I have mixed feelings about this. Banville isn't an author I've read before…I therefore haven't read any of the preceding books in either of the Quirke or Strafford series (they come together in this one). See About the Book below.
The good points are, firstly, I found Banville to be a very skilled writer. I liked his style, and he has an excellent command of the English language. Secondly, I didn't feel disadvantaged by not having read any of the forerunning books. There are references to past cases (which I assume form the plots of the previous mysteries) and to the recurring characters' past life events, but they were woven in succinctly.
My only misgivings are that I had questions at the end…I needed answers to a couple of issues. I'm afraid I found the characters very miserable and not especially likeable…all of them…not least the two main ones, Quirke and Strafford, who are particularly joyless.
Will I read another book by this author? Yes. I did like his writing and was very impressed by the standard of editing…it's not often I can say that.
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