This thread is for discussing Tana French’s In the Woods, a mystery/suspense novel. Unlike some popular msytery/thriller novels, I thought the prose was solid, if not very good. (The novel might also be more than telling a compelling mystery, too, but I haven’t really thought analyzed the book beyond the surface.)
Here are some comments and questions off the top of my head (possible spoilers):
>I really liked the Cassie Maddox character, and toward the end I got really concerned that French might kill her off. The interrogation scene at the between Maddox and one specific suspect was thrilling and terrific—like a great heavyweight boxing match—you have too equally formidable opponents throwing punches and counter-punches. Totally satisfying. I didn’t mind the final twist, too, as I’m assuming that there will be a sequel. (There has to be a sequel involving Maddox and this suspect—although finding creating a good story might be too difficult.)
>Rob Ryan was an infuriating protagonists, wasn’t he? He does a lot of foolish things—not just in the case, but with Cassie as well. I kept waiting for some details or turn of events that would make him a bit more sympathetic, but, in the end, I don’t think that happened. I must say that he doesn’t seem to very interestingas a character. (I’m still not sure what his problem with Cassie was after they slept together.)
At the same time, I liked the way the novel creates the impression that Rob is the main character and then shifts over to Cassie at the end. That’s what it felt like to me, anyway. I felt a little bad for the Ryan character (French seems to almost discard him at a certain point. Indeed, what about the lack of resolution with the earlier case? And if there is no resolution, how does it tie in with the new case? Was it just a really elaborate McGuffin? That would be disappointing, if so. In any event, the Cassie Maddox and the Rosalind character make up for these problems.)
Jazzaloha
This thread is for discussing Tana French’s In the Woods, a mystery/suspense novel. Unlike some popular msytery/thriller novels, I thought the prose was solid, if not very good. (The novel might also be more than telling a compelling mystery, too, but I haven’t really thought analyzed the book beyond the surface.)
Here are some comments and questions off the top of my head (possible spoilers):
>I really liked the Cassie Maddox character, and toward the end I got really concerned that French might kill her off. The interrogation scene at the between Maddox and one specific suspect was thrilling and terrific—like a great heavyweight boxing match—you have too equally formidable opponents throwing punches and counter-punches. Totally satisfying. I didn’t mind the final twist, too, as I’m assuming that there will be a sequel. (There has to be a sequel involving Maddox and this suspect—although finding creating a good story might be too difficult.)
>Rob Ryan was an infuriating protagonists, wasn’t he? He does a lot of foolish things—not just in the case, but with Cassie as well. I kept waiting for some details or turn of events that would make him a bit more sympathetic, but, in the end, I don’t think that happened. I must say that he doesn’t seem to very interestingas a character. (I’m still not sure what his problem with Cassie was after they slept together.)
At the same time, I liked the way the novel creates the impression that Rob is the main character and then shifts over to Cassie at the end. That’s what it felt like to me, anyway. I felt a little bad for the Ryan character (French seems to almost discard him at a certain point. Indeed, what about the lack of resolution with the earlier case? And if there is no resolution, how does it tie in with the new case? Was it just a really elaborate McGuffin? That would be disappointing, if so. In any event, the Cassie Maddox and the Rosalind character make up for these problems.)