April in Spain

In John Banville's 'April in Spain,' pathologist Quirke, holidaying in San Sebastián with his wife Evelyn, experiences a startling jolt when he spots a woman he believes is the long-thought-dead April Latimer. This sighting, though seemingly coincidental, stirs a deep, unremembered connection within him and reignites the embers of an old, politically charged crime that nearly toppled an Irish dynasty. Unable to shake the feeling that his instincts are correct, Quirke makes a discreet call back to Dublin, prompting the dispatch of Detective St. John Strafford to investigate. As Strafford arrives in sun-drenched Spain, he soon discovers he's not the only one pursuing answers. A relentless and terrifying hitman is also on the trail, determined to silence secrets and eliminate targets. What begins as a picturesque holiday quickly unravels into a taut, propulsive thriller, setting the stage for a brutal confrontation where past transgressions collide with present dangers under the Spanish sun.