The Hunter by Tana French

I remember reading The Searcher by Tana French in 2020 and have been waiting to read another book by this author. My patience was rewarded when the second in this series was announced. The Hunter takes us back to Cal's world in the west of Ireland and shows what's been happening since we left him and Trey. 

In this book, Trey's father, Johnny, returns home and soon becomes the talk of the town with tales of unfound gold in the fields owned by the locals. Hot on his heels is the English man who wants to get in touch with his ancestors and discover the gold with Johnny's local help. It's not hard to guess that this isn't going to go well and I won't spoil the plot by telling you more.

The first book had the feel of a Western and this does too. Cal is the guy who rides into town, wanting to mind his own business but can't help but get dragged into local goings-on. He is the outsider and despite having lived in the area for several years, and being accepted in his own way, even though he's an ex-copper, if things get tough and the community need a scapegoat, he's your man. Surely, he could just move and leave town and settle somewhere else? But this book focuses on what becomes important to you and how you'd do anything to protect that, even if it means a personal sacrifice.  

Outside of the crimes that take place, there's so much going on in the background. Trey wanting revenge, Mart with his easy-going yet confrontational threats, Lena having to make decisions and being pulled back into a community she's been avoiding for years and everyone congregating at the local shop to get the low down from Noreen. 

This is a slow-burn crime novel with a satisfying ending and worth the wait for the final reveal. Let's just say, I didn't see that coming....