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Simon Serrailler #9.5
Revenge
A new Simon Serrailler short story from Susan Hill, throwing Simon into a case like no an effigy is hanging in the woods, and soldiers are on the run from demons in their past
Simon Serrailler is awoken into a hazy dawn by the sharp ringing of his phone. Called out to the scene, he’s told that there’s a body strung up in tranquil Harnham Woods. But on closer inspection it’s an effigy – a carefully made dummy, stirring in the breeze. Simon knows that this is no practical joke. It’s a message.
The gruesome result of the search will show that he was right. And the trail will lead him into a dark history of deceit, subterfuge and the damaged lives of soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan. But the question who has finally got their revenge?
If you enjoyed 'Revenge', look out for the tenth Simon Serrailler thriller, The Benefit of Hindsight in October 2019
Simon Serrailler is awoken into a hazy dawn by the sharp ringing of his phone. Called out to the scene, he’s told that there’s a body strung up in tranquil Harnham Woods. But on closer inspection it’s an effigy – a carefully made dummy, stirring in the breeze. Simon knows that this is no practical joke. It’s a message.
The gruesome result of the search will show that he was right. And the trail will lead him into a dark history of deceit, subterfuge and the damaged lives of soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan. But the question who has finally got their revenge?
If you enjoyed 'Revenge', look out for the tenth Simon Serrailler thriller, The Benefit of Hindsight in October 2019
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
117 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hill
180 books2,265 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 26, 2019
I am a big fan of the Simon Retailer series. I ordered Revenge as a quick apertif before the tenth book The Benefit of Hindsight.
The plot was promising, I think it would of made an interesting storyline. I agree it ended abruptly but that is the nature of short stories.
However I think Susan Hill forgot Simon`s arm had been amputated because he climbed a tree. Also It was a shame Cat, Simon`s sister and her family were not in the story.
Although I enjoyed this story it is not a must read for Simon Serailler fans.
The plot was promising, I think it would of made an interesting storyline. I agree it ended abruptly but that is the nature of short stories.
However I think Susan Hill forgot Simon`s arm had been amputated because he climbed a tree. Also It was a shame Cat, Simon`s sister and her family were not in the story.
Although I enjoyed this story it is not a must read for Simon Serailler fans.
June 8, 2020
A short story about Simon Serrailler who gets called out to a body strung up in tranquil Harnham Woods. But on closer inspection, it’s an effigy. Simon knows that this is no practical joke. It’s a message. But from who and why? ✨ This was over far too quickly and I wanted more.
August 24, 2019
I guess Susan Hill write this to make a point about soldiers returning from war zones. It only takes up about half of the promised 46 pages and the rest is two sample chapters from the new book. Contributed nothing to the series.
October 2, 2020
I thought this is a good addition to the series, a sort of side plot and intriguing, but it was over quickly and the ending really abrupt. I wish I had left it to the end of the book series as I have now found something out about Simon that clearly hasn't happened yet as I am only on book 6!
March 4, 2023
This is more of an outline of a story than a short story. Decently written, but I'm not really sure why you'd bother with it. It doesn't add anything to the main series and doesn't offer much as a stand alone episode.
November 24, 2020
Warp speed crime solving.
March 10, 2021
A short story covering another of Simon's investigations. I wish there was a bit more to if, more of Simon's thoughts and figuring it out, but it was still a nice mystery to follow.
April 9, 2021
Really disappointed. I hadn’t realised it was such a short ‘book’. An ok story but not for that price.
May 20, 2021
I love all the books in this series from the wonderful Susan Hill. This was an enticing small bite and finished too soon, but whet my appetite for the next full novel in the series.
October 12, 2021
An atmospheric short story, with a heavy military storyline. A chance encounter with a deer at the right time saves Simon. A quick read.
January 23, 2022
Just feel very ripped off!
August 13, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this.
November 10, 2022
Having not heard of this series and reading this short story I think I may have to read it
February 22, 2023
I really enjoy this series but sadly this short story lacked depth and was over before it had really begun. Disappointing.
April 28, 2020
This short actually came out between #9 and #10 of the series, my thoughts can be read on GoodRead and my blog for those books, it is rather an aside to the ongoing Serrailler series so I’m just giving a short comment.
Although Revenge is a Simon Serrailler story it is not required reading for the series. However, it is a fairly enjoyable short story albeit – as is often the way with short stories – with a rather abrupt ending.
Although Revenge is a Simon Serrailler story it is not required reading for the series. However, it is a fairly enjoyable short story albeit – as is often the way with short stories – with a rather abrupt ending.
August 22, 2019
Ridiculous plot
I am a fan of this series of books but was very disappointed with this short story, it had no substance, a ridiculous plot, a complete waste of time reading it and a waste of money buying it. I am thinking twice about pre ordering the next book in the series.
I am a fan of this series of books but was very disappointed with this short story, it had no substance, a ridiculous plot, a complete waste of time reading it and a waste of money buying it. I am thinking twice about pre ordering the next book in the series.
September 30, 2024
Just glad I didn't have to pay for this! What a waste of money this would have been
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews