The Searcher

A Novel

De: Tana French

Narrado por: Roger Clark

Best Book of 2020 by New York Times, NPR, and New York Post

"This hushed suspense tale about thwarted dreams of escape may be her best one yet.... Its own kind of masterpiece." (Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post)

"A new Tana French is always cause for celebration.... Read it once for the plot; read it again for the beauty and subtlety of French's writing." (Sarah Lyall, The New York Times)

Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After 25 years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets.

"One of the greatest crime novelists writing today" (Vox) weaves a masterful, atmospheric tale of suspense, asking how to tell right from wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we stake on that decision.

©2020 Tana French (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A slow-burn stunner that will keep readers turning the pages late into the night. Recommend to the author’s legions of fans, as well as those who enjoy crime fiction set in small towns like Julia Keller’s or Jane Harper’s novels.” (Library Journal, starred review)

“In another stand-alone, French again displays impressive versatility...French skillfully builds suspense...a fine thriller, but also a moving story of an unlikely friendship that grows from refinishing a ramshackle desk to rebuilding two nearly broken lives.” (Booklist)

“Deliver[s] plenty of twists, shocking revelations, and truly chilling moments.” (Kirkus)

Not your typical Tana French

I became a fan of Tan French with her first book. Have been patiently waiting for her next spellbinding thriller. Never disappointed until The Witch Elm which was very slow in developing but still a remarkable whodunnit. With "The Searcher", the author has left the typical scene of crime novels.
The book is beautifully written - especially when you're looking for a description of rural Ireland far from the beaten tourist track. It still exists. I lived there for almost 20 years in the countryside, yet not as remote as the place she creates somewhere in the northwest. We were blow-ins like the hero, Cal, who retires to peace and quiet, renovating an old cottage. We bought a working farm and encountered the same "characters" French creates in this book. The townland and its squinting windows seem eerily familiar, the suspicion of the locals towards any outsider, their testing of the blow-ins sense of humor by incessant slagging and their stamina: How long will they last? I loved hearing the Irish voices and expression again. Roger Clark does a very good job imitating that. Not sure about the slow, American drawl that's bordering on boring. I wonder how many non-Irish English speakers understand "How's she cuttin..."? On the other hand, I 'm surprised she didn't use the word "boreen" as an apt name for the part of that townland Cal was in. The lengthy descriptions about the Irish rain, sky, wind ,and dullness of the countryside in the winter take me right back to my own experience and are comparable to mine. "I once had a Farm in Ireland," Nothing much has changed since.( Situation of bachelor farmers left behind on the land while young women or more energetic types who don't inherit the farm move to Dublin or emigrate. Even the matchmaking attempts ring true. I was a matchmaker there for 4 years. ("Next Time Lucky").
The storyline is so slow in developing- just like The Witch Elm that after 10 hours of listening or 18 chapters I still wasn't sure there was a plot or crime at all. Without giving too much away, the really exciting, hair-raising part of the whole story happens in the last hour. And the chapters as well as hours leading up to that are not a tightly woven psychological thriller, but as I said before a true depiction of rural, remote Ireland as it still exists. I persevered because I loved that detailed description that woke memories in me, not because of its nail-biting plot. Roger Clark's voice had the soothing side effect of sending me to sleep which was quite welcome.
I agree with another review that suggested Tana French should have stuck to her Dublin Murder Squad of the first books at which she excelled!

Disappointed

This was not like the other Tana French books I've read. It was so slow paced it was actually boring. There were a few interesting parts but not many. I am hugely disappointed.

i loved this book so much!!

This was such a wonderful book! I almost, when it was over, started it back over and listened again.
And the narrator, Roger Clark, was perfect!! I don't think anyone could have done a better job.
Get this book!! Listen to this book!!!
It has my highest recommendation!

Another great one from Tana French

I enjoyed the unique setting — set outside the city, unlike most of her books — and, as always, the plot and character development were fantastic.

Not a thriller

Slowly unfolds. Loved the main character and the adorable Irish anecdotes and sayings. I laughed and smiled at the humor. Loved the singing at the end (a tune I love). The actual investigating went slowly so that you become attached to characters. Not dramatic or extremely suspenseful, but peaceful and enjoyable.

My favorite tana French novel

Before this I would have had a hard time deciding which of tana French’s books was my favorite but now its this one hands down.

Ok but not by fave Tana French

This story missed some of the extra oomph French’s best stories have. It was good, just not great. I liked the narrator.

Hummed along

The pace of this book in solving a mystery was a bit slow, but to be honest, I am okay with that if my interest is maintained. (And it was.) I liked hearing the Irish accent from the reader. The story hummed along unfolding gradually as the main character pursued the truth while respecting the local community's way of living and code of dealing with trouble. Overall, a satisfying experience with how to deal with the grey area of dealing with the problems of the youth and crime today that doesn't always have an easy, right answer.

Wonderful since of place

Tana French with a new more measured story with great character development...even better than before. My interest was kept into the book the entire time. The narrator is wonderful here...absolutely perfect for the story.

Didn't want this story to end

If there's anyone else out there like Tana French, someone tell me quickly. I've read almost all of her books and will be so sad when I've run through them all. I have loved every one of them, but this was by far my favorite out of a stellar lot.

It wasn't as intricately plotted as some of the others, but the plot (as usual) was absorbing and well paced and firmly anchored in a strong sense of place. The characters were well developed and handed us a few surprises. I could easily imagine what it was like to be the protagonist, Cal, a newcomer to an area where he moves seeking a peaceful country life, and ends up in the middle of something he never bargained for.