have read, and it won't be the last, especially if we see Cal again.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business for sharing this eARC.

An American ex-cop retires to Ireland and becomes embroiled in a local conspiracy, the search for a missing man and the life of a child. I loved this book. I could see the Irish countryside, the pub, the shop and every one of its inhabitants. When French tells you how a child shrugs or the way a man looks or the way the light falls in Autumn, you know exactly what she means. I was hoping for echoes of the old Westerns and ‘The Searchers’ and was not disappointed. The writing is superb and the slow roll out of the story is immensely satisfying - more literary than genre crime fiction. Something in the tone and writing reminded me of Donna Tartt.

Cal Hooper moved to a village in the west of Ireland, expecting a calm and peaceful life - the opposite of his previous reincarnation as a police officer in Chicago. Certainly, his life does seem idyllic, friendly neighbours (if a little too nosey), days spent slowly rebuilding his dilapidated cottage, and the odd visit to the local pub.
Of course, this is a Tana French novel and nothing is ever as calm as it seems. Beneath that tranquil surface, darker dealings are taking place and Cal will find himself sliding into that black hole again.
All begins innocently enough when local teenager Trey starts to visit Cal, and ask about his life, but Cal soon realises that Trey has an alternative agenda and when Cal agrees to investigate the teenager’s missing brother, the chill factor starts to rise – and this time around, it has nothing to do with the weather.
The descriptions of the countryside are utterly beautiful and instead of distracting from the storyline, serve to emphasize the sharp contrast between the simplicity of life and the nastier undercurrent that Cal is slowly uncovering. The language used and the style of the characters is so realistic and this is one of the strengths of a French novel. Wonderful depictions of their relationships.
As we read on, the storyline becomes increasingly challenging as Cal faces upto his moral responsibilities – just how much responsibility does he own to Trey? Or to himself? What about the ‘subtle’ threats from his neighbours? The slow burn type of the storyline continues and does not let up for a moment. There is a feeling of menace that creeps in and then takes hold until the end. Fantastic, rich and evocative writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a wonderfully well written psychological thriller.
The descriptive visual way it is written is stunning, it was more like watching a film than reading a book!
Unpredictable and with characters you can’t help but grow fond of, it’s a definite recommendation from me.

I should preface this by saying that I'm a *huge* French fan and have never given any of her books less than 4-stars before... but this one flummoxed me. Writing, unusually, in the 3rd person, this has an unconvincing central character in Cal who is a retired Chicago police detective who is a bit burned out, disillusioned (his partner shot an unarmed Black boy in a timely incident), and still mourning his broken-down marriage who chooses to buy a shack in the middle of nowhere in Ireland, a shack without even running water which he's planning to do up.

Now, given the insular nature of the small agricultural town, the fact that young people leave as there's nothing to do unless they inherit the family farm, we'd expect this American stranger to struggle with the locals but no: he's welcomed in the little community where someone/thing is mutilating sheep, the local shopkeeper is match-making within seconds and, once Cal gets his teeth into the disappearance of a young man, people are happy to talk to him and uncover their secrets. None of this rang true to me at all. And it's s-l-o-o-o-w. Now, I was one of the people who *loved* The Wych Elm so I don't mind slow if it's slow and purposeful - but this gives us pages of sanding down drawer runners and teaching a young boy how to shoot rabbits and details of what Cal is eating and what cookies (do Irish people use 'cookies' for biscuits?') his neighbour likes...

The thing about French that I love is that she gives us a gripping mystery but also uses the form to explore wider themes: trauma, identity, love appear again and again, treated with originality and integrity and a humane empathy. I couldn't find anything much beneath the surface story of this book. Maybe I was missing something?

So it's with a heavy heart that I'm rating this as just 2 stars: I found it ponderous and unconvincing and found myself skimming restlessly as Cal starts working on that drawer runner once again...

This latest book from Tana French is set in the rural countryside of Ireland. Cal, a retired cop from Chicago, has moved to the back end of nowhere in the hope of making a new start, and possibly putting a few demons to rest. He buys an abandoned farm house which has gone to ruin and tasks himself with doing it up himself whilst getting to know the locals who are wary of the ‘blow in’. Having grown up in Ireland I am very drawn to Irish fiction and am also not forgiving of the usual stereotypes of Irish life. This book however was so on point in describing the nuances and peculiarities of life in a small Irish village that I quickly lost myself in the storyline with its rich characters. Cal has broken the ice with his neighbour Mart, who may seem like a bumbling easy going character but is not to be taken at face value. Sharing a love of cookies, they build a warm friendship and Mart schools Cal in the lay of the land. There is only one problem, Cal has the feeling someone is watching his house and eventually realises that Trey, a scruffy child who trusts no one, needs his help. Despite wanting to leave the life of a cop behind, Cal can’t help but do his best for this child. The rich characterisation and attention to detail in this book drew me in, an I quickly became as invested in Trey’s story as Cal was. I won’t divulge any more of the plot as this would ruin the experience for you, however I highly recommend that you take the chance to immerse yourself in this amazing book.

I would like to thank Tana French, Penguin UK and NetGalley for this ARC

I enjoyed this book. It is well-written, with a clever story, and well-drawn characters. I don't, however, think that the author is "our greatest living mystery writer" so my expectations in this respect weren't really met. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book, without the hyperbole.

This is my favourite book of 2020 so far. It starts off slow then builds quietly to gasp out loud status. Some really interesting characters and very adept descriptions of rural Irish villages (perhaps a little artistic licence). Very powerful use of the Irish habit of ruthlessly teasing everyone but here with sinister undertones. The depiction of the claustrophobic nature of village life was spot on. I really didn't want to finish this book . I would love to see more from Trey, Cal and Lena.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I’ve loved all of Tana French’s books and this was no exception, though it’s not a Dublin murder squad book which threw me a little!

The book really got across how claustrophobic living in a small town where everyone knows your business can be.

If John McGahern wrote a western, it would be The Searcher. Beautifully written with a terrific sense of place, I loved it

I would not have said that this book was terrifying as one critic mentioned, or that it is a challening psychological thriller either. What we have is a very good story bringing to life a remote village in Southern Ireland and the ensuing challenges faced by Cal Hooper, an ex Chicago cop who buys what is basically a very run down shack which he aims to renovate during his retirement. The story weaves in and out among the few characters and we glimpse the darker side to this rural community. To be honest, not a lot happens and there is no amazing conclusion or surprise at the end but nevertheless it was an easy and enjoyable read. The only negative comment from me would be that as a great lover of wildlife the opening scene was upsetting and unnecessary, and nearly put me off from continuing, as was the later scene with yet another member of the rabbit family. I'm afraid people might say that this is nature and real life but I would rather not read about it in my spare time so I have taken away a star because of this. These images in the book upset me greatly.

I absolutely loved this book which follows retired Chicago detective to a remote village in Ireland. Here he becomes embroiled in local life, and particular a young neighbour’s search for a missing brother. Slow-burning, reflective and meditative I became totally involved in the story. Nobody is quite as they seem, and the various tribulations and politics of rural life are beautifully drawn. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this book. I loved the vivid descriptions of Ireland. I loved the bond between the two protagonists. This was a great mystery well worth a read.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with this arc of the searcher by tana French. I'm a big fan of Frenchs work and this book only served to confirm what a fantastic author she is.

Initally I thought this was a continuation of her Dublin murder series and was slightly confused when I started reading. That's absolutely no fault of the writer or publisher though, I should have read the blurb more throughly.

The story begins with a solitary ex cop from America who has purchased a house in the dark backwaters of eire. As he becomes further involved with the locals he soon realises that things are not what they seem, and a young child is desperately asking for his help. This sets the scene for the remainder of the book, which follows Frenchs usual creeping sense of malice and misdirection.

Overall I thought this book was excellent. It did seem rather short in comparison to her other works but it was all killer no filler which made up for its brevity.

I pretty much adore the protagonist and do hope that this could perhaps be the start of a new series. Characterisation of Irish mammies and ruddy cheeked farmers are spot on and the language is evocative and true.

I heartily recommend this book to both new and old readers of Frenchs work.

Cal has retired from Police work and is hoping to live a quiet life in Ireland, doing up his property and turning it into a home. Until he meets Trey, who has sought him out, needing help to find her missing sibling. Cal is drawn back into using his detective skills to help Trey. As Cal becomes more involved, he uncovers the shocking truth about what has happened.
A slower paced novel from author Tana French

Set in a remote village in Ireland. A young, but retired, Chicago cop, Cal, has bought a fixer upper house, and left his American life behind him. He wants to get away from people, but people in the village will not leave him alone. There’s the neighbour who seems to be around whenever he wants to, the woman who wants Cal to take a puppy, and a 13 year old boy, Trey, who skips school, and just seems to hang around Cal. Turns out everything is not like it seems. Trey wants Cal to find out what happened to his 19 year old brother. Cal decides to help.

It’s a slow-paced mystery book, which probably is suitable for the remote setting. My favorite thing about the book is how a 13 year old child and a former policeman are bonding in an awkward and quirky way. I always enjoy countryside people in their own elements. However, I did not really warm up to most characters in the book. It was also a bit too slow going for me. I would have liked more suspense and action. I did enjoy the dialogues between people. French is a good writer, but I felt this book lacked an interesting case to be solved. 3,5 stars

I always have enjoyed Tana French's book so was thrilled to have the opportinity to read an advanced review copy. Thank you for that! I liken this book to the Witch Elm, with both books being slower burners, but stick with them as they are worth reading. Tana French does a good job at creating atmosphere, tension and mystery which makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

I must admit this took me a little while to get into, but once I did, I didn't want it to end. I loved the friendship and relationship that developed between the characters!
I was really disappointed when it ended, there was so much more I wanted to find out! A definite sign of a good book!

No email (other than a lottery win) can be as exciting as an invitation to review a Tana French book. There is no possible answer but a reverent yes please and an instant clear of the diary.

So, before I start, let me warn you that not only is this not a Murder Squad book (and as her second Not A Murder Squad book I wonder if that means no more ever) but it is also not a Dublin book. Instead The Searcher is set in rural west Ireland in a small community. Nor is it a procedural although the protagonist is a (retired) policeman . Instead, it made me think of a western. A lone man, a stranger, moving to a small place where he is instantly suspect and other, where old secrets get stirred up by his very presence. I could almost hear a version of the classic western music as I read it.

Cal has moved to Ireland from Chicago, not because he has Irish ancestry - he doesn't - but because he craves peace and nature. His marriage has collapsed and he doesn't know why, his relationship with his daughter is strained and he doesn't uinderstand why and his job as a police officer no longer makes him feel he's on the right side. So he buys a run down cottage on 10 acres for a song and moves across the Atlantic to restore it, looking for the landscape and physical work to make him whole again. He's tolerated by the village and befriended after a fashion by his neighbour and slowly starts to settle - until he gets the feeling he's being watched. Finally he unearths a dirty monosyllabic urchin who needs his help - to find a beloved missing brother.

Teenagers leave the village all the time, there's nothing there for them, and Cal strongly suggests that this is the case here. But a few casual questions cause far too much of a stir and Cal begins to suspect that nothing in the village is as peaceful as it seems. But he's made a promise, and he's still enough of a cop to demand answers even when all the signs are telling him to back off. Every revelation is painstakingly uncovered as Cal begins to make sense of his new home and the people who live there.

This is a slow, thoughtful novel rooted in nature and the Irish countryside a genuine feel of menace running throughout it. Clear your diaries because you won't want to put it down. Highly highly recommended.