THE SECRET PLACE (2014)

The Secret Place by Tana French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been reading Tana French since receiving an ARC of In the Woods back in 2007. It went on to win the 2008 Edgar for best first novel by an American author among other awards. Since then I have highly anticipated each new entry in the Dublin Murder Squad series.

Unlike many series, you don't have to read these titles in order. Each one is unique but all are chain-linked by a lesser character from one book being elevated to center stage in another. Each one introduces a different way of life. In the Woods (2007) was haunting, The Likeness (2008) seductive, and the Faithful Place (2010) holds a mirror up to the past as does Broken Harbor (2012).

Available beginning September 2, 2014 French's most recent title is The Secret Place (2014) and once again she has taken us somewhere unexpected.

A master at mixing police procedural with psychological thriller, French sets this tale at an exclusive girls' boarding school in Dublin where a year earlier a young man from the neighboring boy's school has been violently murdered. This 'locked room' mystery focuses on eight young women who could be responsible. French carefully draws each suspect in ways that keep the reader guessing until the end. Her ear for how teens communicate seems very real.

The story takes place during one very long day for two newbie detectives trying to make the grade. Alternating chapters reveal significant events with reminders of how long Chris Harper has left to live making sure the reader is never lost.

With complex issues of friendship and loyalty, this literate mystery will keep you turning pages past your bedtime.

Bottom Line: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Title: The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad Series)
Author: Tana French
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Viking Adult
No. of Pages: 464 pages
ISBN: 0670026328
Copyright: September 2, 2014
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Amazon

"Tana French grew up in Ireland, Italy, the US and Malawi, and has lived in Dublin since 1990. She trained as a professional actress at Trinity College, Dublin, and has worked in theatre, film and voiceover." (from the author's website)

THE BURNING (MAEVE KERRIGAN #1) (2010)

The Burning:  by Jane Casey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you're a fan of UK-based mysteries and thrillers (think Tana French), the discovery of Jane Casey is a delightful surprise! The Burning is the first in a series of several books featuring Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, all now available in the United States.

From the intense opening when we fear for the life of a young woman, the author cleverly constructs a story that is part police procedural and part psychological thriller.

A serial killer dubbed 'The Burning Man' is responsible for four violent deaths in London. The police are scrambling for clues to stop the reign of terror against single young women.

When Rebecca Haworth's body is discovered, D.C. Kerrigan suspects a copycat murder and sets about learning all she can about the young woman's life.

Alternately told by D.C. Kerrigan and Louise, Rebecca's best friend, some other literary tricks to flesh out the story. Fast-paced, intelligently written, with characters you care about, Jane Casey has been added to my list of favorite authors. (I just requested The Reckoning, book #2 from my local library.)

Bottom Line: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Title: The Burning
Author: Jane Casey
Genre: Police Procedural/Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Minotaur
ISBN: 1250006600
No. of Pages: 368 pages
Copyright: August 30, 2011 (American Edition)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: NetGalley

DISCLOSURE: Invited by NetGalley to request and receive this title for an honest review.

JANE CASEY was born and raised in Dublin. She is a graduate of Oxford with a masters in philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. Her first book, The Missing, was published by Ebury Press in February 2010. It was shortlisted for the Irish Crime Book of the Year. This was quickly followed by The Burning (November 2010), The Reckoning (July 2011), The Last Girl (2013), and The Stranger You Know (2014). She lives in London with her husband James Norman, a criminal barrister, and their son. (Wikipedia)

Tana French's Broken Harbor (2012)

Tana French's new book is out and I immediately caved and downloaded it to my Kindle Fire. Usually I am willing to wait for a library copy but not this time! Read more about it HERE and notice the comparison to Gone Girl.You can see an interview with that book's author, Gillian Flynn, HERE.

Tana French Has a New Book Coming Out!

A random tweet from book guru Nancy Pearl, alerted me to the fact that Tana French's fourth book will be coming out July 24, 2012.

Back when I was still working I received boxes of ARC (Advanced Reading Copies) supplied to librarians, reviewers and other book professionals to fuel interest in worthy new titles. As much as I love retirement, I do miss having access to ARCs. It was a wonderful source of discovery and how I came to read In the Woods (2007).

Once hooked, I sought out The Likeness (2008) and Faithful Place (2010) finding the craftsmanship met my standards for literate mysteries, my declared preference in reading.

So thank you, Nancy Pearl, for bringing Broken Harbor (2012) to my attention.

Faithful Place (2010)

Faithful Place by Tana French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is Tara French's third book about the Dublin Murder Squad and each one introduces a different way of life. "In the Woods" was haunting while "The Likeness" was seductive. "Faithful Place" holds a mirror up to the past and reveals old loves, murders, and betrayals. Frank Mackey was going to escape his life and dysfunctional family in Dublin by running away with his girlfriend Rose when they were nineteen but she stood him up. Years later her suitcase shows up and everything in Frank's new world starts pulling him back home. Highly recommended. Great writing, characters, and dialogue.



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