The Drowned

'Banville is one of my favourite writers alive.' REBECCA F. KUANG
'Beautifully written and intriguing.' GUARDIAN

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's 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.

Readers were gripped by The Drowned:

'Addictive and atmospheric'

'Remarkable . . . it took my breath away'

'Another flawless Strafford and Quirke mystery'

'Outstanding, Banville is the best crime writer out there'

On UK bestseller list w/e 13/11/2021-27/11/2021 for Paperback Fiction