Tana French’s The Witch Elm is the author’s first standalone, and the story has all the hallmarks of her work: a classic mystery plot, outstanding character development, and intelligent and lyrical writing. This tale is as much a family drama and a procedural as it is a deep psychological study of a character whose privilege has shaped his psyche. While the plot slows to a plodding pace in a number of instances, French’s expertly-crafted characters and the striking insight into the emotional upheaval of a traumatic event and injury kept me turning the pages of this literary mystery.

Highly recommended for thrillers with a literary bent and a focus on family sagas.