The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill
by Jenners • 01/23/2013 • 4 Stars, Fiction, H Authors, Mystery/Thriller, R Titles • 36 Comments
The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Why I Read It: This is the third book in a series that I’m finding oddly compelling
My Rating: 4 stars
The Risk of Darkness is the third book of the “Simon Serrailler mystery series” (though, honestly, I think it could just as easily be the “Lafferton mystery series” as Simon often seems like a minor player in his own books). This is, to be honest, one of the oddest mystery series I’ve ever read, which is part of the attraction for me. In the first book, Simon barely made an appearance, and the ending was so shocking that I had to reread it to make sure I read it right. The second book dealt primarily with a child kidnapping case, which was left unresolved. In this third book, the child kidnapping case is picked up again as we find out “whodunit” (the answer isn’t one you could have figured out, but the “who” is particularly interesting).
As always, we get involved in the happenings of Simon’s family, particularly his sister Cat. (And let me tell you, Susan Hill isn’t afraid to knock off her own characters. No one is safe!) We also see Simon having strong feelings for a woman (sadly, not the oft-used and abused Diana)—whose attraction might be her very unavailability. Finally, a major story thread is the death of a young wife, whose crazed and bereaved husband goes off the rails as a result. As with the previous two books, we flip back and forth between all these plot lines and get into the heads of all the characters (from a murderer to a victim to the murderer’s family and everyone in between).
Part of why I like this series is that I never know where Hill is going to take it. Any one could die at any moment. New story lines are introduced and may or may not be continued in future books. Simon is a bit of a cad who has some major character flaws and often seems like a cipher in his own series. Hill writes fluidly from the points of view of children, men, women, victims, criminals, and the police. She gives minor characters story lines that continue from book to book. You never know who might appear in the next book or what minor plot point might turn out to be critical. It is a unique series (and if you’ve read another like it, please let me know!), and I’m intrigued about where she will take the fourth book, The Vows of Silence. If you’re looking for a well-written, unusual and unpredictable mystery series, this would be worth checking out.
I’m going to see if my library has this series. I am very intrigued…
I have never heard of this series, but now I really, really want to go get the whole thing right now!!
I think once you read the first one, you’ll feel like you have to go on!
I have heard before that Susan Hill is a writer to read but haven’t picked up any of her books yet…..I think it might have even been you who recommended her before! I think I’m just going to go ahead and download the first one…..if I like it and review it, I’ll credit you for the recommendation….and if I hate it….well, I’ll just have to blame you, k?
Nah, I have no doubt I will probably love this series ~ you’re the one who turned me on to Tana French!
I think you’ll be hooked after the first book … it has a doozy of an ending. And I’ve written about three of her books in this series so you’ve probably heard about her from me a few times now. I’m willing to take the blame (or credit).
OOOH you make this sound interesting! I am going to watch for these books.
it is a very interesting series with a different feel and flavor to them.
I won’t start this series just yet, but it does sound good, and after the care of wooden floors, I think I’m liking your taste.
Aww…you just made my day with your comment.
You’ve certainly piqued my interest here. Since I’m too swamped with books to start a new series right now, the author will go on my wish list for future reference.
It is always good to have books for when you “run out” of your current stock.
Love this series…that ending in the first…WOW!
I KNOW!! I didn’t see that coming AT ALL and was just blown away.
Jenners, you make this series sound really great. I like the fact that events in the books are unpredictable.
That is what draws me to it too. It isn’t all laid out nice and neat and predictably. And that she’ll kill off characters without warning is cool too!
Interesting… what I love about Deborah Crombie’s books is how minor plot lines recur and become major in later books. This series sounds like the total opposite!
I’ve not read any Deborah Crombie but I should check her out I guess!
I don’t usually gravitate towards mystery series, but you’ve made this one sound so unusual and compelling that I think I am going to have to see if I can grab it up when I can. I like that the story takes off in so many directions, and that there are so many threads to pick up over and over in subsequent books, You’ve really made this one sound appealing, Jenners! I am off to see if the library has it!!
It definitely isn’t your conventional tidy little mystery. It veers all over the place and it just as much about poeple’s lives as the whole “murder” stuff.
Oh that would be fun as I more often than not can figure out what is going to happen but it sounds like she may break some of the “rules” to make it truly hard to guess.
She definitely breaks the rules. They are a nice change of pace.
Sounds compelling – I’m going to have to check this series out!
I think you’ll be hooked after Book One!
I agree with oddly compelling and Simon minor player in his own series and Hill not afraid to knock off characters. I read them for the same reasons!
I know! I love how she just kills people unexpectedly and doesn’t “play by the rules.”
Ha! I have a love/hate relationship with series :p I love em…but once I start a series, I have to read to the bitter end…no matter how bitter it gets before it ends (I’m looking at you, Laurell K. Hamilton). This one sounds like a good one, however…may have to give it a try
I can easily quit a series that goes downhill or gets repetitive (cough … Janet Evanovich … cough).
An author I really must read more of, I just don’t want to start any books that form a series.
I know … series can be a commitment. I really do urge you to try this one though. Just the first book. See what you think. I have a feeling you will really really like this one.
I like stories that keep me guessing, this sounds like a good series.
I know … it is pleasure to read books that surprise you.
It sounds like this is Susan Hill’s “proper” genre because her historical ghost stories just aren’t that great, especially when held up against authors like Sarah Waters. I’m glad you’re enjoying this series!
I’ve not read anything other than this series so perhaps I’ll just stick with them and forego the rest of her stuff. She does seem to dabble in quite a bit.
You definitely have me interested but if I start yet another series, I may have to disown myself.
Yeah …. you have a series problem. Don’t start it. And you know I responded to your Tag Chicken right? Just want to make sure you knew!
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