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elissalynn's review against another edition
3.0
This book was...fine...I would not really consider this a mystery. The body isnt discovered until halfway through the book and even then the revelation of who killed him is kind of meh. I found the writing to be quite good and for that reason I think kept going with this hefty book.
beingfacetious's review against another edition
Not what I expected, partly because all the mystery-related resolutions were exactly what I expected, which, come on.
janey's review against another edition
4.0
This definitely had the feel of some of French's best writing. I'm actually giving it 4.5 stars because I think nothing can live up to The Likeness, bu this one comes close. Here is something that this book has in common with The Likeness and Donna Tartt's The Secret History: A sense of environment and place and relationship that is magical and nostalgic and innocent, that no longer exists but seems in the memory to stretch out forever. In this one, French creates a few of these and explodes every one, masterfully. Brava, Ms. French. You keep writing 'em and I'll keep reading 'em.
stefreadsallthebooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brg1998's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Tana French’s books and will read anything she puts out. In the Woods held me captive from start to finish as did most of the following books. This one was a bit slow going for me. I kept picking it up, reading a few chapters, and then putting it down again. As I got towards the ending though, I started getting more invested. Seriously though, still an excellent book, just not as immersive for me as most.
revamanda's review against another edition
1.0
Where to begin? I love Tana French. The Murder Squad series are some of my faves. But this - not so much. Toby is conceited and gets away with pretty much anything, which turned me off immediately. In fact, I listened to the audiobook for awhile before I said, "Nope. Can't do this." Months later I finally finished the book. It had a decent plot but it was all about Toby. Poor him and poor his cousins. The book was also way too long. Too many details. It had such potential but in the end it didn't live up to French's other books.
mihrreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Man, I'll be frank, this book messed me up. It is, as they'd say, "a real headwrecker." It is decidedly not a cozy mystery, nor is it sensationalized in the way much popular true crime tends to be. This book is unflinchingly human, extremely down to Earth, and hard to read. I feel the same way about this story as I did several cases I worked when I was assigned to the Cold Cases unit of the DA's Office: it's sad and it sucks and there's nothing you can do about it other than watch it unfold. When I say "it sucks," that is by no means a reflection on the plot or storytelling, both are excellent; Tana French is an extremely skilled writer.
Having Toby as the narrator makes this book so much of a mindfuck, because he's an extremely unreliable narrator because of his brain injury. While Toby questions himself, his character, and his memory, it kind of forces the reader to ponder the same questions. I cannot recommend this book if you grapple with memory issues, questions of identity, and/or depression. It'll absolutely exacerbate those feelings. The ending is far from happy. It left me with a very diminished sense of the world, of lingering diffuse sadness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
eat_6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maboelion's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75