April in Spain

I read this because Oundle Crime's reading theme for the month was 'Books with an Orange Cover'! It wasn't until I started reading that I realised John Banville now publishes his Quirke novels under his own name, rather than his nom de plume, Benjamin Black. I've read a couple of the Quirke series before, and quite enjoyed them but I didn't think there was much tension in this and I didn't find it particularly gripping. Quirke is on holiday in Spain when he sees a girl he recognises from back home in Dublin. But it seems to be impossible, because the girl (April Latimer) was murdered by her brother several years earlier. A quick phone call back to Ireland results in Detective St. John Stafford travelling to Spain, but there’s also an assassin on the way as well, to make sure the girl does die this time. You do get a sense of the 1950s and the depiction of the Irish struggles is interesting, but I didn't think there was much else to grab your attention.
Freyja, Oundle Crime

Most of the group liked the book. They thought it was well paced with a good plot and characterisation , particularly Terry Tice.
Only one of the group didn't really like the book.
One member is already reading the previous book (Snow)by this author and the rest are going to try the series under his pseudonym

The members of the Elgin Library Afternoon Book Group were divided in their opinions of John Banville’s latest Quirke novel, ‘April in Spain.’ The members enjoyed the style of Banville’s writing, his characters and rich descriptions, as well as its gentle pace and the juxtaposition of the Irish and Basque country settings. However, several members disliked the dark thread at the core of the novel, while those who were familiar with Banville’s work felt this was not his strongest writing. The group members were slightly disappointed with the weak climax to the novel, but several felt sufficiently interested in and inspired by ‘April in Spain’ to read more of Banville’s work.