My first book by his author and I loved it. Simon Serrailler has a lot in common with Adam Dalgleish, who I always admire, so it was probably a foregone conclusion that this would meet my approval too. Finally, this is another absorbing and enjoyable addition to the series. It’s well written and easy to read. Although this is the eleventh it can easily be read as a stand-alone but I do recommend the series. The only saving grace MIGHT have been the Richard/Judith story. The reader finally gets some insight into what is going on in their relationship. It didn't sit right with me though. I'm guessing it will be explored further in the next book because I think it's really a bit weak as it stands in this book.

This book was my least favorite of the Serrailler series so far. It's difficult to say what I disliked without giving away details so I guess I'll put a spoiler alert...I find it very hard to forgive Hill for setting up this juicy murder method and then not explaining WHY the killer window-dressed his victims the way he did. The mirror. The toenails. I thought for sure I knew what the mirror was about—there’s a theme of dual identity that runs through the killer, one victim AND the detective and is just screaming to be exploited—but seriously, what was up with the toenails? I NEED TO KNOW. I’m used to Hill leaving loose threads, but this one really bugs me as what we end up with is a killer without a motive, or perhaps no motive except the pleasure he gets from the crime. And even then, if pleasure is a motive I need to know why that particular setup is necessary for X to get his jollies. We get one clue right at the end, and I thought the moment had come when all would be revealed—and then the moment passed and was lost forever. Second, Hill started many story lines and then did nothing with them. Now, I realize this is her typical writing style, BUT some of these had potential to add to the story and would have made the book so much stronger. For example, the book starts off with Keyes, the murderer, being found not guilty based on a technicality. The reader gets a glimpse into his wife's fear as a result of the verdict. She is terrified, has no idea what to do, and is rejected by her half-sister when she pleads to stay even one night. End of story until she is ready to die many years later. Then, her half-sister tries to seek out information regarding Keyes whereabouts since he has been assigned a new identity. Why would you want the man who your sister was terrified of to know she is dying? The answer in the book? Because he has a right to know...

The quiet cathedral town of Lafferton undergoes an undergoes an unexpected turn of events as its usually tranquil environment is disturbed following the disappearance of a woman up on an area known as ‘the hill’. Although the vanishing of this woman is not suspicious in of itself, people tend disappear of their own accord all the time up there, it’s the mysterious turn of events that precede the vanishing act. A young girl followed by an older man and then even a dog all disappear from the top of the hill, leaving everyone with the suspicion that there is something else going on up there. Freya Graffham is the young policewoman that’s been assigned to case of investigating what it is that’s going on here, as she has only recently just joined the police-force and is looking to make her way in the department. With a compassionate and inquiring mind, she aims to solve her first case with conviction.

Simon is on vacation in Venice, sketching while sitting in a cemetery, when his father calls him home because his younger sister, Martha, is ill and may not survive. In a separate plot, a young boy has been abducted. In a third, a woman who loves Simon is trying to find out why he wants nothing more to do with her. And there is an ex-con trying to do the right thing and go straight. This is only a brief description of some of what’s happening in this book. Every character is well drawn. Whatever the reason, the sudden end was jarring, partly because so much time had been spent on random episodes concerning a sprained knee and an injured dog.

The second in the Simon Serrailler series, this particular novel from Susan Hill follows on directly from the last. First published in 2005 on the 2nd of June, it continues the story of the Chief Inspector and his many cases. Developing his character further, it establishes more of the traits that his audience have come to recognize and love over time. We see much more of Serailler himself in this book than we did on the first volume, together with his family: his austere mother with her difficult marriage; his sister Cat; Nathan; and even Karin who has been battling with cancer. It's like your brain's bursting. It doesn't happen all at once, it builds up. And then your brain's going to burst until you do something about it. You do it. You have to do it. Then it's all right again for a bit, 'til it starts again." Just as the story was coming to a head, things came to an abrupt end with a toe-curling Mills and Boon flourish.The following description made me laugh out loud, "He was bald, having shaved his head so often the hair had eventually abandoned hope." This was not exactly a mystery or suspense. In fact, I don't know what the hell to call it. It was more of a British soap opera inside two covers than anything else. Simon Serrailler is the main protagonist of the series and is designated as a Detective Chief Inspector and the commanding officer of Sergeant Freya Graffham. He is also the brother of Dr. Cat Deerbon.