The Drowned - (Strafford and Quirke) by John Banville

About the Book

"1950s, rural Ireland. A loner comes across a mysteriously empty car in a field. Knowing he shouldn't approach but unable to hold back, he soon finds himself embroiled in a troubling missing person case, as a husband claims his wife may have thrown herself into the sea. Called in from Dublin to investigate is Detective Inspector Strafford, who soon turns to his old ally--the flawed but brilliant pathologist Quirke--a man he is linked to in increasingly complicated ways. But as the case unfolds, events from the past resurface that may have life-altering ramifications for all involved"--

Book Synopsis

From the renowned Booker Prize winner and nationally bestselling author of Snow comes a richly atmospheric new mystery about a woman's sudden disappearance in a small coastal town in Ireland, where nothing is as it seems.

"John Banville is one of my favorite writers alive, and I pick up his books whenever I need a reminder how to write a good sentence."--R.F. Kuang

Amazon Editors' Pick: Best Literature and Fiction books of October

"He had seen drowned people. A sight not to be forgotten."

1950s, rural Ireland. A loner comes across a mysteriously empty car in a field. Knowing he shouldn't approach but unable to hold back, he soon finds himself embroiled in a troubling missing person case, as a husband claims his wife may have thrown herself into the sea.

Called in from Dublin to investigate is Detective Inspector Strafford, who soon turns to his old ally--the flawed but brilliant pathologist Quirke--a man he is linked to in increasingly complicated ways. But as the case unfolds, events from the past resurface that may have life-altering ramifications for all involved.

At once a searing mystery and a profound meditation on the hidden worlds we all inhabit, The Drowned is the next great Strafford and Quirke novel from a beloved writer at the top of his game.

Review Quotes

"It seems unlikely the year will produce a more affecting literary thriller than The Drowned."--The Wall Street Journal

"Banville's reputation precedes him."--Parade

"Banville puts care into crafting his mysteries, and it shows."--New York Times Book Review

"[L]yrical...Banville is a formidable stylist."--Publishers Weekly

"The Drowned is slow building, sedately paced, and grim, but wickedly absorbing... this inexorable novel will continue to advance Banville's considerable reputation."--Shelf Awareness

"[C]omplicated characters thrash in the grip of class, religion, and gender strictures, holding secrets and emotions close, until things suddenly turn violent. Banville leaves readers primed for the next tale starring his profoundly conflicted investigators."--Booklist


"[R]ich in intrigue, infused with dread, and full of simmering dramatic tension...The Drowned is no pulse-pounding thriller, but rather a slow-burning atmospheric mystery, one that subtly ratchets up the suspense and stealthily exerts a grip."--Boston Globe

"Atmospheric...This is a book that deserves to be read slowly, not simply for the plotting and the characters (which are quite good in their own right), but for the sheer richness of the prose. The Drowned is genre fiction that rises to the level of full-on, capital L literature."--Bookpage STARRED review

"The Drowned delivers a mystery that fans of the series will likely enjoy."--Novels Alive

"John Banville is one of my favorite writers alive, and I pick up his books whenever I need a reminder how to write a good sentence."--R.F. Kuang

"Banville leaves readers primed for the next tale starring his profoundly conflicted investigators."―Booklist

"Banville writes a dangerous and clear-running prose and has a grim gift of seeing people's souls." --Don DeLillo

"Banville remains a master of suspense; it's not easy to stop turning the pages until the novel's genuinely surprising end. This is yet another fine thriller from an author at the top of his game. Excellent writing and a clever plot make this one stand out."--Kirkus Reviews STARRED review