“IT was just like getting a fantastic present.

“It’s so rare to find a crime book that’s so beautifully written and so rich and deep and complex.”

Screenwriter Andrew Davies talking about adapting Benjamin Black’s Quirke novels for BBC1.

The first of three 90-minute Quirke film – Christine Falls – was screened at the BFI in London all of 11 months ago in June 2013, followed by a Q&A.

But as is sometimes the way with TV schedules and dramas that don’t fit into neat one hour slots, the start of the series was delayed until now.

With that first Quirke story on BBC1 at 9pm tomorrow (Sunday May 25).