“Black is a powerfully atmospheric writer—he is, after all, John Banville—and a champion noticer of details.”

- Lev Grossman, Time

“There are delicious descriptions [in THE LEMUR] …. For Benjamin Black or John Banville language is the end that justifies the literary means, regardless of format.”

- Sarah Weinman, Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Black, the nom de thriller of Booker Prize-winning novelist John Banville, is on a major roll.”

—The Oregonian

“A vivid thriller…. This luscious page turner is full of good dialogue and excellent foreshadowing. You won't be tempted to put it down as you lounge in the sun—it’s only 192 pages, so you can read it in the time it takes for you to even out that tan.”

- Austin American-Statesman

“Booker Prize-winner John Banville, writing as Benjamin Black, has delivered a slim but sophisticated thriller, a dry martini melding the ennui and fear of midlife…. Like an updated “Maltese Falcon,” this crime story is full of intrigue, crisp dialogue and world-weary characters…. For readers, [the protagonist] Glass’ predicament is the perfect summer escape.”

- Kathe Connair, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

“A short, sharp piece of work.”

- Adam Woog, The Seattle Times

“Benjamin Black is, of course, the pen-name of John Banville, writing mysteries in the style of Simenon. Even in trash mode, Banville writes like an angel - although perhaps more floridly than Simenon would have. The Lemur is a well-constructed whodunit with flashes of the dazzling prose for which the Booker prizewinner is renowned.”

- Cameron Woodhead, The Age (Australia)

“Originally published in serial format by the New York Times Magazine, this letter opener-slim Manhattan novella makes economical use of noir¹s classic turns: mistresses, money, and cold-blooded murder…. With dusky, atmospheric, brushed-steel prose, [Benjamin Black] entertains, simply and well.”

- Charles Devilbiss, AM New York

“Booker Prize winner John Banville demonstrates that a whodunit can keep the reader guessing without distorting or falsifying the characters…. The novel is beautifully written, admirably brief, and effective both as a character study and mystery.”

- Jon L. Breen, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

“The Lemur is a slim, efficient novel, elegantly done.”

- Tobias Gregory, The London Review of Books (UK)

“For those who remember Christine Falls and The Silver Swan as literary feasts, Black is back with another tasty morsel.”

- The Calgary Herald (Canada)

“John Banville’s “literary” work has often been characterized as dense and difficult to read; and while, sure, they aren’t exactly Dashiell Hammett, his novels are really beautiful, and they deserve a larger Stateside audience. We’re thinking he got a little sensitive about all the criticism and decided to flip a big bird with this pseudonymous mystery (originally published as a serial in the New York Times Magazine), a dark crime yarn involving the CIA, family secrets and assorted pot-boily things.”

- The L Magazine

“A man who’s hired to dig up the bodies becomes one himself in this sly novella from Book-winner John Banville’s alter ego Black…. Black’s prose is so mesmerizing—crisp precise, alive with telling details—that you’ll enjoy every step.”

- Kirkus Reviews

“This excellent novella from Edgar-finalist Banville… showcases the author’s trademark dry wit, tight plotting and appealing, flawed characters.”

- Publishers Weekly -starred review-

“An entertaining two hours.”

- Library Journal

“This is a many-faceted tale of class conflicts and passion gone cruelly awry…. Black's mordant wit and profound world-weariness make for a classy, character-driven mystery.”

- Booklist