AZE Reviews The Trespasser

Hello readers!
Today, I'll be discussing Dublin Murder Squad mystery The Trespasser.

​The Trespasser (Dublin Murder Squad #6) by Tana French
(3.5 stars)
Being on the Murder Squad is nothing like Detective Antoinette Conway dreamed it would be. Her partner, Stephen Moran, is the only person who seems glad she’s there. The rest of her working life is a stream of thankless cases, vicious pranks, and harassment. Antoinette is savagely tough, but she’s getting close to the breaking point.
Their new case looks like yet another lovers’ quarrel gone bad. Aislinn Murray is blonde, pretty, groomed-to-a-shine, and dead in her catalog-perfect living room, next to a table set for a romantic dinner. There’s nothing unusual about her—except that Antoinette’s seen her somewhere before.
The squad is pushing Antoinette and Steve into arresting Aislinn’s boyfriend, fast. But Aislinnʼs friend is hinting that she knew Aislinn was in danger.
Antoinette knows the harassment she's experienced has turned her paranoid, but she can’t tell just how far gone she is. Is this case another step in the campaign to force her off the squad, or are there darker currents flowing beneath its polished surface?
Review
French's The Trespasser is (so far) my least favorite Dublin Murder Squad mystery. Nonetheless, I haven't picked up The Likeness or Into the Woods.

While this pick has a captivating storyline, the narrative itself lacks thrill. The Trespasser has the potential to be an enchanting story but is unfortunately dull and uneventful.
The reason for this is actually the cast of characters. Despite The Secret Place also featuring Moran and Conway, they're a lot less likable in this novel. While Moran has a smaller role in this mystery, Conway remains paranoid and problematic--surprisingly even more than before. The other characters are just as uninteresting. The squad is untrustworthy, the victim is deceitful, and almost every other character is opportunistic.
Despite this, the mystery is just intriguing enough to keep reading.

While I would recommend French's other Dublin Murder Squad mysteries, I suggest skipping this one.
Have you read The Trespasser? Chat with me!