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The Hunter: A Novel Hardcover – March 5, 2024

by Tana French (Author)
Editors' pick Best Books of the Year So Far 2024
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A New York Times Bestseller • A New York Times Best Thriller of the Year (So Far) • An NPR Favorite Fiction Read of 2024 • A Parade Best Book of 2024 So Far • Named a Best Beach Read of 2024 by Entertainment Tonight and Harper’s Bazaar

“Hailed as the queen of Irish crime fiction, French spins a taut tale of retribution, sacrifice, and family.”—TIME

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Searcher and “one of the greatest crime novelists writing today” (Vox), a spellbinding new novel set in the Irish countryside.

It’s a blazing summer when two men arrive in a small village in the West of Ireland. One of them is coming home. Both of them are coming to get rich. One of them is coming to die.

Cal Hooper took early retirement from Chicago PD and moved to rural Ireland looking for peace. He’s found it, more or less: he’s built a relationship with a local woman, Lena, and he’s gradually turning Trey Reddy from a half-feral teenager into a good kid going good places. But then Trey’s long-absent father reappears, bringing along an English millionaire and a scheme to find gold in the townland, and suddenly everything the three of them have been building is under threat. Cal and Lena are both ready to do whatever it takes to protect Trey, but Trey doesn’t want protecting. What she wants is revenge.

From the writer who is “in a class by herself,” (The New York Times), a nuanced, atmospheric tale that explores what we’ll do for our loved ones, what we’ll do for revenge, and what we sacrifice when the two collide.
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  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Viking
  4. Publication date
    March 5, 2024
  5. Dimensions
    6.32 x 1.7 x 9.31 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0593493435
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0593493434
  8. See all details
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  1. When her husband died, five years back, she learned the skill of taking every scrap of happiness where she could find it. A fresh bed or a perfectly buttered piece of toast could lighten the weight enough to let her catch a breath or two.
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  2. Their mam is silent, but it’s not a silence with peace in it. It takes up space, like some heavy thing made of rusted iron built around her.
    Highlighted by 389 Kindle readers
  3. It’s a place whose dangers only come into focus when you’re already engaged with them.
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From the Publisher

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Searcher TANA FRENCH The Hunter

[French] is one of the greatest crime novelists writing today, says VOX

If you haven't read Tana French yet, I really highly recommend that you do, says Harlan Coben

[Tana French] is in a class by herself, says The New York Times

Editorial Reviews

Review

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Best Thriller of the Year (So Far)
An NPR Favorite Fiction Read of 2024
A Parade Best Book of 2024 So Far
Named a Best Beach Read of 2024 by Entertainment Tonight and Harper’s Bazaar

“Hailed as the queen of Irish crime fiction, French spins a taut tale of retribution, sacrifice, and family.” —Time

“A singularly tense and moody thriller . . . Exceptional . . . By now, any reader who still thinks French should follow the rules doesn't deserve her remarkable novels.” —The Washington Post

“The secretive village is a trope as old as mysteries—as old as humanity itself. But French does more than show the banal evil behind a smiling face. She makes it particular as a kicked dog's limp and dying embers in a steel barrel—and reminds us that we underestimate such places at our peril.” —The New York Times

“French specializes in books full of psychological acuity, bone-deep empathy and authentic colloquial speech. All of these aspects are on full display in The Hunter, a roughhewn comedy that before long becomes a tale of rough justice.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Beautifully written . . . an absorbing, immersive read.” —The Guardian

“As ever, French writes like a dream, evoking the natural beauty and peril of the mountain rising between Cal and Trey’s houses, and consistently reminding readers how deft she is at dialogue.” —Boston Globe

“A book by a modern master . . . inimitable and thrilling.” —Chicago Tribune

“Impressive payoff awaits readers of this quietly deliberate crime novel. … One of Ireland’s most distinctive writers delivers her most cinematic set piece yet.” —Irish Times

“A dark and lyrical tale of revenge, friendship, and loyalty in collision... [A]s usual, in a Tana French novel, the characters are well-drawn, the dialogue is superb, the settings are vivid.” —Associated Press

“As French revisits the seemingly bucolic landscape where trouble roils just under the surface, her writing continues to shift from mystery to meditation. … Morally shaded and complex, [The Hunter] will leave you thinking about who’s right—and what’s wrong—long after you turn the last page.” —NPR

“A novel of psychological insight, complexity and the sort of tension that only arises when the characters you’re reading about feel real.”—Parade

“Tana French is one of those crime writers who gets it right every time, and her new novel doesn't miss.” —Cosmopolitan

“The gorgeous writing here is classic French, even as she leads her fans through a decidedly different sort of detective story.” —Elle

“[An] unforgettable new thriller.” —Esquire

“As with all of French's books, something is awry—and the fun is in the unraveling.” —Vogue

“Tana French stretches the tension—and the mystery genre—like taffy in her return to the ethically murky Irish village of Ardnakelty.” —The Christian Science Monitor

“Tana French is a master of novels filled with creeping unease, slow-rolling tension and great atmosphere.” —New York Post

“May be French’s best novel yet. . . . The Hunter delivers a taut, intelligent examination of loyalty, instinct, and community. French masterfully excavates the secrets we keep for love or revenge and explores the lengths we go to protect our family, be it blood or chosen.” —CrimeReads

“Tana French's immersive, thought-provoking The Hunter revels in the quiet moments, but knows true peace is elusive.” —BookPage

“Wonderfully evocative, entertaining, and propulsive all the way through.”—Lit Hub

“The quirky characters, subtle snark, and propulsive plot make this an excellent contender for your spring break beach bag.” —Real Simple


Praise for The Searcher

"The west of Ireland looked good to Cal Hooper on the internet. But now that he’s living there, the rugged beauty of the region overwhelms him, as it will anyone reading Tana French’s The Searcher, an audacious departure for this immensely talented author… Not to be missed." —Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“Tana French is… like a poet. She writes beautifully…If you haven’t read her yet, I really highly recommend that you do.” —Harlan Coben

“Taut, chiseled and propulsive." —Vogue

About the Author

Tana French is the New York Times bestselling author of eight previous books, including In the Woods, The Likeness, and The Searcher. Her novels have sold over eight million copies and won numerous awards, including the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction. She lives in Dublin with her family.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking (March 5, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593493435
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593493434
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.32 x 1.7 x 9.31 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Tana French

Tana French

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Tana French is the author of In the Woods, The Likeness, Faithful Place, Broken Harbor, The Secret Place, and The Trespasser. Her books have won awards including the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Award for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction. She lives in Dublin with her family.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
11,953 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the characters rich and well-drawn. They also appreciate the vivid descriptions of the Irish countryside. Readers describe the writing style as crisp and complex without being affected. They find the storyline compelling and masterful. However, some find the pacing slow and the content disappointing.

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StorylineWriting styleCharactersDescriptivenessOverall contentStoryPacingContent
85 customers mention "Storyline"76 positive9 negative

Customers find the storyline well-developed, captivating, and delightful. They also say the book keeps them guessing until the end. Readers also mention that the author is a master at creating believable, flawed characters. They say the story is immersive and builds a deep sense of foreboding as it unravels.

"...But it’s a very clever third person narrative.Gorgeous prose. Keen insight into the human psyche. Completely satisfying...." Read more

"...Story is a bit slow but worth the read to an excellent ending." Read more

"...writes beautiful descriptions, delightful characters, and interesting plot twists, with some dry humor thrown in...." Read more

"...the way the characters respond to those twists, individually, is fascinating. Wonderfully written and well worth the investment of your time." Read more

78 customers mention "Writing style"58 positive20 negative

Customers find the writing style gorgeous, believable, and charming. They also say the book is funny and easy to read.

"...But it’s a very clever third person narrative.Gorgeous prose. Keen insight into the human psyche. Completely satisfying...." Read more

"Excellent writing again from Tana French. Her characters come to life and you can easily escape into this Irish village...." Read more

"I loved this book! French writes beautiful descriptions, delightful characters, and interesting plot twists, with some dry humor thrown in...." Read more

"...But I felt there was too much dialogue, especially in vernacular that felt a little dated and more than a little condescending...." Read more

68 customers mention "Characters"68 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book rich, well drawn, and insightful into the human psyche. They also appreciate the gorgeous prose and the author's keen insight into the psychology.

"...Gorgeous prose. Keen insight into the human psyche. Completely satisfying. Very hard to put down...." Read more

"Excellent writing again from Tana French. Her characters come to life and you can easily escape into this Irish village...." Read more

"I loved this book! French writes beautiful descriptions, delightful characters, and interesting plot twists, with some dry humor thrown in...." Read more

"...All of the characters are fully developed; each of them is distinct and fully fleshed in the mind’s eye...." Read more

10 customers mention "Descriptiveness"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the descriptions vivid, juicy, and full of Irish talk.

"...She is an amazing wordsmith and I love her vivid descriptions of the Irish countryside in The Searcher and The Hunter...." Read more

"...This is a complex story of rural Irish living. The family that you grow up with and the one you choose...." Read more

"...Her descriptions are so juicy I could lick the page. This is definitely not one to miss" Read more

"Plenty of Irish talk, since the plot unfolds a bit slowly. Eventual payoff, and the glimpses of modern Ireland are brilliant altogether." Read more

6 customers mention "Overall content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the overall content excellent, and say everything works. They also appreciate the superb characterization.

"...Her work is amazing and never repetitive. I am looking forward to her next!..." Read more

"...Excellent work." Read more

"...I’ve read most of the Tana French novels and this is the best. Everything works. The characterization is superb...." Read more

"excellent..." Read more

6 customers mention "Story"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the story well-written, hard to put down, and keeps them up at night.

"...Keen insight into the human psyche. Completely satisfying. Very hard to put down. I cannot give this novel any less than a 5-star rating...." Read more

"...brogue (I can, for the most part) this book will grab you and keep you up at night...." Read more

"The novel keeps your attention until the last page. As always Ms. French creates a story that keeps you guessing until the end...." Read more

"...It’s hard to put down!" Read more

23 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive18 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book sluggish and say it takes a long time for the plot to build up.

"...Story is a bit slow but worth the read to an excellent ending." Read more

"...for two reasons: first, unlike most of French's books, this one has a slow beginning...." Read more

"...It moves very slowly and has a ton of dialogue between the members of this small town, all of whom make a lot of small talk...." Read more

"...Came quickly, as well." Read more

15 customers mention "Content"0 positive15 negative

Customers find the content disappointing, slow, and boring. They also say it takes all their energy to finish.

"...Frankly, I found it incredibly boring--both the characters and the story...." Read more

"...There were too many scenes with endless dialogue. Not her best." Read more

"...The plot, too, was confusing and unrealistic...." Read more

"...Overall, worth reading, but not the author's best." Read more

One for the Narrowbacks
2 out of 5 stars
One for the Narrowbacks
The Hunter is a lot like listening to an Irish person tell a story in a pub. It goes on and on, struggles to get to a point, and when finally the long yarn reaches a conclusion you’d already figured out where it would end and it really was not that interesting. I know - I’m Irish and used to tell those stories when I was a raging drunk. The more I got to know every character in this book the duller I found them. I couldn’t wait to finish just to confirm I was right. I was. I have no interest in revisiting this redneck filled boghole.
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Top reviews from the United States

Elise in Palm Springs
5.0 out of 5 stars Long Anticipated Sequel to The Searcher is Well Worth the Wait
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is the sequel to Tana French’s novel, The Searcher. I read that novel and eagerly hoped that we’d see Cal Hooper again in subsequent book. Cal is a retired Chicago police officer who moved to the rural west Ireland village, hoping for a quiet life. In The Searcher, Cal meets a lonely, almost feral teenager, Trey, who wants Cal’s help to find a missing brother. Cal and Trey form a tenuous bond, and when we catch up with the pair in The Hunter two years later, we find that bond has grown stronger and deeper, and a touch easier, with Cal becoming a cautious surrogate father to Trey, treading lightly so as to not stain this carefully nurtured relationship.

Both novels are rich in their imagery of the rugged Irish setting, and in illustrating how difficult it is for any “interloper” to become accepted by the town’s citizens. Each in their own way, Cal and Trey both have to constantly work to find their place in the village that is their home.

The Hunter explores the return of Trey’s father to the village. This obvious grifter, Johnny Reddy, arrives with no apology for his long absence and the hardship it’s meant for his wife and several children. He brings a get-rich-quick story of long-lost gold deposits that enthralls many gullible men in Johnny’s old circle of detractors. But both Trey and Cal are more skeptical, as are a few others. The supposed basis for the lost-gold tale is an English millionaire, who arrives to support Johnny’s scheme. This is the story that drives this novel.

As with other Tana French crime novels, while it is a story of “crime,” it’s more a novel about relationships. We see the action through Cal’s lens, and we have access to his inner thoughts and motivations. But it’s a very clever third person narrative.

Gorgeous prose. Keen insight into the human psyche. Completely satisfying. Very hard to put down. I cannot give this novel any less than a 5-star rating. I hope Tana French is busy writing her next novel. I want to keep reading her beautifully told stories for the rest of my life.
9 people found this helpful
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ejandress
4.0 out of 5 stars a slow burn
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
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Excellent writing again from Tana French. Her characters come to life and you can easily escape into this Irish village. Story is a bit slow but worth the read to an excellent ending.
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Jonathan Swift
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, engrossing, beautifully written novel
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
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I loved this book! French writes beautiful descriptions, delightful characters, and interesting plot twists, with some dry humor thrown in. The last quarter of the book had me unable to put it down and also surprised by the twists and turns. Tana French is a very, very good writer and her sensitive, evocative language usage made me reread some especially haunting sentences. I read The Searcher, which I liked, and many other books by French, but this was the best. It was so engrossing i didn't want it to end. Highly recommended (if you couldn't already figure that out).
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars As good as ever
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you are a fan of Tana French, you will not be disappointed. This book is a sequel to The Searcher, and I’d advise you read that book first, just to know the relationships between Cal, Trey, and Lena. Trey is the primary protagonist in this story, and she is a splendid character. All of the characters are fully developed; each of them is distinct and fully fleshed in the mind’s eye. There are interesting twists in the story, and the way the characters respond to those twists, individually, is fascinating. Wonderfully written and well worth the investment of your time.
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John Adler
5.0 out of 5 stars Book to be read
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
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Superb imagery. Use of language is exquisite The story line is compelling. Some of the dialogue struck me as over the top Irish but I’ve never lived there and although I love Ireland I’m not a Paddy Yank. Good book. Need a follow up. Thanks
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Jessica R. M. Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars Great continuation of The Searcher...more about Trey than Cal
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
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French is one of my favorite writers. She is an amazing wordsmith and I love her vivid descriptions of the Irish countryside in The Searcher and The Hunter. She is also very adept at bringing to light - through character dialogue and interaction - what is simmering below the surface between people.

The Hunter is a great continuation of the story that began in The Searcher. Cal, Lena, and Trey are back, only this time - the story is more about Trey's journey rather than in The Searcher which I feel was more about Cal. In this book, Trey's "good-for-nothing-but-trouble" dad has returned to their small Irish community, and he begins the ball rolling on a scheme that will end in a man's death. Trey - who doesn't have much use for her dad - gets caught up in her dad's shenanigans, only because of her continued desire to avenge her brother's death (The Hunter).

Overall, the story was solid, character development great, and dialogue meticulously believable. There were a few developments later in the story that were kind of far-fetched, but not so much that it ruins the story or your investment in the characters. I agree with another reader that this seems like the second book in a trilogy. I don't think we've seen the last of outsiders Cal and Trey as they attempt to navigate their very complicated community in rural Ireland.
22 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

M. Gismondi
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of layers
Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
colourful characters to care about,
plot twists that keep you thinking
And a few good laughs to boot
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Ed Baines
2.0 out of 5 stars Good charecterisation -perhaps more than I would like in a thriller/murder mystery
Reviewed in Spain on June 26, 2024
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too much novel and not enough murder mystery
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William Brady
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2024
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The ninth outing from Tanya French; the ninth wonderful read... Following on from The Searcher, The Hunter picks up, and continues, the story: Cal & Trey are back with Trey's estranged/absent father 'Johnny' who is up to no good. Set in the fictional town of Ardnakelty in the west of Ireland; the story is a slow burn, but compelling nevertheless. Having read the book I sort of imagined myself sitting in the local; with 'the lads' listening to the story being told to one and all by a Seanachai/story teller, to the delight of all present. I loved the writing and atmosphere of the book. I particularly like Ms French's use of slang and writing as things sound: 'kilt' - killed, or 'ruint' - ruined; and many more such like. Additionally her books have contained many humorous lines, sparingly, but effectively used. Relating to one's veracity in The Hunter she writes: they 'Lie like a rug'! I love that... There's no point saying too much about the story, as I wouldn't want to spoil it for other readers. But I doubt that any readers of Tanya French will be disappointed. 5* from me, anyway. Buy and enjoy; you won't regret it...
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Snapdragon
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent Tana French novel
Reviewed in Australia on March 9, 2024
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The story of Cal - ex Chicago cop - and Trey - now 15 and going well with the carpentry - continues. Trey’s dead beat dad Johnny comes home with a posh Englishman in tow. The Englishman reckons his Irish granny told him stories of ancient gold buried in them thar hills: on the lands of local farmers, who start dreaming of Caribbean cruises and Russian model brides. It takes their minds off the serious drought that’s turned Ireland into sunny Spain with a vengeance. Things soon go to hell in a hand basket. Someone dies and Trey plans revenge on the locals for the death of her brother Brendan by spinning a story that has a Dublin detective questioning everyone and Cal worried as all get out. She hasn’t thought through the possible fallout.
As usual, French does a wonderful job with the charm - and menace - of the local characters. We’re now getting novels that portray the evils of social media. This one reminds us that any small tight knit community has always had a problem with embroidered rumours and the swinging shifts of public opinion. Of belonging or being on the outer. It’s also a reminder that sometimes people disappear and lips are sealed. It’s a ferociously emotionally intelligent book and I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciates that Cal and his lover Lena are very decent people. The killer is a surprise but also not. French delivers that revelation with superb skill. She’s up there with Louise Penny and Donna Leon.
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Barbara Maguire
5.0 out of 5 stars Tana French-The Hunter
Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2024
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Another intense read involving the wide range of characters we have come to know from previous books in this series, Cal, Lena, Trey, Mart, and the whole gang. There lives are turned upside down when Johnny Reddy comes back to town with another money making scheme.

I found the story a bit slow at first, but soon it moved along and you are totally caught up in the twists and turns and can't put the book down.
Can't wait for the next one!
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