The Risk of Darkness (Simon Serrailler 3)
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Review
`They can stand on their own...this is a really good novel regardless of fiction genre'
--Savidge Reads...Books, Books, and Possibly More Books
--Savidge Reads...Books, Books, and Possibly More Books
Matthew Dennison, Spectator
'Of its sort The Risk of Darkness is an almost flawless novel.'
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 80 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Children are vanishing and CI Simon Serrailler and his colleagues are on the hunt for a kidnapper.
That, at least, is what the rear cover of the book suggests the novel is about.
But the kidnapper is identified and captured in the first 100 pages and the rest of the book is taken up with ... other things. Relationships mainly, but also a quick look at some of the characters.
Many will like the book because it is reasonably well-written; just don't expect a crime story. For me then, this story didn't provide the challenges I was hoping for.
That, at least, is what the rear cover of the book suggests the novel is about.
But the kidnapper is identified and captured in the first 100 pages and the rest of the book is taken up with ... other things. Relationships mainly, but also a quick look at some of the characters.
Many will like the book because it is reasonably well-written; just don't expect a crime story. For me then, this story didn't provide the challenges I was hoping for.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book could almost be classed in the dystopian novel genre. Hill depicts a society in which violence, whether random or targetted, is everywhere, as civilisation, even in the heart of an English cathedral city, crumbles.
I agree that it can't really be called a crime novel. The story follows on immediately from the Pure in Heart, but the child-abductor of that novel is arrested at the beginning and the story meanders off in different directions: a man literally driven mad with grief by his wife's death; a young clergywoman struggling to realise that she's taken the wrong job and having to cope with murder in the family. As before, loose ends are left and who knows if they'll ever be knitted up?
Hill has a habit of beginning a new chapter talking about 'He' or 'She' and not letting on who the character is for a couple of paragraphs. I found this irritating, as if she was just playing guessing games with me. Such tricks are best deployed to some purpose: when the reader is to be misled over the identity of the character who has taken central stage.
I also struggle with the character of Simon Serailler and find it hard to care what happens to him, which is a major flaw. Cold fish is putting it mildly. The way he treats his ex-girlfriend is unforgiveable. Given the warmth of his twin sister, there seems no real explanation for how he is. There are some good major characters but minor ones often seem underwritten.
That said, I kept turning the pages.
I agree that it can't really be called a crime novel. The story follows on immediately from the Pure in Heart, but the child-abductor of that novel is arrested at the beginning and the story meanders off in different directions: a man literally driven mad with grief by his wife's death; a young clergywoman struggling to realise that she's taken the wrong job and having to cope with murder in the family. As before, loose ends are left and who knows if they'll ever be knitted up?
Hill has a habit of beginning a new chapter talking about 'He' or 'She' and not letting on who the character is for a couple of paragraphs. I found this irritating, as if she was just playing guessing games with me. Such tricks are best deployed to some purpose: when the reader is to be misled over the identity of the character who has taken central stage.
I also struggle with the character of Simon Serailler and find it hard to care what happens to him, which is a major flaw. Cold fish is putting it mildly. The way he treats his ex-girlfriend is unforgiveable. Given the warmth of his twin sister, there seems no real explanation for how he is. There are some good major characters but minor ones often seem underwritten.
That said, I kept turning the pages.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Service
The product arrived very quickly and in great condition. It was bought as a gift and was well received. Thanks.
Published 7 months ago by Bexx
Don't bother
No detection, no suspense, stereotypical characters whose motivations are not properly elucidated. Give this a miss. I am annoyed that I wasted my time on this rubbish. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rodniog
Disappointing
One reviewer described this book as having a twist to rival the twist in the first book - what twist? There was none. The book left me feeling dissatisfied. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Lou Lou
Middle England Rubbish
You may enjoy this book if:
a) You don't mind if it pretends to be a detective novel, tries to be The Bill and ends up being a particularly bad episode of... Read more
a) You don't mind if it pretends to be a detective novel, tries to be The Bill and ends up being a particularly bad episode of... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Marlowe
Serailler series book 3
I have read the previous 2 in this series and enjoyed reading this one, although I don't feel it is quite as good as the first. A good read all the same.
Published 24 months ago by Pooley Person
The Risk of Darkness
Unusually with a series of books, Susan Hill maintains the interest in the characters as they develop and they are all plausible. Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by maggiedav
A Disappointment
This book was a disappointment. I have read many other Susan Hill's novels and generally like her suspense and mystery books. Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by Mrs. Lynne Park
Downhill
Having enjoyed the first two books in the series, I found this one weird to say the least. I have lost patience with the self-obsessed Simon Serailler - in the first book he was... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Reader 11
Darkest of the Serailler series so far
Having recently read The Various Haunts of Men (Simon Serrailler 1) and The Pure in Heart (Simon Serrailler 2) I have to say this is the darkest of the series so far. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Roman Clodia
The risk of darkness
Third in the series, one hopes it is not the last. Have enjoyed all three books immensely. Susan Hill builds suspense superbly and weaves her plots with consumate skill.
Published on 9 Aug 2009 by Mr. Patrick G. Wilson
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