A slow burn mystery about lost gold in the remote mountains of Ireland from bestseller Tana French. The problem with character driven crime fiction is that it lacks the urgency and tension of a commercial thriller or mystery. The Hunter plods along; of 400+ pages the plot itself fills maybe half. I loved the author's earlier novels but the slow pace and almost aimless story barely held my interest. Not one for me.

Genius. But you probably already knew that, because it's Tana French! She is such a gorgeous, compelling writing and The Hunter is no exception.

A sequel to The Searcher, which I also enjoyed. Ex Chicago PD CalmHooper is now living in rural Ireland. In this book Trey’s father returns.

I haven’t read any of the Dublin Murder series, but I gather, from reviews, this series is a departure from that style. Many people have said this series is slow in comparison to DM. The Hunter is slow, it is a very slow burn but the characterization and sense of place is very well told.

I enjoyed this a lot. Well written. Difficult book to review as evidence by the above

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Tana French is a British mystery writer and one of the best storytellers out there. She can develop characters and build tension in a story like no one else. My favorite of her books is The Witch Elm. She also wrote The Dublin Murder series which was developed into a TV series. With that said, this book is not one of my favorites to read. There is just too much chatty dialogue for me that is a slog to read. I think she must have based the film The Banashees of Inishirin which basically a fight between two friends about being boring. Just listening to them gets boring.

Another strong novel from Tana French, with a strong sense of place and development of characters introduced in a previous book. Interesting scenes with the intrusion into a small community of a fortune hunting stranger. I really enjoyed this.

Brilliant. I enjoyed Tana French’s first book featuring Cal and the Irish community he moved into, and this one was great. It captured the reality of living in a remote community where people knows everyone else’s business and how feuds linger and develop. Great characters and a strong plot. Highly recommend..

I loved Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad books however The Searcher and this book The Hunter are very different and take a little getting used to. They are definitely slow burn books taking their time to build up atmosphere and familiarity with the characters. The Hunter shares characters with The Searcher. In it we see the return of Cal, Lena and Trey. Trey's father returns to the village with a con to get money from the local farmers. Trey is torn; she wants rid of her father and revenge against the villagers she feels are responsible for her brother Brendan's death (the subject of The Searcher). How Trey resolves this dilemma is beautifully plotted as the book works its way to a satisfactory conclusion. An excellent 4* read
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

If you found yourself rooting for the found family of Trey, Cal, and Lena after reading The Searcher, this book is for you.

Two years have passed. Trey seems settled, focused, even happy, spending a lot of time at Cal’s as they work on carpentry projects together. They’re good at it, and people ask them to fix and make things. But Trey is still a teenager, and hard to read.

One thing you have to do with both The Searcher and The Hunter is adjust yourself to the pace of life in the fictional village of Ardnakelty. These aren’t plot-driven books that motor along in a hurry to get somewhere; just as the characters never come at anything directly when they speak, these books meander, lean on the fence a little, and come to the point… eventually. Which is not to say that there isn’t underlying tension — which builds. That neighbour leaning on the fence might be a bit of an ol’ bastard, to use the vernacular.

I’ve read some reviewers complain about this. 175 pages before anything interesting happens: that kind of thing. But I think that is to miss the point. Tana French wants to put you in there, into a community where everybody gossips but nobody says what they really mean; where (more than just) feelings are buried and motives unclear. She wants to force you to listen to the guy you think might have had something to do with a murder discuss the weather… and carrots. The tension builds. As one of the viewpoint characters thinks, Waiting and watching aren’t enough any more.

French’s ear for dialogue is second to none. There are three point of view characters, and we’re privy to their thoughts and conversations. When Cal, the former Chicago cop talks to one of his Irish neighbours, the differences in their idiolects seem completely natural. You can hear the accents, Irish, American, English, in your head as you read.

‘I saw the Guards calling in to you earlier,’ he says, ‘doing their aul' detectivating and investimagating. That car won't stay shiny for long, on these roads. What kinda men were they?’
‘The uniform didn't say much,’ Cal says, yanking up another carrot. ‘The detective seems like he knows his job.’
‘And you'd be the man to spot that. Wouldja look at that, Sunny Jim: after all this time, you're finally coming in useful.’ Mart licks the rolling paper in one neat sweep. ‘I'm looking forward to having the chats with them. I never talked to a detective before, and you say we’ve got ourselves a fine specimen. Is he a countryman?’
‘Dublin. According to the kid.’
‘Ah, fuck's sake,’ Mart says in disgust. ‘I won't be able to enjoy myself talking to him, if I've to listen to that noise the whole time. I'd rather have a tooth drilled.’ His lighter isn't working; he gives it a pained look, shakes it, and tries again, with more success. ‘Didja get any idea of what way he's thinking?’
‘This early on, probably he's not thinking anything. And if he was, he wouldn't tell me.’
Mart's eyebrow lifts. ‘Would he not? And you a colleague?’
(p174)

Things have been going great: better than great. Cal has settled in to village life, still seen as a blow-in, but accepted in the local community — especially because of his relationship with Lena, and the way in which he seems to have turned Trey’s life around. But then Trey’s four years gone father comes home, bringing with him a get-rich scheme and an English business partner. And while Cal would wish the father gone again, he can’t do anything about Trey’s involvement with him. Everyone’s up to something, but nobody is talking.

I found this book immersive and gripping, an enjoyable read. My one complaint concerns the title, which seems to be merely a synonym of the previous book, and doesn’t really seem to be a good fit for what’s going on here. The Stalker? The Woodsman? Each would be as meaningless. Suffice it to say, titles are hard.

Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book, which is due to be published on 7th March 2024

Book Review : The Hunter by Tana French

I’ve made no secret of the fact that Tana French is my favourite author, so a new book from her is always a highly anticipated treat.

📖 First Line 📖

“Trey comes over the mountain carrying a broken chair.”

The Hunter is a follow up to The Seacher, and I’d recommend you read them in order. It’s a delicious slow burn of a book, tantalisingly full of intricate details that build the West of Ireland rural setting and the richly developed non stereotypical characters. Then gradually within subtle nuances the plot unfolds.

Trey is now 15, and Cal has become the father figure and mentor she never had. But when her real father returns full of schemes, things get very, very complicated. Cal is determined to protect Trey at any cost, and Trey is so damaged from her family dynamics that it makes her unpredictable. I swayed wildly from wanting to shake her or to wanting to applaud her, but she’s the underdog that you want to succeed.

If you’re looking for action packed this is not the one for you. But if you revel in complex characters, vivid descriptions, and a book that makes you think long and hard about what motivates people to do things, I can’t recommend this one enough. I’m already thinking it will need a reread to really take it all in.

Thanks to @Netgalley and @vikingbooksuk for giving me for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Hunter by Tana French is an amazingly good story that draws you in before you even notice. I was captivated by the initial chapters even before the story really got going. The relationship between Trey and Cal is based on their love of restoring furniture and building new pieces. They work well together.

Before long Trey’s father Jonny returns to the village - he abandoned his family four years prior - with a story that intrigues the locals. Cal is suspicious; Trey does not embrace a forgiving disposition.

Tana French is a master storyteller and The Hunter is a powerful narrative; I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, the clever manipulation by the locals and how the lads underestimated the locals.

A great read!

I’m a great fan of Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels but was a bit disappointed with her last book ‘The Searcher’ which introduced Cal Hooper, a disillusioned Chicago cop who moves to start a new life in a quiet Irish village and then discovers numerous murky undercurrents when a young girl Trey ropes him in to try and find out what has happened to her brother. I thought it was slow in parts with nothing much happening for the majority of the book.
I hoped this follow up, featuring Cal and Trey who have now set up a furniture restoring business would be an improvement. Like the first book it’s well written with engaging descriptions of rural Ireland, however when Trey’s errant father Johnny turns up with a scheme involving buried gold I began to feel I was reading something set in the Wild West featuring a bunch of hillbillies! By the time a murder occurred I had lost interest.
Also there are times where the reader needs to suspend belief, for instance towards the end of the book when some of the menfolk gather intending to mete out their own form of justice. I just didn’t find it plausible and couldn’t engage with the main characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Penguin General UK for an ARC

If you enjoyed The Searcher as much as I did, then you’ll love the follow up book, The Hunter where Tana French picks up the story of Cal, Trey, Lena, and the other colourful inhabitants of Ardnakelty, a small village in rural Ireland.
It’s a beautifully written book that takes a fascinating look at the desire for revenge and what we will do for the people we love, whether they’re part of the family you’re born into, or the family you choose.
The Hunter tells the tale of a retired Chicago cop, his Irish partner Lena, and the lengths they’ll go to in order to protect a half-wild teenager who has stolen their hearts.
It’s a beautifully moody and atmospheric mystery, where the descriptions of place and the sound of the language completely immerse you in a world that might look beautiful on the surface but hides dark and dangerous secrets.
It’s not a fast paced book but it’s all the better for that, because you’ll be drawn in by the cleverly drawn characters and the lyrical language. So don’t try to rush it, just enjoy the treat.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC

I'm a big fan of Tana French. She's an excellent writer - not 'just' an excellent mystery writer. This series, with Cal Hooper - ex-detective from Chicago now living in rural Ireland - is very good indeed.

The main duo at the centre of the story are Cal and his protégée Trey; a wild young teenage girl that he's trying to keep on an even keel despite her difficult home environment. Despite her youth, she's a vivid and memorable character with a lot of depth, portrayed in a way that's neither condescending nor reductive.

Like all the best mystery or crime novels, French's books are social novels as much as crime stories. It's not about the plot twists and gory details, but about people and society. A running theme in her novels is the contrast between perceptions of 'traditional' Ireland with the realities of Irish society today. Here, for example, she presents stereotypical 'countryfolk' but brings you up short, for example, in scenes where crusty old farmers, in mid-conversation about rural matters, suddenly mention internet porn or smartphones.

Trey's father Johnny, a waster who everyone was glad to see the back of when he abandoned his family, is back. And he's part of a scheme to scam local farmers -- who, however, are a lot cannier than he gives them credit for, and a lot smarter than he is. Again, we are presented with a contrast: a rather pathetic and weak 'small' man, but whose damaging impact on his family is profound.

French is keenly observant of life in Ireland. She bring an outsider's objective appraisal that (to me, a long-time emigrant from Ireland, so you could argue, What do I know about it?) sheds light on the country in a way that native writers don't quite achieve.

The Hunter has an intriguing plot and convincing (often very funny) dialogue, on a foundation of solid characterisation and insightful social commentary.

I've loved French's books from the start, and they never disappoint. Highly recommended.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC - I was thrilled to receive and read it. My reviews are always 100% unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

The Hunter by Tana French

Cal Hooper was a Chicago detective , till he moved to west of Ireland looking for peace. He's found it more or less in his relationship with local women Lena , and the bond he's formed with half - wild teenager Trey. So when two men turn up with a money making scheme to find gold in the townland, Cal gets ready to do whatever it takes to protect Trey. Because one of the men is no stranger : he's Trey's father.

But Trey doesn't want protecting what she wants is revenge.

So I am going to be honest I did love it in the beginning but unfortunately had to stop reading the book personally I found there was a lot going on before it's even got to the main plot , a lot of back stories to each individual character that got brought into the story not that I won't read a book from Tana French again maybe this style of writing just wasn't for me.

I wish Tana all the best and thank her for giving me the chance to review the book

Thank you to Netgalley !

I adore Tana French, I was so looking forward to reading her new novel and am so grateful to have access. The characters always feel so relatable and the sense of loss and great hope and drama are always balanced in the end. Thank you.

The Hunter by Tana French is the follow up book to the 2020 release, The Searcher, which introduced retired Chiago detective Cal Hopper trying to live a quiet life in rural Ireland. When we last saw Cal, he was settling into village life, forming a relationship with girlfriend, Lena and creating a solid friendship with wayward teenager, Trey.

All is ticking along quite nicely for Cal until 2 men turn up in the quite town with a money-making plan to mine for gold and he’s protective instincts kick in as one of the men is Trey’s absent father. He will do anything to protect those he loves but Trey doesn’t want protecting, she wants revenge.

Bestselling author Tana French always delivers on writing nuanced characters that you really care about and it’s without a doubt the highlight of this series for me. It is quite slow paced compared to other crime/thriller books I enjoy but it does have an overarching simmering tension throughout which certainly held my attention.

I would recommend this one to crime readers who don’t necessarily need the big action-packed thrills but more rich character drive dramas. But I would suggest reading The Searcher first as in my opinion it’s all the more engaging to get to know the backstory of these characters.

When I read The Searcher a few years ago I loved the characters so much that I hoped there would be more. Well here is book 2 and I still hope there is more. The same wonderfully drawn characters are there as well as the identities from the village. Carl is a retired detective from the USA and has bought and restored an old house in a small village of Ardnakelty. He has a girlfriend in Lena, a local lady whose sister runs the grocers in the village. Trey is the young girl who enlisted his help in book 1 and she is still very much a part of his life.
When Treys father Johnny turns up out of the blue after years away, he brings with him a well to do gentleman with the plan of looking for gold on the farms along the mountains base. . No one trusts Johnny least of all Carl and he soon sees through this get rich quick scheme. Trey has an agenda of her own, she is out for revenge and as events unfold Carl becomes worried for her safety.
The story is set during a long dry summer and the farmers are desperate for rain. The prospect of finding gold appeals to them as they need to keep their farms going.
Tana French writes fantastic stories. Her characters have so much depth and she is so good with the dialogue and scene setting, you really feel immersed in the story. Her Dublin Murder Squad series is also an excellent read and it’s well worth picking up the first one, In the Woods.
Loved The Hunter and I’m looking forward to more in this series.

#TheHunter. #NetGalley

Another cracker from Tana French. Like Jane Harper, she has the rare skill for a crime writer of absolutely transporting you to a small rural village (although their rural villages are very different). One to read slowly and savour.

I love Tana French and have devoured all her books. She writes well, makes interesting characters and her books can be quite unnerving!
The Hunter is set in the West of Ireland and is about a retired American cop who is building his life and relationships there.
He is in a relationship with Lena and formed a strong bond with a rebellious teenager, Trey,
All is just perfect until Trey errant father returns from England with a crazy plan to make money from gold in them mountains..
A murder, of course, happens as this is Tana French and Tan French writes excellent crime murder novels.
The big problem with this novel for me was the way the local men and women were portrayed. They come across as complete bumbling eejits who speak with a "Paddy begorra" dialogue and vocab throughout. I nearly put the book down at point as it was awful and laughable. I felt like the locals lived in 1950s Ireland yet the mention of sat navs and celebs like Beyonce just jarred with me. Irish people, even rural ones ( I am from very rural Mayo!) do not speak or think like this.
Half way through these characters become less a part of the story so I started to enjoy it but it was hard to shake that off!
The plot and writing are excellent. I still would recommend this book if you like Tana.
#netgalley #thehunter #tanaFrench #rozzie

In this enthralling narrative, the author skillfully reignites a forgotten passion for gold searching, much like rediscovering an old, cherished habit. The novel seamlessly blends mystery, tension, and suspense, elevating it beyond the conventional gold-seeking tale.

Set against the enchanting landscapes of Ireland, the story gains an additional layer of allure. The author intricately weaves the rich history and mystique of the Irish countryside into the plot, creating an immersive experience for readers who appreciate tales set in this captivating locale.

The characters, shrouded in mystery, contribute to the escalating tension, with each twist and turn leaving readers eager to unravel the secrets hidden within the emerald fields. The atmospheric descriptions vividly transport readers to the heart of the gold-searching journey, making every discovery and obstacle feel palpable.

For those who seek not just a gold-seeking adventure but a compelling story set against the backdrop of Ireland's history and landscape, this novel delivers an immersive experience that combines suspense and the allure of hidden treasures.