Tana French is one of my favorite authors. She writes crime stories like Stephen King writes horror – with deep understanding of the craft. While I didn’t love her last effort (The Searcher), I’m happy to say that her latest novel is Tana French in top writing form.
The Keeper follows Cal, an American ex-cop who relocated to Ireland, as he fits into the generations old small town vibes of the Irish countryside. In this third installment of this particular series, Cal and Lena (his local girlfriend) are unwillingly pulled into what is perceived to be a murder plot. Or a suicide. Or whatever the narrative is through the rumor mill. Their relationship is turned upside down after Lena is the last person to see a dead girl alive and Cal turns down an offer to investigate her death from the very man many suspect killed her. Friendships are tested. A neighbor dies. Threats are made. And I won’t spoil those plot points for you here.
What I will say is that French writes a story that pulls you in right away and keeps you locked in until the very last page. Characters are well written in such a methodical way that it’s no wonder we have to wait so long between novels. Relationships in this small Irish town run deep and while her last novel, at least for me, was weighed down by too much dialogue, this new novel has the perfect mix of dialogue and descriptive action. It’s in the plotting and descriptive wording that French excels so I was happy to see more of it here.
Her character work, as I already mentioned, gives us Cal, Lena, Mart, and Trey in even more detail. I especially like seeing how much Trey has grown from the first novel and how Lena has opened up to be a bigger part of the community. Even side characters like Noreen, the owner of the local store, and Sheila, Trey’s mother, stand out in their limited moments. The author’s love for these fictional people is the heart of her books. Perhaps that is why we have gotten three books about them, and I’m not complaining.
I believe Tana French is one of the best crime writers out there today. Her stories are believable and set in such a beautiful place that the reader feels like they are part of the action. And I’ve been to Ireland since her last book, so having that extra bit of first hand love of the Irish countryside really makes her novels stand out for me.
4 out of 5 stars.
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Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
Tana French is one of my favorite authors. She writes crime stories like Stephen King writes horror – with deep understanding of the craft. While I didn’t love her last effort (The Searcher), I’m happy to say that her latest novel is Tana French in top writing form.
The Keeper follows Cal, an American ex-cop who relocated to Ireland, as he fits into the generations old small town vibes of the Irish countryside. In this third installment of this particular series, Cal and Lena (his local girlfriend) are unwillingly pulled into what is perceived to be a murder plot. Or a suicide. Or whatever the narrative is through the rumor mill. Their relationship is turned upside down after Lena is the last person to see a dead girl alive and Cal turns down an offer to investigate her death from the very man many suspect killed her. Friendships are tested. A neighbor dies. Threats are made. And I won’t spoil those plot points for you here.
What I will say is that French writes a story that pulls you in right away and keeps you locked in until the very last page. Characters are well written in such a methodical way that it’s no wonder we have to wait so long between novels. Relationships in this small Irish town run deep and while her last novel, at least for me, was weighed down by too much dialogue, this new novel has the perfect mix of dialogue and descriptive action. It’s in the plotting and descriptive wording that French excels so I was happy to see more of it here.
Her character work, as I already mentioned, gives us Cal, Lena, Mart, and Trey in even more detail. I especially like seeing how much Trey has grown from the first novel and how Lena has opened up to be a bigger part of the community. Even side characters like Noreen, the owner of the local store, and Sheila, Trey’s mother, stand out in their limited moments. The author’s love for these fictional people is the heart of her books. Perhaps that is why we have gotten three books about them, and I’m not complaining.
I believe Tana French is one of the best crime writers out there today. Her stories are believable and set in such a beautiful place that the reader feels like they are part of the action. And I’ve been to Ireland since her last book, so having that extra bit of first hand love of the Irish countryside really makes her novels stand out for me.
4 out of 5 stars.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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