Vengeance: A Novel (Quirke)

The author listed on the cover of this trade paperback titled Vengeance is John Banville. The book was originally published in 2012 in hardcover with Benjamin Black listed as the author. There are 14 books published under the pseudonym of Benjamin Black. Perhaps Banville has decided to claim the limelight after all these years.

Regardless of which author name is used, the novel is pure Irish, poetic, laconic, and dreamy. Banville delights in extravagant descriptions with dialogue to match. Of course, Dr. Quirke and Inspector Hackett are the team that solves a baffling and twisted murder mystery. This is a tale of violence that unfolds slowly. Literally, the first half of the book sets up the characters and offers ominous hints mixed in with Banville’s signature style.

The Delahaye and Clancy families had long been rivals and are now working together. An unusual sailing excursion with one man from each family ends in a death. One man is the Delahaye patriarch and the other is the Clancy scion. Quirke and Hackett are working very diligently to solve the death when another death puts them on high alert.

Fans of Banville/Black will enjoy this rerelease even if they have already read it.