Susan Hill has been a popular author for many years now, but only recently turned her hand to writing crime novels. ‘The Various Haunts of Men’ is the first in a series of books featuring the enigmatic Simon Serrailler – fast-tracked to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector at the age of thirty-two. One of the appealing aspects of this series of novels is that we also come to know and love Simon’s family – parents, siblings and their children, all of which helps to create a rounded picture of the DCI.
In this first book of the series, a sleepy cathedral town is suddenly awakened by a number of mysterious disappearances. Throughout the book, we are also privy to the mind of the psychopath perpetrating the crimes, though his/her identity remains a closely guarded secret. In his quest to solve the mysteries and bring the culprit to justice, Serrailler is ably assisted by Detective Sergeant Freya Graffham. Freya – like her boss, comes with ‘a past’ which is revealed as the story progresses. She befriends Simon’s family and makes her mark on Simon both professionally and personally.
The book reaches a tense and thrilling climax with a quite unexpected twist.
Fans of Susan Hill who expect a good, literary novel will not be disappointed, and fans of the crime genre will embrace a brilliant mind at work in the complexities of the plots and portrayal of all the book’s characters, no matter how large or small their part. The blurb on the back of the book likens Susan Hill’s crime novels to P.D. James and Ruth Rendell – a commendation justly deserved.
If you read this book, you will want to move on to the rest in the series so far – all of which will surprise you as Susan Hill pushes the boundaries of the traditional English detective story. They are:
- The Pure in Heart,
- The Risk of Darkness and.
- The Vows of Silence.
All of these books are available from The Bookcase, 50 Main Street, Lowdham. Tel: 0115 966 4143 - and as our first Recommended Read of the Month we are offering £1.00 off throughout April on all the books in the series!
