A Change of Circumstance

Every new novel in this superb series is an event, and A Change Of Circumstance is no exception. Needless to say, the writing is of the highest order, the main characters are like members of one's family and the plot is engrossing. County lines is the principal theme , which is described chillingly and convincingly. Susan Hill is always aware of the need for change in the lives of Simon Serrailler's family and there are some surprising developments here! Wonderful.

How brilliant it is to be back with Simon Serrailler in Lafferton. I adore this series of books and was thrilled to be approved for an ARC.

In this instalment, the principal theme is county lines. As always, the writing is excellent and the chapters and paragraphs regarding Olivia and her mother were moving and sensitively written. Brookie, a disadvantaged 11 year old, is another of the principal characters and he behaves exactly as you’d imagine a child in his position would.

As always one of the major pleasures of this story is finding out what is happening in the lives of Cat and her family. It’s like catching up with old friends!

The book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger and for once it’s not a crime based one! No spoilers here, but I can’t wait to see how this will pan out….

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

I am a huge Susan Hill fan and love this series, so was great looking forward to reading this novel. It didn't disappoint and I was soon totally engrossed back in the lives of Simon and Cat and their families. My only complaint is that it had to end!

Another fitting addition to the DCS Serrailler series and again doesn't disappoint. Realistic depiction of both the crime and medical issues raised in the story as well as of the daily and bigger issues faced by each of the characters. Relateable issues are raised that draw in the reader as you, too, feel the despair and enormity of what needs to be faced. This is coupled with the reassurance that you're in safe hands with DCS Serrailler and Dr Deerbon - if anyone is going to even attempt to address the issues, they will.

This series goes from strength to strength, and this latest book is the best yet. The characters continue to develop and the storyline is strong. It could be read as a stand alone but to get the most from it I think it would be better to read the complete series. I can’t wait for the next book from Susan Hill.

The body of a junkie is found above a Chinese pharmacy. Vulnerable young children are drawn into county lines drug dealing by a weaselly thug. So runs the crime backdrop to the latest book in the Simon Serrailler series. As usual there's a strong family element too. Simon's sister Cat is leading a pressured life as a private GP. Her son Sam is at a personal and career crossroads...

I hesitated when rating, because I found it a bit unsatisfying, but it's just so well written. The storylines flew along, I was drawn in and stayed up into the early hours to finish it.

For fans of the series. It could also be read standalone, but I'd recommend starting at the beginning with The Various Haunts of Men.

Really enjoyed this...It has been a while since I read any Susan Hill so went back and re-read to two previous books to this to remind myself what had happened to Simon/Kat/Sam et al. but as soon as I had it was like coming home to good friend and read within a day (being couped up unable to move helped). Love the description, which sometimes can be a bit graphic but really sets the seen. Wish they would make this series of books into a TV series as I think that it would go down very well....now we need another to see what happens with Rachel ;)

A drugs overdose leads Chief superintendent Simon and his team on a county lines enquiry where they learn that vulnerable young children are being used to transport and courier drugs with the gang leaders knowing that they are young enough to be under the radar of the police

An interesting insight into the reality of drug kings and the ways they work and a gripping read to boot

I have followed the Simon Serailler series from the beginning and enjoyed them all. SH writes so well and the family details are so real, which makes you want to catch up with their lives. This book is very topical, dealing as it does with County Lines. It is tackled full on with ifs effects on the children and families. There is no way there could be a real conclusion, it is so insidious but this story at least plays out. It can be read as a stand-alone bu Simon can seem irritating without the background of the earlier books, which are well worth reading and I recommend them, starting with The Various Haunts of Men.
Thanks to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

The arrival of a new Simon Serrailler is always a thing of joy, and although this is not the best in the series, it is still a wonderful read. Serrailler's patch of Lafferton and surrounds has recently for the first time become the target of a hardcore gang of drug dealers, who are exploiting vulnerable children to make deliveries for them in "county lines" style. Young Brookie, being raised by his decent but struggling single father, is often hungry and is easy prey for a friendly-seeming man who gives him little treats. Olivia, upset by her parents' marriage break-up and her father's new young girlfriend and twin babies, finds herself drawn into the trade against her will. It is obviously not going to end well. Anyone looking for a crime procedural might be disappointed, as Hill cares less about "whodunnit" and more about the victims, shining a light on the horrific effects of this exploitation and how families are devastated by it. Never sensationalised, but always deeply affecting, her writing has the ring of realism and illustrates how anyone can be hurt by the presence in our lives of these ruthless criminals. We also reaquaint ourselves with Serrailler's family, notably his doctor sister Cat, who herself faces ethical dilemmas in her private role while trying to balance the needs of her new husband and growing children. She is, as always, the heart of the Serrailler family. Hopefully Hill will return to them again soon.

As someone who has followed this series from the beginning, I was pleased to be offered a chance to read and review an advance copy of this book.
To class the Simon Serailler series as just crime fiction would be doing it an injustice. Throughout the series, we follow the the fortunes of bachelor Simon's family, especially his sister Cat .
This latest novel continues that story combined with an investigation into the problems that can be caused by the the now infamous county lines drug gangs. As always it is well written and holds the attention of the reader from beginning to end.
Modern crime writing at its very best