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  • Hero: A Simon Serrailler Short Story

  • By: Susan Hill
  • Narrated by: Steven Pacey
  • Length: 51 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (307 ratings)

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Hero: A Simon Serrailler Short Story

By: Susan Hill
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Summary

When Simon Serrailler was a rookie constable with the Met, he did something reckless in the course of a night's work which caused a man's death. But his act was praised by his colleagues, and he was called a hero.

Years later, now a detective chief superintendent who has been badly injured in the course of duty, he receives a medal for bravery at Buckingham Palace while recollecting that fateful night of his early career, when chance disguised itself as bravery.

Susan Hill has won the Whitbread, Somerset Maugham and John Llewelyn Rhys prizes and been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. She has written 55 books in several genres, including ghost stories. The play of The Woman in Black is still running in London's West End after 25 years. I'm the King of the Castle has been a GCSE set text. She has also published collections of short stories, fiction for children, several nonfiction books and the highly successful crime novel series about the detective Simon Serrailler, who features in this short story.

Her new novel, The Soul of Discretion, published by Chatto & Windus, is the final title in the Serrailler series. Susan Hill is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a Fellow of King's College, London, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Honours of 2012.

©2016 Susan Hill (P)2016 Audible, Ltd
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What listeners say about Hero: A Simon Serrailler Short Story

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Neat prequal

What made the experience of listening to Hero: A Simon Serrailler Short Story the most enjoyable?

Great narration.

What did you like best about this story?

Works well as a standalone or as a backfill for those familiar with the series. It's tight, draws you in, but it's short and sweet.

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

Serrailler, but he narrates all characters well.

Any additional comments?

An unexpected bonus, I normally read this series, but I've listened to a couple and this filler story is a must for anyone following Serrailler.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Very short and uneventful

Not sure why this was written. It added nothing to the series at all. I actually listened to it twice thinking I’d missed something.

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

A jolly good chase.

I look forward to fully discovering more about Serailler in the rest of the books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good reading from narrator

Nice easy going story. Brought up to date in the storyline . Look forward to many more

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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

Thought provoking

Very much enjoyed this well written short story
Sympathetically and beautifully read
With a very gracious ending

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Yes it very short , but still enjoyable if you have been listening to the series

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

Rather clichéd

Lovely to have some more Simon Serrailler, even if only a snippet. Frustrating glimpses into the lives of the characters makes you wish for a full length novel. Unfortunately this very short story felt rather clichéd and not very convincing, although Stephen Pacey is always a joy to listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

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

intrigued!

S.Pacey + complicated and cynical copper vs dark world of crime, plus a dash of mystery? yes please.

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

Another great addition to the Simon Serrailer saga

What made the experience of listening to Hero: A Simon Serrailler Short Story the most enjoyable?

Steven Pacey as always is an excellent narrator, taking the reader through Serrailler's early years in the Met and how his experiences shaped his future in the Force. I only wish that the book had been longer - I've devoured the entire series and am desperate to read the next!

Any additional comments?

Susan Hill, please write another Serrailler book! I need to know what happens next!

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1 person found this helpful

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

Just an appetiser

I haven’t read/listened to any of the other books in this series, so I thought I would start at the beginning. It introduces the main protagonist, but really that is all. As I purchased this in the 2 for 1 sale I don’t feel short changed. If I’d used a credit to buy it though, I think I would do. Yet to find out if it was essential to start with this. Onto Book 1 now.

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