Hardcover, 304 pages
Published Oct. 5, 2021 by Hanover Square Press.
An outstanding, slightly old-fashioned thriller, with lots of couleur locale, almost like a Maigret. But the pace is very modern, and its plot completely credible.
If you're going to read a detective novel, you might as well read one by John Banville. Two for the price of one: a cracking good story, and impeccably structured, lyrical writing. Formerly writing his detective novels under the pseudonym Benjamin Black, Banville has written #7 and #8 in the genre under his real name. He hasn't made clear exactly why, but seems to feel that the crime books have literary merit as well. I agree.
A known perfectionist, it usually takes Banville five or six years to write a "serious" novel like The Sea, and only five or six months to finish one of the detective works. Ever since reading The Sea I've liked everything I've read by Banville, including the crime pieces. April in Spain is no exception.
Dr. Quirke, the Irish state pathologist working out of Dublin, is the protagonist again. Many familiar characters appear, but …
If you're going to read a detective novel, you might as well read one by John Banville. Two for the price of one: a cracking good story, and impeccably structured, lyrical writing. Formerly writing his detective novels under the pseudonym Benjamin Black, Banville has written #7 and #8 in the genre under his real name. He hasn't made clear exactly why, but seems to feel that the crime books have literary merit as well. I agree.
A known perfectionist, it usually takes Banville five or six years to write a "serious" novel like The Sea, and only five or six months to finish one of the detective works. Ever since reading The Sea I've liked everything I've read by Banville, including the crime pieces. April in Spain is no exception.
Dr. Quirke, the Irish state pathologist working out of Dublin, is the protagonist again. Many familiar characters appear, but the book can totally read as a stand alone as well. April, a friend of Quirke's daughter Phoebe disappeared four years ago, and was thought murdered by her brother. On vacation in Spain, Quirke thinks he spots April, calls his daughter, and the plot unwinds as some folks back in Ireland are nervous about political and personal reputations that might be ruined if April is truly alive.
A first class thriller written in near poetic prose is a real treat and if you like detective novels, definitely read this one.
