Lovers of mystery fiction like myself recognize that author Tana French sets herself apart from other writers. Rather than relying on shocking yet typical twists and dramatic twists, French's books are built on beautiful writing, vivid descriptions of the Irish landscape, and unparalleled storytelling.

French's fans may be familiar with her Dublin Murder Squad series (my personal "The Likeness" is backed by gumdrops and love). Her latest, The Searcher (out October 6), is another step away from her usual fare.

The protagonist, the world-weary, skeptical Cal Hooper, is a retired Chicago cop who intends to retreat to rural Ireland, away from the drama he left behind. Of course, what he found was not peace and quiet. When a local kid asks Hooper for help finding a missing teenager that no one in the small town is looking for, Hooper is drawn back to his old habits, but without the power and protection of being a cop.

The Searcher goes far beyond the ordinary mystery novel. It has all the elements you love: suspense, questions, and unraveling lies. The book draws the reader in with images of an idyllic town with friendly neighbors, but by the end you are made to understand that nothing is as it seems, that even the characters you have implicitly trusted are hiding something dark. If that's not enough to convince you, there's one more thing. That's how relentlessly fascinating this book is.