Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780099534983
ISBN number: 0099534983
Label: Vintage Books
Manufacturer: Vintage Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 576
Printing Date: October 27, 2009
Publishing house: Vintage Books
Release Date: October 27, 2009
Studio: Vintage Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Susan Hill, a master of characterization and storytelling, writes with compassion, humour and a unique understanding of the details of daily life in this utterly absorbing crime novel — the very first in a series of three, featuring the English policeman Simon Serrailler.
From the Paperback edition.
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Rated by buyers -
I had never heard of this author until I read about her in a British Mystery Discusion here on Amazon. Once I started to read the book I couldn't put it down - it pulled me in totally. The characters were sympathetic, the author used language beautifully to create compelling atmosphere and to paint the stark contrast between the coziness of a Bristish cathedral town and its "haunting" by a psychopathic killer. The discussions of alternative medicine were interesting (and the author did not necessarily make it clear which side she was on - nor, for that matter, what she thinks of psychics.) However I have to agree with what some others have said here - I was totally unprepared for the ending, and it was devastating. In retrospect I could not say that this mystery was an "entertainment" as so many mysteries are. (It was more like a kick in the head.) And because of this I felt it was more like a novel with a mystery at its center. Feeling that I as a reader have been treated so roughly by the author I wonder if I'll read any other books by her. However the writing is so good that I may have to eventually - after I get over the aftereffects of this one. And if I do I'll be better prepared the subsequent time not to expect a happy ending.
Rated by buyers 
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This book was on our mystery book club list. We read two a month but this one really stood out, primarily because the writing is outstanding. It hooks you from page one, the characters are so real you can identify with them and actually care about them as well. The book was a hit with the entire group (a rarity) and we all said that we will read more of Susan Hill's books.
Rated by buyers 
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THE VARIOUS HAUNTS OF MEN (Pol. Proc-DS Freya Graffam-England-Cont) - NR
Hill, Susan - 1st in series
Chatto & Windus, 2004, UK Hardcover - ISBN number: 185619714x
First Sentence: Last week I found a letter from you.
In a small English cathedral town, a 53-year-old single woman disappears while on her daily run on "The Hill." DS Freya Graffam searches the woman's cottage for clues and finds a hidden present; a pair of expensive cufflinks and a note saying "To You, with all possible love from your devoted, Me." It is surprising as no one knew the woman had been seeing any one. As Freya investigates, she also finds a number of other people who have disappeared from "The Hill" as well.
I was annoyed by this book almost from the very first page. I felt drowned in a minutia of detail which had not real relevance to the plot. There are too many strands to the plot, many of which are just left hanging at the end.
Many of the characters begin as interesting but, again, fade off to nothing. This is supposed to be a "Simon Serrailler" book, but his presence in the story is negligible.
The subject of conventional versus non-conventional medicine could have been interesting but becomes rambling instead. The book is overlong and I lost interest about half-way through the book and skimmed from there on until toward the end.
I was underwhelmed by the killer's motive and annoyed to have the killer revealed significantly before the end of the book. The end of this book was one that moved it into the category of a wall-banger for me.
This book has been sitting on my shelf since 2004. I regret having wasted the time to read it and even more, wasted the money to buy it.
Rated by buyers -
It has been weeks since I finished this book and it is still in the forefront of my mind. What a find. This was the best book I have read over the past year.
This is a book of literature, intelligently written with atmosphere, very real characterizations and a great story. The characters really did blow me away. Ms. Hill takes the time to fully envelope you in the locale and with the lives of all the people. The mystery also flows throughout the book and build as we know more and more about the characters. I was so sad when this book ended that I had to go and get the subsequent one in this series immediately.
I want to stress how much I loved this book and put out all its great qualities without sacrificing plot for there are some real shockers in this read. If you prefer novels that make you think and provide you with a whole other world to travel to then this book is for you. Ms. Hill is truly gifted and if the rest of this series holds up she will be my new favorite author.
Believe me, even with all the deep characterization the mystery aspect is spellbinding and the payoff is more than worth it.
Rated by buyers 
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As a novel it was moderately entertaining and relatively well written. As a mystery, it was unsatisfying. The author gradually reveals the identity of the murderer, well before the end of the novel, and before the police solve the mystery. The author treats the main detective with a cruelty worthy of Susan George, who is unparalleled in the awful fates she devises for her detectives.
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