In the Woods

by Tana French
In the Woods cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99–£10.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 8884
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9780143134824
  • Publisher: Penguin Books
  • Published: 2019-12-31
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

In the Woods follows detective Rob Ryan as he investigates a gruesome murder in the same woods where he and his friends experienced a horrific incident when he was a child. The case dredges up long-buried memories and forces Ryan to confront his own traumatic past. The novel is known for its atmospheric setting and complex characters, blending psychological depth with a gripping mystery. /n/nThe story is a haunting exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring impact of childhood trauma. Tana French's debut novel is praised for its intricate plotting and evocative prose, making it a standout in the mystery genre.

Reviews
Radhika's Reading Retreat · 2022-08-05
haunting 4.50

The book is beautifully written, with a melancholic and haunting atmosphere that lingers. It's a poignant exploration of how childhood shapes our identities.

This reviewer found the book to be a beautifully written crime novel that leaves a lasting impression. The melancholic and haunting atmosphere is particularly noteworthy, making the reading experience both poignant and memorable. They appreciate the book's exploration of how childhood experiences crucially define who we become, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. The reviewer also highlights the book's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and introspection, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    It's a beautifully written crime novel, melancholic, haunting and poignant.

    A reminder of how our childhood crucially defines who we shape up as.

    The book leaves a lasting impression, making it a memorable read.

Writerly Witterings · 2020-10-02
engaging 4.00

The book tackles heavy themes like corruption and child abuse with skill, making it a compelling read. The writing is engaging and well-crafted, drawing readers in despite the dark subject matter.

This review highlights how the book masterfully handles its dark themes. The author's writing style is praised for its ability to engage readers, even when dealing with difficult topics. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the narrative, which makes the book a standout in its genre. They also note that the book's exploration of corruption and child abuse is particularly well-executed, adding layers of intrigue and emotional resonance.

Quick quotes

    As to the plot, well, it embraces corruption, child abuse and ticks all the other modern boxes you'd expect.

    And it does it all very well.

    The writing is engaging and well-crafted, drawing readers in despite the dark subject matter.

The Guardian · 2014-08-01
mixed 3.00

The book features good scene setting and characterisation, with dialogue that feels authentic. However, the pacing can feel slow, making it a bit of a trudge.

This reviewer appreciates the strong scene setting and characterisation in the book, as well as the authentic dialogue that brings the characters to life. However, they note that the pacing can feel slow at times, making the reading experience a bit of a trudge. Despite this, they acknowledge the book's strengths in creating a vivid and engaging world. The reviewer also mentions that while they enjoyed certain aspects of the book, they wouldn't be inclined to read more by the same author due to the pacing issues.

Quick quotes

    Good scene setting and characterisation.

    The dialogue rang true as well.

    But so felt like a trudge I won't be reading anything else by her.

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