I was at my cousin’s house and saw In the Woods, by Tana French, laying on a side table by the couch. The cover of the book did say “New York Times Best Seller.” As I was reading the reviews, on the back cover, my cousin told me to borrow the book. I am glad I did. In the Woods is a thrilling crime novel. The first half of the book consists of a descriptive buildup, leading to the second half — a full on sprint. I plowed through the book in a little over a week — it is 496 pages long. In the Woods was just as good as watching any murder mystery movie.
After reading In the Woods, I had to do some research about the author Tana French. French was born in the US and was raised in numerous countries, including Ireland. She attended Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and trained in acting. After a stint in theater, French began to focus on writing. I couldn’t believe it, but In the Woods (published 2007) was French’s debut novel. It marked the beginning of the Dublin Murder Squad series — which are all standalone yet interconnected works. I will read her other books and let you know my thoughts.
During the first half of the book, while an intense investigation is taking place, French vividly describes surroundings that include the woods — where Katy’s body was found — and roads and homes of the characters. I felt like I was inside the police station working with the detectives and could smell and feel the damp Irish countryside.
French also introduces an amazing cast of characters. French uses descriptive language to convey the emotional states of her characters. Whether it’s the haunting memories resurfacing for Detective Ryan or the horrible grief of the victim’s family, she evokes a strong sense of empathy and connection with the characters’ experiences. There are a few standouts like Detective Maddox, who is partnered with Detective Ryan to solve the murder. It was a pleasure to get to know Detective Maddox and be part of the relationship between the Detectives.
Some of my favorite parts of the book are the sudden and unexpected flashbacks experienced by Detective Ryan. French vividly transports the reader, with Detective Ryan, to his childhood, playing outside in the woods. I saw a young Detective Ryan, playing and running carefree with his friends in the woods. I heard the leaves cracking beneath his feet and felt the sun shinning down on him. It reminded me of the good days, when I played outside on those long summer days, with my friends. Everything was fine as long as I was home before dark.
At first, the ending upset me. It frustrated me. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized the author did an amazing job concluding the book. I don’t think the book would have been as memorable if it ended the way I wanted.
If you want to read a good fiction crime novel, try In the Woods.