"In the Woods" by Tana French

"In the Woods" by Tana French was published in 2007 by Viking Adult Press. This is the first in the author's Dublin Murder Squad series. I had never read a Tana French book before, but I love a good murder mystery, especially when UK Detectives are the crime solvers! 

I started this story by listening to the audio-book, narrated by Steven Crossley. Mr. Crossley was an excellent narrator- and in my opinion the narrator can really make or break the story experience. Half way through the audio-book, I ran into some technical difficulties, so I had to switch to reading the traditional book, which may or may not have influenced my experience with the book.

The story begins with the backstory of Detective Ryan, who is on Dublin's Murder Squad. He and his partner Cassie Maddox happen to be assigned to a case with eerie similarities to Ryan's childhood experience. The story is told in flashbacks, with the author only giving the reader enough information and insight into the character to leave them begging for the next chapter. In the end Ryan unravels pretty dramatically, but Cassie manages to hold him together so they can identify the murderer.

As I was listening/reading this story, I was completely pulled into the drama and intrigue of the story. The story is told in first person perspective by Detective Ryan. With the reveal of each detail of Ryan's backstory I felt more and more intrigued and enveloped in the story. When life got in the way and I had to take a break from the book, I would try to put on my deerstalker hat :) and try to decide identify the murdered, and the book is so well written that the reader is kept indecisive for most of the book. There's nothing more annoying for me as a reader than a story where I can identify the criminal/murderer/solve the mystery before the characters have. In comparison, French has the ability to draw the reader along with the murder investigation, red herrings and all until the last few chapters.

Now, I'm not going to give any spoilers, so I'll just speak broadly about the end of the book. Detective Ryan was such a heartrending character and I really wanted him to solve both crimes triumphantly. French does such an excellent job at creating a character whom the reader understands and empathizes with. Again, no details, but it is his partner Cassie who is able to see through to solve the case, and it doesn't seem that Ryan ever recovers from his experiences. The reader is left a lack of closure- there are still many questions, both from Rob's past and his future. But on reflection, I think I appreciate a story that keeps me thinking and asking more questions than one with all the story tied up in a pretty bow of plot and character.

Tana French is an amazing writer and I am very excited to read more of this series and her other books!

/5