Tangled Web UK Review January 2007
In the Woods by
Tana French
hbk out March 07
Published by Hodder
at £12.99
Detective Rob Ryan working in Dublin for the murder squad has a mystery in his own
life. When he was twelve-years-old he and his two best friends went into the woods
in Knocknaree to play. He was discovered with his shoes full of blood and his friends
were never seen again. It's a past that he has kept secret but now Ryan and his
close friend and colleague Cassie are called to Knocknaree where the body of a
twelve-year-old girl has been found at an archaeological dig. As the case unfolds,
and flashes from the past taunt him, Ryan's grip on reality begins to slip with terrible
consequences. This is a stunning first novel from French, a professional actress, not
least because it combines scintillating language with excellent characterisation, and
sustained suspense. The portrait of the young, bright detectives and their friendship
(involving substantial amounts of hard liquor) is extremely winning and tender without
ever being soppy. There is one clue which leaps out of the page but was ignored by
the duo for some time, but that small quibble aside this is a terrific debut.
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the series creator of TV Blue Murder)
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