How to Read Tana French Series in Order [2025]

Tana French is one of the most acclaimed contemporary crime and psychological fiction authors. Known for her atmospheric writing, richly drawn characters, and emotionally layered mysteries, French has built a strong global readership. Her work blends literary depth with gripping suspense, often exploring trauma, identity, memory, and the darker side of human nature.

Readers frequently search for the best order of Tana French books because her novels fall into two main groups: the Dublin Murder Squad series and the newer Cal Hooper series. While each novel stands alone with its own plot, reading Tana French books in order offers a rewarding view of her stylistic evolution and recurring themes.

This guide provides the complete Tana French book list in order, along with summaries and recommendations for which books to start with.

Part 1. Tana French Books in Order

Whether you're new to Tana French's work or wish to read her books in order, this guide will help you navigate her complete bibliography for the best reading experience.

1. In the Woods (2007)

French’s debut novel and the first in the Dublin Murder Squad series. Detective Rob Ryan investigates the murder of a young girl near the woods where he himself was found traumatized as a child. The novel blends police procedural, psychological unraveling, and literary depth.

2. The Likeness (2008)

Detective Cassie Maddox goes undercover to impersonate a murder victim who looks exactly like her. The novel explores identity, friendship, and the emotional cost of deception. Often ranked among the best Tana French books.

3. Faithful Place (2010)

Frank Mackey returns to his childhood neighborhood to confront buried secrets and a past love. This emotionally intense novel examines family trauma and generational dysfunction.

4. Broken Harbour (2012)

Detective Mick "Scorcher" Kennedy investigates a family tragedy in a half-finished housing estate during Ireland’s economic crash. A haunting, beautifully written novel about psychological collapse and societal pressures.

5. The Secret Place (2014)

A murder at an elite girls' school leads to a complex investigation filled with teenage rivalries and hidden truths. A character-driven, atmospheric novel that blurs truth and perception.

6. The Trespasser (2016)

Detective Antoinette Conway faces a hostile team while working on what seems like a straightforward domestic murder. The story dives into sexism, workplace tension, and the search for truth in a corrupt system.

7. The Witch Elm (2018)

A standalone novel. After a traumatic attack, Toby seeks comfort at his family’s ancestral home, only for a skull to be discovered in the garden tree. A slow-burn literary thriller about privilege, memory, and guilt.

8. The Searcher (2020)

The first book in the Cal Hooper series. A retired Chicago detective moves to rural Ireland seeking peace, but becomes involved in the disappearance of a local boy. A quiet, atmospheric mystery with strong character depth.

9. The Hunter (2024)

Cal Hooper book #2. The peaceful Irish village faces new tensions as outsiders arrive, bringing conflict, manipulation, and danger. French continues exploring community, justice, and morality.

10. Cal Hooper Book 3 (Expected 2026)

A highly anticipated continuation of the Cal Hooper series. While details are undisclosed, early commentary suggests deeper exploration of rural Ireland, tight-knit communities, and escalating moral complexity.

Part 2. Do You Need to Read Tana French Books in Order?

While not necessary, reading in publication order is highly recommended. What makes Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series unique is that each installment centers on a different detective, with minimal character continuity. This means every novel stands alone, allowing readers to pick up any book at random. However, reading sequentially offers a smoother experience, letting you catch subtle character arcs, evolving relationships, and recurring threads that enrich the world-building. Her standalone novels (The Witch Elm, The Seeker, The Hunter) can be read in any order.

Part 3. Best Tana French Books (Ranked)

Each of Tana French's works is immersive and meticulously crafted. Below is a ranking guide to Tana French's best works.

• In the Woods: her most iconic and award-winning debut.

• The Likeness: widely considered her best psychological mystery.

• Broken Harbour: emotionally devastating and masterfully written.

• The Searcher: a shift in style with strong atmosphere and character depth.

'In the Woods' and 'The Likeness' were adapted into the BBC/Starz series Dublin Murders in 2019, combining both plots into a single season.

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Conclusion

Tana French has written some of the most atmospheric, character-driven mysteries of the past two decades. Whether you prefer the Dublin Murder Squad or the Cal Hooper series, reading the Tana French books in order enriches the experience. For audiobook lovers, BlipCut AI Voice Generator makes it easy to generate natural narration so you can enjoy these mysteries anywhere.