The Secret Place

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Tana French has written both series and standalone novels, and The Secret Place is the fifth installment in her popular, six-book exploration of Dublin’s so-called murder squad. The series differs from other serial thrillers and police procedurals by declining to follow a single detective. Instead, each book introduces a set of characters, some of whom reappear in the next installment. For example, The Secret Place features the return appearances of Stephen, Holly, and Frank, who played key roles in several of the series’ previous books. However, the story also introduces Antoinette, who will become one of the protagonists in the series’ final installment. The best-selling series has become popular with readers and critics alike, and several installments have won awards, such as the Edgar Award, the Irish Book Award, and the Los Angeles Book Prize for mystery. 

French’s works typically combine aspects of both psychological thrillers and police procedurals, featuring in-depth characterization and twisting, suspenseful plots that examine the complexities of group dynamics and individual identity. Many of her detectives are inherently flawed, demonstrating a complex mix of honorable practices, unethical decisions, and positive and negative personality traits.