A review by bigt
The Lock-Up by John Banville

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is not a typical murder mystery and the detective/doctor combo responsible for investigating the crime do little detective work and don’t even like each other. However parts of the book are beautifully written and the plot has a number of interesting twists and turns. Worth reading if you are interested in Ireland - if you have visited the country or are planning a trip, this book captures a lot of the character of the cities and the people. A previous reviewer has said the author hates women. I don’t agree, but aspects of the narrative may irritate some readers. I enjoyed the book for its history, plot and Irishness, and the overall quality of the writing which is why I’ve given a 4 star rating.