4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4th Serrailler Saga focuses on family, May 30, 2009
The fourth mystery focuses on a shooter who seems at first like he/she is killing women randomly. a pattern emerges quickly. The first victim is a newlywed, the second a bride to be, but the Lafferton Police, led by newly promoted Simon Serrailler are baffled. The shooter is extremely good at covering his tracks. Serrailler knows the shooter won't stop before they're caught.
The mystery plot is serviceable but seems almost an afterthought tagged on the saga of the Serraillers, particularly Simon and his sister Cat Deerbon. I'm not one to recognize the culprit early but this one was evident to me nearly from the first time they walk on stage.
This book is dark in tone, like most of the series. This time, Dr. Cat has to deal with a grave illness within her own home forcing her to examine medicine intimately from the patient's standpoint.
Though the mystery is solved at the end of this book, there are many open stories left, particularly with Simon and Rev. Jane Fitzroy. Perhaps Simon may be finally softening his solitary ways. Obviously, there is another book in the works.
Hill is a superb writer, with a deep understanding of human nature and a tolerant, non-judgmental eye. It is always a pleasure to nestle in with the world she creates.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Serailler does it again, May 13, 2009
In the fourth book of the Simon Serrailer series, Susan Hill continues the saga of the detective's turmoil around his family's crises while Simon searches for a serial gunman. The ending to the investigation is somewhat lame. However, the author's depiction of Simon's interrelationships is, as usual, superb. Susan Hill brings a new level of involvement with the psyche of her detective as he moves through his small town working ceaseslessly to find the source of evil...yes, evil...in the town. Can't wait for the next book from her.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
More of the same, November 3, 2011
Amazon reminds me I have not reviewed this and I guess I should. Simon is still a pompous twit, his sister still the struggling GP earth mother. Women are being shot at seeming random. Simon moons around in a moody fugue while the police struggle to solve the crime. I read this some time ago so cannot remember all the details. I read it because I'd bought it. I liked the first book in the series and bought the rest only to become tired of the format. The slightly Gothic feel of these books, our misogynist hero, the strangely dated feel. I almost lost the will to finish this.
If you liked the first and second books, then you will enjoy this. They are well written if not to my taste. Hence my OK rating rather than less which if I judged by how I enjoyed it I might be tempted to give. They just have not clicked for me. I believe there are currently two more but I finish here.
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