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The Risk of Darkness: A Simon Serrailler Crime Novel Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,069 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Following on from the child abduction in her previous novel The Pure in Heart, Susan Hill explores the crazy grief of a widowed husband, a derangement that turns to obsession and threats, violence and terror.
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"Susan Hill's books are not the usual traditional mystery stories, and that puts off many crime fans. By my rating, though, you can see I very much like the Hill novels. This one picks up a few months after "The Pure in Heart," which dealt with the kidnapping of 9-year-old David Angus. In this book, there's another kidnapping, but this time the kidnapper is caught -- more by blind luck than great policing. This happens fairly early in the book, so the novel is not a mystery nor a police procedural. Instead, Hill deals with the way crimes affect the people involved and their families -- both the victims' and the criminals' families. These novels are also very much a look at the Serrailler family and this one continues in that vein, with some major happenings. I wouldn't recommend this book without reading the others that came before. If you're a fan already, this one doesn't disappoint."
— Lourdes (5 out of 5 stars)
The Risk of Darkness Listener Reviews
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" Her novels are more about the exploration of the human mind, rather than police procedural work, and the ending always leaves you a little discombobulated. "
— Katrina, 2/17/2014 -
" Another great Serrailler mystery - totally addictive! "
— Ellen, 2/15/2014 -
" Not sure where this series is going. I expect there to be unanswered questions at the end of a book in a series but almost everything was left hanging, and there are still many characters and subplots from the 2nd book that haven't been resolved or even shown how they are relevant. Almost every chapter in this book seemed to introduce a new set of characters; unfortunately, many of them were killed off by the end of the book. Of course, I still plan to read the next one as I must see if anything ever gets resolved! "
— Karen, 2/14/2014 -
" I am liking the detective in this series. "
— Raypor, 1/24/2014 -
" As riveting as the previous two Serrallier novels. Her subject matter is so varied but her writing never falters from the excellent. The plots are well crafted too. None of the dreaded loose ends! "
— Sally, 1/23/2014 -
" Death, death, death, and more deaths; departure, departure, departure. Deranged murderers. Not much else to this one by Susan Hill. It' s too much death happening to different people in a short span of time in a village environment to be remotely realistic. I would like to read more mystery and less death scenes. Though Hill's characters are interesting, and there are many, they are bounced in and out of the story until death overcomes them, or they are left for a follow-up in the next book in the series, or just left to get on. However, I will read the next book in the Simon Serrailler series, hoping he will become more colorful. "
— LB, 1/17/2014 -
" After reading this third book in the seires, my comment is, what an amazing series. These books have become a yearly ritual. "
— Mary, 1/14/2014 -
" I love the repeating characters in the Simon Serrailer series. They are not static and the author is able to show how the murders affect not only the family members but the town of Lafferton and it's police force. "
— Turi, 10/4/2013 -
" I was surprised to find out "who done it". While not a horror story, it is horrible to any parent considering the abduction of a child. "
— Anita, 8/27/2013 -
" Good, not the Best in the series... but she's different, not rote at all... similar to E. George in some ways, with touch of Tara French. "
— Kathleen, 8/21/2013 -
" If you read the second Simon Serrailler book you have to read this one. Another well written book "
— Janneke, 8/21/2013 -
" Very involving in all aspects and all characters; many changes in Serrailler's life and work in this one, plus it ties up a couple of loose ends from the previous in the series. "
— Wyma, 4/11/2013 -
" I like the way the novels link with each other; I feel I'm getting to know the characters really well. Looking forward to the 4th in the series! "
— Jennifer, 2/12/2013 -
" So dark but so good- lots of complex issues and complex characters. "
— Trina, 1/10/2013 -
" I liked this enough to go to the library and get more of her books...and I read it rather than listened to it so that is saying a lot. "
— Dereka, 5/5/2012 -
" So far seems to be a decent mystery, well written with realistic characters. Finished it yesterday. I liked it although a bit grim. "
— Liliane, 1/6/2012 -
" At least one end was tied up from the second book, but it's getting a little old. Will try one more book and see if it better. Reading three so close together is an interesting exercise. "
— Helen, 9/11/2011 -
" Susan Hill's books are excellent. "
— Kathy, 8/9/2011 -
" I am enjoying this mystery series by Susan Hill. This one is just a little too dark for me. "
— Madeline, 7/11/2011 -
" I have fallen hard for Susan Hill's Serrailler series. I'm on book e, trying not to finish it in two days. I cannot get the next book, until Monday and i don't want to be without her over the weekend. Like I said... I've fallen, HARD. "
— Linda, 4/22/2011 -
" Still liking this series! But oddly unresolved cases and somewhat unlikable protagonist... "
— Camilla, 3/8/2011 -
" Found it to be quite slow but it does tie up several plot lines from the previous book. I just started reading "A Place of Execution" by Val McDermid which has a similar story line (missing children) but I find it less plodding and more of a page turner. "
— Lois, 3/3/2011 -
" 4 1/2 stars. I really like the characters in this series. "
— Nancy, 2/28/2011 -
" At least one end was tied up from the second book, but it's getting a little old. Will try one more book and see if it better. Reading three so close together is an interesting exercise. "
— Helen, 2/3/2011 -
" A terrific thriller combining police detection with multiple human interest stories. Although set in England, it reads like the best of American Mystery fiction.<br/><br/>This is first I've read in a series featuring the same Inspector Simon Serrailler. can't wait to read the next. "
— Ira, 1/29/2011 -
" Susan hill does it again! I really like the Simon Serrailer series; not because of this specific character particularly, but they are realistic, complex and full of humanity. "
— Chris, 1/28/2011 -
" I really thought that the 1st in this series was the best. "
— Martha, 1/2/2011 -
" I liked this one better than the first two. I can't wait to dig into the next one! "
— Carrie, 12/27/2010 -
" This one must have a lot of catching up to do in the next one?? I liked it, but I'm left with a very unfinished feeling.... "
— Birgit, 11/15/2010 -
" Well written, somewhat dark-toned, mystery / procedurals (this review is for the first three "Simon Serrailler" books). Nicely drawn characters and unexpected twists. Recommended. "
— Ron, 10/4/2010 -
" Pleased to note that Siman is an artist... <br/> "
— Jess, 9/12/2010
About Susan Hill
Susan Hill, the author of novels and short stories that have won the Whitbread, Somerset Maugham, and John Llewellyn Rhys awards, the Yorkshire Post Book of the Year, and been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Her famous ghost story, The Woman in Black, has been a play on London’s West End and is the basis for a major feature film starring Daniel Radcliffe. Her crime novels featuring DCS Simon Serrailler are currently being adapted for TV. She has been a monthly columnist for the London Daily Telegraph. She has also written several nonfiction books and books for children, with Can It Be True? winning the Smarties Prize.
About Steven Pacey
Steven Pacey is an actor and Earphones Award-winning narrator. He is a highly decorated stage actor, performing often at the West End Theatre. He has appeared in numerous television roles, including Tarrant in Blake’s 7, and has made over three hundred radio broadcasts.