Tana French is an Irish writer and theatrical actress based in Dublin. She is widely recognized for her work in the crime and mystery genre. French's debut novel In the Woods, published in 2007, established her as a significant voice in contemporary fiction. The psychological mystery won multiple prestigious awards, including the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Barry awards for best first novel. The Independent has referred to her as "the First Lady of Irish Crime," reflecting her prominence in the genre.