The Hunter
Grade : A

Tana French's latest work, The Hunter, yet again solidifies her reign as the queen of literary mysteries. Set in the west of Ireland, it's the story of a (somewhat) stranger--one John Reddy--who comes to town and the havoc his return creates.

Taking this in are Cal Hooper and Trey Reddy. Cal is the retired Chicago detective whom readers met in The Searcher. (You don't have to have read that book to enjoy this one, but it will give this story more depth.) A couple of years ago, Cal moved to the tiny hamlet of Ardnakelty seeking solace amidst the tranquility of rural life. There, he found the nosiest neighbors in the UK, and, of course, crimes he simply can't help but work to decipher.

Trey Reddy is a rebel of a girl whom Cal has been attempting to mentor and protect. The Reddys live on the lowest rungs on the town, and are very poor, troubled, and are disdained by the town. Much of this is due to Trey's feckless father, Johnny, who abandoned his family and, distressingly, has now returned. Why Johnny has come home, what he (really) wants, and what it means for Trey, the Reddys, and the denizens of Ardnakelty, well, therein lies a fabulous tale.

French's mysteries are never just mysteries--they are, as has been famously said by others, stellar novels that happen to have crime in them. Here, she slowly unwraps the complex relationship between Cal and Trey, a bond that is tested by the return of Johnny and the depredation he brings. As these three lives become intertwined, French explores the depths of human emotion, delving into the intricacies of love, loss, vengeance, and redemption.

And though I used the word slow, don't misunderstand me: This is a riveting plot. The cascade of disasters caused by Johnny's return are myriad and the threat to Trey, a character readers will adore, is risible. Furthermore, French's mastery lies not only in her ability to craft a gripping plot but also in her skill in painting vivid, atmospheric settings. Through her prose, the village comes alive, its every nook and cranny pulsating with life and intrigue.

The Hunter transcends the usual confines of genre, using glorious language to limn the precarious experience we call living. Her character development is meticulous and Cal, Trey, and the residents of the village are all indelible. Many of the latter are, wonderfully, slippery, especially Cal's pain in the ass next door neighbor Mart who steals every scene he's in. You won't know until the end--and perhaps not even then--whom Cal and Trey can trust--although I'd put my money on Lena, Cal's no nonsense girlfriend every time. But you'll wish you'd been there to listen to the village elders plot in the bar or watch Trey risk everything for her pride simply because the way French writes is mesmerising.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Tana French or new to her world, The Hunter is a must-read for anyone who appreciates masterful storytelling. It's a novel that's lingered in your mind long after I turned the final page and is a testament to French's undeniable talent as a storyteller. When it comes to writing mysteries, as Carly Simon once sang, nobody does it better.

 

Reviewed by Dabney Grinnan
Grade : A
Book Type: Mystery | Suspense

Sensuality: N/A

Review Date : March 7, 2024

Publication Date: 03/2024

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Dabney Grinnan

Impenitent social media enthusiast. Relational trend spotter. Enjoys both carpe diem and the fish of the day. Publisher at AAR.
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