The Searcher

A Novel

By: Tana French

Narrated by: Roger Clark

Best Book of 2020
New York Times |NPR | New York Post

"This hushed suspense tale about thwarted dreams of escape may be her best one yet . . . Its own kind of masterpiece." --Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post

"A new Tana French is always cause for celebration . . . Read it once for the plot; read it again for the beauty and subtlety of French's writing." --Sarah Lyall, The New York Times

Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets.

"One of the greatest crime novelists writing today" (Vox) weaves a masterful, atmospheric tale of suspense, asking how to tell right from wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we stake on that decision.

Not up to par

I buy Tana French’s work as soon as it comes out. This was not as catchy a mystery or as interesting a search as her other mysteries. RElationships could have been more developed as well as the story line.

An instant favorite if you enjoyed Blue Bloods

I greatly enjoyed this mystery. The story hooked me in from the very beginning, but that may be because I’m Irish (the story takes place in Ireland) and was a fan of the show Blue Bloods. In fact, now that I reflect on it more, my visual image of Cal was Tom Selleck’s character in Blue Bloods.

3 vs 5

Not my favorite —the rest of her books all earn 5s for me. I didn’t connect with Cal.

Tana French is such a beautifully descriptive writ

love this book. Cal , a Chicago cop, retired to Ireland to restore a dilapidated house on a spot of land in a small village. Many interesting characters.

Excellent story. Language alert, however.

I’ve read all of Tana French’s books and am a fan. That’s the main reason I continued with this book, The characters and storyline did not disappoint.
My concern otherwise was with the language. Too many F bombs for me.