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  • The Various Haunts of Men

  • Simon Serrailler 1
  • By: Susan Hill
  • Narrated by: Steven Pacey
  • Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (2,657 ratings)
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The Various Haunts of Men cover art

The Various Haunts of Men

By: Susan Hill
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Summary

A woman vanishes in the fog up on "the Hill", an area locally known for its tranquillity and peace. The police are not alarmed; people usually disappear for their own reasons. But when a young girl, an old man, and even a dog disappear, no one can deny that something untoward is happening in this quiet cathedral town. Young policewoman Freya Graffham is assigned to the case; she's new to the job, compassionate, inquisitive, dedicated, and needs to know, perhaps, too much. She and the enigmatic detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler have the task of unravelling the mystery behind this gruesome sequence of events. From the passages revealing the killer's mind to the final heart-stopping twist, The Various Haunts of Men is an astounding and masterly crime debut and is the first in what promises to be a magnificent series featuring Simon Serrailler.

You should listen to Susan Hill's brilliant Simon Serrailler trilogy in the correct order which is as follows:

  • Book 1: The Various Haunts of Men
  • Book 2: The Pure in Heart
  • Book 3: The Risk of Darkness
©2004 Susan Hill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Various Haunts of Men

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,404
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

*not* a piece of neat and cosy escapism

Susan Hill writes her stories with a dark edge to them that goes beyond the thrilling fast paced but neat drama of so many crime novels. This is a beautifully crafted novel, with characters so real you begin to feel fond of them - they become as familiar as old friends. If you want a novel that challenges the neat cosiness of other detective dramas, this is your book! I'm a sucker for satisfying escapism in a crime novel, and so though it's a wonderful book and I was fully prepared to dive into the series, reality bit a little too hard for me and I couldn't find it in me to listen to book 2.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A good story with developed characters

Listened to the end and the sad finish, will follow this with the second in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • jk
  • 20-08-19

What a great book!

If you enjoy a good crime story then you will enjoy this .The narrator is good too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

gripping

couldn't put it down! A gripping read with a tiny injection of the supernatural. well worth a listen, complex characters and the plot built beautifully.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Tedious.

Very slow, formulaic crime non-drama. Similar to an episode of The Archers, minus the dramatic bits.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning

I read all this series when they were first published. Hearing this beautifully performed version reminded me of the quality and beauty of the writing, the fine characters and enthralling plot. Just wonderful.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Marks and Spencer literature

I won't say I enjoyed this but it held my attention. It was clichéd and predictable but there's always a place for those qualities, safe and sterile like an M&S ready meal.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Truly AWFUL!

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Some young woman!??
My husband is the one who uses Audible. It was bought for him and these are really his comments. A warning that it was for women would have been useful. What male wants to plough through descriptions of the contents of a woman's handbag?

Would you ever listen to anything by Susan Hill again?

probably NOT if this is typical - really awful, 'chicklit' stuff.

Would you be willing to try another one of Steven Pacey’s performances?

Don't know if it is typical of his? Maybe he read it as well as could be expected with what he was given.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

NO!

Any additional comments?

Thought the 'hero' was supposed to be Simon Serailler? Not a lot about him.
Initially was going to try No. 2 but all the reviews said one ought to start at No.1.
Well, if they are all similar to this, won't bother!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A thin story almost saved by excellent narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

There were good parts to this tale but too many unbelieveable or clichéd elements which spoilt it. It was also more of a novel than a detective story - and definitely not a man's read.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was actually quite unexpected, so a plus.

Which character – as performed by Steven Pacey – was your favourite?

My favourite character was the detective constable.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A bit dull

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

There was nothing about this book that stood out. The plot was pedestrian, the characters not hugely different from other books of this type you have read already. The author spent more time on descriptions of interior decoration than on the detecting process. The author is clearly in love with her own creation, Simon Serrailler. So, just like PD James, but not as good.

Would you recommend The Various Haunts of Men to your friends? Why or why not?

No.There are more interesting books out there.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Steven Pacey?

Yes, the narration was just fine.

Was The Various Haunts of Men worth the listening time?

Barely.

Any additional comments?

Another book more squarely aimed at the female reader, I think.

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