Vengeance is the fifth entry in the Quirke Mysteries, an enthralling literary crime series set in 1950s Dublin from John Banville, writing as Benjamin Black. Now major TV series: Quirke, starring Gabriel Byrne and Michael Gambon. Read by John Keating.

Why would suicide need a witness?

On the east coast of Ireland, Victor Delahaye, one of the country’s most prominent citizens, takes his business partner’s son out sailing. But, once at sea, Davy Clancy is horrified to witness Delahaye take out a gun and shoot himself dead.

The Delahayes and the Clancys have been rivals for generations, and this strange event captures the attention of Detective Inspector Hackett and his friend, pathologist Doctor Quirke. Soon, perplexing characters appear at the heart of the mystery. From Mona, Victor Delahaye's toxic young widow, to Jonas and James, his enigmatic twin sons. And then there's Jack Clancy, is down-trodden, womanizing partner.

When a second death occurs, one even more shocking than the first, Quirk begins to realize that terrible secrets lie between these entagled families and that, in this world of jealousy, ruthless ambition and pride, nothing can be taken for granted . . .

Vengeance is the fifth Quirke Mystery. Continue the darkly beguiling series with Holy Orders.