In the Woods, by Tana French (2007)
This mystery novel is narrated by Adam Robert Ryan. He and his Murder Squad partner, Cassie Maddox, are investigating the murder of a young girl, which took place in the same woods where Ryan was the victim of a crime as a young boy.
When Ryan was 12-years old, he and two friends were victims of a mysterious crime. His two friends disappeared, and Ryan was found covered in blood. His family moved away from the village, and he dropped Adam from his name, and became known as Rob Ryan. When he is assigned to the murder case years later, he did not recuse himself from the case. The proximity of the new crime triggered vague memories from his own past.
This novel is well written and kept my attention. I really liked the interaction between Ryan and Maddox as we follow the current murder as well as Rob's mysterious past.
This was Tana French's first novel. I will definitely be looking for more of her books.
Read: March 3, 2026
4 Stars
