Ellis Bagoly’s Reviews > The Keeper > Status Update

Something exciting happened! But it kinda reminded me of when Archie formed the Red Circle on “Riverdale.” Something about the novel feels a bit “screenplay” like, in a way that’s not quite working for me; it feels longer than it needs to be, and very deliberately structured around dialogue scenes. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but it seems to be weighing down the pacing just a little bit.

I was a bit uncomfortable with the way Cal used violence to interrogate another character—I’m a little wary of the way the narrator presents Cal’s perspective on some characters, and what this implies about American police and their use of force.

I have little experience with mysteries—this may not be unique: but I find it interesting how the townsfolk notice and respond to Cal/Lena’s investigations.

It’s an interesting experience picking up the middle of this series; the characters have such detailed backstories, no doubt in part due to the events of the previous books. I don’t feel like I missed something important, it feels like everything is rich and coherent even without every single detail brought to light. I also get the sense I can go back to the first two books relatively unspoiled.

Very diverting. I’m noticing a recurring theme of generational divides, I’m interested in seeing how that develops.

My first time reading Tana French! Was curious how it would be picking up the third entry in a series that features one protagonist, but French gets readers who are just now joining caught up to speed and I might have never even known this exists within a series. I think I’m gonna get on with French’s style and voice rather well, and I hope I can get a handle on the major characters soon (lots of characters!)