Dreamland Staff Recommendations by Micheley Kowalski

May 22, 2025 Special to the Folly

I first discovered Tana French back in 2009 when “In the Woods” was picked as the next read for a local book club. To be honest, I may not have read a single detective novel before that one, and I came in blind.

I loved it. I loved the gritty Irish setting, the interworkings of the Dublin Murder squad, and the unexpected psychological insight of it all. I was hooked, and I’ve read every Tana French book that has been released since.

There have been a couple of clunkers along the way (for me, at least – I’m looking at you, “The Secret Place”), but I know when I reach for a Tana French mystery, there’s propulsive readability, smart dialogue, and consistent satisfaction. I also know that I can pass these along to my husband when I’m done, and he’s just as excited to read each one as I am.

Maybe my two favorites, and a good place to start, are her newest releases: “The Searcher” and its follow-up (just released in paperback), “The Hunter.” These two introduce a new lead character – Cal Hooper, a recently retired detective from the Chicago Police Department, newly settled in rural Ireland and hoping for a little peace and quiet. 

Wouldn’t you know, a local boy goes missing, and, despite his best efforts, Cal gets drawn into the tangle of it all. If you have ever daydreamed of moving to rural Ireland to gain simplicity, rest, and ease, these two novels will wake you up to a murky reality of village collusion, dangerous landscapes, and the weight of local loyalties. 

Both of these books offer a bit of a slow burn, so if you’re looking for an action-packed thriller, you may want to look elsewhere. But as we watch Cal make his way in this beautiful and brutal landscape, we’re invested. It’s worth the time it takes to discover the truth.