In the Woods

A Novel

By: Tana French

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 20 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Anthony Award winner

Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel winner

Macavity Award winner

The bestselling debut, with over a million copies sold, that launched Tana French, author of the forthcoming novel The Hunter and “the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years” (The Washington Post).

“Required reading for anyone who appreciates tough, unflinching intelligence and ingenious plotting.”—The New York Times

As dusk approaches a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers begin to call their children home. But on this warm evening, three children do not return from the dark and silent woods. When the police arrive, they find only one of the children gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers, and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours.

Twenty years later, the found boy, Rob Ryan, is a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad and keeps his past a secret. But when a twelve-year-old girl is found murdered in the same woods, he and Detective Cassie Maddox—his partner and closest friend—find themselves investigating a case chillingly similar to the previous unsolved mystery. Now, with only snippets of long-buried memories to guide him, Ryan has the chance to uncover both the mystery of the case before him and that of his own shadowy past.

Richly atmospheric and stunning in its complexity, In the Woods is utterly convincing and surprising to the end.

©2007 Tana French (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Critic reviews

"[An] ambitious and extraordinary first novel...rank it high." (The Washington Post)

"Part whodunit, part psychological thriller, and wholly successful...French’s plot twists and turns will bamboozle even the most astute reader.... A well-written, expertly plotted thriller." (NPR)

"In the Woods is as creepily imaginative as it gets." (USA Today)

WOW!!

This is talent. Not to be missed. Ms. French has conceived a character, plot and style so disturbing and deceptive that it swept me down the rapids of unease. A thoroughly adult and brilliant text together with a fully realized reading.

British accent for Irish voices?

Hearing obviously Irish slang in a British accent was jarring. Otherwise a really terrific read.

Well developed characters and plot

Would you listen to In the Woods again? Why?

I have had this book in my library for 2 years and have not had the time to read it. I recently downloaded the book on audible to listen to on a long road trip. I am so glad I did. I really like the characters in the book and the plot was well thought out. I have begun listening to the 2nd book in the series that continues with the same characters of the murder squad. I wish I had another road trip so I could invest the time to hear it all at once.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The two main characters, Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox. Rob is interesting, likable and intelligent. Cassie is also intelligent, savvy, witty, attractive and no nonsense.

What about Steven Crossley’s performance did you like?

He was able to perform the different characters so that you knew who they were from his tone and manner of speaking. Even when performing the women's characters he was believable and didn't sound ridiculous. He did a very nice job of it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did cry a few times as well as laugh. The best part was that it held my attention. The authors use of imagery was well done.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

a good mystery with a twist

Clear narrator who did not distract. Had difficulty shutting it off once the story got going.

Psychological Thriller in Ireland

'In The Woods' is the first book in the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French, but it is the third book in that series I have read by her. French makes this series readable whether you start at book 1 or book 4, and I love the fact you do not have to read them in order. That being said, this is clearly the first of the series. This book centers around Rob Ryan, Murder Squad detective. It also introduces us to Cassie Maddox, his partner, the central figure in Book 2 'The Likeness." Ryan is a flawed character that strays from approved policy, as are all French's characters. He allows himself to be assigned to a case that he is tightly connected with. While against procedure, and full understanding that it could destroy the investigation and his career, he jumps in and does not disclose his personal ties. He believes himself to be the perfect man for the job. French creates an intriguing mystery. I didn't guess the ending despite the fact that all the clues are there.

Rob Ryan was the victim as a child in the disappearance of two children. They were his two best friends. He is the only one who returns home to his parents, his shoes soaked in blood. His parents hastily move, change his name, and put him in boarding school. They are doing all they can to protect him. He can not remember the incident, even as an adult, but now that a child is found murdered in his home town he gets himself assigned to the case. It has been many years, but as he investigates the murder of a young girl he can't help but investigate any similarities to that of his childhood friends disappearance. Is this girl one of them? Is it related? French digs relentlessly into a small town that sits in the ruins of an archaeological site, an archaeological site that is about to be shut down for the sake of a new road and the never-ending drive for "progress." As Ryan and Cassie investigate the case, Ryan is having flashbacks. These flashbacks take him down an interesting rabbit hole that was his life before his best friends disappeared. Ryan also starts to unravel. He has difficulty distinguishing what is real and fact. His behavior and memories jeopardize the entire investigation.

A friend of mine told me that the reason she liked French so much is she doesn't answer all your questions and in the hands of a less capable writer this could be a plot hole. In French's hands, however, it is an excellent device that leaves you wanting more. How right she is, and French certainly does this in 'In the Woods.' French leaves you with key questions unanswered, but if you look at any true crime there are many questions unanswered that leave you on the edge of your seat. French plays to reality with this. The book is a psychological thriller not just murder mystery. The motive behind the crimes are intriguing. It also delves into how your mind can be manipulated and tricks can be played on it.

I mentioned that it is clear this is the first of the Dublin Murder Squad series. It is not because it gives you key information to the rest of the books but rather shows how French develops her series formula. I describe it as a formula because the Dublin Murder Squad books have a sole carry over character in the next installment of the series. This carry over is the main character of the next book. There is some light reflection of the previous book, but that is it. Each book is attached to the Dublin Murder Squad, and it is about a singular flawed character at a point when they are at a significant low point in their lives that causes them to question and challenge the rules. They are never a key character again. I find it brilliant, and French is free from having to rehash characters repeatedly. She has fresh characters each time.

Steven Crossly did a good job. I was a bit surprised that he had an English accent since I was prepared for it to be an Irish accent since the story is set in Ireland. That being said its because our main character has an English accent because he went to boarding school in London. He did a fine job and did a surprisingly good job with female voices.

I enjoyed 'In The Woods," but didn't find it as well written as her other books. It's not one I would reread but loved the concept, especially how French wrapped up the book. I think if you want to try out French, because you have not read her yet, I recommend being a little nontraditional and start with a different book than 'In The Woods.' That way you can enjoy this one later, but you get French's writing at a higher level to start off with.

Engrossing story, compelling character development

Where does In the Woods rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is right up there among my favorite audiobooks. I read it a few years back, recalled that I enjoyed it, and found that it was just as good if not better in audio format.

What other book might you compare In the Woods to and why?

As one of Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series, I have to compare it to the others in the series. I'd say that the story in this one is near the top of the list, whereas the character development in this one, while certainly engaging, ranks behind The Likeness.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the interactions between Cassie and Rob. There were several scones that conveyed a lively sense of trust and easy friendship. These were really enjoyable and drew me right into the aspect of the plot having to do with their relationship.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but it's a rare book that will elicit that strong of a reaction in me.

Frustrating and disappointing despite some wonderful writing

There is some really wonderful writing in this book but ultimately I didn’t enjoy it.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS: There are two main mysteries in this book. The solution to one is obvious from the get go. I kept waiting for a twist that would prove me wrong but I was disappointed. To add insult to injury, the narrator tells the reader that, while he may have been duped the reader was too. No, this reader wasn’t! I would have liked to have been. The second mystery (and, to me, this was the more interesting of the two storylines) receives zero resolution and so I just felt very let down. There is a device in the book that is used to reflect altered perceptions. I liked the idea but the execution just made the second half seem more repetitive than revealing.

With all of that, however, much of the writing was beautifully done and so I do think I will try the next in the series and hope for the best.

I really liked the way the narrator did the male voices.

Gripping mystery and great character development

Loved this mystery and it was hard to put down. Steven Crossley is an excellent narrator and the story and characters are gripping. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.

Well worth it!

Great narrator! So important. Really enjoyed her characters, the story, and best of all there are more books to read going forward with the same characters. I love sequels. Well worth the purchase!

Couldn't Stop Listening

This book had me completely invested from beginning to end. Lovable and flawed characters, complicated relationships... There were plenty of plot twists, but I did guess who the murderer was earlier on than I would have liked.