Tana French has been a favorite author since I read her first mystery. I’ve read every book since, so I was expecting a satisfying story told with real skill. This doesn’t disappoint. The depth of the characters and the local-world building is exquisite in its detail, and the plot leads them all through a series of deep changes. It’s really a very fine character study whose characters I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with, but it’s also a cracking good story! No surprise: it is Tana French, after all. She’s one of the best.

Tana French has a distinct and unique style in her writing where she uses the characters to reveal the plots twists, turns and discoveries within the quest of solving their dilemmas and challenges that remain a mystifying thrilling roller coaster of an experience for her characters and the reader. The distinct way these folks from the tiny village in Ardnakelty have when discussing matters of the village’s history or present pressing issues is so sardonically wrapped with a thick layer of Irish speak and phrases that are culturally distinct to Ardnakelty respectively. For Cal, who is an American who retired from the police force as a detective in a big city and burnt out and exhausted he chose this tiny village that’s vast with land, stone walls quaint homes and scenery of yesteryear. A place he thought was a quiet and uncomplicated peaceful place. But as it is with all places in which humans inhabit, there’s bond to be history that’s cause bad blood grudges and lines drawn as well as alliances with those whose families have been farming the land for centuries and generational pride, loyalty and long memories in a place where everyone knows you and your ancestors that were there before you so the privacy and boundaries are non existent and for those who don’t have the patience or the ability to let things roll off their backs, will have a hard time socializing with the perpetual gossip and business of all spoken as if it were personally theit own. Lena Dunne, Cals partner and surprise love of his life is one of the few villagers who removed herself from their lives and didn’t associate with anyone she had known since she was child for the last 3 decades but there’s a major threat that’s been thrown out there and Lena’s got all the information on who’s behind it and the disappearance and then the death of Rachel, the young lovely finance of Eugene, the nepo baby of the villages entrepreneur and wealthiest resident, Tommy Moynihan, who’s own father happened to be the politician who greased the palms of as many people as possible to corruptly gain access to wealth, power and intimidation. He was nasty and a piece of work and was responsible for having his secretary thrown into the mental asylum for reporting his sexual assault and harassment and then blackmail to the authorities and no sooner did she do that was she whisked away and locked up. When Tommy finds out Lena has information that threatens his plans he reminds her that she’s always been a weird one, no friends no ties to community and she’s been acting off lately and he implies he will alert the authorities to come and have a look at her for her own sake. She’s terrified as she knows what he and his family are capable of. As she and Cal and Trey try to solve a way to get proof of the situation that’s being planned behind the villagers backs and who is behind it and answer the question all are wondering…. Did Rachel commit suicide? Was it an accident? Or was she killed? Where was Eugene? And why was Tommy seen in the area where she was found at the time of approximate death? As more answers are revealed, more danger is unleashed. More lives are in jeopardy and the loss of a dear character whom I have loved since Book 1 will be the devastation of the whole series. So well done. I will miss these cheeky, sardonic and riddle speaking villagers with all my heart.

This book is awful. As an avid reader I shouldn’t spend most of my time trying to decipher what the characters are saying. It is slow, hard to follow and BORING!