The Risk of Darkness & A Question of Identity by Susan Hill
I have been reading my way through the Simon Serrailler series by Susan Hill this winter, looking forward to sharing them with our customers next summer.
With each installment we read not only about the current investigation but also the events that occur in the day-to-day life of Simon Serrailler and his family.
The third in series, The Risk of Darkness, follows closely in time to the previous novel that left the case of a missing child unsolved. Now another child is missing and Simon is called in again. This time we meet both the murderer and the single mother whose daughter will be the next child to be kidnapped. There is no apparent reason for the abductions, and no obvious suspect at hand.
As usual there is an underlying theme that is explored, and in this case it is the firm belief of the mother of the murderer that her adult child is innocent, her need to believe that the police are mistaken, and that this is a case of wrongful arrest.
There were times in the novel when I disliked Simon Serrallier, and his treatment of his present lover – his disregard for her needs, thinking only of himself. This improves to some extent over the next several novels, but it seems to be taking a long time for this man to understand that a relationship means care for each other, not only ones self.
Simon’s sister Cat, a character who I believe adds a great deal of interest to the novels, and her husband are taking a leave from their jobs as doctors. And, the death of Simon and Cat’s mother that will open the door to a recent secret, that the reader knows about but Simon does not.
I most recently read the seventh in the series, A Question of Identity, which begins in 2002 with the trial of Alan Frederick Keyes, accused of murdering three elderly women. He is acquitted, though all but the jury believe he was absolutely guilty. He is granted Police Protection and provided with a new identity.
The novel then continues in 2012. It is February in Lafferton “a week of snow and blizzards, minus 4º, the town is at a standstill”. I am reading this book on a beach in Mexico, a sweltering 32º, very happy to be warm for one week in February.
We read the thoughts of the man who was once Alan Keyes, as we follow the story of the events in the lives of the citizens of Lafferton, and of Simon Serrailler and his colleagues, and his family and friends.
There is a new development of sheltered housing for the elderly being made ready for occupation, and some of the residents are moving in. There are various cases being investigated by Simon and his team. We are also brought up to date with Simon’s current love interest, and with Cat and her household.
Then, the first murder of an elderly woman occurs. The reader knows that is the same man, once again murdering innocent elderly women, but Simon Serrailler does not. The identity of this man is still held in confidence, and as murder after murder is committed it is more and more frustrating for the investigators.
Eventually the case is solved, and this time it is unlikely to result in an acquittal. A satisfactory end to another good mystery novel by Susan Hill, and back into the ocean for a swim for me.