If you're reading this book then you're probably a Serallier fan already. You know what to expect and it will fill the gap from the last full length novel to the next.

I have never read any of this series before, so this was a new one for me. I think I needed to have started at the beginning as opposed to a short story well into the series as, to be honest, I struggled with the storyline and the characters. Whilst only a very short read which only took me less than half an hour to read, I couldn't connect with any of the characters as there wasn't much to go with regards to their background. The storyline however was well thought out and interesting, but I think I need to go back to the earlier books in the series to see if I can connect with the main character.

A very brief introduction to Simon Serrailler and start of his C.I.D career. Despite its small size it was interesting and chock-full of suspense. I may have to give the rest of the series a go after this.

A VERY brief, very short story introducing Simon Serrailler and the way his C.I.D career began. Decent amount of suspense really, considering just how little there is to read, which took me all of 15 minutes!

Whilst being a short story it whetted the appetite to read more of Simon Serrailler's undercover activity. I got the feeling that the story whilst being short was also lacking a little in detail and I didn't quite believe the set-up to be a true representation of a 'first' undercover op. I've scored it three stars out of five and I'm hopeful a lengthier and more detailed novel would generate a higher rating.

A very short story of a flashback to a point in time when the main character Simon Serrailler reminisces about his first foray into undercover work. It also includes an extract from the newest full length book The Comforts of Home.

Although it's just enough to wet your appetite, it's not enough to really get your teeth into but I would definitely recommend you read the full length stories and use this as an added extra.

Thank you to the publisher, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.

I enjoyed Old Haunts though I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read any of the Simon Serrailler novels. I felt I was missing a lot of context because of this. I’ve read a few of Hill’s novels but never the Simon Serrailler series. Old Haunts made me want to read the books which can only be a good thing. I felt the story was a lot longer than it actually is. I liked the way it was structured. Simon meets someone from his past and has a flashback from the early days of his career. This works really well. Overall, a well-written story.

Really enjoyed this, it was very interesting to go back and see where simon began,Simon has been away too long in my opinion, cant wait for the next adventure

As a starter to introduce a new detective this is very good. The plot was convincing but I felt that the story was too short.i have enjoyed San Hill as an author before and enjoy her style as f writing and so look forward to the follow on o this book.

A short story which seems to be giving readers a little bit of background to Simons early career in the Police force. It is prompted by a visit from an old friend which jogs his memory and we go back with him to London. It’s at the time of IRA activity and there have been bombings. His station is on high alert but there are also a number of hoax calls happening. He is picked for an undercover job - all very cloak and dagger - implying that taking part will be good for his career. He’s keen to get on a CID fast track so Simon goes along and soon his instructions, such as they are, come through. What happens next ... well no spoilers here!

Short stories can be strange things, they can just be a stand-alone story which you take as it is given and enjoy (or not) which is fine, end of as it were. They have to be tautly written drawing the reader in, getting across the point with characters, whether to love or hate, to connect with and give a fulfilling read. Not easy in a few pages.

As with a number of authors this short story is linked to a novel, especially a series, giving readers insights to enhance their knowledge, understanding of a character or situation. In this case it seemed to me more a re-introduction to DCI Simon Serrailler for readers. So going back to his early Police career maybe just giving that bit of backstory that will be useful to know when the new book comes out rather than for interest only. It can’t be crucial to the new book as not everyone will read a short story, even when linked to a book/series they enjoy. That is why I find this kind of short story a little strange, so I don’t tend to read them as I feel it can be a bit of a waste - money, time - with nothing really necessary to the next book. In this instance I was intrigued as I understood that the last book was supposed to be just that- the last of the Serrailler series - and so I thought it might be good to get back into the Lafferton mind-set. And that is just what it has done - which is great.

But then it also contained a preview of the new book - now that’s a risk! If I read it and don’t like it oh my! I could just not read it but it’s there........

I was looking forward to the new book........

and, thank goodness, I still am!

This short story has reassured me that this going to be just as good, as well written (as one would expect of the author) and that there is a story needing to be told and the excerpt that tells me it’s going to be another cracking read from Susan Hill.

With thanks to the publisher for a copy of Old Haunts via NetGalley.

Admittedly, I've never read the Serrailler series before, so as a jumping on point it was good as any. The setting was interesting enough, and you get a definite an idea of the main character's personality. Problem is that it's over so quickly none of it makes any real, lasting impression. Old Haunts is an incredibly short read.

Probably for fans of the series only.

With thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Digital for providing me with a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've never read any of Susan Hill's books featuring Simon Serrailler, despite book nine in the series being due out at the beginning of October 2018. But this short story is a great introduction, if you wanted to speed-date before committing to a long-term relationship. If you already know him, it might not be meaty enough at only 42 pages. Alternatively, it could enhance what you already know about him from the full-length novels and add another dimension.

I would have liked to know a bit more about Nina Cartwright nee Blake but I suspect their meeting was there to cause Simon to think back to earlier times which leads into the undercover op he's temporarily recruited for. The op was by far the most interesting section of this short story, as it showed how Simon's mind works and gave this reader insight to his thought process and how he would respond in a certain situation. I liked him for that and am interested enough to want to read something longer with him in it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance. I have not read Susan Hill's writing before but be assured this will not be my last time. I found this book punchy and a great opening adventure into susan's style and attention to detail. I loved the ending it definitely left you wanting more - in fact I am already reading her latest offering. I highly recommend this and other Susan Hill novels.

A short story, but the tension builds and builds extremely well. The story is about a young policeman, Simon Serrailler, who gave up medical school to become a policeman, with ambitions to join the CID, and become a detective. The story moves at a fast pace, sticking completely to the point throughout. Simon Serrailler is an excellent character, you can tell that he will be an excellent policeman, and the stories will be both exciting and interesting. Well worth reading. I look forward to reading more about Simon Serrailler.

A short story telling how Simon Serrailler moved into under cover policing in the 1980s. I admit to not having read a Serrailler novel so this was wasted on me really although I am quite keen to pick one up to see the man and the other characters in more depth. The London he paints is rough and gritty but this short story on its own does really like a filler and I’d much rather be reading a full novel about him.

I first read this series years ago and even though I haven’t kept up with it I was familiar with the character Simon Serrallier. You meat him in his current position and then the main thread concerns his time as a rookie constable, eager to impress and show that he is up to the job. It’s only short but is full of detail, and gave me the incentive to catch up, rereading the first three books and the later ones. I should imagine it will appeal more of you are familiar with the series, I was surprised how much came back to me.

The trouble with extracts is that it whets your appetite for more which isn't there! These are excellent trailers for what should surely be compelling books. The sooner they gone the better.

A short story telling how Simon Serrailler moved into under cover policing in the 1980s. A welcome filler until the next novel is published, and there is a tantalising extract included with the story.

I think the Serrailler series has been brilliant so far, but I can’t really see the point of this very short story.

Old Haunts opens in the present day, when a rather clunky few pages stir Simon’s memories of a summer in the early 1990s when he was a young PC and was chosen for some undercover work. It’s decently written and has a couple of quite tense, unexpected moments; with a bit of revision it might have made a chapter in a novel set at that time of Simon’s career but as a short story it really doesn’t add up to much.

Old Haunts is OK and will pass an unobjectionable 20 minutes for Serrailler fans like me, but I really don't know why Susan Hill has bothered with it.

(My thanks to Vintage Digital for an ARC via NetGalley.)

I don't tend to be a short story fan. They are often too sketchy, lack depth, description and substance for me. Nonetheless, it had the potential of being was an exciting story and I only wish it had been a full story as the theme appealed to me of Simon being tested to go undercover to get intel on IRA plots with the hope of promotion to the CID. I feel left hanging. A blast from the past in the form of Nina with whom he'd dated back in medical school, but that went nowhere. I thought there was an error. Steve, the removal man, said there were no lifts to the new flat, but Will mentioned them when giving him instructions to tip him off. It seemed a lot of trouble and expense to set up his trial. I didn't think Simon handled the assignment well. He made himself known to the men he was supposed to be surveying, even fought them. On being captured back home, he referred to his alarm button when he didn't know who had captured him. But he was a novice. I was tempted to read the latest book in the series until I figured it was Book 9 and I only have the first book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Vintage Publishing.