In The Woods

I read your first book...'loved it'...[but was not crazy about the ending:],....

unless>>>> Ryan comes back at `some` point in your books....

I'm half way through 'The Likeness' {i read a couple of other books first, even though I had this one}, and love this book too>>>> `but` I am still sad (missing), not having Ryan around.

Are you going to bring him back? Have Ryan and Cassie connect again? They were too good of friends to just `drop-off` the way they did. (it didn't work well). Even the SEX they had would not have damaged their friendship F O R E V E R.

Tana, you need to leave `your` intimacy issues out of story where it does not fit with the story you are writing. (imo) ....

and........I think you are GREAT.....
but bring RYAN back. He was an interesting character.
You can still keep Cassie as the narrative voice if you prefer.

cheers to you on your excellent work and success.

As a Dubliner living in the states I am glad to find your book. I haven't read any yet but I will.Frank Maguire.

Elyse wrote: "I read your first book...'loved it'...[but was not crazy about the ending:],....

unless>>>> Ryan comes back at `some` point in your books....

I'm half way through 'The Likeness' {i read a couple..."
I think the intimacy issues are very much a part of the story and fit in, although I do hope Ryan comes back. I think, though, and felt from the time I finished 'In the Woods' that he could be a difficult character to sustain, being so dominated by one obsession and so trapped within his own mind-and I think that would be true and problematic for him (and his creator) whatever relationship/s he had or did not have. What made the first book so fascinating is automatically what makes him difficult to follow-up on: his instability is what fascinates but we've seen that fully dramatized and I'm not (sadly for him) sure that "healthy" he's especially interesting. I think her next 2 books are wonderful, especially Faithful Place. Now THERE's a character I hope she brings back: I'm seriously "in crush" with him!

Just read "In the Woods" in a day and a half - couldn't put it down. Loved the mix of modern day murder mystery/fairy tale goblin/boogie man as well as getting inside Ryan's head.

Like other readers, I can't stop thinking about Ryan and his past and really hope that you eventually write the book that truly ends this one.

You are such a good writer! There's no one to compare you to but maybe Louise Erdrich, for verisimilitude and empathy with the people, you introduce us to..

Keep it coming please!

Allan

French truly did end In the Woods, which is why it won so many awards. All the answers to the central mystery of Ryan's childhood are there, every one, including the murder weapon. The where, the how, the why. The thing to pay attention to is in the first few pages when Ryan says, "I lie." Then pay attention to all the facts he gives. He lies, but French always gives you the truth, almost at the same time. It's absolutely brilliant. It's my favorite mystery novel by far.