Dublin Murder Squad Series by Tana French - Starting November 1st

[Alaina]

Here are the books from this series that we will be reading:
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[Alaina]

Chapters 1-5: (view spoiler)[WOW! Okay, so a lot of information has been thrown in my face. I feel like I've been slapped or punched by all of it. It's a lot to digest so I hope I do these comments and this book justice. Okay, here I go. So, in the beginning it is from the narrator's point of view (at least it seemed like that to me since I'm listening to the audio?!?) and he's basically the detective and he says: "I crave truth. And I lie." typical detective stuff I guess?!? I wonder how interesting this book is going to be?!

Then you get slammed into the information of 3 kids missing: Jamie, Adam, and Peter and they all "mysteriously" disappeared in the woods. One kid was found, Ryan, who was severely traumatized and had bloody socks/shoes and he just looked really bad. I don't know how I would be if I was found in the woods after disappearing for who knows how long - props to you kid. Besides those kids, another kid has been found and she's dead and you find out she was used as some sort of ritual sacrifice with wine instead of blood - seems like a waste of a good bottle of wine, but hey that's just me.

I wonder if this new case is tied to the two other kids that went missing? Also, how did Ryan escape whatever he went through?!? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6-10: (view spoiler)[I don't remember if I mentioned in my previous comment but Rob, who is a detective on this case, was originally Adam (the kid who was found). Then a bunch of stuff happened and some people were acting really weird when the detectives Rob and Cassie were around. They are trying to find out how this new case is tied into the cold case of the two missing kids. Plus there's information that doesn't seem to add up about Katy (who was the latest victim). I also found it interesting that when Cassie was talking to Peter's parents that Rob went to talk to Jamie's mom - but she didn't recognize him?!? Were these three kids even friends when they were little?! Or were they just random pickings?! I'm kind of confused. Hopefully that will all make sense.. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-15: (view spoiler)[djfklafdls. Okay, so there's a bunch of suspects but then they don't really turn out to be suspects? At least that's what I got from listening to those chapters. It just kind of seems like they are chasing their tails at this point. I wonder who the kidnapper/murderer is. I really want to know. Plus that whole twist about Sandra being raped and held down by other people was just outrageous. I can't believe that this actually happens to people - it makes me cringe and feel really sorry for the victims out there that have gone through this. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 16-20: (view spoiler)[ahhh now I get some more background information. So the three kids were friends and they decided to run away once Jamie thought she was going to boarding school. THOUGHT. Not a "She was going" reason. fjaljdfklsa KIDS make such stupid decisions. I need more information. Aside from that Rosalind is crazy as fuck. Maybe she's the killer?! Because she gets really upset that Rob is trying to find out about her?!? Like, hold up.. she's dead. She's the sole reason that he is talking to you because he's trying to solve her murder case. Like I said, the bitch is crazy. THEN there's a new twist because Sophie finds the murder scene. Now I have no clue who Sophie is at this point but I hope to remember her before I write my review.

PS. I'm pretty much exhausted from moving all day and dealing with my slight fear of heights on ladders while setting up 2 out of the 3 ceiling fans. So I apologize if any of my comments don't make sense or if they seem all over the damn place. My contacts are dry and I'm having a hard time reading what I wrote down earlier today. Yikes. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21-25, aka..
Finished: (view spoiler)[So I probably forgot to mention the biggest thing ever, or at least the biggest twist ever mentioned throughout this book. OKAY, so the murder weapon and the murder scene were both found by the ever so lovely Sophie, AND DAMIEN BASICALLY ADMITS EVERYTHING WITH ONE LITTLE SENTENCE: "It just happened." I'M SORRY BUT WHAT?!?! MY MIND IS BLOWN. But then like two other little major bombs were dropped as well, like: Everyone finding out that Rob is Adam and oh that Rosalind is actually fucking crazy and she had been trying to kill her sister Katy for a while but then had to lure her to her death so to speak. Shit hit the fan for sure. But what a good book! I can't wait for the next one!! (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Hi Alaina! Started late, as per usual with me... Sorry!
First impressions are fantastic though! I really love her writing and I'm already really immersed in the story.

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "Hi Alaina! Started late, as per usual with me... Sorry!
First impressions are fantastic though! I really love her writing and I'm already really immersed in the story."

haha it's all good! I just had to get in some books before I was moving a bunch. Now that all I'm moved in I can finally start typing up all the reviews from the books I've read this week.

[✨Skye✨]

26% (view spoiler)[ This might be another new favourite! There's something about the thrillers this year that is just getting me. I love Rob and Cassie's relationship and I love Cassie-she's carefree, but serious and skilled in her job. The case itself is very creepy and I have 0 theories about what happened to the little girl. There is something odd with the family, with Katy being ill and then suddenly it stopping, and with Rosalind's odd behaviour. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

49% (view spoiler)[ So this is slowing down but I'm still really into it. I need to know the truth! Sandra's story is so sad and made me so angry that Jonathan and the other two thought they could do that to her. The bird story was really weird though. I also have this feeling of dread-the way Rob is talking, I have a feeling something really bad might happen to either him or Cassie. I also have hints Sam and Cassie might be a thing, but I don't know. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "26% [spoilers removed]"

I totally feel like I've been on a thriller book move too! I've loved all of them so far.. maybe I should be reading more thrillers? And yeah I wanted to know what happened to the little girl so badly!!

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "49% [spoilers removed]"

Oh man! Are you reading like the actual book? an ebook? or listening to an audio book? That's what I did, listen to the book I mean. So I didn't really get the slow pace feeling but I'm sure I would've gotten that by reading the actual book. I haven't started the likeness yet. I have like six more ebooks to read before that So I will totally wait for you to finish this book before I even look at the first page.

[✨Skye✨]

I'm reading it on ebook, yes! Audio might have been better actually but they're so expensive and my library has a very limited selection :(

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "I'm reading it on ebook, yes! Audio might have been better actually but they're so expensive and my library has a very limited selection :("

Aw man! I'm sorry. I hope it gets better for you!! I have the ebook for the next book so I hope it's just as good.

[✨Skye✨]

It's not bad at all just a little slow in parts :) I'm still waiting for The Likeness from the library but I should have In the Woods finished in a couple days and then I have the rest ready and waiting. It's always the book I want next that is late! :(

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "It's not bad at all just a little slow in parts :) I'm still waiting for The Likeness from the library but I should have In the Woods finished in a couple days and then I have the rest ready and wa..."

haha that is how I feel all the time with the library! Well I can definitely wait for you to finish in the woods before I start the likeness! I have so many other books to catch up on. I can't wait to read your comments!!

[✨Skye✨]

74% (view spoiler)[ I've really been sludging through this last quarter but it's finally getting good again! Seeing how the case finally pans out and they've found the murderer was so cool, they have been weapons and crime scene and a confession and everything. I'm so sad about Rob and Cassie though, it's obvious they'll never be the same now. He's acted so badly towards her though, I thought he was better than that. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm really impressed and also really sad! We never find out what happened to Peter and Jamie, Rob and Cassie never make up, Rob's life is basically in the pot since he's even lost his dream job and Rosalind gets off with almost nothing! This was such a well done book but I am so dissatisfied :( (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

wooohoo! I can’t see what you wrote since I’m on my phone but what did you think?

[✨Skye✨]

Alaina wrote: "wooohoo! I can’t see what you wrote since I’m on my phone but what did you think?"

Solid book, I enjoyed most aspects but had to slog through from around 40% to 75%, and the ending was depressing! I did love her writing though and the plot :)

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "Alaina wrote: "wooohoo! I can’t see what you wrote since I’m on my phone but what did you think?"

Solid book, I enjoyed most aspects but had to slog through from around 40% to 75%, and the ending ..."

aw i'm sorry maybe we will both sludge through the next book. I wish I got the audio version of it but I didn't. I do have the audio for the third book though

[✨Skye✨]

15% (view spoiler)[ I'm not as immediately sucked in as I was with In The Woods, but I do love Cassie as a narrator. I'm not sure I like her with Sam, he seems a little overprotective and she doesn't really seem all that into him herself. Frank is obviously a very talented guy, but something about him doesn't sit well with me. He sees Cassie risking her life by taking Lexie's place as exciting and some kind of game, which just isn't right. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I was all about adding my BR comments and review - but time definitely crept up on me and I just finished writing my comments/review for a different book! If I have time tonight I will definitely add them!! If not, then tomorrow!

[✨Skye✨]

Alaina wrote: "I was all about adding my BR comments and review - but time definitely crept up on me and I just finished writing my comments/review for a different book! If I have time tonight I will definitely a..."

Don't worry, it takes me weeks to finish a book, you definitely won't be behind xD

[Alaina]

haha well technically I've finished this book - but I read so many books yesterday (I think I typed like 10 or 11 reviews already) and I have plans to hang out with people tonight in like an hour and I'm not even dressed or anything. I just totally blanked on typing up my comments/review for this. I will probably type them up when I get home later tonight or just do it tomorrow. I can't wait to see what you think about this book! I totally agree with your first comment already.

[Alaina]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[Okay so right now I don't really know how I feel about Cassie, Sam, or Frank. I hope to find out more about them and the way they act before I make a final decision. I wonder what this undercover assignment will be about - since the real girl is dead now. I also want to know what's going to happen to Cassie - like, is she going to change drastically? Is something bad going to happen to her? What happened to the girl who died? Who killed her? Will that person try to kill Cassie now since she's pretending to be the dead victim? I have so many questions! I want answers!

PS. I think Lexie's "friends" are super suspicious. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Pretty interesting so far. It seems the real Lexie had a ton of secrets. I feel like Lexie has the ghost is sort of trying to uh idk manipulate her or something? Idk it could just be me though. I wonder what's going to happen next. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[OMG so much has been happening. My mind is sort of blown too. I'm kind of sort of rooting for Daniel and Cassie right now. I'm wanted Cassie to have sex with Daniel because that's what Lexie would have done - right? But then Daniel seems to be pretty smart since he's been the only one who seems to know who she really is. I mean, he still definitely likes her so mad props to him. I love them together! I'm also glad he didn't try to use Cassie and feed her false information - mad props again to him. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[Oh man that chapter was sort of intense. I think I've come up with a decision on Frank and that is that I don't really like the guy. He's definitely an asshole. Then I feel bad for Cassie because he's being a giant asshole to her. I mean, he's her boss and everything but she's undercover and has to do her job so maybe he should just be happy that she's alive and everything and able to do her job. I also don't like Abby, she just seems way too fucking sketchy to me. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[WOW what an ending! I don't think I saw any of that coming. Lexie had so many false identities it's crazy! I mean, everyone seemed kind of wacko in this household and I'm glad Cassie is back to being Cassie. I'm proud of her digging up all of this dirt. It was enough evidence to charge the murderer for everything. Such a good book even though it did start of slow it definitely got a lot better. I can't wait to read the next book! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

15%: (view spoiler)[Okay so this book is definitely making me like Frank a whole lot more because I didn't really like him in the last book for some odd reason. I don't know I'm super weird.. Other than that I really like that he isn't with his wife anymore (I honestly can't remember if he was still married to his wife or not in the last book..oops!). And he has a new girl in his life, Rosie, and they planned on running away but she ends up changing her mind for some reason. I feel bad for Frank and I'm stoked to see what's going to happen in his life now.. (hide spoiler)]
30%: (view spoiler)[fjlasdfjdlsa ROSIE IS MISSING GUYS! I don't know if I can handle all of this information or not right now. I hope Frank figures out what happens quickly but I have a feeling it's going to take a while. I also hope she isn't dead! But since this book series is about murders - I'm having a suspicious feeling she might've died. I wonder if Mr. Daly did it? I need to know!! (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

I will be about 3 weeks behind you as always! :) I still have quite a bit of The Likeness left, my uni assignments have all come along at once.

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "I will be about 3 weeks behind you as always! :) I still have quite a bit of The Likeness left, my uni assignments have all come along at once."

Oh no!! I totally forgot about the faithful place! Because it was an audio book on loan from the library! I actually had to renew my loan because it was due over the weekend! I just love the narrator :D I think I might finish the book today because I'm on disc 8 out of 13 right now

[✨Skye✨]

Alaina wrote: "Skye wrote: "I will be about 3 weeks behind you as always! :) I still have quite a bit of The Likeness left, my uni assignments have all come along at once."

Oh no!! I totally forgot about the fai..."

I forget about books all of the time! I'd probably do better reading just 1 at once, but I like to have a Kindle book, a library book, one of my own books and an ARC going at all times.

[Alaina]

Skye wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Skye wrote: "I will be about 3 weeks behind you as always! :) I still have quite a bit of The Likeness left, my uni assignments have all come along at once."

Oh no!! I totally forgo..."

haha SAME HERE! plus audio books! I brought like 7 books with me today but I'm mostly just typing up reviews and comments for about 4 of them. I only have to finish listening to this book and write out the other comments and read two other books..

[Alaina]

54%: (view spoiler)[Honestly Frank getting mad at Olivia for going behind his back and bringing their daughter to meet his side of the family kind of threw me off. I get that he doesn't have the best relationship with them but why shouldn't his daughter have one?! ALSO his brother dying left me shook. I hope he finds out how/why it happened and who did it. So many murders in this series!! ALSO HOLLY IS ADORABLE! I need more of her! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

69%: (view spoiler)[I think I'm in love with Frank's entire family - well except maybe his dad. He seemed kind of douchey throughout Frank's childhood. I'm glad that Holly has gotten the chance to know them and how his mom yelled at Frank for not introducing her to begin with. So funny. I'm also wondering who is killing everyone!! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

100%: (view spoiler)[Holy crap! What a book! I'm baffled that basically everyone went behind Franks back. I can't believe he was in the dark for so freaking long. I feel so bad for Frank because he's in a place where no one want's to be. I have no idea how he's even doing after all of this. A lot of shit happened in this book and I'm glad it's over. I just.. idk.. feel really bad for him. I can't wait to start listening to the next book! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[Pretty interesting how this book will be about Scorcher. I really like how Tana is connecting these books. Also, Detective Kennedy is acting pretty weird in the beginning. Why did he act that way towards his sister? Why did he want her to go away? I need more information! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[I just want to know what happened to Kennedy's family!!! Is Fiona the murderer?!? Because I mean, if she's a suspect shouldn't they have searched her car or something? I don't know what to think about that because if she is the suspect in this whole murder thing then they should've searched her car for a weapon or SOMETHING. She could've hidden it or anything! djfalsfjslka I'm mad. I'm frustrated. I just want to know! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[I'm so confused on who is the suspect and who isn't!! Why does Tana French always do this to me?!? I just want to know!!! I can't decided if the new suspect is the murderer now - DAMN YOU CONNOR! (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

I have a bet with myself that you will finish the whole series before I finish the 2nd one! xD I wish I could read as much as you do.

[Alaina]

😂😂 haha maybe. I might start the next book tonight

[Alaina]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[Well well.. I saw none of that happening. Absolutely none of that. I'm surprised and really shocked on how Tana French has surprised me this entire book. The one person I didn't suspect as the murderer was Jenny. I have to give both of them mad props for fooling me. Or maybe I was just day dreaming while listening to the book. WHO KNOWS?!? Either way this book was amazing! I can't wait to find out more! Also Richie messing with the evidence bag was a shock to me - but not that part of sleeping with Kennedy's sister. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD! I loved how this book ended so freaking much. I'm kind of sad that Kennedy wont be a detective anymore. I haven't even looked to see what the next book will be about or who is in it. I can't wait to listen to it!! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[I'm already in love with Stephen and Conway!! I'm glad that she doesn't take anyone's shit and he knows not to mess with her. Can you say badass?!? I'm already having a few suspects in my mind but I'm not going to say anything because I'll probably be wrong.. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[OMG i'm laughing so hard. I have tears on my eyes. I think I'm definitely in love with this book already. I also want to know who killed Chris!! WAS IT HOLLY?!?! Also I love how different Stephan and Conway's views on holly are: mature detective daughter vs. rich prep kid. I definitely need more information! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[So Conway definitely went about the whole interview the wrong way and I'm glad that Moran sort of stepped in. and I definitely think Holly was a part of or at least knows what happened to Christ now. She's definitely suspect number 1. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Chapter 23: (view spoiler)[LOL Frank Mackey is back at it again. He definitely knows how to play hardball and I love that about him! And don't you dare make me rethink about Holly Tana French!! I'm still a firm believer she is behind this whole thing. She's hiding something!! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Well, shit! I was completely wrong. GOD DAMMIT! I was so good at knowing who the murderer was but ever since the last book I've been terrible at this guessing game! I did not see that coming. I did not see Rebecca being the murderer. God damn you Holly! dfjkaldfjal Well now I can't wait for the next and final book! Too bad I probably wont be able to read it until tomorrow :( I have a phone interview! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[It's really sad to see more into Conway's life. I mean she grew up wondering about her dad and wanted to know why he was missing from their life. But as she grew up her mother's story about her father constantly changed. Then Conway realized that her dad wasn't a good person and I have no idea how I would take that news. I'd be heartbroken probably. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[It's interesting to see how things work for Conway and Steve. I like that she's in the murder squad still and I like how they didn't give up their first suspect either. It's getting pretty interesting - I just want to know who the killer is already! Also I like how the knows about the rumors and addresses them as bullshit. Good for her! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Yeah, I don't like Breslin right now. Breslin needs to go away. Far away. Also, I love Steve and Conway's friendship. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[That talk between Conway and Lucy was mind opening. And now I have a feeling I know who the murderer is! I'm so glad that I didn't jump to one person so quickly on in this book and now I wonder what's going to happen next!! Is Conway going to tell her boss who it is? Or is she going to walk up to the murderer and ask them herself? (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[WOW! THAT ENDING! So good! I can't believe he did it! Honestly, my mind is blown and I'm so shocked. I'm glad that Conway did her job and found who the killer was but it makes me kind of sad because I have no idea if she can trust the people that she works with again. I'm glad he wasn't her partner though! (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Finished! Finally done, there are bits I liked and bits I just thought went really slow.

[Alaina]

yeah, the likeness wasn't my favorite in this series.

[✨Skye✨]

Oops! I accidentally posted that I'd finished The Likeness and I still have most of it left, I think I got the topics mixed up. I had to take like a 3 week reading break to finish the mountain of assignments I had due in, but now I'm free and determined to finally get through this series! I've been reading The Likeness for maybe 6 weeks now, it's getting ridiculous.