In the Woods

What a waste of , just drones on and on, this a mystery?

Tana French is an exceptionally talented prose stylist. In the Woods is atmospheric, psychologically intense and often beautifully written. She creates a compelling sense of place and vividly portrays the damage caused by unresolved childhood trauma. However, I finished the novel feeling misled by the story it appeared to promise. The disappearance of Rob’s two childhood friends is not presented as a minor piece of background. It is one of the book’s central mysteries, is directly connected to Rob’s identity and trauma, and is repeatedly developed in ways that suggest the reader is moving toward a meaningful revelation. Instead, that entire storyline is left with enormous unanswered questions. I understand that this was an intentional choice and that Rob’s inability to confront his past is part of the novel’s psychological point. But intentional non-resolution is still non-resolution. To me, the ending did not transform the missing answers into something profound; it simply left the book’s most compelling mystery incomplete. Because this is the first book in the Dublin Murder Squad series, I purchased The Likeness believing that Rob’s story—or at least the unresolved childhood disappearance—might continue there. It does not. Rob is largely removed from the narrative, and the central questions raised in In the Woods remain unanswered. That made me feel as though I had been encouraged to invest in a mystery the author never intended to complete. The solved portion of the murder investigation also does not compensate for that omission, particularly because Rob’s personal history and the earlier disappearance are what give the novel its distinctive premise and much of its emotional force. I can recognize French’s considerable gifts with language, atmosphere and psychological tension. But for me, those strengths do not excuse establishing such a significant narrative promise and then declining to fulfill it. Ambiguity can deepen a story; here, it left me feeling that the story was unfinished.

Interesting story but too verbose, I lost interest several times while reading the book. I could not connect with any of the characters.

One of the best books I’ve read in a minute; stunning prose.

Good book, well written. Worth the time to read it.

Well developed characters and multi level plot. Looking forward to reading another book by Tana French!

Hard to put down.

Book pulled me in and then wouldn’t let go. I was so glad that it was raining on my last day with it so I didn’t need an excuse to put the book down.

It took me forever to finish the book, her writing style is very wordy, too many adjectives and descriptions. It’s like just get to the point and be done with this. I don’t think I can read another of her’s in the series. I would need a break from her writing.

I actually loved the writing of this book, but it is so anti-climatic and the whole point of reading it was to discover what happened to the children in the wood and we never find out. Also, I knew the moment I met the character, Rosalyn, and that she was up to no good so I’m not sure that that was a good payoff either. And the main character narrating turns out to be such a jerk that I lost interest in him halfway through as well. It’s too bad because there’s a lot of good here.