The Trespasser
Book Review - The Trespasser by Tana French
My first book of winter break was a good one! The Trespasser is my first book from Book of the Month Club - it is about two detectives working the case of a young woman found murdered in her home. It is the 6th book (but the first one I've read) in a series about The Murder Squad - a group of detectives investigating murders in Dublin.
Detective Antoinette Conway is new to the murder squad and so far she and her partner, Stephen Moran, have been working straight-forward, open and closed cases that don't require much in the way of detective work. At first glance, Aislinn Murray's case seemed to be just another lover's quarrel gone bad. She was found in her pristine living room next to a romantic table set for two.
The thing that keeps tugging at Detective Conway is that she thinks she's seen Aislinn before. On top of that, Detective Conway is convinced that other detectives are pushing her and her partner to make a quick arrest. Is Detective Conway paranoid or is there more to this case than what meets the eye?
Summary of The Trespasser by Tana French:
"The Trespasser" by Tana French is a psychological crime thriller that follows Detective Antoinette Conway and her partner Stephen Moran as they investigate the murder of Aislinn Murray, a young woman found dead in her home. As they delve into Aislinn's life, they uncover complex relationships and secrets that suggest her murder may not be as straightforward as it initially appears. The novel explores themes of trust, identity, and the impact of the past on the present, while also delving into Detective Conway's own struggles within the Dublin Murder Squad. It's a gripping exploration of suspense and psychological depth, typical of Tana French's writing style.
About the author, Tana French:
Tana French is an Irish author known for her gripping psychological thrillers and crime fiction. Born in Vermont, USA, she grew up in Ireland and later studied acting at Trinity College Dublin and later in the US. French worked as a theater actor for a time before shifting to writing. Her novels are critically acclaimed for their intricate plots, deep character development, and atmospheric settings, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of human relationships.
French gained widespread recognition with her debut novel, "In the Woods" (2007), which won numerous awards including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. This novel introduced readers to her trademark style of psychological suspense set against the backdrop of contemporary Ireland. She followed this success with several other novels, each focusing on different characters within or connected to the Dublin Murder Squad, a fictional detective unit in Dublin.
Her works, including "The Likeness" (2008), "Faithful Place" (2010), "Broken Harbor" (2012), "The Secret Place" (2014), "The Trespasser" (2016), and "The Witch Elm" (2018), have all received critical acclaim and have been bestsellers. Tana French is celebrated for her ability to create richly layered narratives that delve deep into the psychological motivations of her characters, making her a prominent figure in contemporary crime fiction.
