The Keeper - Tana French
Pub. Date: March 31, 2026
She read; he will read
This is the third in the Cal Hooper series, but it can be read independently. Cal, a former Chicago detective, has retired to a quaint village in Ireland called Ardnakelty. Engaged to a local woman, he is slowly fitting in to the culture of the village and being accepted by the locals.
Rachel, a young woman engaged to the scion of the local “boss,” is found dead in the river. Was it an accident, suicide, or murder? Rumors, accusations, and fears abound. The town becomes divided into factions. The tension and action escalate, and relationships and lives are endangered.
The book is long and a bit of a slow burn, but French’s knack for storytelling is so good that I was mesmerized by it. She conveys a good feel for the rural Irish life, its traditions, mores, unspoken social code, and the various colorful characters that make up a small village.
I enjoy this series, watching the evolution of Cal’s adjustment to life as he navigates the challenges of life in Ardnakelty. French’s descriptions are so immersive that not only can you visualize this village, you can smell it and taste the food. Yes, this is a mystery, but also a very good, literate story.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @VikingBooks for the DRC.
*****
