The Book Of Evidence by John Banville

 

Freddie Montgomery is a cad.  He has been traveling the world with his wife and child for years, living the life of a wealthy man although he isn't one.  He has expectations; when his mother passes he will inherit the house and more importantly, his father's art collection.  When he runs afoul of those who loaned him money he cannot pay back, he leaves for Ireland to see if he can round up some money there.  He leaves his wife and child behind

But there's a surprise waiting for him at home.  His mother has sold the art collection for much less than it was worth to a neighbor so she can open a pony farm.  Freddie is furious and decides that he will visit the neighbor and at least steal back the most valuable.  But even that goes wrong and in the process, someone is killed.

Now Montgomery is on trial that's the biggest thing going.   Will he be found guilty?

John Banville is an Irish author whose work has been regarded as some of the best in literature.  This book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Banville won the Booker with his novel The Sea.  He also writes mysteries under the pen name of Benjamin Black.  His forte is writing shocking events as if they were commonplace and it is up to the reader to realize the horror of what they are reading.  Freddie is almost unimageable in his criminality but he manages to rationalize everything he does as the inevitable next step in events.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.