Has anyone read Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor?

[Stargazer]

I know it is not the latest best seller but IMO it is one of the best books I have read for years. I reread it several times in order to extract every morsel that I may have missed over the first few reads. This was an international best seller but I have yet to meet anyone else who shares my enthusiasm to the same degree. I wish someone could recommend another book that would similarly captivate me. Any suggestions!

[Mosaic]

I enjoyed Star of the Sea - I felt it's authenticity was only let down by the murder at sea in the last chapter - a person being knifed in the heart in a standing position would result in the murderer being liberally doused in arterial blood, which would be a bit of a giveaway even on a ship crowded with poor Irish.
I enjoyed William Napier's 'Attila / final judgement' and intend to track down more of his - again a well-researched context for the story.