REVIEW OF THE DROWNED BY JOHN BANVILLE (#thriller,#mystery)

I want to introduce you to John Banville's newest novel, The Drowned, which will be released on 10/1/2024. Let me tell you about the novel.

 About the Book:

 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 “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.

 

My Thoughts:

When I was asked to review "The Drowned" this was the first book by the author that I had read. Initially, I found understanding the characters' relationships and the storyline challenging. Had I read the previous books in the series, I would have better understood the dynamics between Quirke and Stratford, both of whom have evident problems in the novel. Although the novel's beginning was slow, the plot started to make more sense as I continued reading. The story is filled with mystery, deceit, affairs, and various characters that kept me engaged. Banville's writing is captivating, and I look forward to reading his other books.

 

 

Disclaimer: The publisher gave me a copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.