Where To Start With Tana French Books
If you’re a fan of true crime and thrilling mystery reads, this ultimate guide is for you. One of the most beloved writers in the genre, Tana French has mesmerized readers for years with her bone-chilling plots and characters — each page-turning novel more captivating than the next. From her stunning debut, In the Woods, to her most recent work, The Searcher, ardent fans of Tana French — and even newcomers alike — have been transfixed by her ability to immerse readers into the darkest, page-turning corners of shocking crimes, lies, and deceit. Whether you’re just beginning to dive into her award-winning novels or a long-time Tana French buff hungry for your next read, this list will show you why French’s books should be next on your TBR list or (or even on your re-read list!).
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Add to BookshelfThe Hunter
by Tana French
After so many long years with the Chicago PD, Cal Hooper has landed in Ireland, where he’s now settled, becoming a father figure to a local woman’s son, Trey. For a while, Cal thinks he’s finally found the peace he’d been searching for, that is, until Trey’s biological father — a man that’s been long estranged from his son — reappears with fame and fortune on his mind. Quickly, Cal’s tranquil life in Ireland — one that was slowly emerging as a peaceful escape from life’s sorrows — unravels before his eyes. A highly anticipated read from Tana French, The Hunter continues Cal’s unlikely and, at times, harrowing journey and is both an exploration of love and revenge.
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The Searcher
by Tana French
Cal Hooper, a retired Chicago police officer, seeks solace and a fresh start in a small Irish village. A picturesque escape, Cal settles into a quiet, quainter life after twenty-five years in the police force — eager to live in a town with a decent pub and not much else. Despite his best intentions, though, Cal’s tranquil life takes an unexpected turn when a local teenager asks him to investigate his brother’s disappearance. Despite Cal’s resistance, he wades into a tangled web of deceit and secrets, navigating the dark underbelly of his new home’s peaceful promise. Amidst bucolic Irish countryside emerges a profound, harrowing mystery that forces Cal to confront the truth about humanity and himself.
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The Witch Elm
by Tana French
A New York Times bestseller, The Witch Elm, is a gripping account of the destruction of one man’s carefree life. Toby, a charming young man, has lived a life of ease. That is until he’s violently assaulted one night on the street — an attack that leaves him with life-altering injuries. Forced to reckon with his new reality, Toby takes refuge in his family’s ancestral home, taking up residence with his ailing uncle. While recovering, Toby comes across something quite out of the ordinary in his family’s home: a human skull. As the police launch an investigation into the origins of the skull — and worse, the origins of his family — Toby must confront a long, tangled history of lies and deceit and come to grips with the truth behind his own identity.
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The Trespasser
by Tana French
Part of the Dublin Murder Squad series, The Trespasser, follows the story of Detective Antoinette Conway, a talented investigator who often feels like an outsider in her male-dominated department. When she and her partner, Detective Stephen Moran, are assigned to a seemingly routine domestic murder case, they quickly realize that there is more to the investigation than meets the eye. As the pair delve deeper into the victim’s life, Antoinette realizes something a bit harrowing: she recognizes the victim. She’s seen her somewhere before. As tensions rise within the police force to make an arrest, Antoinette becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
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The Secret Place
by Tana French
Another New York Times bestselling novel and installment in the Murder Squad series, The Secret Place, revolves around two haunting events: a murder that occurred a year ago on the grounds of an elite girls’ boarding school and a cryptic anonymous message left on a school bulletin board with the words: “I know who killed him.” Detective Stephen Moran and Detective Antoinette Conway team up again to uncover the truth behind these two chilling pieces of evidence, diving deep into the world of teenage friendships, rivalries, and dark secrets — a place more haunting and dangerous than meets the eye.
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Broken Harbor
by Tana French
Broken Harbor is a gripping psychological thriller that centers around Detective Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy, a seasoned investigator known for his impeccable record of solving cases in the Dublin Murder Squad. Assigned to a particularly disturbing crime scene with his partner, Detective Richie Curran, the pair uncover a haunting tale of domestic turmoil, financial strain, and dangerous family relationships. Despite his duty, Kennedy struggles to maintain his objectivity and composure, haunted by his own demons and childhood recollections — stories and memories he once believed he had tucked away, never to be seen again. Confronted with eerie evidence — erased family files, a half-dozen baby monitors, and more — Kennedy finds himself amid a harrowing exploration of human nature and himself.
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Faithful Place
by Tana French
Another novel in the Dublin Murder Squad series, Faithful Place is the bone-chilling and captivating story of Frank Mackey, a detective who fled his impoverished upbringing in the tight-knit community of Faithful Place years ago. He intended to flee with his then-girlfriend, Rosie, but Frank was forced to leave without her when she never showed up. Years later, Frank returns to his hometown when Rosie’s suitcase is discovered in an abandoned house, sparking an investigation. Haunted by the memories of their love, Frank is drawn back into the secrets and family dynamics that he thought he left behind. As he investigates the cold case and reconnects with old friends and family, long-buried emotions resurface and he is forced to confront his past traumas.
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The Likeness
by Tana French
The Likeness follows one woman’s bizarre and eerie encounter with a murder victim. When the Dublin Murder Squad is called to investigate a crime, Detective Cassie Maddox arrives at the scene and is absolutely astonished by what she finds: the murder victim, Alexandra Madison, is her exact look alike. And not only does Alexandra look exactly like Cassie, but Alexandra also has been living under the alias Cassie used during her undercover days. Driven to uncover the cause of her death and discover who this woman truly is, Cassie immerses herself into the life of this unknown victim and doppelgänger.
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In the Woods
by Tana French
With over a million copies sold, In the Woods is one of Tana French’s most captivating works. Detective Rob Ryan, who is assigned to investigate the murder of a twelve-year-old girl in a small town on the outskirts of Dublin, is not your average detective. In 1984, when he was a child, Rob and his friends were victims of a violent crime. The only child to survive, Rob keeps the blurry memories and details of that fateful night close to his chest — that is, until he’s assigned to this new case. Eerily reminiscent of Rob’s own troubled past, his investigation of the twelve-year-old murder is not only troubling in its own right — but deeply haunting to Rob, who is forced to peel back the layers of his history.
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