Review: The Secret Place by Tana French

The Secret Place by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My amazement at what Tana French is able to create, book after book, is just off the charts. She blows me away. I keep waiting for a bad book as one would expect would eventually happen. No one's perfect, right? Well, I'm not sure ... because this is yet another standout novel from Tana French. If you haven't read any Tana French ... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? She's amazing and probably one of my favorite novelists. Although you don't have to read the series in order, I would recommend that you do since characters float throughout the books and I think they build nicely on each other. Again, they are certainly stand alone novels but I'd recommend you start at the beginning and work your way to this book which happens to be the fifth in the series.

When I first read the description of this novel, I was sure it wouldn't be a favorite - it seemed to me that it sounded very focused on the lives of teenage girls which is not an area that I'm eager to explore at the moment. But, WOW ... Tana French knows how to take the very thing that I think I'm not interested in and make it fascinating! This story is captivating, interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat.

The interplay between the adults and the teens in the novel makes it a standout for me. I'm just fascinated by the way French is able to tell a story - with tension and expert pacing. It floors me every time and this book is no exception. The way she unfolds the story is perfection - keeping me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages, trying to figure out the mystery! I'll take a Tana French literary crime novel over ANY crime novel out there! She takes her time, giving you bits and pieces to chew on, all the while developing the characters and themes with a richness that you just don't find in most novels. It's just outstanding!

I'm not going to go on and on ... just take me at my word, read this. Read all of her novels. They are fantastic and well worth the time. Highly recommended!

NOTE: I received a galley of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Book will be available September 2, 2014.