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chloestanton2112's review against another edition
2.0
THE COMFORTS OF HOME tackles several plots in one book, without any real resolution. A transgender woman is murdered on a remote Scottish island (conveniently when Simon is visiting), and a series of arson attacks take place in Simon's English town.
When I first found out about this book, I was hugely excited as Susan Hill hadn't released any new Simon Serrailler books for a while, and I enjoyed reading the series a lot. THE COMFORTS OF HOME is a huge let down regarding the plot- there really isn't one. The first chunk of the book fills the reader in on what the main characters have been doing since book 8- a necessary reminder due to the length of time since book 8, however this could have been done alongside a crime-based plot. After this, we find out about the two different crimes. The reader discovers the murderer of the Scottish woman after he confesses to Simon (no adrenaline-filled scene that we come to except from the height of a crime novel), and Simon suggests the murderer reports to the local police, but no real accountability is shown. The arsonist is not discovered.
THE COMFORTS OF HOME sets up nicely for book 10, as it is evidently going to explain all the unexplained plot points of book 9 (something that Susan did earlier on in the series, with the child murder cases covering two lengthy books), however THE COMFORTS OF HOME simply is not exciting enough to read just as a filler book. This is where Susan's break from the series is most evident. I don't think the unexplained elements of this book are even interesting or disturbing enough for me to feel the need to read book 10 where it (presumably) is resolved. I was hugely disappointed with this book as I struggled to read the first half of it, and the second half had no retribution. For an author with 8 massively entertaining crime novels already published, I expected a much smoother return.
When I first found out about this book, I was hugely excited as Susan Hill hadn't released any new Simon Serrailler books for a while, and I enjoyed reading the series a lot. THE COMFORTS OF HOME is a huge let down regarding the plot- there really isn't one. The first chunk of the book fills the reader in on what the main characters have been doing since book 8- a necessary reminder due to the length of time since book 8, however this could have been done alongside a crime-based plot. After this, we find out about the two different crimes. The reader discovers the murderer of the Scottish woman after he confesses to Simon (no adrenaline-filled scene that we come to except from the height of a crime novel), and Simon suggests the murderer reports to the local police, but no real accountability is shown. The arsonist is not discovered.
THE COMFORTS OF HOME sets up nicely for book 10, as it is evidently going to explain all the unexplained plot points of book 9 (something that Susan did earlier on in the series, with the child murder cases covering two lengthy books), however THE COMFORTS OF HOME simply is not exciting enough to read just as a filler book. This is where Susan's break from the series is most evident. I don't think the unexplained elements of this book are even interesting or disturbing enough for me to feel the need to read book 10 where it (presumably) is resolved. I was hugely disappointed with this book as I struggled to read the first half of it, and the second half had no retribution. For an author with 8 massively entertaining crime novels already published, I expected a much smoother return.
escragg92's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
vyv's review against another edition
1.0
I refuse to believe that a book released in 2018 could be this transphobic by accident.
*spoilers*
It really isn't a good book for all of the reasons other reviewers have mentioned but the entire Sandy storyline is a step by step guide of how not to write a trans character. The fact that no-one challenges Simon on his perpetual misgendering, poor understanding of transition and general contempt for Sandy once is really disappointing. I initially thought Hill was going to use the conversation with Sam to explore generational differences but no. The cause of the crime is classic 'trans panic' defence and it works so well that Top Cop Simon Serrailer decides not to do anything about a murder confession because it seems reasonable to him.
Having reread or read all of the books up to this one over the past couple of months I have found Hill's preoccupation with difference quite confronting. For instance the only gay man in nine books is a paedophile, the first lesbian is a murderer, the child killer has some kind of speech impediment (which is then forgotten?), fat people are evil, every working class home is chaotic and awful, robber with birthmark, trans panic etc etc etc. Middle class people are occasionally the baddies but it's middle class lives where you see her real prejudice - laid alongside the squalid and horrible surroundings and bodies of Everyone Else, the expensive Serrailer homes are all calmness and light, they are havens (even the one with three small children in it). The family are all slim and obsessed with sports. They have Good Jobs and Nice Hobbies. Really the only problem is Richard who goes from being a bad dad to a much improved man and grandfather to a rapist and abuser in the space of about two or three books, a different review altogether.
*spoilers*
It really isn't a good book for all of the reasons other reviewers have mentioned but the entire Sandy storyline is a step by step guide of how not to write a trans character. The fact that no-one challenges Simon on his perpetual misgendering, poor understanding of transition and general contempt for Sandy once is really disappointing. I initially thought Hill was going to use the conversation with Sam to explore generational differences but no. The cause of the crime is classic 'trans panic' defence and it works so well that Top Cop Simon Serrailer decides not to do anything about a murder confession because it seems reasonable to him.
Having reread or read all of the books up to this one over the past couple of months I have found Hill's preoccupation with difference quite confronting. For instance the only gay man in nine books is a paedophile, the first lesbian is a murderer, the child killer has some kind of speech impediment (which is then forgotten?), fat people are evil, every working class home is chaotic and awful, robber with birthmark, trans panic etc etc etc. Middle class people are occasionally the baddies but it's middle class lives where you see her real prejudice - laid alongside the squalid and horrible surroundings and bodies of Everyone Else, the expensive Serrailer homes are all calmness and light, they are havens (even the one with three small children in it). The family are all slim and obsessed with sports. They have Good Jobs and Nice Hobbies. Really the only problem is Richard who goes from being a bad dad to a much improved man and grandfather to a rapist and abuser in the space of about two or three books, a different review altogether.
heather_j_fitt's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
peterp3's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first Simon Serrailler book I’ve tried, and on the basis of this one, I won’t bother with any more of them. Unless the earlier ones are better?
This is Ok, but too bitty for me. It’s trying to be a crime novel and a family relationships novel at the same time, and doesn’t really succeed on either count. The first quarter of the book is dedicated to introducing the characters, so you’re wondering when something is going to happen. Then there are some crime-solving parts. But overall it’s rather insubstantial - both the characterisation and the detection work feel rather shallow.
Sorry, Susan Hill, I’m sure Simon Serrailer has many fans, but it seems I won’t be one of them.
This is Ok, but too bitty for me. It’s trying to be a crime novel and a family relationships novel at the same time, and doesn’t really succeed on either count. The first quarter of the book is dedicated to introducing the characters, so you’re wondering when something is going to happen. Then there are some crime-solving parts. But overall it’s rather insubstantial - both the characterisation and the detection work feel rather shallow.
Sorry, Susan Hill, I’m sure Simon Serrailer has many fans, but it seems I won’t be one of them.
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It wasn't written as your usual crime drama. It felt more like a family drama with some added crime. It starts with Simon in hospital fighting for his life. Upon his recovery (not quite as quick and easy that sentence makes it sound!) he goes to a remote Scottish island to recuperate and gets involved in a murder while at the same time his boss asks him to look into a cold case.
One of the more surprising things that I enjoyed was how the two cases ended because they neither of them weren't cut and dry and didn't have what would be seen as a satisfying but I imagine probably true to life. I imagine many real life cases have endings that don't quite fit the Hollywood ending narrative.
The other half of the story is around twin sister Cat, now remarried and trying to help her son find his vocation, work out what she wants herself out of life and nurse her ailing father. Phew poor woman!
One of the more surprising things that I enjoyed was how the two cases ended because they neither of them weren't cut and dry and didn't have what would be seen as a satisfying but I imagine probably true to life. I imagine many real life cases have endings that don't quite fit the Hollywood ending narrative.
The other half of the story is around twin sister Cat, now remarried and trying to help her son find his vocation, work out what she wants herself out of life and nurse her ailing father. Phew poor woman!
lisa_parker's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nigeposh1960's review against another edition
3.0
As always a well written and very readable book but somehow there was something missing. Perhaps too easy an ending. Perhaps too little use of the Scottish locations but it did not grab me in the same way as previous of her Simon Serrailler novels. However I certainly will be buying the next in the series so obviously not bad overall.
lazygal's review against another edition
5.0
I'd seriously wondered where the author was taking Simon after the pretty horrific events in The Soul of Discretion and finally, after five years, I found out. This was a perfect winter's day read.
Setting this on both a remote Scottish island and in Lafferton and toning down the action, focusing more on relationships and identity was a good move. We see Simon, Cait, Cait's new husband and son Sam, and their Simon and Cait's father all searching for what's next in their lives, with a little light mystery in between. The Scottish mystery also centers on identity, while the Lafferton one is slightly more complex and violent.
With luck, it won't be another five years before we head back to Lafferton.
eARC provided by publisher.
Setting this on both a remote Scottish island and in Lafferton and toning down the action, focusing more on relationships and identity was a good move. We see Simon, Cait, Cait's new husband and son Sam, and their Simon and Cait's father all searching for what's next in their lives, with a little light mystery in between. The Scottish mystery also centers on identity, while the Lafferton one is slightly more complex and violent.
With luck, it won't be another five years before we head back to Lafferton.
eARC provided by publisher.