Product Description

Simon Serrailler's story began in "The Various Haunts of Men" (about a serial killer) and continued with "The Pure in Heart" (about a kidnapped schoolboy). Susan Hill is not afraid to tackle difficult issues, nor to face up to the realities of stress in an ordinary English police station. Her third crime novel, "The Risk of Darkness", even more compulsive and convincing, follows up the child abduction and explores the crazy grief of a widowed husband, a derangement, which turns to obsession and threats, violence and terror. Meanwhile, handsome, introverted Simon Serrailler, whose cool reserve has broken the hearts of several women, finds his own heart troubled by the newest recruit to the Cathedral staff: a feisty female Anglican priest with red hair..."The Risk of Darkness" is packed with action and adventure. Like "Various Haunts", it hinges on a terrific twist, which comes as a complete surprise to the reader; and like "The Pure in Heart", it deals in depth with complex daily problems.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #244646 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Released on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 374 pages

Kate Riordan, Time Out
'Crime fans on the look out for intelligent examples of the genre will enjoy The Risk of Darkness.'

Matthew Dennison, Spectator
'Of its sort The Risk of Darkness is an almost flawless novel.'

The Independent
"This is a crime series that specialises in sidestepping conventions, always to exhilarating effect...risk-taking...sometimes pays off brilliantly."

Customer Reviews

Stunning!
I think this is the book I have looked forward to most eagerly in the last year, having been bowled over by the first two Simon Serrailler books. And I wasn't in the least disappointed. If you liked the first two, which you really do need to have read before starting this one, you will love, love, love this book. It's got a twist to rival the twist in The Various Haunts of Men - and no, I am not even going to hint at what it is! -, the characterisation of Simon and his family, not to mention the new major characters, both good and bad, continues to fascinate, the plot is as gripping as the first two books, and the atmosphere is beautifully done. I can't be too specific because I don't want to spoil any of the surprises Susan Hill has in store for her readers. But I do highly recommend this book and hope very much that we don't have to wait a whole year for no. 4 in the series!

not a crime novel
like the two previous Serrailler novels,if you don't expect a crime novel, and can cope with a 'rosy, middle England', middle class view of the world, this is a good book. Hill is a great writer, better than most crime writers, but not, on the evidence so far, a good crime writer. As a novel of a family and those they meet, and deal with it is very enjoyable. After the initial disapointment, the series grows on you once you accept it for what it is, and what it is not

STUNNING THIRD SERRAILLER NOVEL
This brings the first 3 books in Hill`s Simon Serrailler trilogy to a close in a stunning story. It has one of the best 'chase' scenes I have read in a thriller - I won`t give it away but it involves cliffs, a raging storm and a helicopter rescue. The saga of the missing children which was unresolved at the end of the previous book, THE PURE IN HEART is brought to a terrible conclusion here and there is a terrific twist. Otherwise, we spend more time with Serrailler`s family and meet a character I really hope Hill brings back in any future books - the young woman priest Jane Fitzroy, who has a feisty yet vulnerable character and is one of the most interesting of her good range of women in these books.
I find this series unusual - there is never gratuitous violence - Hill understates and this actually makes more impact than detailed descriptions. There is a moral thread too and lots of well developed side-characters to give a richness and depth to the books.
I hope there are more to come but meanwhile,if you have not yet read any Serrailler novels don`t start with this, begin at the beginning with THE VARIOUS HAUNTS OF MEN. Susan Hill is an incredibly versatile writer - from Booker shortlisted literary fiction to homely country stories to children`s books and one classic ghost story - to crime. I rate the Serrailler books up there with the best and this is a genre Hill is beginning to make her own.