- Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Vintage Books; New edition edition (July 4 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0099462109
- ISBN-13: 978-0099462101
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 3.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 259 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #273,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Product Details |
Product Description
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.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.ca
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.5 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Simon Serrailler novel, Oct 14 2005
By Beverley Strong - Published on Amazon.com
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.
18 of 22 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, Sep 19 2006
By Helen Simpson - Published on Amazon.com
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.
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, Dec 26 2007
By Susan K. Schoonover "Sue Yingling" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Pure In Heart (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.
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
