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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
It may seem odd to say that a crime novel is obsessed with death, but the subjects tackled in this novel include terminal illness, hospice care and euthanasia, as well as two murders. It's a bit wearing, and I found the background detracted from the detection.
Another mystery in the series featuring Simon Serrailler of the Lafferton police. Here we have a few storylines, and while they all relate to each other, Simon doesn't directly interact with all the storylines.
The bones of a young woman are exposed as a hill collapses after a rainstorm, and thus a case of a missing girl that began sixteen years before is closed with her murdered body. As Serrailler reopens her case hoping to discover her murderer, another woman's body is found in the same location. But her identity is more elusive. The police force has a tight budget, and Simon's investigation is mostly on his shoulders.
Simon's sister Cat is still finding her way after the recent death of her husband, and the hospice where she works is struggling financially. When a newcomer to town, a doctor who has opened a nursing home specifically for dementia patients, is suggested to head a new committee for fund-raising for the hospice, Cat finds new hope. Molly, a young intern at the local hospital, is staying at Cat's house, and doing stints at a number of medical institutions, including Cat's hospice and the new nursing home.
Jocelyn still lives on her own, but meets up with her daughter, Penny, a successful barrister, regularly. When she notices some physical problems, she goes to see her doctor, Cat, but realizes quickly that she must face up to a more serious diagnosis than she originally thought. She knows what the future will hold, and isn't sure that she is up to facing that. Jocelyn begins to consider self-euthanasia, but the ways and means aren't clear, and asking for help isn't easy. She struggles with the choices available to her.
As always these books are about the people, the characters, their choices and motivations. An excellent read.
The bones of a young woman are exposed as a hill collapses after a rainstorm, and thus a case of a missing girl that began sixteen years before is closed with her murdered body. As Serrailler reopens her case hoping to discover her murderer, another woman's body is found in the same location. But her identity is more elusive. The police force has a tight budget, and Simon's investigation is mostly on his shoulders.
Simon's sister Cat is still finding her way after the recent death of her husband, and the hospice where she works is struggling financially. When a newcomer to town, a doctor who has opened a nursing home specifically for dementia patients, is suggested to head a new committee for fund-raising for the hospice, Cat finds new hope. Molly, a young intern at the local hospital, is staying at Cat's house, and doing stints at a number of medical institutions, including Cat's hospice and the new nursing home.
Jocelyn still lives on her own, but meets up with her daughter, Penny, a successful barrister, regularly. When she notices some physical problems, she goes to see her doctor, Cat, but realizes quickly that she must face up to a more serious diagnosis than she originally thought. She knows what the future will hold, and isn't sure that she is up to facing that. Jocelyn begins to consider self-euthanasia, but the ways and means aren't clear, and asking for help isn't easy. She struggles with the choices available to her.
As always these books are about the people, the characters, their choices and motivations. An excellent read.
A flood leads to the discovery of the bodies of two girls, who died 16 years ago. One is a "cold case"; the other girl was apparently never missed. Simon investigates the cases, works out most of what went on and then forces a witness to explain exactly what happened by sitting in her house with her in silence for hours. He then seemingly decides to leave the cases unsolved out of a sense of delicacy because the perpetrator is now suffering from dementia. What about the relatives of the dead girls - don't they deserve justice/closure? Shouldn't Lottie face charges for concealing the deaths?
Then there is a side story about a woman suffering from motor neurone disease, which was at first sad, then odd and then very melodramatic. There was a lot of focus, often in quite a heavy handed way, on end of life care and how assisted suicide is a very very bad thing.
Finally Simon meets Rachel and behaves like a particularly revolting teenager. He is instantly in love with her, but it cannot be etc etc. Yuck!
Then there is a side story about a woman suffering from motor neurone disease, which was at first sad, then odd and then very melodramatic. There was a lot of focus, often in quite a heavy handed way, on end of life care and how assisted suicide is a very very bad thing.
Susan Hill' Simon Serrailler mystery series still wows me. There have been better & best titles, never a disappointment.
Many plot facets this time, that get summed up very satisfactorily. Trouble with his own life, that of his extended family, she keeps in mind keeping him a real person (yes, it is fiction, no worries).
Cold case, also addresses a touchy subject, sensitive to the times...
One thing: man, these Brits drink coffee at ALL hours... I was almost kept awake via sympathetic caffeine!
Many plot facets this time, that get summed up very satisfactorily. Trouble with his own life, that of his extended family, she keeps in mind keeping him a real person (yes, it is fiction, no worries).
Cold case, also addresses a touchy subject, sensitive to the times...
One thing: man, these Brits drink coffee at ALL hours... I was almost kept awake via sympathetic caffeine!
#6 Superintendent Simon Serailler series
More than just a typical mystery. Reading these novels is like visiting with old friends. Hill is a master at exposing the psychological side of her characters.
More than just a typical mystery. Reading these novels is like visiting with old friends. Hill is a master at exposing the psychological side of her characters.
Not as enjoyable as previous; it's a set up book for the next where, I imagine, she will tie up the threads. It could've done without the less than subtle politics on occasion. The love story for Simon Serrailer was quite irritating. Still, I do like the issues she throws up & this was at least thought provoking.