Tana French

Tana French is an Irish-American author and theatrical actress. She is best known for her debut novel 'In the Woods' and subsequent works in the crime fiction genre, particularly the Dublin Murder Squad series.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. In The Woods

    In this psychological mystery, a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad is pulled into a case that unsettlingly intersects with his own past. As a child, he was the sole survivor of a mysterious incident that left two of his friends missing in the woods. Now, with the murder of a young girl in the same woods, he must confront his traumatic memories while trying to solve the case. The investigation becomes increasingly complex, blurring the lines between the detective's professional duties and his deeply personal quest for answers, leading to a chilling exploration of memory, identity, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic settings.

    The 3926th Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. Faithful Place

    "Faithful Place" is a gripping psychological thriller that follows the story of Frank Mackey, a detective in the Dublin Undercover squad. When a suitcase belonging to his long-lost girlfriend from twenty years ago is discovered in an abandoned house, Frank is forced to confront his painful past and the secrets that tore him apart from his family and the love of his life. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Frank becomes entangled in a web of lies, betrayal, and murder, ultimately leading him to question his own identity and the choices he has made.

    The 8441st Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. The Hunter

    In a small village in the West of Ireland, Cal Hooper, a retired Chicago detective, seeks tranquility. As he settles into his new life, he forms a bond with Lena, a local woman, and mentors Trey Reddy, a troubled teenager. However, the peace is disrupted when Trey’s estranged father returns with an English millionaire, aiming to uncover gold in the area. As tensions rise, Cal and Lena are determined to protect Trey, but Trey is driven by a desire for revenge. This story delves into the complexities of loyalty, vengeance, and the sacrifices made for loved ones.

    The 9029th Greatest Book of All Time
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  4. 4. The Witch Elm

    A gripping psychological thriller, this novel follows Toby, a seemingly lucky and carefree man whose life takes a dark turn after a brutal attack leaves him physically and emotionally scarred. Seeking refuge, he moves to his family's ancestral home to care for his dying uncle. However, the discovery of a skull in the garden unravels long-buried secrets and forces Toby to confront the unsettling truth about his past and the people he thought he knew. As the investigation unfolds, Toby's perception of reality is challenged, leading to a tense exploration of memory, identity, and the nature of luck.

    The 11661st Greatest Book of All Time
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  5. 5. The Secret Place

    In this gripping mystery novel, a detective duo delves into the dark underbelly of a prestigious girls' boarding school after a card with the words "I know who killed him" is found on a secret noticeboard. The story unfolds through dual narratives, intertwining the present-day investigation with flashbacks that reveal the complex dynamics and hidden secrets among a group of teenage girls. As the detectives navigate a web of jealousy, loyalty, and betrayal, they uncover unsettling truths that challenge their perceptions and lead them to a shocking conclusion.

    The 17125th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. The Wych Elm

    The novel is a psychological thriller that follows Toby, a carefree and privileged young man whose life is upended after a brutal attack leaves him physically and emotionally scarred. Seeking refuge, he moves to his family's ancestral home, where he discovers a human skull hidden in a wych elm tree in the garden. As Toby grapples with his own unreliable memory and the unraveling of family secrets, he is forced to confront the darker aspects of his past and identity. The story explores themes of privilege, memory, and the nature of truth, culminating in a tense and introspective examination of how well we truly know ourselves and those around us.

    The 17125th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Searcher

    In this atmospheric mystery, a retired Chicago police officer named Cal Hooper relocates to a small, rural village in Ireland seeking a peaceful life. However, his plans for tranquility are disrupted when a local teenager, Trey, enlists his help to find a missing brother. As Cal delves into the investigation, he uncovers layers of secrets and tensions within the tight-knit community, challenging his perceptions and forcing him to confront his own past. The novel explores themes of isolation, trust, and the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of a vividly depicted Irish landscape.

    The 17125th Greatest Book of All Time
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  8. 8. Broken Harbor

    In this psychological thriller, a seasoned detective is drawn into a perplexing murder investigation in a seemingly idyllic but abandoned housing development. As he delves deeper, he uncovers layers of family secrets, mental instability, and the haunting effects of economic collapse. The detective grapples with his own past traumas while trying to unravel the mystery behind a brutal attack on a family, where only the mother survives. The story explores themes of obsession, the fragility of sanity, and the dark undercurrents that can lurk beneath the surface of ordinary lives.

    The 17125th Greatest Book of All Time