Mixed bag

I’ve read all the Simon Serrailler stories, usually twice. This one has been anticipated for a while and I get the impression that Susan Hill made many starts on it because there are so many disparate threads that sit uneasily together. The narration moves restlessly between various locations to feature mini stories, none of them particularly gripping.

Some important characters do inexplicable things: Cat marries the Chief Constable out of the blue with virtually no run up. What’s that all about? Simon is seriously injured at the start of the book but we’re not told much about the circumstances. A cold case review leads to an unfortunate outcome but not much detail to wrap that up either.

Part of the story features Simon on a Scottish island investigating a suspicious death - just thrown in the pot and unrelated to anything much in the overall scheme of things.

This isn’t up to the usual Susan Hill standard and, like me, you might feel a bit disappointed at the end. Only 4 stars for this one, sorry.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Cosy

Diverting enough, if you’ve heard enough of this series it’s like a comfy sweater. I’ve missed a few but it doesn’t matter. This one lacks tension and intrigue but the story is competent and the characters believable.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

brilliant as always

Love Susan Hill. great writer and Simon Serailer is a great character.
great reading. so easy to listen to

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Pains me to say it........disappointing

I love the Simon Serrailler books and love Susan Hill’s style of writing them. Having read and listened to the others (including the short stories) I waited eagerly for this new chapter. We left Simon in a bad state after a hellish time in the last book and I hoped for a new case to reinvigorate him but what we got was some small cases that he was and wasn’t really involved in with no follow through and no real story to tell. I can see what Susan Hill was going for but I was surprised when it ended as not enough seemed to have happened. Hopefully it was a blip and the next one will be back to form!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Family, friends, cops and prisoners keep up the pace.

Stephen Pacey’s performance was faultless, especially his ability to depict several characters, including women and children.
Susan Hill’s story gradually unfolded but nonetheless kept a good pace so that I wanted to continue listening. There being several threads, it kept swapping venues and people but I found I could keep track of all of them.
I think this story would appeal to a wide audience but particularly to those who like police procedures, mild threat of harm and family and friends. It might not obviously be a choice for teenagers but there is no need to keep it away from them. I think I wouldn’t read it to small children but mostly because of the complexity of the story.

An enjoyable ‘read’.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good follow on

Felt as if it finished suddenly, as if the author suddenly decided she didn’t have anything else to add in.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

welcome back Simon

Another thoroughly enjoyable if occasionally harrowing episode in Simon Serralier's life. Well written, well narrated.
Hopefully there won't be such a large gap before the next book so that we can see how Simon Serralier's life with his bodily problems progresses.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Okay but a bit thin

This was less a detective story than a what Serrailler did next tale, and i am not sure i am that interested in him and his family. But Susan Hill is so i will probably read the next episode...

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another great book fro. Susan Hill

Very well narrated, and brilliantly written, this is another masterpiece from this author. I can't wait to read the next one.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Comfort of home always!

Fantastic book! More in depth with Simon Serrailler's life and still input with police investigation! loved it!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!