The Searcher

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of gender discrimination, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How does French's decision to set this story in rural Ireland rather than her usual Dublin settings affect the novel's atmosphere and themes? Does the novel remind you of other works that explore outsiders entering close-knit communities, such as Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn?

2. What was your initial impression of Cal as a protagonist, and how did that impression evolve throughout the novel?

3. The novel takes a slower, more contemplative pace than typical crime fiction. How did this pacing impact your reading experience and your connection to the story?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Have you ever moved to a place where you felt like an outsider? How does your experience compare to Cal's navigation of Ardnakelty's social dynamics?

2. Cal struggles with regret over his past choices regarding his family. How do you think people can best balance professional duty with family obligations?