The Drowned, From award-winning author John Banville, a searing literary thriller, Detective Inspector Strafford

In The Drowned, Booker Prize winner John Banville delivers a haunting mystery set in 1950s rural Ireland, where a woman’s sudden disappearance sets off a chain of dark and unsettling events. When a lone man stumbles upon an abandoned car in a field, he unwittingly becomes entangled in a missing person investigation. The missing woman’s husband suggests she may have drowned herself in the sea, but as more details emerge, nothing is as it seems in this quiet coastal town.

Detective Inspector Strafford is called in from Dublin to take on the case, partnering with his brilliant yet troubled ally, pathologist Quirke. Together, they navigate the secrets of a community steeped in silence and suspicion. As the investigation progresses, old wounds and hidden histories begin to surface, complicating the search for the truth and revealing personal connections between the investigators and the case that could change their lives forever.

Richly atmospheric and steeped in the moody landscape of mid-century Ireland, The Drowned is not only a gripping mystery but also a profound exploration of the hidden worlds we all carry within us. Banville masterfully intertwines a tense, slow-burning narrative with deep psychological insights, delivering a novel that resonates long after the last page. Fans of literary mysteries will find themselves spellbound by Banville’s lyrical prose and his intricate portrayal of the human condition in this latest installment of the Strafford and Quirke series. 📚❤️