Jill B. (jillmgtexas) reviewed The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad, Bk 5) on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have to start out by saying I received this book as Goodreads First-reads winner.
I was pretty excited when I found out I was getting to read and review this book. This is the 3rd book I have read by Tana French and I think it's my favorite so far! It was one of those books that I didn't want to put down but also didn't want to end.
The crime in this story is the murder of Chris Harper, a popular teenage boy attending Colm's boys school. The author alternates the chapters expertly between the present day investigation of the year old murder by 2 detectives and the activities leading up to the murder as seen thru the eyes of 4 best friends at the neighboring girls' school. Each chapter pulls you in and leaves you wanting to know what happens next.
If I had to say anything negative about the story it would be that I don't even think the story needed the "light" thing (don't want to give anything away) but this book is a keeper and I will definitely recommend it!!
I was pretty excited when I found out I was getting to read and review this book. This is the 3rd book I have read by Tana French and I think it's my favorite so far! It was one of those books that I didn't want to put down but also didn't want to end.
The crime in this story is the murder of Chris Harper, a popular teenage boy attending Colm's boys school. The author alternates the chapters expertly between the present day investigation of the year old murder by 2 detectives and the activities leading up to the murder as seen thru the eyes of 4 best friends at the neighboring girls' school. Each chapter pulls you in and leaves you wanting to know what happens next.
If I had to say anything negative about the story it would be that I don't even think the story needed the "light" thing (don't want to give anything away) but this book is a keeper and I will definitely recommend it!!
Judy H. (Judyh) -
I loved this story, a murder mystery that takes place at a girls boarding school. Boarding schools are wonderful places, so full of good friendships and bad relationships, nice and mean teenagers and teachers, smart and less smart people, history, old buildings, good hiding places, nuns and priests, etc. Nobody can lie like a teenage girl. In this book we meet Detective Conway, and we also revisit Detective Stephen Moran, Detective Frank Mackey, and Frank's daughter Holly Mackey. It's a well-told tale, full of teenage angst and that special time in life when your closest friends are the whole world. As always, Tana French's prose is extraordinary. It provides such a rich sense of place and mood.
Donna H. (myanniecat) reviewed The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad, Bk 5) on + 218 more book reviews
Investigating a photograph of a boy whose murder was never solved, aspiring Murder Squad member Stephen Moran partners with detective Antoinette Conway to search for answers in the cliques and rivalries at a Dublin boarding school. Beautifully written, as all her books are, this one is different from her previous Murder Squad books. I thought it was more about the characters than the actual crime, and slower to get into.
I think I've read too many books lately about teenagers. :)
I think I've read too many books lately about teenagers. :)
This was a non stop story, alternating chapters leading through the past up to the murder, with the all day activities of the 2 detectives trying to solve the murder.
This book is a fascinating look at the routines, dramas, and personalities of an expensive all girls private/ public in brit speak/ boarding school a half mile from a similar boys school. Talk about hormones and emotions...which are features as well.
I could not put it down. The personalities of the teen misses, cell phones, bullies, sycophants, nuns, headmistress, dorm life, hair and nails, sneaking out, mischief and malicious pranks.
The two detectives, both out of favor, MUST solve the murder or forever be filing records.
The alternating time line took a bit of getting used to, but the book did wrap it all up, and tie the loose ends together. Great detective work. Great read.
This book is a fascinating look at the routines, dramas, and personalities of an expensive all girls private/ public in brit speak/ boarding school a half mile from a similar boys school. Talk about hormones and emotions...which are features as well.
I could not put it down. The personalities of the teen misses, cell phones, bullies, sycophants, nuns, headmistress, dorm life, hair and nails, sneaking out, mischief and malicious pranks.
The two detectives, both out of favor, MUST solve the murder or forever be filing records.
The alternating time line took a bit of getting used to, but the book did wrap it all up, and tie the loose ends together. Great detective work. Great read.
Maura (maura853) -
I loved "Faithful Place." Wonderful characters, terrific sense of place, and take on the Dublin sense of humor. I liked "In the Woods" well enough -- I felt a little let down in the end, but prepared to cut her some slack. I loathed "The Likeness" -- horrible, indistinguishable characters, and I just couldn't get past the completely implausible premise,
And now, about 1/3 of the way in, I am giving up on "The Secret Place." I don't know who killed poor Christopher Harper, or whether Detective Stephen Moran gets his place in the Murder Squad. And I don't care.
And now, about 1/3 of the way in, I am giving up on "The Secret Place." I don't know who killed poor Christopher Harper, or whether Detective Stephen Moran gets his place in the Murder Squad. And I don't care.
Gerald G. (PhotoJer) reviewed The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad, Bk 5) on + 92 more book reviews
I should have read the reviews. My wife read it and pronounced it "weird". That should have been another clue. Poor character development, dumb plot, boring! I quit after 80 pages. Paid $3 for book at used book store and feel we got about $1 of enjoyment. Teenage girls...OMG...let me outa here!
Don't know what I was thinking when I got this from the library----dud!
I haven't liked any of her books and this is no exception!
I did start it but it didn't take long to realize it reads like a 'mean girls' story and the language is horrible!
I haven't liked any of her books and this is no exception!
I did start it but it didn't take long to realize it reads like a 'mean girls' story and the language is horrible!
