Some critics took issue with the teenage characters' frequent use of slang and text messaging in plot exposition.

The book received favorable reviews in prominent publications. When the detectives grill Holly, her father, detective Frank Mackey, intervenes and complicates the investigation. After further investigation, they find evidence that links Chris's murder to Holly's clique. Moran and Conway question all eight girls and find that there were some close relationships between Chris and most of the eight girls. Moran is assigned to work with senior detective Antoinette Conway to investigate. She has discovered a picture of Chris, along with the statement 'I know who killed him', posted on a school bulletin board called the 'Secret Place'. A year later, 16-year-old Holly volunteers information to Moran. The initial police investigation is inconclusive. Chris Harper, a teenage boy, is murdered on St. The key characters are eight teenage girls, members of rival cliques. The chapters alternate between the points of view of detective Stephen Moran and the students of St. Kilda's, a girls' boarding school in Dublin. named it one of the best books of 2014 in the mystery, thriller and suspense category. The Washington Post named the book one of the five best thrillers of 2014. The Secret Place is a 2014 novel by Tana French set in Ireland.

Tana french the faithful place