The Searcher, published in 2020, is a poetic surprise of a crime fiction novel by New York Times bestseller Tana French. Set in a remote Irish village, the novel centers around Cal Hooper, a retired Chicago police officer looking for a change of scenery after his divorce. He’s bought some land and a house in need of renovation, and gets to work on it while learning the rhythms of his new neighborhood. Even though the locals seem a bit wary of outsiders, Cal eventually wins them over with his laid-back warmth and hardworking attitude. Before long, he’s having a pint with the lads down at the pub, and Noreen, owner of the town grocery, is trying to set him up with her sister. Cal’s peace is cut short, however, when a local kid approaches him for help; Trey’s older brother is missing, and no one—including the police—seems to care. As Cal reluctantly looks into the case, he realizes that there’s danger lurking beneath the surface of this quaint Irish town, and doesn’t know if his new neighbors will appreciate him digging it all up. Now, Cal will have to contend with his moral code and decide where right and wrong lies on this hazy, bewildering landscape.

This was my first foray into Tana French—I haven’t read her bestselling Dublin Murder Squad series (yet!)—and I feel like I’ve just struck gold. Lyrical, atmospheric, and taut with quiet suspense, The Searcher is one of the best mystery/crime fiction novels I’ve read. I initially picked up this novel because its sequel just came out to rave reviews, and I figured I should do the thing correctly and read them in order (I’m glad I did… review for The Hunter coming soon!), but I had no idea I was diving into such a beautiful writing. French describes the countryside with such transportive detail that it was as if I could feel the mist on my skin, and the dialogue between characters flows as musically as an Irish lilt. Most crime fiction relies on plot as its driving force, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the characters take center stage in this novel. Cal Hooper is a delight of a protagonist—his gruff exterior and big heart give him an endearing, trustworthy air—and his relationship with Trey is realistic and tender. However, the plot holds its own here, too, and I was flipping the pages furiously by the end trying to fit the puzzle pieces into place. The Searcher is a stunning blend of a literary novel and crime fiction, and I absolutely loved it.

I’d recommend this book to…

• Anyone who loves when a mystery rocks the foundation of a small town… it’s similar in theme to Still Life by Louise Penny
• Anyone interested in poetic writing with a strong sense of place… it’s similar in style to The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane
• Anyone looking for something searching, intense, and wistful… it’s similar in tone to The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear