RIP Review: The Pure In Heart by Susan Hill
by Jenners • 10/22/2012 • 4 Stars, Fiction, H Authors, Mystery/Thriller, P Titles • 38 Comments
Scream Rating: 3/5ths
The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill
Where I Got It: Paperback Swap
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
My Rating: 4 stars
The second book in the Simon Serrailler series (the first book was The Various Haunts of Men), The Pure In Heart takes place just a few months after the events of the earlier book, which ended with a huge shocker that left me reeling. For this reason, I wouldn’t read this book without having read the first book. These are not really “horror” books but they do deal with the darker aspects of life.
THE BASIC STORY
DCI Simon Serrailler cuts short his trip to Venice to return home to the cathedral village of Lafferton when he receives news that his sister Martha is on death’s door. Upon his return, Simon is thrust into a case that requires his immediate attention: the disappearance of a boy named David. Intertwined with the Serrailler family drama and David’s disappearance is the story of a man recently released from prison who is finding is difficult to go straight.
MY THOUGHTS
Like the first book, this is really more about the village and citizens of Lafferton than it is about Simon Serrailler (thought we do get to know this enigmatic character a bit more than we did in the first book, where he barely made an appearance). The plot’s main focus is the disappearance of the boy and how it wreaks havoc on his family. I thought this aspect of the story was well done. In the face of an unthinkable tragedy, the family begins to self-destruct rather than finding strength in each other. In addition, the way that Hill describes David’s fate left me feeling like I had swallowed a stone.
The story about the ex-con who is trying to go straight was less compelling to me, but I suspect that Hill might be setting things up for the next book. However, it was easy to see how someone determined to do right might find themselves veering off-track and finding the “real world” a less attractive alternative than prison.
Like the first book, the narrator changes from chapter to chapter. I love this aspect of Hill’s writing, and I never knew where she might take us. (She is not afraid to kill off characters!) In addition, there were some developments at the end of this book that seemed like they were laying the groundwork for future stories. I do plan on continuing on with the third book, The Risk of Darkness, and seeing how things play out.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for a well-written and multi-layered crime novel that is more than just “who done it,” this series would be very satisfying.
Sounds like a great series, I like it when an author is not afraid to kill off characters
I know! Never knowing who might bite it adds to the suspense.
I didn’t realize Susan Hill wrote any series. I have The Woman in Black, but haven’t read it yet. Since Halloween is almost here, I may just save it for next year.
I don’t mind dark, but I’m not a big horror fan. It sounds like a series I would like.
This isn’t horror but it is about the “evil that men can do.” She’s a good writer and this series is as much about the town as the lead detective (who is almost absent from the first book). I’d definitely recommend it.
i think i would love this series
after your interesting review.
It is a really satisfying and well-written series. More literary and character-driven, which is always a plus.
I own a few books by this author but haven’t read them. This one sounds good. Perfect for the season.
It is a really satisfying series so far … if you decide to read it, be sure to start with the first book!
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That does sound good- but definitely sounds like I had better read the other one first.
Definitely need to read them in order to avoid spoilers.
Nice, concise review, Jenners. I also like your “scream rating”–it’s hilarious!
So perfect for RIP, right?
Since my library never seems to have the first one of the series and I have a lot of others in my queue, I decided to give it a pass for now. However, I read The Woman in Black and it was ok. I have also read Howard’s End is on The Landing, nonfiction about books and reading, and loved it. Perhaps I wasn’t really in the mood for The Woman in Black at the time I read it. Hill is an excellent writer.
I’ve not read anything other than this series but I’d definitely read more of her stuff. She is talented.
Now this series has my attention! I have not heard of it before reading your review. Love that about blogging.
I know! I’ve discovered more books that I don’t think I’d ever run across or have heard of if I wasn’t doing book blogging.
You and I just seem to keep getting sucked into dark novels!
This sounds really good — I can’t resist well-crafted crime fiction.
Well, I am doing it on purpose to go with the spooky season. I need to stop though … I’m getting creeped out and depressed.
This review has reminded me how much I used to enjoy crime fiction – I dropped the genre somewhere along the way but its time to go back to it.
This does sound like it would be very gritty and intense, and I also love that the chapters are narrated by different characters. That’s a hard trick to pull off, but it sounds like the author does it well. Another one to add to the list!
Be sure to start at the beginning of the series though!
I’ve read a couple of books where the narrator changes from chapter to chapter. It does make for an interesting book.
If it is done well, it can make a book so interesting.
Another exciting book to read!
If you decide to read it, be sure to start with the first book.
I’d heard that about Hill, that she will throw anybody under the bus. And I respect that. It drives me mad when, in a mystery series, a bad guy just wipes out dozens of people without mercy but does not when he/she kidnaps the protagonist’s family member. Argh! Authors do that over and over again. If you are going to write these kinds of books, be ruthless people. I need to jump on her bandwagon.
I think you’d like her … her stuff is really well done. Be sure to start with the first book though. Talk about a surprise killing!
Okay, I think I need to read these. I wonder if the library has them.
They should have them but you never know. It depends on how big your library is. Be sure to read them in order though.
Determined not to start reading any books that form a series I think I’ll be giving this one a miss. Great review though, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Too bad … I thought you might particularly like this one due to the setting and all.
She wrote The Woman in Black, no? I just went to a book club where we discussed that one, and we were all wondering if any of her other books were good. How serendipitous! I’ll have to keep these in mind for RIP next year.
Yes … she wrote The Woman In Black. I don’t know how these compare to that but I really think this series is well done . And there are a bunch of them.
Sounds intriguing. I like your scream rating!
I’m having fun with that scream rating!
I’ll keep in mind that I need to read The Various Haunts of Men first if I ever have a chance to explore this series.
Yes … it is critical to begin with the first book.