Tana French Books in Order & How Many Are There?
Tana French is a bestselling Irish novelist widely recognized for her exceptional contributions to the psychological suspense genre. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, captivating the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. Her writing style has been praised for its ability to create a haunting atmosphere, evoking intense emotions and drawing the reader into a world of mystery and intrigue.
The Tana French book series is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries. With several books to her name, French’s work has been praised for its depth and nuance, exploring complex themes such as memory, identity, and human nature. Her novels are intricately woven and leave the reader questioning everything they thought they knew. The Tana French books are a true testament to her mastery of the genre and the high writing standard she maintains with each new release.
How many Tana French books are there?
There are currently eight Tana French movies. Six books are part of The Dublin Murder Squad series, and two are standalone novels. Let’s see what they look like in the order by the release date.
The Dublin Murder Squad Series
- In the Woods (2007)
- The Likeness (2008)
- Faithful Place (2010)
- Broken Harbour (2011)
- The Secret Place (2014)
- The Trespasser (2016)
Tana French’s Standalone Novels
- The Witch Elm (2018)
- The Searcher (2020)
Now we will let you know what is the best order to read Tana French books
Tana French books in order
The best way to read Tana French books in order is by the release date, as we have shown you above. Now we will let you know what these books are about and how they connect to each other. These first six novels are part of The Dublin Murder Squad series, but we will also tell you what the standalone novels are about.
In the Woods (2007)
As the sun sets on a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers call their children home. However, on that warm evening, three children fail to return from the dark and quiet woods. Upon arriving, the police find only one of the children clinging to a tree trunk in fear, wearing blood-filled sneakers, and unable to remember any details of the past few hours.
Fast forward twenty years, and the now-adult boy, Rob Ryan, has become a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad. He keeps his traumatic past a secret, but when a twelve-year-old girl is found murdered in the same woods, he and his partner and close friend, Detective Cassie Maddox, are tasked with investigating a case closely resembling the previous unsolved mystery. Armed with only fragmented memories, Ryan has the opportunity to unravel both the current case and his own mysterious past.
The Likeness (2008)
The sequel to “In the Woods” finds Detective Cassie Maddox grappling with the aftermath of a traumatic event in both her career and relationship with Sam O’Neill. Despite these challenges, she finds herself investigating the unsettling murder of a young woman. The victim’s name matches an alias Cassie once used as an undercover officer, adding a personal dimension to the already complex case.
As Cassie delves deeper into the investigation, she is faced with her own demons and must navigate the treacherous waters of a case that hits close to home. With her professional and personal lives at stake, Cassie must confront the truth head-on and solve the murder before it’s too late.
Faithful Place (2010)
In 1985, Frank Mackey was a 19-year-old living in Dublin’s inner city with his family, trying to escape poverty and difficult home life. He and his girlfriend, Rosie Daly, had plans to run away to London, start a new life, and get married. But on the night they were supposed to leave, Rosie never showed up. Frank assumed she had changed her mind, and he never returned home.
Everyone believed that Rosie had gone to England on her own, living a better life. However, 22 years later, Rosie’s suitcase was discovered behind a fireplace in a dilapidated house on Faithful Place, and Frank is forced to confront his past. As he investigates what happened to Rosie, he finds himself drawn back into the complex relationships he left behind. The police working the case and the community of Faithful Place both want him to go, but Frank is determined to find the truth, no matter the cost.
Broken Harbour (2011)
In “Broken Harbour”, a small suburb outside Dublin is haunted by tragedy. Three members of the Spain family are found dead, with the mother in critical condition, and Detective Scorcher Kennedy is tasked with solving the case. At first, it seems like a cut-and-dry case of a man driven to desperation by the recession. But as the investigation continues, strange details begin to surface, and the evidence points in multiple directions.
While working on the case, Scorcher also grapples with his personal life. The news of the tragedy has sent his sister, Dina, into a spiral, reminding Scorcher of a traumatic event from their childhood that took place in Broken Harbour. The boundaries between his work and personal life begin to blur, putting both in danger as Scorcher tries to unravel the truth behind the Spain family’s deaths and his own past.
The Secret Place (2014)
In “The Secret Place,” Detective Stephen Moran eagerly awaits his chance to join the elite Dublin Murder Squad. When sixteen-year-old Holly Mackey arrives in his office with a photo linking her to a murdered boy, Stephen jumps at the opportunity to solve the case. With the help of Detective Antoinette Conway, the two detectives delve into the mysterious and dangerous underworld of teenage girls.
As the clues unravel, the investigation leads them to a close-knit group of friends, rival cliques, and a web of relationships connected to the murdered boy. However, with Holly’s father and fellow detective Frank Mackey closely monitoring their every move, the killer’s true identity remains elusive.
The Trespasser (2016)
Detective Antoinette Conway is struggling in her role on the Murder Squad. Her partner, Stephen Moran, is the only colleague who seems to appreciate her, as the rest of the squad subjects her to constant harassment and pranks. Despite being tough, Antoinette is close to reaching her breaking point.
Their newest case involves the murder of a young woman named Aislinn Murray. The case appears to be a simple lovers’ quarrel gone wrong, but Antoinette soon realizes there is more to this case than meets the eye. Other detectives are eager to arrest Aislinn’s boyfriend, but Antoinette and Stephen’s investigation reveals a deeper, more complex situation.
Adding to Antoinette’s distress, she feels like she’s being followed and is paranoid about the constant harassment she’s faced at work. As she delves deeper into the case, she wonders if it is part of a larger scheme to force her off the Murder Squad or if even more sinister forces are at play.
The Witch Elm (2018)
Toby, a carefree and charming individual, finds himself in the middle of a life-altering situation when he comes across two burglars while celebrating with friends. The attackers left him for dead, and Toby must face the reality of his new limitations as he struggles to recover from his injuries. Toby retreats to his family’s ancestral home to care for his ailing uncle Hugo.
However, his peaceful solitude is interrupted by the discovery of a skull in the trunk of an elm tree in the garden. With detectives closing in, Toby must confront the possibility that his past may not be as he has always believed. The Witch Elm delves into the complexities of identity and the limits of one’s capability in the face of adversity.
The Searcher (2020)
Cal Hooper, a retired detective, decides to start a new life in a remote village in rural Ireland. He intends to renovate his recently acquired, run-down cottage, go for walks in the mountains, and leave behind his police instincts.
However, his peaceful retirement is disrupted when a local boy seeks his assistance in finding his missing brother. Despite the lack of concern from the villagers and the police, Cal feels compelled to investigate the situation. He senses that there is something amiss in the community and is determined to uncover the truth, even if it leads to trouble for himself.
Do you need to read Tana French books in order?
It is recommended to read the books in The Dublin Murder Squad series in order. The Witch Elm (2018) and The Searcher (2020) are not part of the series but rather standalone novels and can be read at any time.
Will there be more Tana French books?
At this time, it is uncertain whether there will be any additional books from author Tana French. No new information has been made available to suggest that she will publish more books. It is best to keep an eye out for any updates from the author or her publisher to see if there are any plans for new releases.
