In the Woods by Tana FrenchMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I'm torn on this book. In many respects I thought it was very good. I like the way French strings words together. She is also very good at developing clear, complex, totally believable human beings. I found that when I was away from the book I was wondering what was coming next, how things were going to resolve, and that's usually the hallmark of a good book.
That said, I had some significant problems with the it. Betrayal and desolation pervade the book--they are ubiquitous and unrelenting. And even the one note of happiness at the end seems...illusory. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood for more Irish despair (after Christine Falls), or perhaps she does have an ability to create a nearly Donaldsonian level of despair. Whichever the case, it was so depressing I felt I needed medication after some sections. And I felt that the resolution of one of the central mysteries was too pat (I honestly knew "whodunit" as soon as I met the character, with only the slightest doubt at any point), and the irresolution of the second mystery (a phrase that will only make sense once you've read the book) was completely unsatisfying and not entirely convincing.
Because I very much like how French uses words, I may well go on and read volumes 2-5 in the Dublin Murder Squad series. But I think I'll wait until I've overdosed on happy optimism, cute kittens, and frolicking puppies. At that point bleak hopelessness might be just what the doctor ordered.
View all my reviews
