mark_lm's review against another edition
4.0
1. I liked it.
2. Another reviewer commented that this was morally claustrophobic and there is a definite deliberate tawdriness that even one of the characters comments on. Certainly one should expect a noir to be dark, but Banville's world's incompetent sleaze is well-established even, and most importantly, in the protagonist.
2. Another reviewer commented that this was morally claustrophobic and there is a definite deliberate tawdriness that even one of the characters comments on. Certainly one should expect a noir to be dark, but Banville's world's incompetent sleaze is well-established even, and most importantly, in the protagonist.
Spoiler
3. If a forensic pathologist deliberately failed to report gross and toxicologic findings that showed illegal drug use and suggested murder, and then announced publicly in a legal action that he thought the decedent had died accidentally, at the very least he would lose his job.megmcardle's review against another edition
4.0
This sequel to Christine Falls (one of my favorite mysteries of 2007), again features Dublin pathologist Quirke investigating another death that ends up hitting close to home. Banville, writing under the pseudonym of Black turns in another gripping, dark, atmospheric mystery.
caroparr's review against another edition
4.0
This is so good, and even more intense than the first one. The villain reminded me of Josephine Tey's bad guys - creepy, charming, and definitely not quite right. Can't wait to start the third one.
laurelwingcaston's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second Quirke mystery I've read (and that Black/Banville has written). Hmmm... his literary writing is so very evident here, with vivid description throughout. That was great; more problematic is the exposition, which is too literary in tone and too much in general. Perhaps I'm just used to more genre-centric mystery writers, but there were times in this book that I simply felt "move on... this isn't needed here" vis-a-vis description and/or exposition. Still, it's an interesting series and I wouldn't avoid a third one.
mauxbs's review against another edition
2.0
If you want something set in the 1950's, but bleak, you'll enjoy this book. Every character is at least a little bit miserable. That said, the book was good. (It was more crime than mystery and therefore not quite what I wanted. I had a trip to Dublin coming up, so I was trying to find a mystery novel set there.)
thisdiva99's review against another edition
3.0
Did this one as an audiobook, read by Timothy Dalton. What a joy! Though I found some of the book to be quite graphic, Dalton’s take was fantastic.
ambercristofaro's review against another edition
4.0
Good Noir mystery. Slow in pace but it suits the main character's personality. Exactly what I would expect from a Noir novel.