The Silver Swan

A Novel

By: John Banville

Narrated by: Timothy Dalton

Two years have passed since the events of the bestselling Christine Falls, and much has changed for Quirke, the irascible, formerly hard-drinking Dublin pathologist. His beloved Sarah is dead, the Judge lies in a convent hospital paralyzed by a devastating stroke, and Phoebe, Quirke's long-denied daughter, has grown increasingly withdrawn and isolated.

With much to regret from his last inquisitive foray, Quirke ought to know better than to let his curiosity get the best of him. Yet when an almost-forgotten acquaintance comes to him about his beautiful young wife's apparent suicide, Quirke's "old itch to cut into the quick of things, to delve into the dark of what was hidden" is roused again. As he begins to probe further into the shadowy circumstances of Deirdre Hunt's death, he discovers many things that might better have remained hidden, as well as grave danger to those he loves. Haunting, masterfully written, and utterly mesmerizing in its nuance, The Silver Swan fully lives up to the promise of Christine Falls and firmly establishes Benjamin Black (a.k.a. John Banville) among the greatest of crime writers.

©2008 Benjamin Black; (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

<p>“The eagerly awaited sequel to <i>Christine Falls</i> is brought to lief by none other than James Bond himself, Timothy Dalton, in a reading so good it will make listeners giddy with delight...It's all thrilling, honest, and raw.” —<i>AudioFile</i><br><br>“...the second in [the] Quirke series, offers an excellent opportunity for Dalton to flash his acting chops. Dalton's reading is hushed, intense and dramatic, read as if being performed onstage.” —<i>Publishers Weekly</i><br><br>“Dalton…gives a gritty, growling reading that will practically make you smell the rain on the dark Dublin streets.” —<i>St.Petersburg Times</i><br><br>“Dalton's highly dramatic, fully differentiated performance keeps the plot moving swiftly and the net tightening as the novel builds to its surprising conclusion.” —KLIATT</p>

Sneaks up on you

When I began listening to this book I was a little confused and had a little difficulty putting the pieces together. But once they came together I had even more difficulty turning off my IPOD and leaving the car. This is a GREAT story with breathtaking narration. Like a prior reviewer said, I would double back to hear the beauty of the authors phrasing. This is the first Benjamin Black book I have ever listened to and I was captivated by the imagery. Enjoyed every minute of this one and I am heading into Audible to buy more that he wrote and look up more that Tim Dalton narrates.

Can I give Timothy Dalton 6 stars?

Timothy Dalton could make a catalog sound exciting. Another great listen from my new favorite author.
Not happy with app.

Interesting story, great narration

Kind of a fun little mystery story, very good narration by Timothy Dalton. I recommend.

recording is broken

Timothy Dalton is great and the story is good. the recording doesn't end when the book does; it starts up again either chapter 8 (?).

Great Series, Excellent Narration

This is the second in a trilogy (so far) of Quirke mysteries. The stories are compelling, the characters very real and Timothy Dalton's eloquent narration is spot on. I've listened to all three novels and he enunciates so well I haven't missed a word. Best narration I've heard of the twenty books I've purchased from Audible so far.