Book Reviews
[French] sets a vivid scene for her complex characters, who seem entirely capable of doing the unexpected. Drawn by the grim nature of her plot and the lyrical ferocity of her writing, even smart people who should know better will be able to lose themselves in these dark woods.
Marilyn Stasio - New York Times
Readers who like their hardboiled police procedurals with an international flair will love Irish author Tana French’s debut novel.... In the Woods is as creepily imaginative as it gets.
USA Today
This is an amazing piece of work, taut, persuasive, and intricately constructed to stunning effect.
AudioFile
Irish author French expertly walks the line between police procedural and psychological thriller…. Ryan and Maddox are empathetic and flawed heroes, whose partnership and friendship elevate the narrative beyond a gory tale of murdered children.
Publishers Weekly
(Starred review.) Rob Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox, land the first big murder case of their police careers: a 12-year-old girl has been murdered in [surbuban] woods.… An outstanding debut and a series to watch for procedural fans. —Thomas Gaughan.
Booklist
[H]eavy on psycho-drama…. When not lengthily bogged down in angst, a readable, non-formulaic police procedural with a twist. It's ultimately the confession of a damaged man.
Kirkus Reviews