Holy Orders

A Quirke Novel

By: John Banville, Benjamin Black

Narrated by: John Keating

When the body of his daughter's friend is brought to his autopsy table, Quirke is plunged into a world of corruption that takes him to the darkest corners of the Irish Church and State.

"At first they thought it was the body of a child. Later, when they got it out of the water and saw the pubic hair and the nicotine stains on the fingers, they realized their mistake."

So begins the latest Quirke case, a story set in Dublin at a moment when newspapers are censored, social conventions are strictly defined, and appalling crimes are hushed up. Why? Because in 1950s Ireland the Catholic Church controls the lives of nearly everyone. But when Quirke's daughter Phoebe loses her close friend Jimmy Minor to murder, Quirke can no longer play by the Church's rules. Along with Inspector Hackett, his sometime partner, Quirke investigates Jimmy's death and learns just how far the Church and its supporters will go to protect their own interests.

Haunting, fierce, and brilliantly plotted, Holy Orders is Benjamin Black writing at the top of his form. His inimitable creation, the endlessly curious Quirke, brings a pathologist's unique understanding of death to unlock the most dangerous of secrets.

Critic reviews

“Dalton's soul-stirring Shakespearean intonation was ideal for earlier books in the series, as they largely were told from the point of view of the protagonist Quirke, a brooding, alcoholic pathologist. But with that perspective subsequently having been paired with the additional perspective of Quirke's daughter, Phoebe, I now realize John Keating – who most recently read Black's ‘A Death in Summer' – is perfect for these alternating voices.” —The Star-Ledger

Loose story telling

If you could sum up Holy Orders in three words, what would they be?

Rambling, sluggish, uninspired.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No. It's really a couple of character studies told inside not-quite-a mystery.

Which scene was your favorite?

Phoebe, Sally and David having tea. John Keating was brilliant in developing and distinguishing all three characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Rain, rain, go away.

Any additional comments?

I'd listen to anything John Keating reads. He is a gifted actor.

consistently well told and well read

I have enjoyed all of the novels in this series. keeps you coming back for more. the author has the ability to impart psychological depth with the intrigue of the mysterious in everyday life.

Great book

Benjamin Black never fails to entertain and what a superb mystery writer with wonderful details

Is Benjamin Black ok?

This latest installation reminded me of when a new author takes over an established ones work. Regurgitating the back story is half the novel. And the new parts introduced are flimsy and with little consequence. Wait for the next book and all you would have missed is what happened to Jimmy Minor.