April in Spain: A Novel (Quirke, 8)
Booker Prize winner John Banville returns with a dark and evocative new mystery set on the Spanish coast
Don't disturb the dead…
On the idyllic coast of San Sebastian, Spain, Dublin pathologist Quirke is struggling to relax, despite the beaches, cafés and the company of his disarmingly lovely wife. When he glimpses a familiar face in the twilight at Las Acadas bar, it's hard at first to tell whether his imagination is just running away with him.
Because this young woman can't be April Latimer. She was murdered by her brother, years ago—the conclusion to an unspeakable scandal that shook one of Ireland's foremost political dynasties.
Unable to ignore his instincts, Quirke makes a call back home to Ireland and soon Detective St. John Strafford is dispatched to Spain. But he's not the only one en route. A relentless hit man is on the hunt for his latest prey, and the next victim might be Quirke himself.
Sumptous, propulsive and utterly transporting, April in Spain is the work of a master writer at the top of his game.
In the eighth installment of the acclaimed Quirke series, John Banville transports readers to 1950s Dublin, where Quirke, a former pathologist and reluctant detective, finds himself embroiled in a puzzling disappearance that may hold dark secrets about his own past.
When April Latimer, a young woman from a prominent family, vanishes without a trace, Quirke is compelled to investigate. His inquiries lead him to a world of illicit affairs, political intrigue, and long-buried family secrets. As he delves deeper into the case, Quirke uncovers a connection between April's disappearance and his own troubled history.
"April in Spain" is a gripping mystery that explores themes of memory, identity, and the enduring power of the past. Banville's evocative prose and intricate plotting create a richly atmospheric and suspenseful read that will captivate fans of the series and newcomers alike.
With its complex characters, intricate plot, and evocative setting, "April in Spain" is a must-read for fans of literary crime fiction. John Banville's masterful storytelling and attention to detail shine through on every page, making this novel a gripping and unforgettable experience.
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