I put this onto my to-read list in 2015 - I was looking for a title to fill a challenge of "a book with a character named April" - and have just now read it (6 years behind on challenges is pretty much normal for me). I think I must have been having problems finding a book to fit - no doubt there are other books with characters named April, but clearly none of them appealed - as it's rare that I'll read a series without starting at the beginning. However, on the occasions where I have done that, it hasn't mattered - I'm keen to read #1 and #2, but I wasn't annoyed that I didn't know what was in them. The things alluded to (which I presume happened in one or other or those books) are simply a mystery for me to uncover.

So, we're in the 1950s in Ireland. Quirke, a pathologist and a heavy drinker (the latter of which holds more importance in this novel), is contacted by his daughter (interesting backstory there) when one of her close friends (April) hasn't been in touch for a couple of weeks. This is most unusual - they ordinarily chat in person or by phone every day. Phoebe convinces Quirke to do a little investigating and he enlists his detective friend. Then April's estranged family start making noises of discontent.

I really enjoyed the setting and all the side-stories within this book, and there are lots of characters that I was involved in. I also like that the ending leaves a number of things unanswered.