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In her 2020 book, The Searcher, French tells a classic western story in a modern rural Irish town. This community has its own unique sense of fairness, with long-standing conflicts and expectations that date back for many years. Outsiders are not fully trusted in this setting. The Hunter, which is French’s ninth novel, continues the same intricate interpersonal dynamics and ethical uncertainties that made the first book so captivating.

The main character in the story is Cal Hooper, a former detective from Chicago who struggles with balancing his moral compass and the reality of living in Ardnakelty. In the previous book, The Searcher, Cal made difficult decisions driven by his paternal instincts to safeguard a troubled teenager, Trey Reddy.

The Hunter opens two years on; under Cal’s guidance Trey, now 15, is on her way to becoming an accomplished carpenter and shaking off her family’s bad name. So when her feckless father, Johnny, waltzes back into town after four years’ absence, with a dodgy Englishman in tow and a bold plan to find gold in the townland, Cal is again caught in tangles of conflicting loyalties and concepts of debt and punishment that have little to do with the law.

French gained recognition for her literary depictions of police investigations. However, her recent works deviate from this genre, opting for a slower and darker tone that delves into the intricacies of human interactions. The protagonist, Cal, engages in subtle conversations with the shrewd Mart Lavin, who holds influence over the community. These exchanges are laced with hidden meaning and complicated by their shared past. French’s talent in portraying dialogue is evident in her work, possibly influenced by her background in acting. The group scenes at the pub are skillfully executed, capturing the authentic speech patterns of the locals without falling into the trap of clichés.

She also enjoys incorporating the excitement of the wild west into the chaos of a gold rush. Johnny’s gold is a clever deception, but French emphasizes the legendary and enduring allure of gold, which can captivate even the most rational men: “When a tangible and bold representation of gold is presented to them, they are faced with a different kind of influence, to which they are not accustomed and have little defense against. She allows the gold to speak for itself.”

The Hunter has a gradual build-up, which is one of its strengths (as long as the reader knows not to expect a typical crime novel). French increases the anxiety a little at a time, until the reader, like Cal, realizes that Johnny has lost control of the plan and the consequences will be devastating. By the end, the characters feel so real that even after finishing the book, I find myself wondering about their well-being – showing the author’s skill as a writer.

• The Hunter by Tana French is published by Penguin Viking (£18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

Source: theguardian.com