In the Woods (preparing for book talk)

In the thriller In the Woods by Tana French Dublin detectives Adam Ryan and Cassie Maddox are attempting to solve the murder of tweenage ballet prodigy Katy Devlin, who was found dead near her home, and near the wood, on an archaeological digging site. The site is of historians' interest because ancient druids of the region had made human sacrifices at the exact spot Katy's body is found.  Coincidentally, Adam Ryan, now Rob, grew up in this neighborhood, and was involved in a now cold case from 1984: his two best friends disappeared and Adam was found catatonic, with bloody,slashed clothes.  Ryan doesn't remember a thing, and wants to keep his involvement in the seemingly related case secret from his boss and the police. Only his partner Cassie, whom Ryan shares a complicated platonic relationship, knows the truth.  Is Ryan jeopardizing the new case by keeping his connection under wraps? Or is Katy's death completely unrelated?

Immediately, I am suspicious of Adam as I read. His lack of memory for what happened that summer day in 1984 seems too convenient, especially now with a fresh dead body found at the same location.  Adam's partner Cassie doesn't seem suspicious of him, but is this French's misdirection as a master of writing mystery and thriller? Also, Adam isn't the most confident character and frequently drops hints of his lack of insight at the time of Katy Devlin case, showing he admits his spaciness, and perhaps is even alluding to his own guilt or regret. He seems like the perfect unreliable narrator. But does he have anything to hide? Apparently not his alcoholism and chain smoking habit, his two main coping skills as the case heats up. 

 I will need to continue reading the rest of the Dublin Murder Squad series to find out the rest of Adam's story from that day in 1984, although it sounds like his character doesn't make another appearance, unless it is a minor one. The next book The Likeness is narrated by Cassie Maddox, and I haven't yet decided if I will continue reading.  Overall, I would recommend this book to people like me, who enjoy a good read but don't normally gravitate towards mysteries or thrillers. I was hoping there was a supernatural twinge to the story. Is there a mythical Irish beast lurking in the wood?