Saturday, September 29, 2012

The New Tana French

Broken HarborBroken Harbor by Tana French

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had very mixed feelings about this book.  I see it's the first French that I haven't rated 5 stars.  In the beginning, I didn't like the detective at all.  The book is written in first person, from his point of view.  I quickly became suspicious that he was going to be an unreliable narrator, or at least an insufferable SOB.  Then layers unfolded and he became more sympathetic.  Then I got caught up in the crime.  I was fairly certain that the guy they arrested didn't do it, but couldn't imagine who had.  The second suspect didn't seem likely, either.  I never did suspect the one who was finally revealed, but I found the whole thing unbelievable.  As the murderer began telling the story, the book lost me.  I just didn't buy it.  And if it's true, then these were the most superficial people imaginable and they all were better off dead.  The detective's story was believable.  His tight lid on his inner chaos, his crazy, fragile sister, his guilt.  All of that is quite believable and sympathetic.  Whatever my misgivings about the actual crime and the perp, the book kept me deeply engaged for most of the read.  Tana French is very adept at the psychological stuff.  Too bad about the murderer.



View all my reviews
Tweet