"The Trespasser" by Tana French—A 2016 Favorite

I recently finished reading (and listening to) The Trespasser by Tana French. The novel was among my favorites of 2016.

The Trespasser, the 6^th book in the author’s outstanding Dublin Murder Squad series, is narrated by Detective Antoinette Conway. Conway has attained her dream job as a detective in the elite murder squad of the Dublin police force, but lately the job has been eating away at her. As the only woman currently on the squad, Conway finds herself the frequent target of harassment by some of her fellow officers. She has a great partner in Detective Stephen Moran, but their boss seems to be throwing too many routine domestic murder cases their way to suit her. Conway is itching for a case with more substance. When yet another domestic lands on Conway’s desk, she is well beyond exasperated. This new case, however, takes some surprising turns and Conway and Moran suddenly find themselves in very complicated, uncharted territory.

The audio version of The Trespasser is wonderfully read by Hilda Fay. Her interpretation, complete with an array of Irish accents, enhances this already fine novel.

Each of Tana French’s novels has an intricate, suspenseful plot, a strong sense of place--contemporary Ireland--and wonderful language. But character trumps all with this author. The reader gains deep insights into the personalities and psychology of the victims and suspects, of course, but French’s attention is focused just as much, if not more, on her detectives--what makes them tick, how they interact with one another, and how the crime they are solving impacts them.

If you have not yet read a Tana French novel, consider giving one a try. Because each novel in the series is narrated by a different detective of the squad, there is no need to read them in a particular order. Just pick one and read it. My strong hunch is that you will soon be back for another.