Books In the Woods
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - Strong First Showing From French
In the Woods is ostensibly just a mystery revolving around the disappearances and gruesome murders of a handful of children in Ireland. In reality, it's the story of surviving and coming to terms with the past.

Despite it's heavy subject matter, French keeps the writing from veering into a dark and overwrought place with a smattering of lighthearted pop culture references and, most of all the dynamic relationship between the main characters.

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Rating: - Someone pulled everything but their head out of the woods
What did I just read? I bought the book because it sounded interesting. How do you write a mystery/suspense/whatever this is supposed to be and not solve the main riddle of the story? What happened to Peter and Jaime? What were those noises in the woods? The book ended with too many lingering questions. I shut the book with my mind unsatisfied. I can't really say if that has ever happened. The book began with a good bit of promise, but just didn't deliver. Better luck next time.

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Rating: - The Necessity of a Good Editor
I loved the beginning of this book and couldn't put it down. The characters are fresh and engaging, the premise intriguing and the mix of poetry with stark police procedure appealing. However, the narrative lost steam half-way through and I struggled to finish it. I don't fault the author here. Tana is a major talent and I'm looking forward to the second book in the series. In my opinion, a good editor should have tightened up the manuscript and kept the plot line taut.
Sadly, this is one more indication of how cutbacks and downsizing in the publishing industry are affecting the quality of books produced.

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Rating: - Absolutely brilliant
Please disregard the detractors. Once you start reading, you will not be able to put this book down. The complaints about the ending are by folks who expect that life will turn out with a nice, neat ending, finished in a big bow. Some mysteries are never solved, those we love the most ultimately may be those whom we are least able to understand, and some people are simply too damaged by the horrors of their childhood to ever be able to love and live fully: these are the gifts of this wonderful, unforgettable novel. What an exceptional debut!