Dan Schwent's Reviews > In the Woods
In the Woods
by
by
When a twelve year old girl is found murdered at an archaeological dig, Detective Ryan and Maddox are on the case. But what does this case have to do with a similar case twenty years earlier, a case that saw an adolescent Ryan as the only survivor?
As a veteran of detective fiction, riddles, and brain teasers, I'm a big fan of mysteries that keep me guessing. In the Woods was one of those sorts of mysteries.
In the Woods is the story of two detectives looking for answers, both on the case they're working and inside themselves. Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox are partners and best friends on the Dublin Murder Squad, detectives who catch all the murders that come down the pipe. When Katy Devlin is found murdered and sexually assaulted, they find themselves in the soup pretty quickly. Complicating things is the fact that Rob Ryan used to be Adam Ryan, a lad whose friends disappeared one afternoon, their bodies never found.
In the Woods is very well written and it could be read as simply a police procedural, and it would have been a very good one. The thing that sets it apart from most run of the mill books of this type are the main characters. Rob and Cassie are very well written, real to the point that I wanted to shout at them a few times. Even though it took place in Dublin, it kind of reminded me of The Wire in that there was no happily ever after ending and no action. It was all gritty police work and even grittier interpersonal stuff.
The mystery itself was solveable. Hell, the clues were even pointed out but I was too busy getting misdirected by French's skills. When the truth behind Katy's death was revealed, it was even more chilling than I'd imagined.
(view spoiler)
Great, great book. I wouldn't say it was the best book I read in 2014 but it's definitely in the top ten. Tana French can lead me In The Woods any day. 4.5 out of 5.
As a veteran of detective fiction, riddles, and brain teasers, I'm a big fan of mysteries that keep me guessing. In the Woods was one of those sorts of mysteries.
In the Woods is the story of two detectives looking for answers, both on the case they're working and inside themselves. Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox are partners and best friends on the Dublin Murder Squad, detectives who catch all the murders that come down the pipe. When Katy Devlin is found murdered and sexually assaulted, they find themselves in the soup pretty quickly. Complicating things is the fact that Rob Ryan used to be Adam Ryan, a lad whose friends disappeared one afternoon, their bodies never found.
In the Woods is very well written and it could be read as simply a police procedural, and it would have been a very good one. The thing that sets it apart from most run of the mill books of this type are the main characters. Rob and Cassie are very well written, real to the point that I wanted to shout at them a few times. Even though it took place in Dublin, it kind of reminded me of The Wire in that there was no happily ever after ending and no action. It was all gritty police work and even grittier interpersonal stuff.
The mystery itself was solveable. Hell, the clues were even pointed out but I was too busy getting misdirected by French's skills. When the truth behind Katy's death was revealed, it was even more chilling than I'd imagined.
(view spoiler)
Great, great book. I wouldn't say it was the best book I read in 2014 but it's definitely in the top ten. Tana French can lead me In The Woods any day. 4.5 out of 5.
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Reading Progress
September 3, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
September 3, 2014
– Shelved
October 26, 2014
–
Started Reading
October 30, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 12, 2014
– Shelved as:
2014
December 12, 2014
–
Finished Reading
September 25, 2018
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Paperback Edition)
September 25, 2018
– Shelved
(Paperback Edition)
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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French definitely has some talent, but I didn't care for the story much. I'd give her an A for characters, A for atmosphere, but a D on the story.
Been awhile since I read this, but I think in hindsight (view spoiler)
The next book follow Cassie, who I liked much better, but WOW is the premise STUPID & unbelievable!
I had no problem not knowing.
This is one of the few NY Times best sellers that I think is worth the time to read.
Yup. I'm hoping to score the rest on the cheap at the used bookstore.
You'll be thanking us later...
You knew how this works...
I had no problem not knowing."
I was certainly mixed on that ending. I get the authorial choice, but, man.
Dan, if you want the Likeness, I have a used paperback you can have.
Yes I was probably a little too harsh on my rating, but that ticked me off (felt lazy). And some of Ryan's interactions with (was it the victim's sister?) that younger girl annoyed me. And some of the plot points felt contrived & unbelievable.
Much of the book was good though, so maybe I'll bump it to a 3. Still like the 3rd book best though.
I get that. I was all, "WTH?" and went searching. But it isn't really the primary story, is it? Or is it? I don't know.
(view spoiler)
I had no problem not knowing."
I was certainly mixed on that ending. I get the authorial choice, ..."
Thanks for the offer, Carol, but I added it to my Christmas list because I'm allegedly hard to buy for.
My mom is on that list, which is weird because she's a reader.
Hahahaha, right? I felt the same way. Loved this one too. There's definitely more Dublin Murder Squad on the book horizon for me.