In the WoodsIn the Woods
Score Modern
What it's about
At twelve, Adam Ryan went playing in the woods with his two best friends and never saw them again; he was found clinging to a tree, his shoes full of blood, with no memory. Twenty years later, as Dublin detective Rob Ryan, he and his partner, Cassie Maddox, investigate the murder of a girl in the same woods.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 68 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It launched Tana French's acclaimed Dublin Murder Squad series.
You'll love it if you liked
The Likeness
Faithful Place
The Secret HistoryGood to know
It doesn't resolve every mystery, which frustrates some readers. It's slow and atmospheric.
By the numbers
- Readers12 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller68 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #397 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #1192 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2202 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Tana French
If you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is In the Woods worth reading?
Yes. It spent 68 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #2,202 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 61.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is In the Woods about?
At twelve, Adam Ryan went playing in the woods with his two best friends and never saw them again; he was found clinging to a tree, his shoes full of blood, with no memory. Twenty years later, as Dublin detective Rob Ryan, he and his partner, Cassie Maddox, investigate the murder of a girl in the same woods.
How long does it take to read In the Woods?
About 12 hours (464 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after In the Woods?
If you liked it, try The Likeness by Tana French, Faithful Place by Tana French or The Secret History by Donna Tartt.