I've loved the other books I've previously read by Tana French and this one was no different, it kept me hooked throughout

Tana’s French’s ‘The Hunter’ follows on from her 2020 novel ‘The Searcher’ which introduced us to Cal, retired US cop who has moved to Ireland, and Trey, a half-feral teenager living up the mountain near the small town of Ardnakelty. They have developed a strong bond by the end of ‘The Searcher’ and it has clearly endured. At the outset of ‘The Hunter’, Cal is clearly more of a father-figure to Trey than Johnny Reddy, her miscreant dad, could ever be.
It's easy for Trey to forget that Johnny has ever existed until he returns from England, strutting peacock-like amongst the farmers, promising wealth through a gold prospecting scheme that his ‘everything about him is smooth’ colleague Cillian Rushborough is investing in. However, it’s not just her father’s toxic presence threatening to shatter her already fragile family life that is the concern. Cal’s partner, Lena, is certain that there’s trouble brewing for Johnny in London. He ‘owes someone; someone dangerous…What she wants to know is whether the danger is going to stay in London, waiting trustfully for him to show up with the cash, or whether it’s coming after him. Lena wouldn’t trust Johnny to come back with her cash from down the road, let alone from over the water. If she wanted the money, she’d be going after him.’
Tana French has a wonderful ear for dialogue and it’s easy to hear members of this community talking in the pub, gossiping in the shop and sharing secrets. This is a story that develops slowly. Early on, there’s perhaps a little too much focus on the ‘craic’ as we are immersed in the life of this middle-of-nowhere town. Nevertheless, it’s worth being patient. The complex relationships come to life, the tension builds, and members of the community set in motion revenge based on their particular understanding of justice.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK, Viking for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Whilst I think I've enjoyed everything French has written, I'm not such a fan of these chunkier slow burn books.

Unlike the previous one, I didn't feel this one at times.


It has the same characters from previous book, and we move forward with them, and the village as a whole.
Some great scenes, the interaction of the characters, but for me, it didn't quite hit the mark.

I loved losing myself in the pages of this novel, an atmospheric and lingering journey into a remote part of Ireland, Ardnakelty and its landscape as much a character as the inhabitants that live there. Depicting a community bonded by feuds, rivalries and secrets this novel really is scene setting and characterisation at its very best.

Following on from French's 2020 novel The Searcher, The Hunter could be read as a standalone but to really appreciate the area and the intricacies that bind those that call it home I'd definitely recommend reading them in order.

The colourful characters from the first novel return but so does someone else, the sudden reappearance of Treys dad Johnny Reddy has tongues wagging. Four years earlier he upped and left and all of a sudden he's back all charm and smiles, looking to make them all more money than they ever dreamed of. The authors characterisation does her credit, I had him down as a wrong un the second he appeared.

Very much a character driven novel this is a perfectly paced, slow burn thriller where every character counts and every action has consequences. I loved the community, I loved the relationships and from start to finish I was completely immersed in the journey. One of my standout reads of the year - Totally recommended.

Tana French, The Hunter, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Viking, March 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

A new Tana French is something I always look forward to. The Hunter has more than fulfilled my expectations. It is a stunning novel, with its sensitive approach to a young woman’s reaching adulthood; a former police officer’s role in her life and his gradual immersion into Ardnakelty, a small Irish town; his neighbours’ eccentricities, so well-conceived and conveyed by French; and exploration of a fraud and those scammed with moral questions about responsibilities to a town, neighbours, self and individuals. Trey, Cal and Lena are at the centre of the novel. Johnny, Trey’s father, and Cillian Rushborough seek to embroil the townspeople in helping relive and regain his family’s Irish history. Dogs with personality are featured.

Trey is the fifteen-year-old daughter of a marriage between a local couple. Her mother has chosen unwisely and is now alone and responsible for several children, including Trey. Their father returns home only to promote himself, and a questionable money-making scheme. Much of the story pivots around Trey as she seeks revenge for her brother’s death, embroiling her in a morass of complex feelings, actions and ideas about morality. Cal has taken on responsibility for her wellbeing. He is former US police officer who has moved to the small Irish town after his marriage breakdown and retirement. He is content to live, conducting his carpentry business with Trey, but remain aloof from the other townspeople. During the course of the novel, he also has to deal with complex moral questions. Lena is determined to remain apart from the town and its interwoven gossip, determination of punishment and reward. Her sister has remained an integral part of Ardnakelty, renowned for imparting information promptly she becomes aware of anything that impacts the town and its people. This latter trait is an essential part of making the town work, albeit in a personal rather than necessarily lawful manner.

French adeptly weaves many layered ideas and complex human relationships with her expert depiction of the characters she develops. The townspeople display a range of eccentricities and largely unrecognised sensitivities that are beautifully realised under French’s subtle hand. Even more adept is her handling of Trey, Cal and Lena’s personalities, relationships, motivations and behaviour. This thoughtful, layered novel is a wonderful addition to Tana French’s work.

Tana French is still one of the authors that gets my kicking myself for not realising a twist! This book is no change from that, you'll settle in to your little Irish town and BOOM you'll find yourself right in the middle of it. Cal and Lena forever!

I read the first book in this series in 2020 so could remember nothing about it.
I loved the found family of Cal and Trey in the beginning of the story. Like all Tana French books. Vivid descriptions of Ireland. Well written characters and an interestingly crafted mystery plot.

If you enjoyed The Searcher then this sequel will appeal, returning as it does to Cal, Trey, Lena and Marty. Again, it's a slow burn of a novel as Trey's father returns with a money-making scheme that stirs up old feelings of resentment and revenge.

Personally, this departure from French's previous work isn't to my taste: the small Irish village, the ex-Chicago cop, the enigmatic Trey don't appeal and there's a bit too much unlikely drama for a tiny hamlet.

French is incapable of writing a bad book but this new direction isn't working for me in terms of either characters or location - but if you liked the first book, this one delves deeper into the personalities and relationships.