The Pure in Heart (Simon Serrailler Crime Novels) [Hardcover]

Susan Hill (Author)

Book Description

Series: Simon Serrailler Crime Novels | Publication Date: November 1, 2007

The Pure in Heart continues the story of Simon Serrailler, the Detective Chief Inspector to whom readers were introduced in The Various Haunts of Men. Simon is on vacation in Venice, trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of a young woman who had been in love with him. But soon a telephone call summons him home.

The Various Haunts of Men met with such a response that Overlook is publishing this second Simon Serralier mystery as quickly as possible to satisfy Susan Hill's new fans and to attract even more readers to her particular brand of ghastly enterprise.

A little boy is snatched as he stands with his satchel at the gate of his home, waiting for his lift to school. A severely handicapped young woman hovers between life and death. And an ex-con finds it impossible to go straight. The Pure in Heart is a crime novel arising from character and circumstances, about the psychology of crime, something more enthralling than plain thrillers or whodunits.

In Lafferton, Serralier's town, Susan Hill has brilliantly created a community with detail so sharp and true to life that readers feel that these people are their own neighbors and friends. But there is terror and evil in their very midst.

There are no easy answers in The Pure of Heart, a magnificent novel about the realities of police work and the sometimes desperate humanity of family. Haunting and truthful, gripping and convincing, it is a thrilling achievement.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Hill's fine second Simon Serrailler crime novel (after The Various Haunts of Men), Inspector Serrailler, who's still brooding over the unsolved murder of a fellow officer a year earlier, has sought solace amid Italian ruins with his sketchbook, much to the disapproval of his father back in England. Summoned home to the cathedral town of Lafferton, Serrailler finds that murder, family breakups and the abduction of a schoolboy have occurred in his absence. Other worries include the impending death of his handicapped sister, Martha, and a mob attack on the home of the pedophile suspected of kidnapping nine-year-old David Angus. Meanwhile, down-and-out ex-con Andy Gunton finds dubious employment shipping cars for sleazy Lee Carter. The patient reader must wait until these subplots come together, but Hill's smooth and engrossing style creates riveting suspense as Serrailler and sidekick Nathan Coates pursue David's abductors through Lafferton's seediest areas to an astonishing conclusion. (Nov.)
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* In the second instalment of Hill's Simon Serrailler crime series, following The Various Haunts of Men (2006), a nine-year-old boy is kidnapped in broad daylight while waiting for his school ride outside his home in the British cathedral town of Lafferton, and the case falls squarely in the lap of Detective Chief Inspector Serrailler. It's a copper's worst nightmare—broken and grieving parents, intense media interest, and extreme pressure from the top police brass to solve the case "yesterday." But there are few leads and no apparent motive, and as the days go by and the child isn't found, hope drains away. Although the case hits Simon and his team exceptionally hard, he has other problems to deal with: he is still trying to come to terms with the murder of a former colleague, his severely disabled sister's health is worsening daily, his ex-girlfriend is stalking him, he and his twin sister are quarrelling over Simon's fear of commitment, and an ex-con who's just been released from prison is causing Simon major headaches. This is realistic, gritty, and gut-wrenching crime fiction, but it's also a poignant and thoughtful character study. Add to that Hill's mesmerizing storytelling ability and her gift for making characters and situations come alive, and the result is an outstanding read that will stay with readers long afterward. Melton, Emily

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585679283
• ISBN-13: 978-1585679287
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simon Serrailler novel, October 14, 2005

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pure in Heart: A Simon Serrailler crime novel (Hardcover)

I found this second book in the DCI Simon Serrailler series to be a wonderful read. Susan Hill's writing flows seamlessly, making it simple to read quickly and easily. Simon is recalled by his father from Venice, where he has been enjoying a painting holiday. His younger sister, Martha, who has been severely brain damaged since her birth, over 20 years ago, is in danger of dying from pneumonia, and, as Simon has always felt close to this child/woman, returns at once, happily to see her recover. A nine year old schoolboy is kidnapped from outside his front gate while waiting for a ride to school, and Simon is at once back into work mode with a large team of experienced police men and women, searching for any clues to the whereabouts of the missing boy. Simon's closest sibling, his sister Cat, a doctor on maternity leave, is his main emotional support when the strain of dealing with the grieving parents of the boy, combined with the pressure he feels when a once casual girlfriend begins to stalk him, threatens to overcome his professionalism. This is not a murder/mystery as such, but rather, a crime story and, when added to the family history which is unfolding in Simon's life, paints an interesting picture of the Simon Serrailler story which we have yet to discover. I'm greatly looking forward to the next in the series to flesh out this rather enigmatic character.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second Book in "Simon Serrailer" Series Leaves Readers Eager For Third, December 26, 2007

By 

Susan K. Schoonover "Sue Yingling" (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pure in Heart (Simon Serrailler Crime Novels) (Hardcover)

THE PURE IN HEART is talented novelist Susan Hill's second installment in her series starring British Detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler, his family, co-workers and other inhabitants of the fictional cathedral city of "Lafferton". DCI Serrailer is much more at the center of the novel then in the first published book, THE VARIOUS HAUNTS OF MEN, and he as well as many of the others making second appearances receive more character development in this outing.

The "pure in heart" of the novel's title refers to two innocent victims. The first is Martha, DCI Serrailer's twenty-six year old sister, who has been severely handicapped since birth. The second innocent and the subject of the main mystery is David a school boy snatched from outside his home while waiting for a car pool ride. THE PURE IN HEART is not simply a thriller but a thoughtful character study that examines many conflicts of modern life. Well written, very readable and sympathetic to its characters and setting Susan Hill's Serrailer's series is highly recommended to those who love literary thrillers and I am already anticipating the US release of the third and fourth books.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A study of uncommunicative relationships and life chances, more than a crime novel, September 19, 2006

By 

Helen Simpson (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pure in Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

I started off enjoying this book and thought I was going to like DCI Simon Serrailler as he seemed a caring, likeable chap with a deep love for his severely handicapped sister and a fondness of art. However I didn't feel we really got to know him any better, other than to find out he obviously has problems with relationships, possibly a mixture of his strange uncommunicative family and his job, and was actually a pretty disappointing character.

I found Susan Hill's descriptive writing conjured up scenes and images in my mind very easily, not flowery descriptions, just everyday believable ones. However the story line all felt a bit flat and I kept thinking things would tie together somehow or there would be a satisfying end but it was just the opposite. I can cope without having everyone living happily ever after but this left me feeling cheated of purposeful story line.