'This hushed suspense tale about thwarted dreams of escape may be her best one yet.its own kind of masterpiece.' -Maureen Corrigan, The Washington PostĪ 'taut, chiseled and propulsive' ( Vogue) new novel from the bestselling mystery writer who 'is in a class by herself.' ( The New York Times)Ĭal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. Crime fiction fans won't want to miss this one.A New York Times and NPR Best Book of 2020 Insightful characterizations, even of minor figures, and a devastating reveal help make this a standout.

The more Hooper digs, the more he finds that his new community conceals dark secrets. Despite Hooper's cynicism ('Anyone could do anything,' he thinks), he agrees to look into the matter, starting with questioning Sheila. Because their mother, Sheila, is convinced Brendan took off on his own, Trey hasn't gone to the police, though the boy's certain his brother wouldn't have done that. Trey fears something bad has happened to his 19-year-old brother, Brendan, who hasn't been seen in about six months. After three months, his prosaic new life ends when he's sought out by 12-year-old Trey Reddy, who has learned of Hooper's former profession.

So he moved to a village in the West of Ireland, 'no bigger than the little end of nothing,' where people leave their doors unlocked. '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.Īfter 25 years as a Chicago cop, Cal Hooper, the protagonist of this superb standalone from Edgar winner French (The Witch Elm), decided he needed a change. 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. 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. Read it once for the plot read it again for the beauty and subtlety of French's writing.' -Sarah Lyall, The New York TimesĬal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. 'A new Tana French is always cause for celebration. Its own kind of masterpiece.' -Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post 'This hushed suspense tale about thwarted dreams of escape may be her best one yet.

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