Faithful Place by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was instantly swept up into the story and the mind of Frank Mackey. The first-person narrative that French employs is unique and effective. The family dynamics are authentic and captivating. The humor dry and sardonic. The author demonstrates amazing psychological insight into her characters and creates mysteries that are clever with unexpected twists. She throws emotional, gut-wrenching punches and maintains tension and drama throughout. I became a fan with Into the Woods where she blew my mind, and she just gets better and better with each novel. If you haven’t experienced the Dublin Murder Squad, I highly recommend that you check it out.

Quotes:

“She smelled of sweet safe thing I hadn’t smelt in years, Pears soap and custard creams and cheap perfume” (p. 66).

“I had spent my whole adult life growing around a scar shaped like Rosy Daly’s absence” (p. 134).

“The tricky shiver in the air was a reminder: everything you believe is up for grabs, every ground rule can change on a moment’s whim, and the dealer always, always wins” (p. 247).

Favorite Irish saying from the books: “Fair play to you.” Like “Good for you” it can be spoken with many nuances from sincere to sarcastic.