Book giveaway: The Secret Place by Tana French

[TinaMumsnet]

'I know who killed him.'

Could these few words, posted on a notice board in an exclusive girls' boarding school, be Detective Stephen Moran's passport to the Murder Squad?

We’re really excited to be giving away 300 copies of The Secret Place this week. Beautifully written and drenched in suspense, we haven't been able to stop talking about this book here at MNHQ.

Click here to find out more, and apply for a copy.

This giveaway is sponsored by Hodder.

Tweet using #TheSecretPlace.

Thanks for book. Slow read, started well and grabbed attention, but became harder work to get through once past middle. So not one of those you miss when it's finished more of a whew ...

Will be reading this soon! Will be back with a review :)

I've read this and loved it as I loved all her books

This is the only author whose books I pre order in hardcover

I just couldn't get into it! Found the dialogue between the two detectives self-conscious and not convincing. I felt the same about the mean girls. For a novel set in Ireland, it didn't seem at all culturally Irish. Am afraid I got fed up and didn't finish it.

Just finished this book and have to say it was hard work, certainly not a page turner for me. I only continued to read it so I could review it here and in the hope that it would get better. I came to the conclusion that I didn't care for any of the characters at all.

Have passed it on to my sister with the recommendation that if she doesn't get into it/like it within the first two paragraphs, to give up on it and not waste her time, there are too many good books out there to read.

I also found this book hard work as I didn't like any of the characters. There was no sense of drama or suspense. I battled to the end, but won't rush to buy more books by the author.

I've just finished the book. Overall I did enjoy reading it and looked forward to being able to curl up with it at the end of the day however I did find it took a while to get into properly.. I'd expected it was going to be quite scary from the descriptions on the back and at one point wondered if it was going to become a ghost story so was a little disappointed by that. Like others on here I'm not really sure what the supernatural abilities added to the story and I'm also not convinced teenage girls really talk like that but if they do I stand corrected! Not a bad read but it didn't live up to the hype for me x

I liked the sound of this book, so borrowed it from the library when I didn't get a free copy.

I found it compelling, and didn't predict the end. I didn't see the point of the supernatural aspect, which made an otherwise realsitic book implausible.

The details of Frank Mackey's marriage and a few other policing aspects made me presume this was part of a series of books with recurring characters, they weren't essential to the plot, and were otherwise irrelevant, with insufficient detail to make them relevant, but not irritatingly irrelevant.

I missed the part in the last line about Holly and Chris, and the book has gone back - noooo!

I would look out for other books by the author, having found this interesting.

After all the hype and publicity I couldn't wait to get started, I was intrigued by the Mean Girls meets The Fall storyline. Alas, I tried time and again to finish this book and in the end just had to admit defeat about two thirds in. I couldn't get into the story and didn't connect with any of the characters.

Not my cup of tea and I never did find out who killed him.

I was fortunate enough to receive this book in the online giveaway. It is my first book by Tana French.

A well thought out plot ensured that tension was maintained although the story seemed somewhat drawn out.

Relationships between the girls were well portrayed, highlighting the shallow nature and attitudes of teenagers. It displayed the loyalties and supportiveness privileged teenage girls are capable of, while not disguising the insecurities, cruelty and destructiveness of which they are also competent. The language style – while intensely irritating, came over as believable.

The relationship between Detectives Conway and Moran while prickly to begin with, gradually develops into an interesting double act although the character of Conway, with her overly-abrasive manner, was a little far-fetched and difficult to find believable.

The novel contained a few red herrings, and some questions remained at the end of the book, which is possibly due to it being part of a series. For instance, the incident that connected Holly to Moran in the past was never explained. However, as this is my first book by this author, I found it rather frustrating. Saying that, one matter was resolved in the final sentence.

I was disappointed with the way the supernatural element was dealt with – it seemed to be leading up to something, then simply fizzled out. The story would have been better without it.

I got it in the give away too. Excellent book, and I agree with all mgrass has said above. Supernatural element didn't do anything for me. I also felt that the book ended rather abruptly. A really good read though.

I got this book in the give away and enjoyed it immensely. I did think it was a bit too long and some sections could have been condensed. I agree with the other reviewers, what was the supernatural stuff all about? I found it confusing as it didn't go anywhere or add anything to the story. I liked the characters especially the cops and felt they had plenty of depth. A good read and I've passed it on to a friend see what they think.

Sorry took so long to post a review. Really enjoyed it but really didn't get the supernatural bit either but didn't spoil it either. I have enjoyed the authors other books also