Faithful Place: A Novel

I didn't just listen to this book; it's more like I was consumed by it. Tana French doesn't write in a serial fashion like other mystery authors. She explores a group of people, character by character; her books are almost more stand-alone novels than a series. I think this one is her best so far, even though I really loved the first two. Frank has to solve an old murder, a contemporary murder, and resolve how each has influenced his life. There is so much more here than the usual murder mystery; if that's all you want, download something else. French's characters are fully-developed; they are human beings, with faults, damage, and in this case, a strong will in Frank to rise above his beginnings. The bonus here is French's marvelous command of Irish street language (vulgarity alert!); it's a witty, sometimes laugh-out-loud counterpoint to the tragedy of poverty, death, and struggle. Her approach is a refreshing change to the formulaic writing that most mystery writers can't break away from. "Faithful Place" is a love story within a murder mystery, solved years after the fact. Discovery of the murder nearly destroys Frank's family and threatens to destroy him; it's an exploration of his struggle to deal with his past and create a future for himself. Either you like French's approach or you don't, but what you don't get here is same-old same-old mystery solving. French develops the plot by uncovering, layer by layer, events of the past as seen through various characters' eyes, and their motivations for their actions, their pain, and their prejudices. It's not until the very end of the book that the murderer is revealed, along with not only the motivation for the person's actions, but the story behind the motivation. It's a complex, compelling story, and it's made me more of a Tana French fan than I was before - and I waited impatiently for this book to become available. It's like nothing you've read before, even by the same author.

Definitely the best of Tana French's three novels. The story line is great but the dialogue and the interactions between Frank Mackies very dysfunctional family is brilliantly observed and made the book. The narration is excellent. Fabulous Irish accents and the subtle differences between the characters made it a delight to listen to. I don't often reccommend a listen over a read but in this case definitely the way to go.

If (like my husband) your idea of a good book is swashbuckling action with shallow, predictable characters you cannot relate to and will not remember an hour after you finish the book, then "Faithful Place" is not for you. This just isn't that kind of book. On the other hand, if you enjoy an extremely well-crafted story, with believable characters, a good mystery, a haunting love-story, and a realistic procedural that keeps you guessing while rooting for the "good guy", then it's a winner. Tana French's writing improves with each book she writes, and hers are on the very short list of those I will listen to more than once.

I have read all of Tana French's books, and I enjoyed Faithful Place the most. Frank Mackey's character is SO funny, and the interaction with his family was often sad and always well written and interesting. I hope that his character returns in future books. I didn't mind the narrator; in fact his voice sounded like I imagined Frank's to sound.

The Irish neighborhood where the story takes place is at least as interesting as the plot. Character development is excellent. It is richly dark.

This was my first introduction to Tana French and her love-‘em-or-leave-him Dublin detective Frank Mackey. And what an introduction it was—I couldn’t stop listening to this book until the very end (which for me, happened to be at 3 AM!).

The plot is a zinger – a suitcase from a long-disappeared lover shows up at Mackey’s family home – and new narrator Tim Gerard Reynolds does a fabulous job with bringing the detective’s fieriness and his hometown’s Irish accents wonderfully to life.

I can wait for the next novel, Broken Harbor, out July 24. Until then, I’ll be catching up on In the Woods and The Likeness.

The story was compelling, the narration brilliant and I can't wait to listen to another Tana French. As a child of a Dublin woman, the characters seemed authentic to me and the dialogue spot on. I've listened to more than 40 audible books, and this is one of the best.

This book was well written and well titled and once I began listening, I had a hard time turning it off.

This is the first book by Tana French I listened to, but I just purchased two others. The story had me guessing until the end. I was expecting something else, and was surprised by the outcome.

Strongly recommend to others.

I have nothing but good things to say about this book. The characters are real, believable and very well developed, the dysfunctional family all too real,and the reader AMAZING, I could listen to his voice all day! It must be my Irish ancestry kicking in! I think the imperfect ending was perfect for this book -

Good story.... I really enjoyed it I listen to books while I work and was actually looking forward to work just so I could listen to this book!