The Book of Evidence

The darkly compelling confession of an improbable murderer, shortlisted for the 1989 Booker Prize.

25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH EXTRA MATERIAL


Frederick Charles St John Vanderveld Montgomery. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Don't make me laugh.

Freddie Montgomery has committed two crimes. He stole a Dutch old-master painting from a wealthy family friend and murdered the chambermaid who caught him in the act. Narcissistic, greedy and reckless, Freddie travels through life apparently without remorse. However, as he narrates his testimony, he realizes that the only person to be held responsible for his life, and his crimes, is himself. He just can't quite admit it yet . . .

Shortlisted for the 1989 Booker Prize, The Book of Evidence is a wonderfully dark, insightful and unnerving crime novel. Taking us into the unreliable mind of an improbable murderer, it is a deeply lyrical exploration of the human mind.


'Remarkable . . . If all crime novels were like this one, there would no longer be the need for a genre' Ruth Rendell
'A major work of fiction in which every suave moment calmly detonates to show the murderous gleam within. Banville writes a dangers and clear-running prose and has a grim gift of seeing people's souls' Don DeLillo