Quirke is his usual Quirkey self - bad tempered with Strafford and gentle with the ladies (some of them, anyway). He's not gone fully alcoholic (surprise) after the awfulness of Spain last April, but the bottle is always handy and he uses it to effect.

Strafford is also his usual self, reserved, introverted, and just a tad cold - and downright freezing with his pathologist 'pal'.

John Banville's books are always a delight to read and the mystery in these former Benjamin Black books is secondary to the characterisation, description and depiction of the politics of Ireland in the fifties. Flashes of dry humour enliven the darkness.

Wonderful.

A truly odd couple, a detective and a pathologist, attempt to solve a murder mystery. They don't like each other and barely manage to indulge in conversation through the whole book. What an great idea.

The prologue starts during the Second World War, where someone is in hiding, passing through on their way to safety. The first chapter is set twelve years later in Ireland, where a young woman's body is found in a lock-up. Initially it appears to be a suicide, but the detective and pathologist have their suspicions and so begins the search for potential murderer.

This is a follow up to April in Spain, the events occuring there fresh and raw in this book. It is a slow and almost plotless tale with the focus on the main characters and their romances with younger women, guilty thoughts, resentments and bad habits. 1950s Ireland, notably Dublin and Cork, is portrayed well, with the religious overtones of Catholic and Protestant tensions evident as well as the somewhat unwholesome power of the Church. The after effects of the war and anti-Semitism overshadow people's attitudes in daily life and are potential clues to the murder of the young woman.

The novel is full of detailed observations of human frailties and needs, of atmosphere and social landscape. Neither of the central men comes across as attractive in their personalities and it is a mystery why young women find them appealing, and I must admit that I didn't find the women distinctive enough to tell them apart as they were only described by the tightness of their clothing.

The ending is really two parts: the one as seen by the detective and pathologist, the other being the real answer as explained by the murderer. I read it twice then laughed. I'm still not sure if it is a clever twist or a cheat. The Lock-Up is an original and finely written book.

Banville continues to follow the exploits of Detective Inspector Strafford and pathologist Dr Quirke.

Another fun jaunt into the complicated and intertwined lives of Strafford and Quirke as they are faced with another case that is not what it seems. The Lock-Up embroils the duo in a global mystery stretching to Israel and back to WW2 Germany. Told at a rattling pace, this is a relatively quick read that delivers punchy content, intrigue, humour and memorable characters.

"Thriller" is a genre that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, and this definitely delivers. From the very first page, the tension is palpable, and the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing as to who can be trusted and who is hiding something. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged.

The writing style is gripping and evocative, making it easy to visualise the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. The author's attention to detail and ability to create a believable world adds to the overall experience of the book. Overall, this is an excellent example of the thriller genre. It's a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very end and is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good suspenseful read.


The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, and no significant gaps between words, and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

In a lock-up garage in 1950s Dublin, a young woman is found dead inside her car - an apparent suicide. But pathologist Dr Quirke suspects foul play. What is the connection between the dead girl and a wealthy German family?

This is the third in the Strafford novels by John Banville - following on from Snow and April in Spain - which in turn was an offshoot of the Quirke novels, written under the pen-name Benjamin Black. There is a great deal of crossover, so much so that they can be read as a continuation of the original series. I was drawn to the Quirke books by a love of classic crime fiction and historical mysteries, but these are possibly the antithesis of the traditional murder mysteries of Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh, in which it is often noted that characterisation comes secondary to intricate plotting and puzzle-solving. In contrast, the Quirke and Strafford novels tend to leave the identity of the murder almost inconsequential; it's a narrative driven solely by the characters and their motivation.

Speaking of which, the relationship of Strafford and Quirke is certainly at a strained point in this novel, after the emotionally devastating events of April in Spain. Both men are wholly fascinating. Strafford seems a neat counterbalance to the gruff and selfish Quirke. I suspect Banville will always have a soft spot for his hard-drinking pathologist, but the noble efforts of Strafford make him a far more likeable character, despite both being realistically flawed. As usual there are some superb period details, making this feel authentic. You can almost feel the Dublin drizzle and smell the stale beer of its pubs and hotel bars. The prose is confident and languidly assured, as you'd expect from a skilled author such as John Banville.

I had an absolute blast reading this novel. I genuinely didn't want it to end. The detective/mystery aspects of it come as a bonus to our insight into the uncomfortable lives of the two central characters. I can't wait to see where Banville takes us with this series. It comes highly recommended, especially to fans of historical fiction or well-written literary mysteries.

Oh, my... so much going on here. As with all of John Banvilles' novels, this is very much about character, two here - Stafford and Quirke, the story is layered, the language is wonderful and the story while taking you where you expect to go, makes you stop and think bravo when you get there.
I've had a soft spot for Quirke since the first BB outing and now, with his broken heart he has only become more as time has passed on.
Thank you to the publishers for my review copy.

*A big thank-you to John Banville, Faber&Faber, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
The third book with Quirke and Strafford connects several themes and is based on the axis Ireland - Germany - Israel in the eraly 1950s and is more on the character development through plot rather than on the investigation itself. I read the previous two books and I knew what to expect: a slow-paced quasi-procedural with the main focus on the two characters who are now more distanced than ever but who are forced to co-operate. The investigation is intriguing but the pursuits of Quirke's and Strafford's even more. I look forward to book four.

This is not the right story If you want to read a fast paced and action packed one as it takes time and it's slow burning.
It's a literary mystery, the third featuring Strafford and Quirke. It can be read as a stand alone even if there's references to the previous book, April in Spain.
I fell in love with John Banville's stories when i read Snow and confirmed my love with April in Spain.
A master storyteller, a use of the language that fascinates me, well rounded and complex characters.
There's a lot to love in this story and the solid mystery is amongst them. It kept me guessing and I was surprised by the secrets and the twists.
It's an atmospheric, entertaining, and riveting story that kept me in thrall and turning pages.
I read it slowly because I wanted to savour the prose and the dtails.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Quirky story set post World War Two in Ireland with the unlikely pairing of the orphan pathologist Quirke and the privileged detective Strafford investigating the apparent suicide of a young student. Religion, politics, class and gender all play a role.

The Lock-Up by John Banville.
A Strafford and Quirke Mystery.
1950s Dublin, in a lock-up garage in the city, the body of a young woman is discovered, an apparent suicide. But pathologist Dr Quirke and Detective Inspector Strafford soon suspect foul play.The victim’s sister, a newspaper reporter from London, returns to Dublin to join the two men in their quest to uncover the truth. But, as they explore her links to a wealthy German family in County Wicklow, and to investigative work she may have been doing in Israel, they are confronted with an ever-deepening mystery.
A good read. Slow. 3*.

The Lock-Up is the latest crime / mystery for that most unlikely partnership, Pathologist Dr Quirke and Detective Inspector Strafford. For those readers familiar with the duo it is yet another glimpse into the antagonistic partnership of these two fascinating characters. For those who are not then you have a treat in store! John Banville is a master of prose which he uses to bring his characters and situations to life with a clarity that makes you feel you are there in the moment. Quirke and Strafford are both social misfits but that is the only thing they have in common. Quirke carries a lot of anger and resentment for a whole host of reasons and drinks heavily to numb the pain. Strafford appears more passive and detached from society as though he does not really belong. They both seem to know how to push each others buttons which creates a lot of friction but together they seem to be effective at solving crime.
In the Lock Up there is a very interesting and compelling storyline which connects to the end of WW2 in Nazi Germany with 1950's Dublin and Israel. However, the introspection of the main characters is as much the story as the suspense of the "who done it". I found it a real page turner for both these reasons. Once again a very clever piece of writing from an exceptional author. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Faber and Faber and to NetGalley for allowing me access to this book.

I did wonder how Quirke would bounce back after the shocking events at the end of April in Spain but he does so with style and his usual doggedness.
After a rather intriguing prologue that gives nothing away, once again it is Quirke's attention to detail that suggests a young woman may have been murdered rather than committed suicide. There follows a tantalising and mystifying investigation harking back to the last days of the war. A series of connections and misdirections leads to a satisfying conclusion that surprised me. What I love most are the connections and relationships between the characters, Hackett on the verge of retirement, Strafford's resentment of Quirke and Quirke himself who maintains his usual habits of drinking, smoking and getting on everyone's nerves yet still retains a mysterious attraction for the women he encounters.
The story took several unexpected turns and held back no punches when dealing with contemporary attitudes and prejudices. It is a terrific story, much enjoyed.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

The Lock-Up by John Banville is the third in the Strafford & Quirke series by the Booker prizewinner. Set in 1950s Dublin, a young Jewish woman is found dead in a car. Initially thought a suicide, pathologist Dr Quirke makes a grim discovery that points towards murder. Along with the woman’s sister, an acclaimed journalist, Quirke and DI Strafford begin to dig into the past of a powerful and elusive German family who the victim seemed surprisingly friendly with.

With all the puzzle pieces in-hand, Strafford and Quirke try to set aside their differences and solve the case but personal and professional should never mix and soon the case is in jeopardy. This was an easy read, but felt more like historical fiction than thriller or crime. It gave Sherlock Holmes energy in that the case seemed secondary to the character development and atmosphere building. Perhaps had I read the first two in the series, this focus on characterisation and slow, easy pacing would have made more sense but, as a standalone novel, I felt that the story fizzled out way too early, taking my attention span with it.

I loved this. A literary fiction in the guise of a murder mystery, the murder itself being almost incidental to the building of character of those who seek to bring justice for the victim. It is so redolent of the smoky, foggy 1950s in a dark and damp Dublin that one can feel oneself hanging back in the shadows, watching the action. John Banville is a wonderful writer, whatever his subject, and this outing for Dr Quirke and Detective Strafford will not disappoint his faithful readers.

John Banville is a literary writer but he obviously enjoys writing crime novels too which is great for me as I’m a big mystery fan and have thoroughly enjoyed his earlier books.
This is the third one in his Pathologist, Quirke and Detective Stratford series, following on directly from “April in Spain” when Quirke’s wife was shot and Stratford failed to save her. This is a major theme of the book as Quirke grieves and harbours resentment for this failure and Strafford feels guilt although he knows there was nothing he could have done.
Now back in Ireland, Quirke is living with his daughter as he cannot face returning home and Strafford is living in a bed sit after his wife has moved out of their home.
The opening of the book describes a German man escaping from Germany at the close of the Second World War and this becomes an integral part of the story.
When Rosa Jacobs, a Jewish activity doctoral student is found dead , gassed in a lock-up garage, Strafford and Quirke investigate. It is assumed suicide but Quirke has doubts.
This is a slow paced, character driven read, full of simmering resentments and unusual liaisons between characters.
The Kesslers, father and son businessmen, who live in a huge house in the area, become suspects- Quirke and Strafford have a feeling that they are not who they seem and have hidden secrets driving them.
If you are looking for a fast paced thriller this is not for you. This is a literary crime mystery which is full of interesting observations about post war Ireland including casual antisemitism and the complicity of the church in aiding the perpetrators of the Holocaust. There is a murder at the heart of it but that is not the sole purpose of the book.
For me it was a compelling but difficult read with excellent characterisations. The ending was particularly impressive and I have no hesitation in recommending it to the discerning crime mystery reader.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Set in post WW11 Ireland, this book the third in the series featuring DI Strafford and the pathologist Dr Quirke picks up after their return from Spain. Quirke is grieving the death of his wife for which in part he blames Strafford. The storyline starts a few years earlier with a fugitive arriving at a monastery in the Dolomites before returning later to Dublin where Strafford and Quirke are investigating the apparent suicide of a young Jewish scholar Rosa Jacobs. This soon turns into a murder investigation.
There are links between Rosa and an Israeli journalist who has been killed in a hit and run, also her involvement with a wealthy German businessman and his son. Just as they think they’re close to solving the case the boss, Chief Inspector Hackett, finds himself leant upon by the Catholic Church. Eventually when the reader thinks justice has been done there is an intriguing epilogue which puts a completely different slant on the case.
The Lock-Up is very much a character driven novel which further explores the personalities of the two protagonists and their strained working relationship, as well as their complicated personal lives involving Quirke’s daughter and Rosa’s sister.
At times I felt this detracted a little from the murder/mystery element much of which (apart from the ending) was easy to guess.
That said it’s a beautifully written atmospheric novel and I look forward to seeing where the author takes his characters next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for an ARC

This is the third novel to feature Doctor Quirke the state pathologist and survivor of Ireland’s children’s homes.

The writing is incredible in terms of the ability to bring Ireland in the 50’s to life, the corruption of the political apparatus, the tyranny of the Catholic church the casual antisemitism and sexism.

And on top of that you have two mysteries, who killed the woman in the car and the arms conspiracy.

If that is not enough, you then have the incredible characterisation of Quirke and Strafford, the two driving the enquiry, the victim’s family and Quirke’s daughter Phoebe.

John Banville is a truly amazing writer and long may he continue to write these crime novels.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a proof copy

Although this follows on from the events in the previous book, April in Spain, it can be read as a standalone.
The book begins with a Nazi plotting his escape from Germany at the end of the war. The action then moves to 1950s Dublin where a young woman has been found dead in her car, a suspected suicide.
However Quirke feels that she was murdered and alongside Strafford, they set out to find out the truth.
I found the writing on this was quite atmospheric and easy to read.

I have enjoyed the author's previous books, and I enjoyed this one. I love the writing style and the characters, and the reader is really drawn into the era. The story is completely gripping and unexpected, and I am very much looking forward to John Banville's next book.

My first foray into John Banville's Strafford and Quirke mysteries. Set in 1950s Dublin, the body of a woman is found in a lock-up garage, an apparent suicide. But pathologist Dr Quirke is convinced she was murdered and Detective Inspector Strafford soon suspects foul play.

I enjoyed the dynamic between Quirke and Strafford: they do not like each other but there's grudging respect. Neither of them is the stuff of usual detective thrillers. Strafford is living apart from his wife in a flat and not sure if they are separated for good, while Quirke starts a relationship with the sister of the woman whose body was found.

The mystery deepens to include a wealthy German family with links to Israel. A very elegant read with strong character development. This book is published on April 6. Thanks to Faber & Faber and NetGalley for the digital reader copy.