by Tana French.

This is a good one.

French gets Cal Hooper, an ex-cop from Chicago PD just right. He’s well drawn with a mix of appealing simplicity and complexity. He retires to the western Irish countryside to escape his particular life regrets. Cal finds this remote village microcosm has many of the same dynamics and challenges he’s left behind yet his instincts improve with time. His relationship with a 13-year old enigma named Trey is endearing and rings true. Other local characters are as rich as the peat.

French’s writing has the lilt of a brogue and her ability to bring the intimacy of nature, weather and the bogs to life is transporting. A parliament of snarky rooks act as the Greek Chorus.

Much better than Tana French’s  The Witch Elm.