The Searcher

Beautiful and compelling. IA slow burn thriller where the characters provide their story with an authenticity that is well earned. The heartbreakingly tender and fragile relationship between this world-weary American and an almost feral child, had me holding my breath. The author deliberately and confidently took their time building the atmosphere, the characters and the world of this rural Irish community in order for us to understand the implications of the plot and the stakes involved. So precisely observed - I loved it! A deeply engrossing and satisfying read for a bleak February week.

I've read several books by Tana French, and this was my favorite of all.

The ones I've read are all set in Ireland. I'm a sucker for Irish stories to start with, as I can never spend enough time on those green fields and hills, walking by those stone walls, or into those Irish pubs and villages she brings to life. If I hadn't been there, I'd believe I had after reading this book.

French always creates terrific, twisted plots, but what always sucks me to stay in is her characters. They are never, ever two-dimensional and all good or… show more.

I read a lot of detective fiction, and this turned out to be one of my favorites.

It centers around a retired Chicago policeman who is trying to rebuild his life (and the house he has bought) deep in the Irish countryside, where he gets drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a young man. The story itself is gripping, the central characters are engaging, and the descriptions of the Irish hedgerows and fields (and rain) are lush and evocative. (Almost good enough to make me want to go back there.)

Irish author Tana French is known for her Dublin Murder Squad series and is what some call a literary crime writer.

The Searcher, a standalone novel, explores themes of restorative justice. Chicago cop Cal Hooper retires to rural Ireland where he undertakes the renovation of a dilapidated cottage. While he toils, he’s joined by a nearly silent teen Trey.

It’s another book where an adult and child don’t realize they need each other, but so quietly and beautifully help heal each other’s wounds.

This was my absolute favorite book in this author’s canon. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfectly imperfect.