This is a compelling read. Susan Hill has again given Simon Serrailler a double murder but her skill is in weaving the personal story of Simon, his colleagues and family into a convincing narrative with the transient population of the local town. While Simon is away in Scotland taking a long overdue break, the people of Lafferton and his family are getting on with their lives. The first half sets the scene all the well observed characters and their lives are described. Who is the victim?  It seems obvious but no, one prostitute, then another is murdered. Just two new officers join the CID and they are drawn into the investigation.

When Simon Serraillier returns to head up the investigation all assume the murder will simply fall into his hands. Yet again Susan Hill does not let her readers down. The subsidiary members of the plot move to centre stage and this complex tale is more concerned with the whys rather than the gruesome details of the murders. The social differences between the squabbling of the cathedral close and the hand to mouth existence of the prostitutes is well observed. The book uses the seductive quality of the murder inquiry and Serrailler’s own foibles to draw the story to its conclusion.

Well written very suitable for a cold winter’s night an entertaining and intriguing read.

Available as a book.

Available as a Spoken Word CD

Available as a Spoken Word MP3/Playaway.