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Simon Serrailler #8.7
Old Haunts
One hot summer’s day, an old flame turns up at Lafferton HQ and Simon Serrailler is catapulted back to his days as a fresh-faced PC in the Met.That long febrile summer in the early 1990s, London was reeling from one IRA bomb warning after another. Sirens. Blue lights. Tyres screaming. People running. The army called in. And Simon in the thick of it. Until he’s pulled aside and put on a very different kind of his first undercover op awaits. Will the young Simon be able to hold his nerve? Or is he walking into a trap?
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
40 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hill
180 books2,271 followersSusan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 21, 2018
This is a single short story featuring Susan Hill's police officer at Lafferton HQ, Simon Serrailler. The story is too short for me, although the tale is okay, it is just not meaty enough for me. Simon receives a visit from an ex-girlfriend from the years he was a medical student. Dr Nina Cartwright broke off their love affair with compassion when they were considerably younger, and seeing her triggers off memories of a long ago hot summer in the early 1990s, where IRA threats and those from splinter groups were prevalent. As a PC, Simon finds himself experiencing a testing time undercover in the Delville area, crawling with drug dealers, petty criminals and more. If you feel in the mood to fill some time in between reads with a tiny morsel of a story, then you may well enjoy this! Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.
August 26, 2018
I think the synopsis is longer than the actual book! This is a (very) short story detailing the initiation of Serrailer into undercover work at the beginning of his career.
I would have actually liked to have had a much longer version of this. There was a lot of information that could have been added including more of his old girlfriend Nina and her (seeming) marital problems.
However it paints an interesting early picture and I have the next full length story to read soon.
I would have actually liked to have had a much longer version of this. There was a lot of information that could have been added including more of his old girlfriend Nina and her (seeming) marital problems.
However it paints an interesting early picture and I have the next full length story to read soon.
August 31, 2018
I think the Serrailler series has been brilliant so far, but I can’t really see the point of this very short story.
Old Haunts opens in the present day, when a rather clunky few pages stir Simon’s memories of a summer in the early 1990s when he was a young PC and was chosen for some undercover work. It’s decently written and has a couple of quite tense, unexpected moments; with a bit of revision it might have made a chapter in a novel set at that time of Simon’s career but as a short story it really doesn’t add up to much.
Old Haunts is OK and will pass an unobjectionable 20 minutes for Serrailler fans like me, but I really don't know why Susan Hill has bothered with it.
(My thanks to Vintage Digital for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Old Haunts opens in the present day, when a rather clunky few pages stir Simon’s memories of a summer in the early 1990s when he was a young PC and was chosen for some undercover work. It’s decently written and has a couple of quite tense, unexpected moments; with a bit of revision it might have made a chapter in a novel set at that time of Simon’s career but as a short story it really doesn’t add up to much.
Old Haunts is OK and will pass an unobjectionable 20 minutes for Serrailler fans like me, but I really don't know why Susan Hill has bothered with it.
(My thanks to Vintage Digital for an ARC via NetGalley.)
March 7, 2019
An enjoyable introduction to the character of Simon Serrailler.
August 23, 2018
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
If you have never read the DCI Simon Serrailler series you are in for a treat. I have read all eight full length novels and the three short stories. The prose is beautiful and although it Is a detective story Simon`s family also play a large part in the books.
Old Haunts is set before the life changing injuries Simon sustained in The Soul of Discretion. Simon was at work catching up on his paperwork when he was visited by his ex girl friend Dr Nina Cartwright whom he met at medical school. The visit reminded him of sharing a flat with his sister Cat in a run down housing estate in London. Meeting Nina again caused Simon to remenice about his first undercover job whilst still a lowly PC in the MET.
In the early 90s the Met was experiencing a spate of hoax coded IRA bomb warnings . One day Simon was called "upstairs" and asked if he wanted an undercover role to catch some IRA associates. Simon found himself working undercover n the same in the same housing estate as before, but things do not go to plan.
It was nice to meet Simon Serrailler again after I read the last book two years ago. I enjoyed the story but it was only 39 pages long so the story did not have long enough to develop.
I would suggest you read one of the full length novels to get an idea of Simon`s personalitiy before embarking on this short story.
August 22, 2018
Despite a few passages at the start that gave me pause, I ultimately found this story interesting and for someone who has not read any of the Simon Serrailler novels, this was a great introduction to his character. It tells the story of a young Simon as he is attempting to make his way in the police force by agreeing to an undercover assignment. The action of the story is well constructed and the prose is clean and concise, which I think worked very well with the plot. As I mentioned, some of the earlier passages felt a little 'male gaze'-y, which put me off a little and in fact, this section features only as a framing narrative to the main action. Having said that, the rest of the story was very good and I definitely found the character of Simon very interesting. Overall, I would read a full novel featuring Serrailler, and thought this short story was a great way into the world.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 7, 2018
I've never read any of Susan Hill's books featuring Simon Serrailler, despite book nine in the series being due out at the beginning of October 2018. But this short story is a great introduction, if you wanted to speed-date before committing to a long-term relationship. If you already know him, it might not be meaty enough at only 42 pages. Alternatively, it could enhance what you already know about him from the full-length novels and add another dimension.
I would have liked to know a bit more about Nina Cartwright nee Blake but I suspect their meeting was there to cause Simon to think back to earlier times which leads into the undercover op he's temporarily recruited for. The op was by far the most interesting section of this short story, as it showed how Simon's mind works and gave this reader insight to his thought process and how he would respond in a certain situation. I liked him for that and am interested enough to want to read something longer with him in it.
I would have liked to know a bit more about Nina Cartwright nee Blake but I suspect their meeting was there to cause Simon to think back to earlier times which leads into the undercover op he's temporarily recruited for. The op was by far the most interesting section of this short story, as it showed how Simon's mind works and gave this reader insight to his thought process and how he would respond in a certain situation. I liked him for that and am interested enough to want to read something longer with him in it.
Read
September 3, 2018 A short story telling how Simon Serrailler moved into under cover policing in the 1980s. I admit to not having read a Serrailler novel so this was wasted on me really although I am quite keen to pick one up to see the man and the other characters in more depth. The London he paints is rough and gritty but this short story on its own does really like a filler and I’d much rather be reading a full novel about him.
August 22, 2018
Review to follow!
October 17, 2018
3.5*
A short story which seems to be giving readers a little bit of background to short story which seems to be giving readers a little bit of background to Simons early career in the Police force. It is prompted by a visit from an old friend which jogs his memory and we go back with him to London. It’s at the time of IRA activity and there have been bombings. His station is on high alert but there are also a number of hoax callings happening. He is picked for an undercover job – all very cloak and dagger – implying that taking part will be good for his career. He’s keen to get on a CID fast track so Simon goes along and soon his instructions, such as they are, come through. What happens next … well no spoilers here!
Short stories can be strange things, they can just be a stand-alone story which you take as it is given and enjoy (or not) which is fine, end of as it were. They have to be tautly written drawing the reader in, getting across the point with characters, whether to love or hate, to connect with and give a fulfilling read. Not easy in a few pages.
As with a number of authors this short story is linked to a novel, especially a series, giving readers insights to enhance their knowledge, understanding of a character or situation. In this case it seemed to me more a re-introduction to DCI Simon Serrailler for readers. So going back to his early Police career maybe just giving that bit of backstory that will be useful to know when the new book comes out rather than for interest only. It can’t be crucial to the new book as not everyone will read a short story, even when linked to a book/series they enjoy. That is why I find this kind of short story a little strange so I don’t tend to read them. I feel it can be a bit of a waste – money, time – with nothing really necessary to the next book. In this instance I was intrigued as I understood that the last book was supposed to be just that – the last of the Serrailler series – and so I thought it might be good to get back into the Lafferton mind-set. And that is just what it has done – which is great.
But then it also contained a preview of the new book – now that’s a risk! If I read it and don’t like it oh my! I could just not read it but it’s there……..
I was looking forward to the new book……..
and, thank goodness, I still am!
This short story has reassured me that the new book is going to be just as good, as well written (as one would expect of the author) and that there is a story needing to be told and the excerpt that tells me it’s going to be another cracking read from Susan Hill.
With thanks to the publisher Penguin-Vintage for a copy of Old Haunts via NetGalley. This is my own opinion. I have not received any payment in relation to my review.
A short story which seems to be giving readers a little bit of background to short story which seems to be giving readers a little bit of background to Simons early career in the Police force. It is prompted by a visit from an old friend which jogs his memory and we go back with him to London. It’s at the time of IRA activity and there have been bombings. His station is on high alert but there are also a number of hoax callings happening. He is picked for an undercover job – all very cloak and dagger – implying that taking part will be good for his career. He’s keen to get on a CID fast track so Simon goes along and soon his instructions, such as they are, come through. What happens next … well no spoilers here!
Short stories can be strange things, they can just be a stand-alone story which you take as it is given and enjoy (or not) which is fine, end of as it were. They have to be tautly written drawing the reader in, getting across the point with characters, whether to love or hate, to connect with and give a fulfilling read. Not easy in a few pages.
As with a number of authors this short story is linked to a novel, especially a series, giving readers insights to enhance their knowledge, understanding of a character or situation. In this case it seemed to me more a re-introduction to DCI Simon Serrailler for readers. So going back to his early Police career maybe just giving that bit of backstory that will be useful to know when the new book comes out rather than for interest only. It can’t be crucial to the new book as not everyone will read a short story, even when linked to a book/series they enjoy. That is why I find this kind of short story a little strange so I don’t tend to read them. I feel it can be a bit of a waste – money, time – with nothing really necessary to the next book. In this instance I was intrigued as I understood that the last book was supposed to be just that – the last of the Serrailler series – and so I thought it might be good to get back into the Lafferton mind-set. And that is just what it has done – which is great.
But then it also contained a preview of the new book – now that’s a risk! If I read it and don’t like it oh my! I could just not read it but it’s there……..
I was looking forward to the new book……..
and, thank goodness, I still am!
This short story has reassured me that the new book is going to be just as good, as well written (as one would expect of the author) and that there is a story needing to be told and the excerpt that tells me it’s going to be another cracking read from Susan Hill.
With thanks to the publisher Penguin-Vintage for a copy of Old Haunts via NetGalley. This is my own opinion. I have not received any payment in relation to my review.
October 21, 2018
A very short story of a flashback to a point in time when the main character Simon Serrailler reminisces about his first foray into undercover work. It also includes an extract from the newest full length book The Comforts of Home.
Although it's just enough to wet your appetite, it's not enough to really get your teeth into but I would definitely recommend you read the full length stories and use this as an added extra.
Thank you to the publisher, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
Although it's just enough to wet your appetite, it's not enough to really get your teeth into but I would definitely recommend you read the full length stories and use this as an added extra.
Thank you to the publisher, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
June 3, 2020
I have never read any of this series before, so this was a new one for me. I think I needed to have started at the beginning as opposed to a short story well into the series as, to be honest, I struggled with the storyline and the characters. Whilst only a very short read which only took me less than half an hour to read, I couldn't connect with any of the characters as there wasn't much to go with regards to their background. The storyline however was well thought out and interesting, but I think I need to go back to the earlier books in the series to see if I can connect with the main character.
September 30, 2020
This is a stand-alone short story that can be read any time in the series, filling in some background detail about how Simon progressed from being a PC. The story starts with an ex-girlfriend walking into the police station, and though I thought this was going to be a sentimental journey for Simon, it became clear she was just a device to cast his mind back to what was happening in his life at the time of their relationship. I'd have liked to hear more about the personal side of Simon at that time, but the story gave me some insight into Simon's history and the qualities that spelled career success later on.
March 10, 2021
This is a nice throwback to Simon's early days as a uniformed PC. I enjoy these short stories as they focus on Simon, whereas the main novels in the series don't feature him as the focus. We really get a glimpse into his life and what brought him to where he is and allows us to focus on a short investigation.
For the one, I wanted it to be a tad longer as it finished too soon!
For the one, I wanted it to be a tad longer as it finished too soon!
February 21, 2019
A VERY brief, very short story introducing Simon Serrailler and the way his C.I.D career began. Decent amount of suspense really, considering just how little there is to read, which took me all of 15 minutes! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2018
I loved this story of a young Simon, despite it being so short it was barely a story!
September 16, 2018
Novella. Didn't really find out much about Simon but interesting for the historical context - the IRA bombings in London.
April 12, 2019
2 stars.
A quick, fast paced read.
A quick, fast paced read.
May 30, 2019
This was a very short story. A little too short to be impactful or to provide much further to the series.
Read
February 18, 2020Loved this one! I've followed the characters through the series - compelling and comfy reading.
April 14, 2020
A very short story about Simon when he was a PC in London and his direction into CID.
June 21, 2021
Nov. 2020
March 17, 2021
Five stars because this is the first Simon Serrailler book I have read. It is very short but paints a picture I want to know more about.
August 23, 2018
You just have to enjoy a Susan Hill story especially when Simon Serrailler is the lead. This was my first time reading one of her short stories and have to say I’m not nearly as big a fan as I am of a full book. This was a flashback story for me too so probably another reason for it not being my favourite. Good story though and left me waiting for the next book.
September 1, 2018
The trouble with extracts is that it whets your appetite for more which isn't there! These are excellent trailers for what should surely be compelling books. The sooner they gone the better.
September 4, 2018
A short story, but the tension builds and builds extremely well. Simon Serrailler is an excellent character, you can tell that he will be an excellent policeman, and the stories will be both exciting and interesting. Well worth reading. I look forward to reading more stories about Simon .Serrailler.
September 22, 2018
Admittedly, I've never read the Serrailler series before, so as a jumping on point it was good as any. The setting was interesting enough, and you get a definite an idea of the main character's personality. Problem is that it's over so quickly none of it makes any real, lasting impression. Old Haunts is an incredibly short read.
Probably for fans of the series only.
With thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Digital for providing me with a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Probably for fans of the series only.
With thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Digital for providing me with a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews