[close]
It took me about 50 pages to get into this book (possibly because of the long winded descriptions and lack of dialogue), but once I did, I was enthralled. In the Woods features two intertwining mysteries, missing kids and murder, that happen, well, in the woods. Our MC, Detective Rob Ryan, has a link to to the missing kids and is investigating the murders. As our narrator, he takes us through this psychological thriller. What I loved about this book is how we can see how much of an effect these cases have on Detective Ryan's psyche. We are inside his head, and so, while the evidence may lead you to believe one thing, he is sitting there in the midst of everything (perhaps even a mini breakdown?) and giving his spin, his view from tinted and tainted glasses, about what he believes to be happening. This makes you second guess the case, the proof that is right in front of you, and when it all comes together, you want to shout "I knew it!" while at the same time you are shocked this is what actually happened.
I loved the flawed, broken character (of Detective Ryan) French wrote. I loved all of the characters actually. French developed such great, three dimensional characters who mesh so well together. I especially enjoyed how this was so much more than just a mystery shrouded in suspense. It truly had a deeply embedded psychological aspect to it that kept you thinking and engrossed. It ends only half tied up, and while at first I was upset not to have the answers, French stayed true to her characters (and their personalities) this way, and therefore I believe it was the perfect ending as well
