I think I liked this a bit more than the Searcher, though the Dublin Murder Squad series will always be my favorite among French's work. Like the Searcher, this sequel is set in a rural village in Ireland and our main characters are Cal Hooper, a former Chicago PD officer who has retired in Ardnakelty in the west of Ireland, and Trey, the teenaged girl whose search for her brother drove the plot in The Searcher, who is now basically an apprentice to Cal in his woodworking side hustle. In this story, Trey's absent father Johnny suddenly returns to Ardnakelty with a posh, rich, Englishman. He tries to talk some of the men of Ardnakelty into putting together a scam to make the Englishman think that there's gold in town. Trey is suspicious and Cal gets involved (just like in The Searcher), ultimately finding out that Johnny and the Englishman are the ones running a scam. This is slower paced than French's earlier procedurals, but very paced to The Searcher. I've seen these two called "Irish Westerns" which feels like it captures both the slow pace and the isolated, rural setting very well. I thought the mystery here was a little more interesting, and it was nice to see a few characters (including Trey) fleshed out a bit more than they were in the first book in the series. Definitely a bit slower than I usually read, but Tana French is such an outstanding writer that it still packed a punch.

Naturally, I adored this book. The Hunter takes place about a year after the events in The Searcher. While everything is relatively calm, Johnny Reddy's return disrupts the peace. Cal and Lena are both anxious about this, as they attempt to protect Trey from getting involved. However, in a small town like theirs, everyone inevitably becomes entangled in the unfolding events. Predictably, a murder occurs, and the focus shifts to identifying the perpetrator. I felt a sense of satisfaction in correctly guessing the true culprit and experienced fear for the well-being of the characters I have grown to cherish. French skillfully intertwines her narrative with her characteristic beautiful writing style, adept character development, and a vivid setting that immerses the reader. I lament the conclusion of the book and the prospect of having to wait, presumably, another two years for a new release from my favorite author.

What can I say? Tana French has done it again.

Like a cross between a dark European mystery and an atmospheric Hollywood Western, this book grabbed me on the first page and refused to let go. I was delighted to be back in Ardnakelty, to see how Cal and Trey had grown. And I found myself sitting forward while reading, wanting to jump into the story itself and sound a warning. Every character is exactingly drawn, with feeling, wit, and tragic flaws, in a story rife with tension--both personal and universal. And the writing itself is just phenomenal.

I can't wait to recommend this book to all my favorite readers!

Rumors start unraveling after Trey's deadbeat father brings home an Englishman with the prospect of finding gold. One of the men ends up dead.

I enjoyed many parts of this book; the bond between Trey and Cal, the men of the mountain, and Lena and Cal's relationship.

*I have not read The Searcher (first book in this series) and was able to enjoy and understand the plot.

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

One can NEVER go wrong with Tana French. I loved The Searcher as a slow burning read with amazing character development. It was great to see both characters back, and how their lives are going now. I will say this is a long book so if you're expecting a quick read, this isn't it! Can't wait to see what else French comes up with.

This. I loved this book. Oh wow. French does it again with that attention to detail, the wit, the slow burn of a novel that just keeps going. I loved the cal/trey dynamic and I was so wary it was going to be suspect and unsavory- but I think everyone that’s grown up with mediocre parents has wanted a cal in their lives.

French is a master- she can make you feel like you’ve been dropped “on set” in a front row seat to the plot unfolding. So many times reading this book I had to stop myself from telling my husband “oh my gosh this guy I know…” I DONT KNOW THEM, they’re just characters!

Grab this one in March- you won’t regret it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Well written, but dreary and depressing. Why do I keep reading her books? ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Tana French is the queen of literary mysteries and she doesn’t disappoint with this one.

This is a sequel or companion novel to her 2020 book The Searcher featuring the same small Irish town and cast of characters. While it can be read as a stand alone, to really understand the character histories and complexities, I highly recommend reading the books in order.

Like the Searcher, this book centers on Cal, the Chicago ex-cop and transplant to a small town in Ireland, and Trey, the teen he bonds with in The Searcher. In The Hunter, Trey’s deadbeat father, Johnny Reddy, who ran out on the family years ago, comes back to town and brings drama with him.

As per usual, French’s writing is consistently strong. Her descriptions of the setting are vivid and her characters, even minor ones, are well developed. While Cal’s fatherly love for Trey and Trey’s burning desire to seek payback from the town make the read compelling, it’s the workings of the small town and the rumors and undertones that really set the mood of this novel. As in the Searcher, Cal’s neighbor Mart steals all the scenes he’s in.

This is a well written mystery that slowly unravels with multiple layers and a satisfying ending, but more than that, it’s a character study about why people make the choices they make and how their relationships affect these decisions.

Highly recommend this one. It’s one of Tana French’s best.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I actually hadn't read the Cal Hooper #1 before starting to read this, so The Hunter was my first introduction to the character. I enjoyed the book and it kept me turning the pages but at times it felt a little slow. It's a good read for someone wanting an easy going murder investigation but it does take a while to get to that. It mostly focuses on Cals relationship with Trey (who is a great character) and how her father coming home starts to put strains on them. I would recommend this book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An American detective retires in Ireland and finds himself embroiled in a scam of sorts. Added to the drama is a young girl who needs help and looks to him as a parental figure and mentor and a woman he has come to love.

I enjoyed this return to Ardnakelty in this new novel focusing again on Cal and Trey. I actually had forgotten most of the plot of The Searcher and had to refresh myself on the specifics. I think this would work as a standalone book, although the specifics of Trey's desire for revenge might be slightly fuzzy for the reader who has not read the first book. In any case, I think that French's depiction of the deep undercurrents in Ardnakelty is great--the characters' interactions and motivations are all the more interesting because of the town's character. The story was slightly meandering but I thought the action was well-plotted. I really enjoyed this.

Touching is absolutely the wrong word to use here, but I'm having trouble finding something closer. I love the world French has built in this series.

Unsurprisingly, I loved this book.

The Hunter picks up a year or so after the events of The Searcher. All is relatively peaceful until Johnny Reddy blows back into town, and stirs everything up. Cal and Lena are both uneasy about this, as they try not to get Trey caught up in what’s going on. But in a town this small, everyone gets caught up in everything that’s going on. A murder happens, of course, and then it’s a matter of who’s going down for it.

I was pleased with myself for guessing who the actual culprit was, and terrified for these characters I’ve come to love. French weaves her story with her trademark beautiful prose, deft characterization, and a setting so vivid you feel like you’re there. I’m sad the book is over and I have to wait presumably another two years for another book from my favorite author.

This sequel to THE SEARCHER, is a standalone as well. We are back with Cal and Trey and Lena in Ireland. The action surrounds the return of Trey's ne'er do well father-she is not happy to see him to say the least. He has a get rich gold scheme hatched with an Englishman that he is hoping to convince the townspeople to invest in. French's characters are wonderfully developed. Justice is a trick thing.

The Hunter" is the companion book to "The Searcher", and as such must be read as the sequel. Following retired cop Cal Hooper as he navigates small town life in Ireland, "The Hunter" takes the frayed plot threads from "The Searcher" and weaves them into a rich, frightening examination of trauma and revenge. This book is perfect for chilly nights, hot tea, and roaring fireplaces, with French's trademark attention to character and place on perfect display. It keeps you guessing until the end - but in true French fashion, the reveal shocked me (and yet made total sense upon reflection).

Another excellent Tana French book. Reading the previous book, The Searcher, really helps to understand the community and characters. Soft and quiet with some sucker punches. Beautifully written.

I was so excited to get this ARC for “The Hunter” from the queen of Irish thrill, Tana French. I highly recommend this story - I was such a fan!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was my first novel by French and it didn't disappoint! Great writing and character development. The dialogue is done so well!! Highly recommend

Tana French has done it again. There is nothing flashy here, and yet the story absolutely shines. The dialogue between these characters is perfection. I've never spent a moment in Ireland but was absolutely immersed in Ardnakelty from the very first page. French goes deep into revenge and family connection while allowing us to walk alongside these fully realized characters. I enjoyed this reading experience even more than The Searcher. Bravo!