A Death in Summer is the fourth of Black’s series about Quirke, an Irish pathologist in the 1950s who helps his friend Inspector Hackett in some investigations. Although these are interesting mysteries, I’m beginning to be irritated by the cliché of Quirke’s drinking problem. This is the second book in a row where Quirke dries out or is already dried out at the beginning and then falls off the wagon.
Wealthy and powerful Richard Jewell is found dead in his home office. It is supposed to look like he committed suicide by blowing his head off with his shotgun, but it is obvious to both Quirke and Hackett that the man wouldn’t be still holding the gun if he had done it himself.
Jewell’s sister Dannie was at home as were some servants, but no one heard the shot. Mrs. Jewell, a French woman, says she arrived home after the house manager discovered the body. Françoise thinks her husband’s only enemy is another wealthy man, a Canadian named Carlton Sumners. Quirke attended university with both these wealthy men.
At this point, I began to wonder if Quirke was related to Inspector Morse (apparently the TV version only), because he immediately falls in love with Françoise, dumps his friend Isabel, and begins to have an affair with F. And by the way, you wonder how these male authors think, because the way Black describes Quirke, you wouldn’t think an elegant, wealthy Frenchwoman would want to jump into bed with him.
Quirke invites his assistant, David Sinclair, to dinner with his daughter Phoebe. Although both resent what they see as a clumsy attempt to pair them up, they begin seeing each other. David is a friend of Dannie Jewell, quite a disturbed young woman, and through him Phoebe meets Dannie.
As in a previous case, Quirke is warned off his investigations by a thug, Costigan. In the previous instance, when Quirke ignored him, he was badly beaten. This time, Sinclair begins receiving threatening phone calls.
Of course, there is a big secret that I personally didn’t find hard to guess once some of the pieces were in place. I might read the last book, but I am not sure if I will. Black is an excellent writer, but to have Quirke behave so stupidly in this one turned me off a little.
What? Me Read? 
I didn’t get on with this series at all, partly because of the drinking problem and partly because every book seemed to be about the iniquities of the Catholic church – it began to feel as if Banville was obsessed! It’s a pity because I do love his writing, but so far the Banville books have worked much better for me.
Well, the first one is. I’m not sure about the others, because I can’t remember, but I can think of two that aren’t.
About the iniquities of the Catholic church, that is. But I really hate the stupid drinking stuff. Why? Why? Why?
I didn’t buy the romantic relationship in this one at all, but I did still enjoy it.
No, you’re right. Neither did I.