What Broken Harbor is about:
Broken Harbor opens with Scorcher and his newly assigned rookie partner, Richie Curran, being called to a gruesome triple homicide of the Spain family in Brianstown, a seaside town outside of Dublin, locally known as Broken Harbor. At the crime scene the father, Pat, is found fatally stabbed, the mother, Jenny, is barely alive, and the two young children, Emma and Jack, have been smothered to death. Early investigation points directly to the suspect and voyeur, Conor Brennan, who is obsessed with Jenny and has been stalking her. As is always true in Tana French novels, the most obvious suspect isn’t necessarily the culprit.
Can I just say that I was totally blown away by French's book??? I don't understand why I've waited so long to read one of her stories, but I am here to tell you that I will be reading all of her other books in 2013! This is the book that pulled me out of my reading slump. It had everything that I wanted and needed in a great story: intricately woven plot, great main character who was so human that I felt his pain, and a story that had me second-guessing myself all the way through to the very end. In fact, I'm still thinking about the ending and was the killer really the killer????
Recommend? Absolutely and without hesitation! I was enraptured with this story and loved the sinister atmosphere that French created. She's made me a believer in her skills and this is an author to read!!
Source: Penguin Group
Disclaimer: Thank you to Angela@Penguin for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
Review Book #30
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I'm so glad you like her! Certainly as a fan of Slaughter you would be destined to like someone with a sort of comparable appeal! And to me, as good as it is, this is my least favorite, so you are in for such a treat! Yaay!
ReplyDeleteI think you liked it! ;-) The crime gives me chills, but I would like to know who did it.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of French's books either but over the last couple of months I've read such terrific reviews of this book that I feel I must read it! Your review has sealed it for me! Great review!
ReplyDeleteAn author I've been wanting to read too! Glad she doesn't disappoint.
ReplyDeleteYAYYYYYYYYYY for the slump being GONE!! :) I need to add this to my must read list!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was blown away too and hope to read her other novels. The setting and characters and even the little bit of fantasy/paranormal atmosphere surrounding the house were a treat.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that's it. I've procrastinated enough. Your reco is the one that will get me to start this series from the beginning. It must be a really good
ReplyDeleteone to get you out of your slump!
Yet another series I need to get going with.
ReplyDeleteI think my husband has a book by this author. Will have to dig it out. Glad you found another author to love!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for the great review...I've been gazing at these books and pondering whether or not to dive in....I guess I must!
ReplyDeleteWhat am I waiting for?? I haven't read French either, but now the only decision is whether to start here or at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteWow! I need to read one by her too
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this author yet but I should keep these at the top of my tbr list.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this pulled you out of your reading slump! I really enjoyed it, too. My favorite book by Tana is The Likeness.
ReplyDeleteI have almost bought this a couple of times now, it looks so very good. Ok, your review has convinced me! This needs to be read soon :-) I'm glad you enjoyed it, and it got you out of your reading slump.
ReplyDeleteI have not read this author either but she must be a wonderful writer to help you overcome your slump. I will have to get my hands on one of her books soon!
ReplyDeleteYou can "google" spoilers for this book and see how many have asked the same question about the killer. I liked the audio a lot.
ReplyDeleteYou've convinced me to move this book higher on my list!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to hear that you enjoyed this book so much and that it helped to pull you out of your reading slump! I've read her 1st book In The Woods and enjoyed that one but I haven't read any other books by her. I need to!
ReplyDeleteI read the first book and loved it. I'm not sure why I haven't picked up another since then.
ReplyDeleteI only skimmed your review cause I'm reading this right now! I've loved all of her books, so I won't be surprised if I love this one, too. :)
ReplyDeleteWish I read this review before I went off to the library as it was sitting on the shelf and I did not bring it home!
ReplyDeletemaybe I should try this one--I'm experiencing a bit of a slump myself.
ReplyDeleteWoot Woot no more reading slump!! I haven't read a Tana French book for years and I haven't read any of the Dublin Murder Squad series, looks like another series to add to the reading list for when I'm reading books I WANT to read in 2013 lol
ReplyDeleteKaren did a guest review on my blog and got me started on another series I think you'll love!
I have Faithful Place and The Likeness in my TBR pile. After reading In The Woods last year, I was hooked on her writing.
ReplyDeleteHurray for the book that pulled you out of your slump!
ReplyDeleteYou said, " In fact, I'm still thinking about the ending and was the killer really the killer????"
ReplyDeleteThis is how I felt after The Likeness! I love Tana French's books and can't wait to read this one. Psychological thrillers? Yes, please!