Many thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for this ARC of one of my favourite authors.

As soon as I saw this book by Tana French available for review, I leapt at the chance. And how happy I was when the publisher accepted my request.

The actual read proved to be a mixed bag, and I've found myself wavering over quite what rating to give it. So, here goes ...

I loved the start of the story. The wonderful descriptions of small-town Ireland and the locals with all their quirks and customs--and secrets! I also adored the way Cal used simple DIY to entice young Trey to stop stalking and start talking. It was perfect.

Not so well done was the whole long, drawn-out middle bit. I found myself getting so impatient and fidgety. What? Not with a Tana French book, surely? Um, yep ... sorry about that. And, further confession, the same with the end. After the main confrontation was over, I felt the narrative meandered more than the infamous mountain bog in the book. Had I had a paperback in my hands, I might have thrown it at the wall in frustration once or twice ... but, my iPad ... well, you know.

For an ex-chicago cop, Cal bumbled around too much. He missed too many signs and clues. Despite what he'd have us believe, I don't reckon he had his neck hairs that well trained.

The end, though drawn out, was satisfying and well rounded. It answered all the questions and drew the couple of loose threads together. The writing style was lovely, as ever, and the narrative clean of errors.

So, in many ways, I can see this being a five-star read, but for me it fell flat somehow. So, four stars, then? Well, I wouldn't and didn't pull an all-nighter, so--again--nope. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm going for a 3.5 star read, which I'll round up to a soft 4 for rating purposes. Basically, it sits between a 3 (where I didn't love it, didn't hate it) and a 4 (where I'd pull an all-nighter). I liked it more than it being just okay. I actually enjoyed the read for the most part. But, the thing is, it just didn't have that wow factor. For sure, it hasn't put me off this writer, but she's not on my automatic buy list right now, which she would have been before.

If you enjoy a cozy mystery rather than a fast-paced psychological thriller, then you will love this book. So, go and read it! But, if you prefer the latter, then you're likely to find it luke-warm.

All of that aside, this author has a way with words. The book contains some wonderful turns of phrase, and I felt like I'd been transported to rural Ireland. That takes skill. And if I wanted distraction from my daily cares, this read certainly gave me that. So, thank you.

***

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

The Searcher is slow burning read that packs a punch. Vivid descriptions of the characters surroundings really help the reader to get involved with the mystery in the plot as it unfolds.

Unlike other reviewers who found the early chapters boring, I loved the descriptions of the countryside and village life and the way that Cal was careful to keep his distance and not to give offence in a place that is so different from Chicago. I loved Noreen, the interfering match-making shopkeeper, and the characters in the pub were well-drawn.

It is at the point where he gets drawn into the mystery of a young man's disappearance that I lost patience. As an experienced police officer, I found it hard to believe how clumsily he set about his conversations with people he thought might have information, with no idea of whether his actions were likely to do harm or good.

Then further into the book he switches into action hero mode which really alienated me as it seemed so out of character. In the beginning he'd been likeable, sensitive and considerate. Whilst I did expect the pace and focus of the narrative to change, I didn't imagine that Cal would be capable of such nasty acts of aggression.

The three stars are for the beautiful depiction of rural Ireland which is worthy of five, but I cannot give more due to the unpleasant and unbelievable story development!

"Our greatest living mystery writer" - really? I had never heard of this author and was not particularly impressed. I was puzzled as to why Cal chose this particular community to run away to. Instead of the quiet life he wanted, he immediately gets caught up in a local missing person mystery. The plot moves very slowly and involves a lot of DIY. I could not buy into the stereotypical Irish small town/village stereotype she offers, and did not engage with the characters.

I’ve read this new novel from Tana – whose work I love – be described as ‘unpredictable’ and I agree wholeheartedly. It’s both like a Tana French classic and a mix between a Western (despite being based in Ireland it felt like I was reading something from back in the day, in a good way) and a good old fashioned mystery. Cal Hooper is a retired Chicago police officer and has left the United States for a life in a remote Irish village. His goal? To bring his house, pitched a decent distance from any neighbour, up to standard. Life is slow and quiet, which suits him, until a teenager asks for his help in locating a missing sibling. All too soon Cal is drawn into the mystery and realises that a small town can hold just as many secrets as a city. It’s beautifully drawn, you get a real sense of the days dragging by and how easy it would be to slip into a slower way of life. Provided you don’t stick your nose into anyone else’s business.

Oh how I enjoyed this book! I loved it. Tana French writes so well you hardly notice that she isn't telling you the story instead (I get bored with writers whose 'art' gets in the way of a good story). A retired Chicago policeman retires to Ireland for peace and quiet but when a young person comes lurking around just about forcing him to help him for a missing sibling he has no choice but to see it through to the end. Lots of twists and turns and a lovely characterisation of small town rural life. I read it in a day - a long night and short sleep but worth it.

This book certainly paints a picture of Irish village life and the countryside. It also gives us some handyman hints. It even tells us that though a village may be remote it is still not immune from the dangers that we associate with cities but it is not what I would call a page turner. There is a mystery to be solved ( although that takes a while to be disclosed) but Cal, a Chicago Police officer who retired to Ireland certainly takes his time about it.

Ok so I LOVE this author ,I have read all the awesome Tana frenches work and recognise the witch elm was a marmite novel for some ,however I thoroughly enjoyed it and relished getting to know the very unlikable lead which made me turn the pages .its pace was yes slower but it still was a dark character study and a mystery at its heart.
This I knew going in would be slow I read other reviews that struggled and I found I really enjoyed the beginning ,seeing the house take shape and loving the relationship of trey and cal . The characters of Trey and our new lead cal a retired detective finding himself pulled into a mystery were lovely and Tana always invests in the relationships in her novels
For me though this was really a drama ,there’s a mystery yes but it’s not all that gripping ,there’s no real ups and downs ,a steady steady pace and a small town crime and yes the writing is beautiful and yes u are drawn to the characters who she can lift off the page into your imagination but sadly I found I was dare I say this ....bored .
It pains me to say that I actually skimmed the end ,yes that’s right ,of a Tana French novel ,wow wow betide me I did .
It’s a well written tale but nothing more and nothing less and feels like she’s really pulling away from the psychological elements she was famous for
Fine to have a departure but a lot will come to this thinking ok it’s not the Dublin murder series but will be still gripping as the witch elm was in its own right so be warned
Three stars as the writing elevates it and how well she can still evoke the clear images in your mind from page to imagination is wow.
just there really wasn’t that much here to marvel at bar that, which is still good but it’s not great so it’s an average three star ...and is an average small town mystery that u don’t care about that much .i almost want to ask and shall if something is going on with the author .privately or as a writer wanting to shift her genre or/and rebelling against what she is knows for .wanting to write with out pressure just to write for the pleasure of telling a story ....I get that or if it’s personal but publishers need to sell it differently .still celebrate the writer but admit the departure
Thank you as always netgalley and publishers I will still await her next with anticipation but a little wariness .if Tana wants to depart from the psychological thriller we don’t mind but please do advertise it as a gentle mystery drama as people may be seeking more her old style

Tired Chicago cop moves to rural Ireland after tiring of his job, getting divorced and needing a new start.
He buys a run-down house to renovate and live in. Soon after moving in, he feels he is being watched - he finds the prowler is a child, around 12 years old. The child, Trey, has heard who he is and wants his help to find his missing elder brother. He reluctantly agrees to help.
Lots of twists and turns, locals, drug syndicates and intrigue makes this a compelling read.

Excellent book. Really well developed characters and very believable plot. Just wanted to keep reading to discover exactly what was going to happen next. Highly recommended.

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.