The Pure in Heart: Simon Serrailler 2

I love the Serraillier series; i have read all of them (even the new one that is only published in the UK) the plot lines are picked up, characters are not forgotten, and the richness of the stories, the length of time and depth spent with them is wonderful! Do Not Miss! Read them all! The narrator is great too!

..and Steven Pacey is certainly one of the best narrators I have ever encountered. The complex interactions between Simon Serrailler, his family, his colleagues at work and family members of crime victims show him to be a fascinating and flawed protagonist. This is a heartbreaking story and is, I think, realistic rather than adhering to the type of formulae we have come to expect in mystery novels. The "dropped" story lines referred to by another reviewer are most likely resolved in ensuing books, and some patience is needed. Fortunately, I discovered this series when five books had already been written, so I could consume them in order, and follow the characters' development.

This is not a conventional mystery novel and Susan Hill is much more than a conventional mystery writer. Read them all. Read them in order. Enjoy!

I typically like British mysteries/thrillers because the plot evolves slowly and logically and the action is suspenseful without car chases and blazing guns. But this was a huge disappointment. The author introduces plot lines and then forgets about them. What happened to the Americans? Why were they introduced? What happens to Diana? And Karen? And Gunten? Did he get the job? Plot resolution is non-existent, and the characters are generally unbelievable. While many characters at first glance appear to be complex, the author manages to make them incredibly unlikeable and flat. Don't waste your credits on this one - try "Gentlemen and Players" instead!

really enjoyed this audio. So many interesting characters and Steven Pacey is amazing as the narrator.

Every once in a while I read or listen to a book I like very much and then find that the author has written several others. It's like finding gold - well silver or tin - something good. This was one of those books for me.

It was not "great" (5) which for an audiobook means it's so good that I can listen to it while doing nother else. If I could give this a B+ (or a 4+) I would, but it's not a 5 so 4 is good enough.

I hope I'll be able to report the same about the rest of Susan Hill's books.


[I have a friend named "Susan Hill" and she's the most competent person I've ever known. I wouldn't be surprised if she dashed off a few good books in her spare time without anyone knowing about it and that these are the books she wrote. If it is she I applaud and congradulate her and work on the envy it arouses in me before I see her again. (Aren't people who 'can do everything' annoying?]

Probably not; I don't reread books (or listen to them twice).

Anything by Ruth Rendell. They are just a cut above most of the quickly hammered out books.

He reads beautifully and the subtle difference in voices of characters is masterful.

Can't say without ruining the story for others.

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