by Susan Hill
This is the second in the Simon Serrailler series. The "Daily Mail", quoted in the blurb, says: "She draws us so far into her fictitious community that for the duration of the book (and some time afterwards) we too are living there". And I agree completely with that view. The community is as before - Lafferton and environs - and the Serrailler family members are of far greater significance in this novel than in the first, Simon especially. We start to get to know him; as he is intended to be a very private character, I guess it was deliberate on Susan Hill's part that we did not get to know too quickly in book one.
The cases in question here concern the disappearance of children - a subject which is clearly of topical significance in the early part of the 21st century. As such, I found the subject matter even more gripping than that of "Various Haunts of Men"; I could not wait to find out who was behind it all. I will give nothing away!
Susan Hill writes a gripping tale; the world she creates comes vividly alive. A number of characters from the first novel reappear, but we are introduced to a great many more. I do recommend that you read these novels in the proper sequence - it would be a shame to start in with number 2 or 3.
Review by Jean Nale
The cases in question here concern the disappearance of children - a subject which is clearly of topical significance in the early part of the 21st century. As such, I found the subject matter even more gripping than that of "Various Haunts of Men"; I could not wait to find out who was behind it all. I will give nothing away!
Susan Hill writes a gripping tale; the world she creates comes vividly alive. A number of characters from the first novel reappear, but we are introduced to a great many more. I do recommend that you read these novels in the proper sequence - it would be a shame to start in with number 2 or 3.
Review by Jean Nale
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