by Tana French

A Mystery/Thriller, 2024 by Viking, 467 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

This one is heavy on the contemporary, slice-of-life style story. I was expecting a bit more action or mystery up front. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you know to expect it so call it a content warning, this one takes its time.
The mystery didn’t really surprise me. I saw the answer coming far off, likely because there were clues splattered into the text. I wouldn’t say it’s OBVIOUS but you can see it coming if you’re looking.
This ending is sad, actually. It’s painted as a happily-ever-after type but if you stare at it too long it’s incredibly sad.

The characters are easy to connect with and feel like real people. They remind you of people you know, which is always good. Honestly, there were times when I forgot I was reading about fictional characters and that is the BEST compliment for a fiction author.
The banter is great. Every scene in the Irish pub had me laughing out loud.
Smart and realistic. Sometimes with mysteries the authors reach for something completely wild, something unrealistic. This one sticks to things people are truly capable of. It’s smart and logical in the best way.

Fans of contemporary stories with wonderful characters and a little mystery are the best audience for this one.