Snow by John Banville

2.5 Stars Source: Libby

Brief Synopsis: A parish priest is found murdered at the home of an aristocratic family in 1957 Ireland. In the middle of a huge snowstorm, Detective Inspector St. John Strafford has been called to investigate the secretive family and small-knit community in the hopes of finding the killer before he strikes again.

Thoughts: SPOILERS AHEAD!

This is one of those (thankfully few) times where a trusted recommendation lets me down. Ok, I get that this book is supposed to be more literary than mystery but still--I was not impressed by the writing or the suspense. I think the final straw was the scene detailing sexual abuse against a minor--I realize that the disturbing inner monologue of the assailant was part of the character development...maybe. To me, it just felt gratuitous and not at all necessary. Good thing this was a Libby pick so that I didn't waste any money.