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  • The Benefit of Hindsight

  • Simon Serrailler, Book 10
  • By: Susan Hill
  • Narrated by: Steven Pacey
  • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (608 ratings)

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The Benefit of Hindsight

By: Susan Hill
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

In this, the tenth Simon Serrailler crime novel, Simon must engage with his own demons as Lafferton struggles to cope with a series of crimes that threaten the sanctity of hearth and home.


On the face of it DCS Simon Serrailler has had time to recuperate after the violent incident that cost him his arm, and nearly his life. He is back in harness at Lafferton CID, but is spending his spare time high up in the cathedral roof, making drawings of some medieval angels which are being restored.

Lafferton is apparently going through a quiet patch, so far as crime is concerned, until one night two local men open their front door to a distressing scene. Simon makes a serious error of judgment when handling the incident. The stress of this, combined with the fact that he refused all offers of counselling after the loss of his arm, takes its toll.

In her new role as a private GP, Simon’s sister Cat’s medical and counselling skills are tested by terrible and unexpected events at the homes of two very different Lafferton women. Their unreliable father, Richard, has returned to live nearby, in a luxury apartment for the well-heeled over sixties. It’s not long before he’s up to his old tricks.

©2019 Susan Hill (P)2019 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

Simon Serrailler, Hill’s brilliant detective, is the central character in the great writer’s crime fiction novels (Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall)
Beautifully told, Hill’s gimlet eye and steely prose remind you how fierce she can be (Geoffrey Wansell)
The Benefit of Hindsight evolves organically by way of a brilliant fusion of parts: plot, setting, characters, dialogue... I read it at a sitting. Not just a good book but an experience (Gwen Moffat)

What listeners say about The Benefit of Hindsight

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End of a Journey

I have finally come to the end of a thoroughly enjoyable journey. Since December 4. 2019 I have listened to all 10 of the Simon Serailler novels. The last few I listened to in Lockdown so the "journey" was even more enjoyable. Susan Hill is a wonderful storyteller but what made me love these books the most was Steven Pacy's reading. He is such a master of voices whether they be male/female. old/young, English, Welsh, Polish, West Indian... he can do them all consistently brilliantly. I'll confess to shedding a few tears at the end which is quite out of character!

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would highly recommend

story, narrator both fabulous, really enjoyed it. Have read all the books now, hope theres more to come

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Love this series

I really enjoy this series. The stories cover some very difficult subjects but they are un-put-downable. I think the narrator is absolutely excellent.

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Disliking Serrailler more with each book

It might be me but I am finding Simon Serrailler more self centred and egotistical with each book . His behaviour to everyone is unacceptable . I found the plot rather lame too . Uninteresting characters .

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another great story

Another great story, well told and held me to the end. Can picture the scenes.

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Two very safe pairs of hands!

Love the calm and expert pace of Susan Hill’s writing. A confident re-visiting of the cast of characters that we are all so happy to see again! There could not possibly be a more perfect reader for these books than Steven Pacey!

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The benefit of hindsight

Another good book by Susan Hill, nicely narrated by Steven Pacey ,hope this isn't the last of Simon Serrailler.

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Always wonderful

Good characters, plot breadth, insight. Caring characters make me care for them. Please keep Simon going! Hate it when the stories end...

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A well named novel

enjoyed this book as usual, a sad ending one that is quite poignant in the context if the story line. As ever I am left wanting to know what next for Simon and the family.

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Not only a crime novel

Whilst I'm sure all lovers of detective fiction would enjoy this series of novels I think that the development of the wider cast of characters in these novels would give them a much broader appeal. I find myself interested in the characters beyond SS himself and just as interested in the unfolding family drama as the unravelling of the crime.

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3 people found this helpful