Susan Hill Speaks About Her Simon Serrailler Crime Novels

Susan Hill takes a few minutes to discuss her acclaimed series of mysteries featuring the enigmatic detective Simon Serrailler and the catherdral town of Lafferton, England:

"I had never thought of writing crime novels because to me those had always meant ‘detective stories’ and although I enjoyed reading them, I knew I would be no good at the problem-solving sort of story with a series of dropped clues and a surprise ending. But the crime novel has become a serious literary genre over the last few decades and I realised that it presented the sort of challenge I wanted.

My aim was to look at issues in the world around me and contemporary life – which I have not done in my novels before. I also wanted to know not ‘who dunnit’ but much more importantly, WHY? What motivates a criminal? Why does someone murder and perhaps not only once?

Various real crimes interested me, I talked to psychiatrists, police, doctors and gradually worked my way towards the first book.

I also wanted to make sure that the victim or victims is someone about whom the reader can care. The ‘body in the library’ at the beginning of a story is just that – a body, not a real character. But if we have got to know the victims, even a little, then we find their murder more moving, distressing, involving - we care about them, as readers.

I wanted to follow the successful formula of many contemporary crime writers of having one main detective – and some other regular characters – and also to anchor the stories in one place, even if other places are visited during the course of one book.

So, Lafferton, a Cathedral city somewhere in the South of England, came into being. I am often asked if it is based on a real place. No, but if you think of places like Exeter or Salisbury you are on the right lines.

The Detective is Simon Serrailler, a Chief Inspector in the first book, later promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent. Members of his own family also appear in all the books – his parents, both retired doctors, his sister Cat and her husband Chris, both GPs, and their children.

Although the novels follow in chronologoical order, each one can be read independently."

In paperback from Overlook: The Various Haunts of Men, The Pure in Heart, The Risk of Darkness. Just Released in Hardcover: The Vows of Silence.

Susan Hill's THE VOWS OF SILENCE in The Washington Post

Susan Hill's latest Simon Serrailler mystery, The Vows of Silence, is reviewed by Maureen Corrigan in The Washington Post Book World: "The death that will haunt you long after reading Susan Hill's new mystery, The Vows of Silence, is a natural one. Granted, a serial killer is on the loose and young women are being murdered, but it's a mundane killer -- cancer -- whose "crime" is most shockingly dramatized. In this, her fourth police procedural featuring the dour Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler, Hill overturns the usual priorities of the crime novel and devotes her most searing passages not to the twisted rituals of the sniper but, rather, to the exhausting hospital stays and quiet deathbed struggles of a likable minor character in the series.

Hill's preoccupying theme in The Vows of Silence is the randomness of life. Nothing stays put in the world of this novel: Lovers leave, children and old friends mutate into strangers, and a tumor abruptly starts to grow. The serial killer, who chiefly targets brides, is simply the most extreme manifestation of the imminent chaos that always threatens to destroy what's been taken for granted. Hill is a writer who invites the big theological questions into her stories; indeed, Serrailler's on-and-off love interest, Jane Fitzroy, has been ordained as an Episcopal priest. But neither Jane nor her creator supplies easy answers here to the divine mystery of why good people perish while mangy low lifes still draw breath. The short chapters told through the serial killer's point of view are the weakest aspects of the novel and should be dispensed with briskly in deference to how terrific the rest is. Our perpetrator boasts the generic serial killer résumé: early psychological damage caused by a woman, easy access to weapons, flexible work hours that allow time for stalking prey. In a classic narrative move patented by Agatha Christie, the evildoer turns out to be Someone We Already Know. Don't worry. I haven't spoiled the suspense. The mandatory moment of unmasking is more ho-hum than humdinger. The somber Serrailler is thrilled to have his sister, Cat Deerborn, back with her husband, Chris, and their young children in the cathedral town of Lafferton (where the series is set) after they've spent months away on sabbatical in Australia. Cat and Chris are both physicians, so when Chris collapses in the bathroom one evening and the consequent brain scans show a large tumor, everyone knows the score. What follows is a deeply affecting account of how these thoughtful characters deal with the shock of that diagnosis. Hill's restrained style rises to the challenge of rendering the horror and helplessness engulfing all concerned. Aside from the serial killer saga, "everything else" includes other, more engrossing plot strands concerning Serrailler's relationship with the reluctant Jane and the struggles of a widowed friend of Cat's to enjoy a new romance despite the disapproval of her adolescent son, who has fallen prey to a fundamentalist cult. The fact that "The Vows of Silence" is light on what traditionally constitutes a mystery plot hardly registers. It's the intelligence of this brooding series that rivets a reader's attention."

More Praise for Susan Hill's THE VOWS OF SILENCE

Susan Hill's The Vows of Silence in the Midwest Book Review: "In Lafferton, a culprit uses a handgun to kill newlywed Melanie Drew in her apartment. Soon after that a sniper uses a rifle to shoot into a crowd standing outside a nightclub. Next a gun is fired killing a mother standing with her infant. The seemingly random killings have the townsfolk frightened and panicked. Lafferton Police Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler and his unit see no ties beyond the age and sex of the victims. The three homicides is made even more complicated by the use of two weapons. Simon wonders if two killers are stalking the streets yet keeps going back to the concept of a psychopathic serial killer. As he struggles with preventing the next murder, his sister Cat has health issues and his nephew is known for creative cheating at Scrabble. The police procedural subplot is well written, filled with suspense and has a red herring suspect, but the emotional intensity happens more to people in Simon's personal circle as he is the "watcher" even with Jane Fitzroy, a woman he is attracted to. The story line is fast-paced and Susan Hill effortlessly moves back and forth between the case (to include the killer's perspective) and Simon's personal life. British police procedural fans will enjoy Simon's not simple investigation and look for his previous caseload (The Various Haunts of Men, The Pure in Heart, and The Risk of Darkness).

Susan Hill's THE VOWS OF SILENCE Continues the Adventures of Detective Simon Serrailler

More praise on Susan Hill's magnificent mysteries set in the English cathedral town of Lafferton: "In The Vows of Silence, the fourth Simon Serrailler mystery, Susan Hill picks up where she left off in The Risk of Darkness. Detective Chief Superintendent Serrailler remains a loner who relishes his job and enjoys his passion for drawing. His warm and compassionate sister, Dr. Cat Deerbon, her husband, Chris, and their three small children return from their nine-month stay in Australia, and Simon resumes his old habit of dropping by to hang out with Cat and her family. However, there are changes in store for the residents of the cathedral town of Lafferton, and not all of them are pleasant.

Hill has never shied away from depicting life’s tragedies. Characters whom we have come to care about experience misfortune and heartbreak, and the author makes no attempt to sugarcoat their grief. The whodunit involves an expert marksman who shoots young women and then disappears, leaving behind no forensic evidence. As the number of victims rises, Simon and his team pull out all the stops to catch the predator. However, without witnesses or any helpful leads, the detectives are frustrated by their inability to apprehend the killer.

The strength of this book lies in its lucid prose style, beautiful descriptive writing, smooth dialogue, and superb characterizations. There are touching scenes between a fifty-two year old man and a forty-six year old woman who are dating for the first time after losing their spouses. Hill sensitively captures their reluctance to take a risk with someone new, lest they experience further heartbreak. The author suggests that all change brings with it an element of uncertainty. When someone takes on a new job, establishes a new relationship, or moves to a new location, there is always the possibility of disappointment. However, if we remain mired in our comfortable and familiar routines out of fear, we may miss out on wonderful experiences and satisfying relationships. . . Susan Hill draws us in and keeps us in thrall, as we eagerly wait to learn what will happen next. " - Mostly Fiction

Susan Hill's THE VOWS OF SILENCE in Booklist

The fourth installment of Susan Hill's magnificent series of novels featuring Simon Serrallier is coming in November from The Overlook Press. Booklist offers an early appraisal of The Vows of Silence in the September issue: "Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler is certain the murders taking place in the quiet English community of Laffterton are linked, but neither he nor the members of his investigative team are sure about the common element. In the meantime, the murderer remains on the loose, and he is more than happy to fill in the rationale behind his killing spree (if readers haven’t already guessed it) in occasional chapters that venture into his deluded mind. Complicating matters is an upcoming wedding at the local cathedral with guests of honor to include the Prince of Wales. Individuals familiar with Hill’s three previous books about laidback Chief Inspector Serrailler are the best audience for this fourth series entry, as familiarity with the characters will help sort out the family relationships (Simon’s as well as those of other characters in the town) that play a huge part in the story, constantly drawing on Simon’s attention as he looks for the killer. Fortunately, Hill does a good job balancing the interpersonal stories with the mystery, while adding to the mix a surprising, very credible overlay of deep emotion." -— Stephanie Zvirin

Starred Review in Library Journal for THE RISK OF DARKNESS by Susan Hill

“A gritty case of child abduction and serial murder and the obsessive grief of a widowed husband are at the heart of Hill's latest Simon Serailler mystery (after Various Haunts of Men and Pure in Heart).

While preparing for a posh London exhibit of his drawings, Simon is called to join a team searching for a number of children who have been abducted near his village of Lafferton. A suspect is quickly detained, but the evidence is scant. As Simon mentors the team through the investigation, violence rattles the village further as a young widower, crazy with grief, takes the new Anglican priest hostage. The handsome and enigmatic detective is instantly attracted to this feisty lady cleric, who ruffles his reserve and just might break his heart. Hill blends just the right measures of darkness, tension, and human interest. Her consistently well-crafted plot and believable characters make this a welcome addition to the series. Highly recommended.”

— Library Journal (STARRED)LIBRARY JOURNAL

Starred Review in Booklist for THE RISK OF DARKNESS by Susan Hill

Susan Hill's third mystery novel featuring Simon Serrailler and the English cathedral town of Lafferton, The Risk of Darkness, gets a starred review in the current issue of Booklist: "Hill is a prolific and gifted writer who has tackled multiple genres, but she may do her best work in crime fiction, as illustrated by her gripping series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler. In his latest outing, the enigmatic Serrailler faces his most challenging case yet when a young boy is kidnapped while waiting for the school bus. It’s as if the boy has vanished from the face of the earth – no one saw him being abducted, there are no clues, and eight months later, the case is still unsolved. Then another child vanishes in similar circumstances. But this time there is a witness who not only sees the make of the kidnapper’s car but also catches part of the license-plate number. As if the main story line isn’t gripping enough, Hill adds several riveting subplots that, rather than detracting from the main story, add to it. This is an outstanding crime thriller from one of Britain’s best writers. Taut, inventive, tragic, intriguing, and full of unexpected twists, it’s a must-have for all mystery collections.” – Emily Melton (starred review)

Susan Hill's THE MAN IN THE PICTURE in Los Angeles Times

Nick Owchar's "Siren's Call" column in The Los Angeles Times features the unlikely pairing of Susan Hill, author of The Man in the Picture and the forthcomimg The Risk of Darkness and the great H.P. Lovecraft. Looking at Hill's rceent ghost story The Man in the Picture, Owchar asserts: "Hill's story is a clear descendant of Henry James' ghost stories and their familiar elements -- the narrator with an odd tale to tell, the English infatuation with Italy, even the hearth fire -- without feeling derivative; and the use of so many hoary, gothic cliches (a hidden painting whose image alters under a supernatural hand) is a cross between "Dorian Gray" and "The Twilight Zone."And yet the terrain feels fresh and all Hill's own. . . Hill is a successful mystery writer living in England who also owns a small publishing house. A writer noted for her psychological detective stories -- The Risk of Darkness, featuring inspector Simon Serrailler, will be published next month -- she seems the model of that writer who has a serene, bookish, rustic life (she and her Shakespeare scholar husband live in the North Cotswold countryside) while her prose is full of violent, unsettled passions and disturbing situations."

Stocking Stuffers for the Literati: Susan Hill's THE MAN IN THE PICTURE

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has a great idea for a Christmas stocking stuffer: "Susan Hill knows how to tell a ghost story, and The Man in the Picture is a stylish little gem that's creative in conception and traditional in execution. Hill masterfully builds the dread as she lays out the story, but she never oversteps the bounds of edginess into excess. With a refined touch that other authors should envy, she makes this elegant story sing by melding the ethos of the traditional ghost story with the assurance of a contemporary prose artist."

THE MAN IN THE PICTURE: Halloween Treat from British Master Susan Hill

Jay Strafford of the Richmond Times-Dispatch gives a rave review to Susan Hill's ghost story, The Man in the Picture: "Think The Picture of Dorian Gray was scary? As the paranormalist said to the ghost-hunter, you ain't seen nothing yet. Just in time for Halloween, prolific British author Susan Hill bestows upon readers a slim but weighty ghost story, The Man in the Picture. And Hill knows the genre: Her "The Woman in Black" was adapted for theater and has been playing for 18 years in London's West End. Her current outing begins one cold January night in Cambridge, where a former student has gone to visit his old tutor, Theo Parmitter. Theo, an expert in Chaucer and a lover of art, counts among his prized possessions an oil painting of a Venetian carnival scene he acquired as a young man. Now elderly, he unburdens himself to his former student about the painting. One acquaintance, Theo says, studied the picture and saw the face of an old friend. Theo himself began having nightmares, followed by long periods of calm. But then came a magazine article about Theo's Chaucer scholarship, accompanied by a photo that, strangely, focuses more on the painting than on Theo. Within days, Theo receives a letter from the secretary to the Countess of Hawdon, imploring him to visit Yorkshire and listen to her ladyship's story about the painting. Visit he does, listen he does, and... But why spoil this elegant little book for you? And stylish it is. Hill's prose is understated but evocative, as in this passage about Theo: "He spoke lightly, of a jaunt to the north. But a haunted and troubled look had settled on his features that belied the conscious cheerfulness of his words." Dickens would have been hard-pressed to put it better. Hill masterfully builds the dread as she lays out the story, but she never oversteps the bounds of edginess into excess. With a refined touch that other authors should envy, she makes The Man in the Picture sing by melding the ethos of the traditional ghost story with the assurance of a contemporary prose artist. So grab a throw and light the light — you'll be up late tonight. "

High Praise for Susan Hill's THE MAN IN THE PICTURE in Rocky Mountain News

The Man in the Picture: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill receives a "A" grade from Mark Graham of the Rocky Mountain News in Colorado: "Hill's tightly woven spectral novella begins in traditional ghost-story style as horrors are revealed to an unfortunate narrator. Just listen to the first line: "The story was told to me by my old tutor, Theo Parmitter, as we sat beside the fire in his college rooms one bitterly cold January night." You know that nothing good can follow. In his younger days, Parmitter bought a painting of masked revelers near one of Venice's canals. To the Cambridge don, the picture appears to contain faces of people in the throes of terror, people who don't want to be in it. The story he tells his former student reveals the painting's curse and threatens the existence of both of them. Final word: This exquisite little tale should remind readers of great writers in the genre, such as Dickens, Poe and Peter Straub. Don't miss it."

Susan Hill's THE MAN IN THE PICTURE On Sale Today

From the renowned storyteller Susan Hill—whose first ghost story, The Woman in Black, has run for eighteen years as a play in London’s West End—has returned to a form that is fully classical and, in Hill’s able hands, newly vital. The Man in the Picture is a haunting tale of loss, love, and the very basest fear of our beings.

"A real treat for fans of a true, elegant ghost story, this slim novella is as accomplished a chiller as you would expect from the author of The Woman in Black. Told second-hand, as is traditional, alongside a scotch, a glowing log fire and a crackle of menace, it relates the history of a sinister painting and a figure in it who looks out at the viewer "with what I can only describe as pleading." This is chilling stuff – so make sure there's someone else in the room before you come to the end." - Independent

Check out the book trailer on You Tube!

THE MAN IN THE PICTURE: A Ghost Story from Susan Hill

Susan Hill, author two recent mystery novels from Overlook, The Various Haunts of Men and The Pure in Heart, returns this Fall with her acclaimed ghost story, The Man in the Picture.
Susan Hill's first ghost story, The Woman in Black, has run for eighteen years as a play in London's West End. The Man in the Picture, according to The Times, "unfolds at a thriller's pace with a setting that is reassuringly contemporary. In the capable hands of Susan Hill, the Gothic novel. that venerable but undeniably pensionable genre, finds a new lease on life." The Man in the Picture will be published in October 2008.

Susan Hill's THE VARIOUS HAUNTS OF MEN Now Available in Paperback

New in paperback this month is Susan Hill's The Various Haunts of Men, introducing readers the enigmatic detective Simon Serrailer and the cathedral town of Lafferton. Rich in psychological complexity, The Various Haunts of Men has drawn comparisons to the best works of Ruth Rendell and P.D. James. The sequel, The Pure in Heart, was released last year, and Overlook will publish Susan Hill's beloved ghost story, The Man in the Picture, in October 2008.

Coming Soon: Susan Hill's THE PURE IN HEART On Sale November 1

Arriving in bookstores soon is the second installment of Susan Hill's trilogy of mystery novels set in the fictional cathedral town of Lafferton, England, The Pure in Heart. DCI Simon Serrailler is back, and Hill is at the top of her powers, picking up the story from The Various Haunts of Men. In a starred review, Booklist said "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."

Take Susan Hill's Fiction Writing Course

The Overlook Press' own Susan Hill is offering a free Creative Writing Course! She's already being inundated with entrants! Here are the details straight from Ms. Hill:

1. It will begin in September 2007.

2. It will be on this blog but in a separate section from the main page - it will have its own dedicated area and all I will do on the main page is flag up the next lesson.

3. It will be open to anyone at all.

4. It will be FREE.

5. I will not be able to comment in detail on whole manuscripts but I will comment on individual work to a certain extent.

6. You will need to sign up for the course simply so that I will know if I am addressing one, or a thousand and one people. No comittment otherwise - I shan't know if you are there or not unless you comment etc.

7. You will need do some homework and this will include READING as well as writing. I do not believe you can learn to write well unless you read well, and read the work of those who have done the job better than you or I will ever do. So there will be reading and studying fiction and non-fiction as well as writing it.

Sign up today for your chance to study with the author of THE VARIOUS HAUNTS OF MEN and THE PURE OF HEART. And maybe your book will be featured in a future Overlook Press catalog!