The Hunter is a suspenseful and character-driven thriller that vividly portrays a small Irish village and explores themes of loyalty, revenge, and the complexities of family relationships.
The reviewer finds the novel compelling for its strong sense of place and nuanced characters, especially the dynamic surrounding Trey, a scrappy teenager, and Cal, a retired cop trying to navigate the village’s close-knit but troubled community. The story’s tension arises from Johnny’s return and his dubious get-rich-quick scheme, which threatens to unravel the fragile peace and forces characters into difficult moral choices. The blog praises French’s ability to weave atmospheric suspense with emotional depth, making the novel not just a crime thriller but a thoughtful exploration of human connections and the costs of vengeance.
Quick quotes
The village is a tiny one, and outsiders are few. Everyone in the vicinity knows that Johnny’s back; everyone wonders what he’s up to.
He has a rich man’s smile, easy and understated, the smile of a man who isn’t required to put in effort.
Now the question is whether this “plastic Paddy” is a shyster trying to rip off the locals, or if he is someone that Johnny is seeking to fleece.