Broken Harbor

ByTana French

Release Date: 2012-07-24
Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers

Score: 4

From 1,229 Ratings

Description

From Tana French, author of the forthcoming novel The Hunter, a New York Times bestselling novel that “proves anew that [Tana French] is one of the most talented crime writers alive” (The Washington Post).

“Required reading for anyone who appreciates tough, unflinching intelligence and ingenious plotting.” —The New York Times

Mick “Scorcherˮ Kennedy is the star of the Dublin Murder Squad. He plays by the books and plays hard, and thatʼs how the biggest case of the year ends up in his hands.

On one of the half-abandoned “luxuryˮ developments that litter Ireland, Patrick Spain and his two young children have been murdered. His wife, Jenny, is in intensive care. At first, Scorcher thinks itʼs going to be an easy solve, but too many small things canʼt be explained: the half-dozen baby monitors pointed at holes smashed in the Spainsʼ walls, the files erased from the familyʼs computer, the story Jenny told her sister about a shadowy intruder slipping past the houseʼs locks. And this neighborhood—once called Broken Harbor—holds memories for Scorcher and his troubled sister, Dina: childhood memories that Scorcher thought he had tightly under control.

Reviews

Broken Harbor
5
By #rudypup
Tana French is an amazing author. Her plots, writing style and lush details wrap you in the story like no one else. She is my go-to when I need to treat myself to a special read.
Another great book by Tana French
5
By Martholomeow
Another amazing and powerful journey into the complexity of human relationships, disguised as a murder mystery. At first i wasn’t sure i wanted to read a novel narrated by Scorcher Kennedy, but i’m glad i did. Really enjoyed it! Couldn’t put it down.

I’ve noticed some reviewers saying this novel doesn’t resolve itself, but as they say in Dublin, that’s bollicks! The story comes to a very satisfying conclusion.
Broken
3
By Liberty215
When I read a police procedural, I hope to find resolution when I reach the end of the book. The end did not offer a big reveal, but it pieced together what I suspected. I think it took too long to get there.
Broken Harbor
5
By Joanabake
Good til the last page. So very,very sad
More than an exquisite procedural
5
By Ramslo Quartet
I didn’t know what to expect of Scorcher Kennedy after the glimpse of him in Faithful Place. However, the more I read, the more I understood him and his choices. Tana French has written an intimate procedural and importantly, an honest look at how one’s perceptions and coping mechanisms are shaped and tested by the hardest events. French doesn’t shy away from the difficulties and injustices that humans create and endure. Scorcher Kennedy is beautifully complex and vulnerable. Watching him gain wisdom is an added bonus. Just, thanks.
Got me hooked on the series
5
By blueper369
I read this book for a class in Dublin and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love the complexities of the characters and the twist endings
Good
3
By Brink727
This writer loves leaving loose ends. I keep waiting for every detail to be unfolded and tied up nicely at the end - and it never is. It leaves for a non-compelling ending and a story that feels unfinished. The 'who-did-it' reason is never good or fully believable. And yet, I still keep reading her books, so I suppose that's something.
It was okay...
3
By Quiet pirate
This was probably the least favorite of mine. The narrators voice just didn't intrigue me as much. It felt tedious at times and I just wasn't drawn in as much. I also found it a little predictable. Her other books I couldn't put down. If you've only ready this one and didn't care for it, I would still try another one of hers.
Broken harbor
5
By Jfb157
Amazing book! Highly recommend!
Painfully slow and nothing like her other books
2
By Huntpoo
Tana French became one of my favorite writers after reading "the likeness" ( her best book without a doubt). In The Woods was decent as was Faithful Place. She really took a dive with broken harbor. It was like her publishers were just hounding her for another book so she cranked out a really tedious ( but well-written) detective novel. The hundreds of pages devoted to detailed explanations of the inner workings of being a detective were not compelling. In addition, the story was weak. She was grasping at straws to make this murder mystery seem interesting or gripping at all. I kept waiting for the book to get addictive like her others but it never did. I couldn't believe what a let-down the ending was. She's such a talented writer but the story was just bad. I mean, shockingly bad. Have hopes that her publishers will let off and she'll write something more like "the likeness "
again