The Book Nook
Complex Characters in Slow Suspense
If you believe the only possible setting for a Western novel is the Wild West, take another guess. How about Great Britain? That may sound strange, but Tana French cleverly uses the rough beauty of Western Ireland as the setting for her latest book, “The Searcher”, published in 2020. It’s a wonderfully nuanced suspense novel that’s a variation on the classic Western – the lone stranger teasing out a small town’s dark secrets
The story centers on Cal Hooper, a retired cop from Chicago who wants a clean break from his former life. After twenty years on the police force and a bruising divorce that has nearly estranged him from his daughter, he wants to cut ties and move away.
After going online, he’s found a house in a remote area of Ireland’s countryside. Photos showed a small old place that looks abandoned and neglected. Most prospective buyers would be scared off by what some would describe as “a handyman’s dream”, but not Cal. He thinks the amount of work needed to make it a comfortable home would occupy both his mind and body. That’s an appealing idea, as is trading city life for a rural area with more birds and animals than people.
Now he’s enjoying the freedom to choose what projects to tackle that day along with the peace and quiet of the countryside. That serene feeling changes when instincts honed by years as a cop tell him he’s being watched. Now on alert, he wonders who’s watching. Is it just a curious local checking out the newcomer or someone with more sinister intent?
The locals have been friendly enough, but he knows being an outsider puts him at a disadvantage. While he doesn’t always understand the dialect, he has determined that there are some long-running feuds in play. He also knows an action he might consider inconsequential could spark resentment and cause folks to close ranks against the foreigner. The area may appear quiet, but he gets the sense there are undercurrents known to everyone except him.
Although he hasn’t mentioned his former occupation, it seems everyone in the nearby village knows Cal is an ex-cop. He finally discovers who’s been spying on him, but it takes time to pry out the details of what they want. He’s drawn into a strange investigation that will reveal a host of sins and secrets. His compulsion to find answers, in spite of the warning signs, could have dire consequences.
Sharing any more of the plot would steal the pleasure of discovery that’s been carefully planned by the author. Along the way they’ll be rewarded with lush descriptions of West Ireland’s beauty and writing that exceeds the usual crime fiction. Her ability to build suspense is done with admirable skill and her characterizations are thoughtfully created.
Unlike most of her other novels, “The Searcher” isn’t narrated in the first person and French’s prose is clear and lyrical. It’s difficult for me to pinpoint why her books are such compelling reads. Perhaps it’s because of her skill at providing a high level of detail that adds depth without diminishing the plot.
Readers who crave a fast pace and numerous twists may be frustrated by the unhurried pacing found here. On the other hand, those enjoy an author who can bring both major and minor characters to life will find much to enjoy. The landscapes are almost as important as the people, and French describes easily-imagined scenery. The result is an atmospheric feel that’s tangible, familiar and strange all at once.
While reading an interview with Tana French I learned this book is a nod to John Ford’s 1956 Western “The Searchers”. The Irish-American film director was praised for his movie, which starred John Wayne as a troubled old soldier obsessed with revenge. Those familiar with the movie will find several parallels between the two protagonists. Both Wayne and Hooper become consumed with their search and face tough decision about how to handle their findings.
The author won several awards for her debut novel “In the Woods”, a psychological mystery that kicked off her popular Dublin Murder Squad series, which resulted in a television adaptation. A plus for the series is that it doesn’t demand to be read in the order it was written. She also wrote “The Witch Elm” which, like “The Searcher”, is a stand-alone novel. Some have dubbed French “The First Lady of Irish Crime” and it’s easy to see why she has such loyal following.
French’s use of the Western framework in a new setting provides a fresh view that works well for the story. This character-driven tale has rich descriptions and an almost-dreamy feel that provide a great summer read. This is especially true if you’re in the mood for a beautifully-written psychological mystery, but please note that it can be savored at any time of year.
