Simon Serrailler Books In Order

Publication Order of Simon Serrailler Books

Begun in 2004, well known British author Susan Hill embarked on her series featuring the popular protagonist Simon Serrailler. Working from Lafferton in England, Serrailler is the police Chief Inspector for the region there. Having produced over seven books, with an eighth one to follow shortly, this particular series shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Using the crime novel genre as their basis, they have proven to be popular with both their commercial and critical acclaim.

Working in and around Lafferton, Serrailler works to get to the bottom of the case in these intricate and intelligent mystery stories. There is also talk of a television adaptation in what could potentially become a long-running series to rival that of previous popular shows such as Inspector Morse. This all builds towards Simon Serrailler becoming one of the best known fictional detectives, in a franchise that has plenty of life left in it yet.

Simon Serrailler: The Various Haunts of Men

The first in the series of Simon Serrailler novels from Susan Hill, it was originally published in 2004 on the 1st of January. Setting up the world Serrailler was to inhabit, it fully established his character as he undertakes his first case. It also provides the back-story, allowing the readers to get a good idea of his personality and who he is for future stories.

The quiet cathedral town of Lafferton undergoes an undergoes an unexpected turn of events as its usually tranquil environment is disturbed following the disappearance of a woman up on an area known as ‘the hill’. Although the vanishing of this woman is not suspicious in of itself, people tend disappear of their own accord all the time up there, it’s the mysterious turn of events that precede the vanishing act. A young girl followed by an older man and then even a dog all disappear from the top of the hill, leaving everyone with the suspicion that there is something else going on up there. Freya Graffham is the young policewoman that’s been assigned to case of investigating what it is that’s going on here, as she has only recently just joined the police-force and is looking to make her way in the department. With a compassionate and inquiring mind, she aims to solve her first case with conviction.

Paired up with the Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler, she finds that she and this enigmatic figure must solve the case together and investigate what might become a most gruesome series of happenings. There appears to be a killer on the loose and she’s getting herself in over her head as she and Simon need to find them before it’s too late and they strike again. Getting into the mind of the murderer they need to track there moves to find where they’re planning to target next, something which is rather challenging for Freya on her first case. As she partners with Serrailler, it begins to take its toll on her as she races to the end with all its twists and turns, always aiming to stay one step ahead of the killer. Opening up on such a grand entrance, this sets the overall tone for the rest of the series establishing the character of Serrailler and his role within the stories. Will they be able to find the killer in time, or will it be too late leaving to strike once more? Can Freya keep it together as she undertakes her first initial assignment? What will become of them both as they go forth with their investigation to discover the various haunts of men?

Simon Serrailler: The Pure in Heart

The second in the Simon Serrailler series, this particular novel from Susan Hill follows on directly from the last. First published in 2005 on the 2nd of June, it continues the story of the Chief Inspector and his many cases. Developing his character further, it establishes more of the traits that his audience have come to recognize and love over time.

Carrying on in Lafferton, Simon Serrailler has a new case to attend to, this time still set within the small cathedral town, as he gets involved in the local community there once again. After a small boy gets kidnapped just outside the front of his home as he’s stood there waiting for a lift to school, it seems that trouble is afoot once again as a new case is quickly underway, Adding to that is an ex-con who is finding it increasingly difficult to go straight and keep himself out of trouble with the law. Meanwhile it appears that someone may have been trying to help a severely handicapped woman end her life has done just that, or so it may appear. It appears though, that there may be a new evil within the community, something which Serrailler must face alone this time as he undertakes the troublesome task at hand.

Conjuring up a new foe, author Susan Hill displays something altogether more frightening than ever before with this second installment in the Simon Serrailler franchise. Creating characters that are so intensely relatable as well makes it far more terrifying as the monster seems a lot more real and close to home than it would be otherwise. As Serrailler gets more involved with the community, so to does the reader becoming more immersed in this every evolving world she has created. Featuring an in-depth look at the psychology of evil, it takes a very complex set of themes and makes them highly accessible to a wide ranging audience. Will Simon Serrailler manage to find whoever is committing these crimes throughout the community before it’s too late? Can he manage whilst avoiding any danger that might potentially befall him during his investigation? What will become of him as he attempts to find out who is the pure in heart?

The Simon Serrailler Series

With a television series potentially on the way, it appears that this franchise and character has room needed to grow and expand as a brand. As Hill herself has stated too, she has no intentions of stopping anytime soon either. The series itself has a lot of life left in it yet, and should continue into the foreseeable future.