Maureen Corrigan

n 2020, celebrated Irish writer John Banville metaphorically killed off Benjamin Black, the pen name under which he had been writing crime novels. Banville said he no longer felt he needed the pseudonym. So over the last few years, his crime series starring the Dublin coroner simply known as Quirke has been reprinted with Banville's name on the cover instead of Black's. The final novel in that series has just been reissued. Book critic Maureen Corrigan has a review and an appreciation.

Ben Markovits' novel, "The Rest Of Our Lives," was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize and has just been published here in the U.S. Our book critic, Maureen Corrigan, says it's the perfect little literary novel to curl up with, especially if winter weather has you feeling cooped up.

book critic Maureen Corrigan's 10 favorite books of 2025

Our book critic Maureen Corrigan has a review of a new novel that she says should spark all sorts of lively conversations about end-of-life care and what the living owe the dying. It's by Ann Packer, and it's called "Some Bright Nowhere."

Smith revisits her childhood and offers insights into her marriage in a new memoir. Bread of Angels offers an intimate, if imperfect, view of the visionary punk poet.

Maureen Corrigan reviews Heart the Lover by Lily King.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Daphne Dumaurier's book of short stories "After Midnight."

It took Kiran Desai nearly 20 years to write her new novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. Book critic Maureen Corrigan shares her review.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novels Pariah and The Dancing Face.

Maureen Corrigan takes a look at "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," which turns 100 this year.