The Pure In Heart (Simon Serrailler 2)
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Review
For the first time in years, P.D. James has serious competition Literary Review
The Guardian
'Well rounded and sensitive.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read the first Simon Serrailler novel, The Various Haunts of Men, it was difficult to believe a) that this was Susan Hill's first foray into the world of crime fiction, and b) that it could get any better. Fortunately, she has proved me wrong with this marvellous, haunting tale of a missing boy, a recently released prisoner and his struggles to remain on the right side of the law, and a sensitive and touching portrayal of a severely handicapped young woman. The characters are immediately real, and stayed with me long after I had closed the book. Their relationships are deftly drawn, their struggles and pain all too believable. The poignant images of the little boy waiting for his lift, alone in the street, not knowing what was about to happen; and of Martha Serrailler, childlike in the nursing home, are desperately touching, and characteristic of Hill's masterful storytelling skills. This is a wonderful, sad, frightening, beautiful book.
47 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I was almost put off this book by the negative reviews posted on this site. Ultimately, I bought the book because I was impressed by the first one. I hope other readers will do the same. I found the book thoughtful and interesting and the development of characters unrushed and therefore more to be relished. I trust that the author will reveal more and more as the series develops. It is refreshing to find a book that does not merely rely on gore and forensics but actually tries to put the crimes and the detectives in a more realistic, human context. Far from seeing the author as a middle class person extolling the virtues of the middle class and denigrating the working classes, I thought Susan Hill painted a picture of a middle class family trapped in a very sterile environment, partly of their own making. Neighbours who care more about privacy than community, a woman who has literally no-one to turn to in a crisis. I liked the sympathetic treatment dished out at Dino's cafe and the fact that Nathan is good hearted and prepared to try to help an ex con even when he is hassled by the cons sister. Rough and ready maybe, but the view of Michelle is that she cares about her kids and will keep the family together and make the kids law abiding. Give the book a chance if you liked the first. I think comparisons between Elizabeth George and Susan Hill are more relevant than ones between her and Minette Walters.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Yes this is a gripping book and Susan Hill writes well. However, she overturns what one has come to expect from the genre in leaving the mystery (and other threads) unresolved, in a "real life" mimicry, whilst having unbelievable characters to people her book. This leaves the book unsatisfying. Real life has enough unsolved crime and I prefer to have at least the main questions answered. Yes, I know it may be valid for the book to explore the impact of crime upon its victims and the community but it is frustrating to be left as one is at the end of this book. Furthermore, SH deliberately plays with the reader - making them expect certain things only to thwart, offering nothing in return. Again, some may see this as a valid departure in the genre but her PD James-ish settings (in part) tease and tempt the reader to expect some resolution.
The characters: stereotyped criminal/housing estate dwellers; sickeningly self-satisfied doctor-class.....and I do think SS is a copy of AD! But it is a page-turner; I just don't know if I'll bother with another.
I would recommend Strange Meeting as her best book and a masterpiece.
The characters: stereotyped criminal/housing estate dwellers; sickeningly self-satisfied doctor-class.....and I do think SS is a copy of AD! But it is a page-turner; I just don't know if I'll bother with another.
I would recommend Strange Meeting as her best book and a masterpiece.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Lots of loose ends ....
This is the second in the Simon Serailler series of books.
I found the book focused more on character development than the main crime that took place, that being the... Read more
I found the book focused more on character development than the main crime that took place, that being the... Read more
Published 18 days ago by B. Robinson
It arrived
It arrived within the estimated time. It was a book, I read it and passed it on to a friend
Published 1 month ago by hickory dickory dock
The Pure in Heart - a good read!
the book is the second in Susan Hill's series of detective novels. It helps if you have read the first. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tambo
Another excellent Susan Hill book
Slowly reading through the Simon Serailler series and enoying them. I think Susan Hill is an excellent writer. Read more
Published 4 months ago by dustie
very readable!
Book arrived, well packaged a few days after placing the order. As always with Susan Hill it is a great read.
Published 8 months ago by Dorset customer
Yawn
I like Susan Hill's other work, especially her ghost stories like 'The Woman In Black', and 'The Mist In The Mirror,' and I'm a recent convert to crime fiction, so I hoped that a... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Colin In Blue
More Mills and Boon than crime novel
Susan Hill is a skilful writer, but this is a lazy and overlong effort. A missing child is such a cliché anyway - a signal for lots of description of the protagonists'... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Chris Ludlow
Literate crime fiction: potential spoiler in this review
Susan Hill is a wonderful writer, and the text reads beautifully: very clear, concise and interesting. It's a wonderful read, thoroughly recommended. Shortcomings? Read more
Published 15 months ago by Dragon
Innocent victims
One of the joys of this series is watching the story of the Serallier family, its friends and neighbours, unfold. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Clive A. H. Still
The pure in heart by Susan Hill - my thoughts
This is my first Susan Hill book and although its second in a series it isn't always necessary to read the first to enjoy the second. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lainy
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