Broken Harbor: A Novel

Tana French

Jul 2012 · Dublin Murder Squad Book 4 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

Broken Harbor is the fourth installment in Tana French’s fantastic Dublin Murder Squad series. Each of her the novels feature a different member of the squad, usually a character introduced in a previous work. French expertly pairs each fully-formed character with a complementary storyline and appropriate tone. Broken Harbor highlights Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy, who was introduced as a minor character and antagonist of sorts in the previous book: A Faithful Place. Kennedy has an excellent track record with the squad and is known for his diligence and strict adherence to procedure. When a triple murder gets called in, his superior offers him a chance to head up the high-profile investigation. During their conversation it is intimated that there was a prior case that was uncharacteristically problematic for Scorcher. He needs to redeem himself by quickly resolving this one to retain his reputation. He also is obliged to act as a mentor to his rookie partner, Richie. Richie is rough around the edges, but eager to prove himself. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s mentally-ill younger sister returns and caring for her is a potential distraction and a conflict of duty. The triple homicide brings Scorcher back to a familiar location that has some strong emotional attachment for him and his family. Kennedy’s own complicated backstory is carefully unfolded as he investigates the murder of the young family. He and his new partner seem well suited to each other, and he begins to feel a guarded respect for the younger officer. Scorcher’s past has alienated and hardened him, but he begrudgingly suspects that he might eventually accept Richie as a permanent partner or friend. Broken Harbor, like all of French’s novels, is exquisitely paced and well-written. It is a thrilling mystery with many unexpected turns that also manages to address some deeper themes as well. The need for keeping up appearances, the power of shame and the nebulous boundaries between right/wrong weave into the narrative. As a staunch believer in the rules, Kennedy prefers clear-cut answers when “the world’s vast hissing tangle of shadows burns away, all its treacherous grays are honed to the stark purity of a bare blade, two-edged: cause and effect, good and evil.” Unfortunately, he discovers that circumstances are often far more complicated and may not be so easily defined. This case will challenge Scorcher’s core beliefs and cause him to question all the rules he has come to rely on. Broken Harbor can be read as a stand-alone novel, but mystery fans would benefit from starting the series from the beginning.

After I read this book , I had so much trouble getting into another book because everything else just didn't compare! Definitely one of the best books I have read in awhile. Loved all the characters and the plot was super interesting .

I didn't read it. They let me rate is though :P

About the author

Tana French is also the author of In the Woods, The Likeness, Faithful Place, Broken Harbor, The Secret Place, and The Trespasser. Her books have won awards including the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Award for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction. She lives in Dublin with her family.