In the Woods

by: Tana French

Published by: Viking

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

This first novel by Irish author Tana French is a stunning cross between psychological suspense and police procedural.

The setting, Dublin and the woods outside of the suburb of Knocknaree, is as much a character as Detective Rob Ryan and his partner Cassie Maddox. Ryan and Maddox get assigned to the body found at an archaeological dig outside of Knocknaree, a motorway is going in, right through the woods and important historic sites. The archaeologists find the body of 12-year-old Katy Devlin placed reverently on the slab of what was once a huge stone table or altar.

Ryan was involved in the disappearance 20 years ago in the same woods, of two children Jamie and Peter. No trace of them was ever found; Ryan was discovered with his back to a tree, in shock, with bloody sneakers. He was unable to recall anything about their disappearance. Maddox knows about his involvement in the prior case, but agrees to keep quiet as Ryan wants to work on it; he thinks it may help him recover suppressed memories.

There are many investigative avenues—there seem to be dark depths in the Devlin family; and Jonathan Devlin, Katy’s father, had received telephone threats against his family due to his leading the local opposition to the motorway going through the historic site and the woods.

This has to be one of the best books I have read in 2007. The plot twists and characters make it outstanding. I will definitely search out future works by this author.

Armchair Interviews says: This vote of confidence is from a librarian who reads a lot!

Author’s Web site: http://www.TanaFrench.com