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.

bring back old tana french.

i wanted to give this a chance despite not having been particularly into its predecessor, <i>The Searcher</i>, but i just can't bring myself to feel invested in the story. it all feels so generic and is lacking the atmosphere and psychological depth of french's earlier works.

This second book in the Cal Hooper series outdoes the first. The plot is engaging, the characters are realistically drawn yet often quirky and eccentric, and the scene-setting (and natural scenery of rural Ireland) is beautifully described.

The book is set during a rare heat wave, which makes a change from the usual weather patterns of Ireland, and interwoven are the worries of farmers about crops and livestock, the dangers of brush fires and the effects of heat on human tempers. The story revolves around Trey (Theresa) once again - her wayward father has returned with an Englishman claiming roots in the small town of Ardnakelty with tales of gold in the local mountain. Is it a scam or is he genuine? Cal, a retired Chicago cop, wants to find out to protect Trey. Trey and Lena feature more in this story than the first which means we get to know them better. The ending of the book held quite a surprise - I really didn't see it coming.

Hopefully there will be more of this series as the first two books have been great - they are immersive, thoughtful and deserve to be experienced rather than rushed.

Thank you so much to the publisher for sharing the ARC on Netgalley in return for my honest opinion. Oh, what an absolute masterclass in tension this is! Tana French is a superb writer and this is one of her best - though it's a tough call, as I love and re-read a few of her books. I've tried to analyse how she makes us care so much: is it the split narrative, so we see the events through the eyes of Cal, the gruff-but-heart-of-gold retired cop, and his girlfriend, Lena, who tries to distance herself from her town but gets pulled in, and also the heart-tugging Trey, the brittle teenager seeking revenge for the death of her brother? When Trey's slippery charming dad turns up with a millionaire friend in tow, spreading rumours of gold in the hills, surely no one will be taken in? But it's a drought summer and the farmers are struggling - it's understandable they might be willing to gamble on this tall tale. French's writing is stunning, making you want to linger over every sentence, both the snappy dialogue with all that is unsaid swirling below the surface, and the vivid evocative descriptions of the sunbaked town and the tinder-dry mountain. From the first pages, Tana French conjures menace and dread so brilliantly, making you read faster and faster, so desperate for Trey to survive and not wreck her fresh start with Cal and Lena. I've already started recommending this to anyone who will listen - it's going to be one of my books of the year for sure.

I loved this book and really liked Cal, Lena and Trey. I didn't realise this book was part of a series but I dont think you necessarily have to have read the first book.
I found the book very believable with its descriptions of life in the small rural community of Ardnakelty which made me feel like I was actually there. Parts of the story were a little slow but I found it a gripping read and hope there will be more Cal and Trey centred stories in the future.

Wow I love Tana French! My favourite books of hers are the Dublin Murder Squad ones, they are genuinely top tier crime books that I recommend constantly to customers in my shop. In all honesty, I didn't love the previous Cal Hooper book - it was just a little slow for me. But I'm so glad I read this one because it's back to French's usual page turning brilliant writing, characterisation and pace. I really loved seeing a police detective (Nealon) from the other side - you could imagine French writing that character as a protagonist, and I would love to read that. Please keep writing Tana French!!

I loved this book and being back with Cal and Trey again. Having read The Searcher I fell in love with them both and Ardnakelry.
Tana French is one of my favourite autoread authors and I was so delighted to recieve this copy. I could not put it down, so wanting to find out more constantly but in the same breath I didn’t want it to end and I missed it when it did. It’s pure Tana being so character driven and every character has such a perfect part in the story, the rural setting and description of it and the heatwave making it all the more atmospheric. I loved everything about it and can see it being my favourite book of 2024. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this early copy.

A stellar follow up to the first in the Cal Hooper series, if anything The Hunter is even more compelling than the first. Tana French is especially strong at writing dialogue that lifts her characters off the page. I feel like I've been embedded in a small community for a week. An excellent crime novel.

This is a great read. We are back in the mountains of rural ireland, with Cal the rugged ex-cop from the USA. He's keeping a low profile still but enjoying his relationship (i forgot her name) and the parental role he's playing in Trey's life. Trey's dad, a good-for-nothing chancer returns and brings a stranger with him and rumours of gold in the hills. Really good plot and writing that is well paced. Quite dark in places but all the better for that.

This book, for me, had some nice elements.
I hadn't read the previous book (I didn't realise until coming to write the review that there had been an earlier instalment) and perhaps this was a little disadvantage.
The Irish setting is used to good effect, but perhaps the fact that there was a heat-wave going on throughout the book didn't give you the normal Irish experience (rain, clouds and more rain!).

Some of the scenes were really enjoyable like the group gathering in the local pub with the inevitable subsequent banter and Cal being regularly called on my his somewhat mischievous neighbour and the scenes involving the local shopkeeper gossip and her tactical conversations.
However, in between all the good stuff it was a little slow overall for me and not because it was character-building or scene-setting in a descriptive way just a little slow on action.

I enjoyed the book (4-stars overall from me) but it didn't keep me up at night... or get me up early in the morning either to get back to it.

What a great read! I enjoyed the return of Cal Hooper and the setting in terms of location, but also season. I enjoyed the themes this book raised and the twists as the story develoiped.