A Question of Identity

By: Susan Hill

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

A particularly unpleasant murder - that of a very old woman in a housing project - rocks the town of Lafferton. The murderer has left a distinctive "sign" on the body and at the scene of crime. A couple of weeks later, a similar murder occurs, and a month or so later, so does another. Initial investigations discover that the mysterious "sign" left on the body was the calling card of a suspect who was charged with several murders in the northwest of the country, tried but acquitted on the grounds of insufficient evidence. All indications suggest that this person has simply vanished. Or is he right under their noses? Simon Serrailler is obliged to delve deeper and scratch out answers, in this addictive mystery of surpassing darkness by the best-selling Susan Hill.

©2013 Susan Hill (P)2013 AudioGo

What tells us who we are?

This is a departure from other Simon Serailler novels in that we spend, not considerable, but let's say, some uncomfortable time in the killer's head. Hill never does gore or salaciousness, so the reader is not subjected to awful details. And in the end, it is well worth spending that time for the internal questions the killer asks. It is an intense self-examination reflected in different ways in the minds and hearts of what have by now become familiar and beloved characters. Another gorgeously delivered read by Pacey as well.

Incredible series, terrific writing

This series captures the reader in a little world, Lafferton, where a certain family lives... Simon Serralier is one member of the family; the stories are built around his solving of murders in this small cathedral village but they are so much more than crime stories. The intricate family relationships, the village life, the characters that inhabit this world are compelling. Too bad the series is limited.

Another excellent episode

This was another excellent book in the series

Nevertheless some of the actions and thinking by Cat and Simon are a bit to much to believe given other aspects of their personalities, professions and relationship with each other

I won’t spoil the ending but think Susan Hill should advance both characters

Looking forward to the next few books to see where she takes them and other storylines

New Name/Old Crime

Murders of older women, a decade ago, are exactly the same as a new rash of murders. Through a quark of law, the killer gets a new identity and kills again. And again. And again.

One of the Best in the Series

I've read the entire Simon Serrailler series, pretty much back to back and have enjoyed the entire ride. I was planning to review each one individually but sort of fell behind. But it's safe to say they are all very good books in my mind. And the narration by Steven Pacey is over the top great. He is the reason I came across this series of books to begin with. So this is more of a review of the series as a whole than this individual book, so take it any way you want.

Susan Hill is a master story teller. There is so much more to these books than the detective work. The way she brings out all the characters and side stories is truly elegant. I feel like I know the characters personally from Simon himself, to his various love interests, his sister and her kids, father and coworkers - it’s an ever-changing environment and Susan bring it to life beautifully. The detective stories are part of each book, but not always the main focus and it’s fine.

The way Simon and his team go about solving cases seems more authentic than many of the books I have read in the past with more showy special forces or super cop types of lead characters. At first it seemed odd, I kept waiting for things to get more fast paced, until I got into the flow. It's a nine to five job and there is more to life than work and Susan blends the two together effortlessly.

If you’re looking for a good series of books that are a joy to listen to and capture your imagination and heart, you can’t go wrong with this series.

Susan hills Simon Serrailer series

These books, especially the audio version featuring Steven Pacey are beyond description. She is an absolute master at creating characters that are real and believable and putting you in the setting of her books.
I simply cannot get enough.

A nice listen

I enjoyed this book and I felt it was a nice easy listen. The ending was predictable but it was still entertaining.

AS LIFE MOVES ALONG

I DID ENJOY THIS BOOK AS EACH CHARACTER'S LIFE MOVES ALONG AFTER THE UPSETS IN THE RECENT PAST.
GOOD MYSTERY MOVES INTO THEIR TOWN AND KEEPS THE POLICE FORCE ON THE HUNT.
THE STORY IS LIKE A TRANSITION TO BOOK 8. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

I missed the “why” if it all

Later review: I’ve listened to all of the series to now. Unhappy with the family dynamic falling apart in the last few. I “get” that the author is trying to make them more “real” but too much strife.
I suspected the killer in this one, but stand my my earlier review about never learning the “why.”

The book is about very unique murders, but we never get the answer as to why? How did the killer get to that state and why? Or, maybe I just missed it…Narration was good, this is the second book I’ve listened to in this series albeit a little out of order. But was still able to follow along with characters. Relatives in the book seem to be disjointed. Sister, parents etc. a lot unexplained there as well

Starts slow but worth it

Great story after the initial few chapters which feel very random. It all works out to a rather predictable ending but the telling of the story is good and not so dark that you wonder who you are for reading/listening to it in the first place.