April in Spain: A Strafford and Quirke Mystery
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By John Banville
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1 review
THE LOCK-UP – A THRILLING NEW STRAFFORD AND QUIRKE MYSTERY – IS AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER
The sumptuous, propulsive, sun-kissed follow up to the bestselling Snow, from the Booker Prize winning author
‘He wanted to know who she was, and why he was convinced he had some unremembered connection with her. It was as simple as that. But he knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t simple at all.’
When Dublin pathologist Quirke glimpses a familiar face while on holiday with his wife, it’s hard, at first, to tell whether his imagination is just running away with him. Could she really be who he thinks she is, and have a connection with a crime that nearly brought ruin to an Irish political dynasty?
Unable to ignore his instincts, Quirke makes a call back home and Detective St John Strafford is soon dispatched to Spain. But he’s not the only one on route: as a terrifying hitman hunts down his prey, they are all set for a brutal showdown.
Praise for Snow:
‘Superb … crime fiction for the connoisseur.’ The Times
‘Outstanding.’ Irish Independent
‘Exquisite.’ Daily Mail
‘Hypnotic.’ Financial Times
‘Compelling.’ Sunday Times
‘Superb to the last drop.’ Independent
Reviews
Although it was the 8th books in the series it could be read on its own as a standalone although some of our Hythe Reading Group felt it would be interesting to get the back stories of Quirke and some of the other characters. Some of us had subsequently read and enjoyed its precursor Snow.
Beautifully written. Loved the style. Conjured up the 1950s atmosphere very well
Loved the scene setting, the descriptions, the depiction of Quirke’s relationship with Evelyn ( one of the best characters) was well conceived and captured. Witty informed banter.
Holiday atmosphere abroad well conveyed.
Some unlikely elements though. Dinner party ? Why would April/Avril have gone? Why does Phoebe, Quirke’s daughter, not go directly to Spain to help identify her friend - why inform Latimer her uncle? Some ridiculous coincidences.
Interesting hints at Quirke’s past life - orphanage, alcoholism,
Period references - Arthur Askey, Titbits, Terry Thomas,coin box telephones, hats, smoking - Dublin in the period. - London underworld- Kray twins, Pinky in Brighton Rock etc.
Pacy - kept me reading.Builds to a climax but last 3 chapters very rushed and unsatisfactory.
Ending unsatisfactory and rushed.
Slightly ridiculous ending - contrived episode in hotel lobby. Abrupt end.
Tokenism - stereotypes - Jews, Blacks, prostitutes, minorities.
Apart from Terry I felt the other characters were characterless. Found Quirke to be a boring character and would not inspire me to read Banville again.
Familiar plot - no great surprises. Quite derivative - have seen these characters - especially Terry Tice- so many times in TV crime series/gangster movies. Bit of a cliche and a caricature of a working class criminal
Enjoyable, well written but not well plotted. - too many coincidences and unlikely events.
Didn't like this one much - 50s style of writing was at times embarrassingly bad - endless refs to frocks and slacks!
