The Drowned

A Novel

By: John Banville

Narrated by: John Lee

Amazon Editors' Pick: Best Literature and Fiction books of October

From the renowned Booker Prize winner and nationally bestselling author of Snow comes a richly atmospheric new mystery about a woman’s sudden disappearance in a small coastal town in Ireland, where nothing is as it seems.

"John Banville is one of my favorite writers alive, and I pick up his books whenever I need a reminder how to write a good sentence.”—R.F. Kuang

“He had seen drowned people. A sight not to be forgotten.”

1950s, rural Ireland. A loner comes across a mysteriously empty car in a field. Knowing he shouldn’t approach but unable to hold back, he soon finds himself embroiled in a troubling missing person case, as a husband claims his wife may have thrown herself into the sea.

Called in from Dublin to investigate is Detective Inspector Strafford, who soon turns to his old ally—the flawed but brilliant pathologist Quirke—a man he is linked to in increasingly complicated ways. But as the case unfolds, events from the past resurface that may have life-altering ramifications for all involved.

At once a searing mystery and a profound meditation on the hidden worlds we all inhabit, The Drowned is the next great Strafford and Quirke novel from a beloved writer at the top of his game.

John Banville’s Quirke is wonderful

When John Banville writes a mystery I fall in love with Ireland all over again. John Lee’s performance is as always spot on with all of the accents and the characters. I discovered Quirke years ago and I’m always thankful when a new book comes out.

John Banville pretty much as usual

Story ending was a bit depressing---BUT actually true to what life has to offer I hope some of the story will continue in a novel to follow.
John Lee is an excellent narrator for Banville books. His accent is just right.

It’s Banville after all….

Complex interiority—Banville’s suffering characters reveal themselves in thoughts and feelings. Another great Strattford/Quirke mystery! Loved it….

The characters were developed exquisitely.

I enjoyed how the universe of the story was created by small entries into scenes wherein the characters were fully developed. Their development guided the story along hand-in hand. If anything vexed me, it was how the narrative kept me guessing as to what exactly is going on. I suspect the writer had this purpose all along. So, bravo, ya got me!

Not really a mystery at all

I felt like I was being read to by Capt. Kirk. Drawn out story about, well, not much really. A few characters who lost their lives, but not much on them. More about the lives of the inspectors handling the case which is about as interesting as it sounds.