A Question of Identity

By Susan Hill

Lafferton is struggling through a bitter winter, with heavy snowfalls paralysing the town, though at least the police can be sure the ram raiders who have been targeting antique and jewellers' shops will be lying low.

The biggest worry the elderly have is how to keep warm, until 82-year-old Doris Upcott is found strangled in her home, followed by the deaths of 2 other residents of the same sheltered housing complex. Each time, the murderer has left a unique signature at the crime scene, which should help DCS Simon Serrailler, desperate to identify him before he kills again.

When links are found between these and 3 similar murders elsewhere, Serrailler is obliged to cross unfamiliar territory in his search for answers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jan 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9780307363046

Susan Hill

Susan Hill is a writer and Bible teacher with an MA in theology and a BS in journalism. She and her husband, John, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with two unruly goldendoodles. 

Reviews for A Question of Identity

[kmajort · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Always enjoy this writer. This series has been pleasing from the start, still has not hit the humdrum wall to which many mystery series succumb.

[carol420 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Question of Identity by Susan HillSimon Serrailler series Book #74.5 StarsFrom The Book:A particularly unpleasant murder, that of a very old woman in a housing project, rocks the town of Lafferton. The murderer has left a distinctive "sign" on the body and at the scene of crime. A couple of weeks later, a similar murder occurs, and a month or so later, so does another.Initial investigations discover that the mysterious "sign" left on the body was the calling card of a suspect who was charged with several murders in the northwest of the country, tried but acquitted on the grounds of insufficient evidence. All indications suggest that this person has simply vanished. Or is he right under their noses? Simon Serrailler is obliged to make delve deeper and scratch out answers, My Thoughts: I really like that Susan Hill has kept the setting of Lafferton, and the characters constant throughout this series. It gives the reader the opportunity to build somewhat of a bond with them. One bond I didn't build was with the murderer that was not only sheltered but given a new identity. This just didn't seem plausible to me. The book also didn't move along quiet as smoothly as her previous books had too many unsolved side stories and took way too long to actually get underway. All the other books in this series have received 4.5 & 5 stars from me...but I just don't feel this one can get more than 4.

[gingermama-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A thoroughly enjoyable series: intelligent and engaging.

[pgchuis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The serial killer of elderly women is, to everyone's shock, found not guilty at trial. He is given a new identity for his own protection. Then 10 years later, elderly women start to be found murdered in Lafferton in exactly the same way as before.That synopsis makes the book sound pacier than it really is. The first present-day murder does not take place until page 136. Before that Simon holidays with Sam, Molly struggles with her mental health, Judith and Richard are having marital problems, Simon and Rachel are still enjoying the angst that is their relationship etc etc.The body count within a matter of a few days was rather alarming and, while the whole fresh identity thing was interesting, the chapters from the perspective of the killer didn't make a great deal of sense to me. There were very well-written chapters, like the one where Lynne Keyes expects a violent reception from her newly acquitted husband, but eventually finds he is not even home. On the other hand, the parts about Molly and Jocelyn didn't add anything to the plot of this novel and are only really of interest if you have read the earlier instalments.The more I read these novels, the more I think that Simon is a pretty mediocre policeman and a terrible romantic interest. His sister is the best thing about him.

[victoriajz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bought while traveling overseas, an interesting introduction to this writer and her series. Intricate plot with some false leads. Kept me guessing...now to go back and start at the beginning to know the characters in the series.

[imyril · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The latest Serrailler continues the dysfunctional family drama, with clouds gathering over the Serrailler clan as Cat struggles with her teenagers, Simon continues to try and pick his way through his complicated love affair, and their father's second marriage shows signs of strain. I particularly enjoyed Sam's rather unexpected evolution (and the strong suggestion that something else may come to light in the future). For once there's little interplay with or influence from the case unfolding in parallel.In the criminal thread - nominally the focus of the novel, although I think we all know at this stage that's not strictly speaking true - the narrative is split between first person reflection by the murderer and the procedural elements of tracking down a strangler of old ladies. As with many of the Serrailler books, there's very little mystery in the whodunnit - readers of previous novels will not be distracted by the red herring for a moment, and will recognise the murderer almost immediately - but Hill is always more interested in the psychology (rather than identity) of her killers. As long as you're comfortable with this, there's plenty to enjoy here as always. The insights into court case technicalities and the intricacies of protected identities (and I assume Hill has done her research here) are as chilling as the unravelling of the murderer. Not the strongest in the series in my opinion, but a good read as expected.

[icolford · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From Susan Hill, another solid entry in the Simon Serrailler Crime novel series, which now numbers seven. Set in Lafferton, A Question of Identity describes the grisly murders of three elderly women in their homes. The genesis of these crimes goes back ten years, to a botched trial from which, despite overwhelming evidence, the accused was acquitted. Hill has structured the action so that for most of the book the reader knows more than the police, and Serrailler gropes along in the dark trying to piece together the bits and pieces of evidence that come his way. The murders and the path to their resolution are intriguing, but just as engaging are the lives of the characters that populate Hill's story. Serrailler, his sister Cat, their father and step-mother, and Cat's three children are characters in a larger drama that plays out over the course of this book, and which leaves enough loose ends dangling that readers will be eagerly anticipating the next novel in the series.

[solla_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a Simon Seruiler mystery, which means that aside from the particular mystery, it has the backdrop of Chief Superintendent Simon Seruiler, an artist detective with an attraction for and a reluctance to be committed to women, along with his sister, Cat, a doctor, and her family, and his father, mother, and later stepmother, along with various other characters who continue for varying lengths through the novels. The location is the cathedral town of Lafferton, in England, not tiny, but not too big. Simon is a likable and interesting character, despite his imperfections. He has strong emotions and connections with his family. His sister, Cat, is the heart of the extended family, and the one he goes to for comfort. Simon plays somewhat of a father role for his nephew, Sam. This backdrop is interesting in itself, and then, the extended family is often drawn into the particular mysteries as well, with lingering effects on them.This particular mystery is about a series of murders of old women. Some of the selections are from the point of view of the murderer. Like all these mysteries, the people are complex and the story is good and draws you in. The murderer had been given a new identity for his own protection and had stopped killing and created a new lige. The murderer, it turns out, is also known to us as a character who is not identified as the murderer. When the identities are fused, I am not completely convinced of the fusion of two, seemingly very different characters, although I am not totally unaccepting of it either. At any rate, I recommend the book, as well as the whole series. It is at the level of P.D. James, whom I consider one of the best (aside from the unfortunate Pemberly historical mystery).

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Probably the best book in the Serrailler series I've read! A brilliant crime novel where we are taken inside the mind of the killer. The book starts with some brief thoughts from the killer and then we are taken back to 2002 and a court case where a sadistic killer is found not guilty due to some fancy witness questioning on the stand. Now in the present Simon is faced with a series of murders that fit the same MO but upon discovering the previous case that man is found to have disappeared without a trace. All throughout the story the narrative switches occasionally to the killer's thoughts sometimes brief paragraphs others a couple of pages long and we are taken inside his mind to see what makes him tick, why he does what he does and what he gets out of it. A consuming read that I just could not put down! I would love to have given this full 5 stars but unfortunately I did figure out who the killer was as soon as the character appeared in the book; after his first scene he just didn't appear sincere to me and I didn't doubt for a second he would end up being the killer so I was kind of disappointed as I raced to the final few pages to find out that I had been right all along. BTW, we do know the killer is a he right from the beginning so no spoiler there. I'm prone to figuring out "whodunit" though so I've only docked the book 1/2 a star because otherwise I found this a brilliant read.

[librarian1204 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is the latest in a series. English setting, always a favorite of mine. I liked the book. I am always intrigued with the characters in any new series I find. There are plenty of characters to learn , explore in this book . There are hints of ongoing stories and more to come in future books. I think I will read the first book in the series and then see how I feel.

[twink_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first 'discovered' Susan Hill about this time last year when I read The Betrayal of Trust - the sixth in her Simon Serrailler Crime novels. (my review). I was really looking forward to her latest - A Question of Identity - and I wasn't disappointed!A Question of Identity opens with an italicized paragraph that hints at a dark mind and darker things to come....deliciously creepy."It's like your brain's bursting. It doesn't happen all at once, it builds up. And then your brain's going to burst until you do something about it. You do it. You have to do it. Then it's all right again for a bit, 'til it starts again."The book opens with a murder trial from 2002 - three elderly women have been horrifically murdered in their homes, strangled with a piece of electrical cord. The verdict is not what was expected. Cut to present day and DCI Simon Serrailler, who works in Lafferton, an English town not far from London. And a new murder to investigate - an elderly woman has been killed in her home - strangled with a length of electrical cord........What makes this series a stand out for me? Hill successfully combines a riveting and clever mystery with characters that I'm genuinely interested in. Both plot lines are done equally well. Those new to the series may have a wee bit of difficulty getting to know everyone at first, but will quickly become engrossed in their personal stories. Simon, his sister Cat and her family, the elder Serailler and his wife as well as the supporting cast from the station. Hill explores everyday life with a keen and discerning eye - sibling rivalry, depression, domestic abuse and more are all touched upon and examined realistically.Back to the crime - at the opening of every chapter we are privy to more and more of the killer's thoughts. His violence and madness is escalating. I was able to suss out who the killer was midway, but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. Instead, it really heightened the tension. The crime is solved by the end, but the lives of Simon et al are far from settled - I can't wait to see what direction Hill takes in the next book.I love British procedurals and this author is one of the best. Truly, if you're looking for an intelligent mystery series, pick up Susan Hill.

[downtownlibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just the sort of mystery I like - an intelligent, thoughtful police procedural.

[jbd1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another good installment in the series, though I'm getting a little worried about the direction Hill is taking some of her characters. Great red herring in this plot, though.

[nbmars · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the seventh in the Simon Serrailler mystery series, quirky because Simon, who is Chief Superintendent in the British town of Lafferton, rarely makes an appearance in the books. Rather, these stories take a detailed and intimate look at the lives of those around Serrailler, whether his family members or those he is investigating.In this novel, Serrailler is investigating a serial killer who targets elderly women. But we learn much more about the women and their daily lives and their families and friends than we do about Serrailler’s case. Also, like previous books, the central character is actually Simon’s widowed sister Cat, and her struggles to raise her three children, the eldest of whom, Sam, has taken to bullying. Who is he, she wonders? Who, indeed, is anyone in this reverie about identity and how we define who we are.Cat is losing her job because of budget cuts, and she must figure out who she now is without her career to define her. Similarly, Simon’s love interest, Rachel, is in a very precarious position that requires her to come to terms with her self-image. Cat and Simon’s stepmother has to deal with the changes in who her husband has become, and who she must be in response. And most critically, the killer has decided that the only way to achieve a sense of identity is to go on committing murders. As the story winds up, we learn who the killer is, but not why the killer engaged in such bizarre rituals, or chose those particular victims. Nor is there any resolution to the identity crises facing the other characters. One assumes they will be taken further in the next installment. After all, one doesn’t read Susan Hill for the mysteries, but rather the ongoing psychological analyses she performs on her characters.Evaluation: This book is even more unusual than the previous ones in that a whole slew of plot threads are left unresolved. This series is not for those who want a fast-paced carnival ride with well-hidden criminals and life-threatening close calls. Rather, these books call for a big cozy chair, afghan, roaring fire, and glass of Laphroaig, Simon Serallier’s warmer-upper of choice.

[janesteen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Where I got the book: audiobook on Audible. ***SPOILERS, READ BOOK FIRST***In this installment of the Simon Serailler murder mystery series, Simon is confronted with a killer of old ladies. Little old ladies. Nice old ladies. Because nobody is safe in Susan Hill’s world.I’m giving this one three and a half stars because I like Susan Hill’s writing and this time around she shoved a lot of the extraneous subplotting into the background and got on with investigating the murder. The family soap opera was still there, centered mostly on Sam and Hannah who are now at an age where they can start getting into trouble and/or being trouble in general, but I don’t have that feeling of the subplots drowning out the mystery. Hill seems to have dropped the socio-political commentary level a bit, and there’s no talk this time about police cutbacks—at the same time there’s not nearly as much whining about how Simon’s paperwork stops him from getting out on the street. He acts just like any other fictional detective by unrealistically combining seniority and action, and he’s all the better for it. And I felt engaged by the mystery plot and wanted to know more, plus I find I rather enjoy it when Hill gets into the killer’s head—especially when I realized who he was (that “he” isn’t a spoiler as it’s obvious from the beginning who he is, we just don’t know who he is now.)BUT.WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TOENAILS?I find it very hard to forgive Hill for setting up this juicy murder method and then not explaining WHY the killer window-dressed his victims the way he did. The mirror. The toenails. I thought for sure I knew what the mirror was about—there’s a theme of dual identity that runs through the killer, one victim AND the detective and is just screaming to be exploited—but seriously, what was up with the toenails? I NEED TO KNOW. I’m used to Hill leaving loose threads, but this one really bugs me as what we end up with is a killer without a motive, or perhaps no motive except the pleasure he gets from the crime. And even then, if pleasure is a motive I need to know why that particular setup is necessary for X to get his jollies. We get one clue right at the end, and I thought the moment had come when all would be revealed—and then the moment passed and was lost forever.My other major gripe with the murder plot was the fact that they only catch the guy due to a key piece of information given to them by the sinister and mysterious department that arranges for the killer’s new identity. This is a department that’s so deeply hidden that they have to go through arcane layers of security to get anything done at all, but at one point they suddenly start acting with buffoonish incompetence and blow their cover, THEN they decide to give out one little teaser of information instead of just saying “OK, his name is ___” and THEN at the end one of them calls Serailler to have a bit of a gloat (narrator Steven Pacey uses a lovely nasal villain-voice for him because, yes, he IS a caricature and deserves a cartoon voice). If this is really the kind of deep, deep operation that can wipe out a man’s identity and retrain him into a completely new life, it would not act like this. It would probably never even acknowledge its own existence even to itself, let alone to the CID, and it certainly wouldn’t give out information on its subjects no matter what they did. Logically, it would kill them itself, by arranging for a nasty freak accident.And let’s not even start on the fact that once again, the sleepy little cathedral town of Lafferton has a serial killer—although, to be fair, that’s just the way life is in a murder mystery series. You have to suspend your sense of the absurd and go with the flow at some point.Hill makes a half-hearted attempt to wrap the horrendous Simon/Rachel romance into the theme with Rachel’s “I don’t know who I am” at the end, but that’s as far as it goes. There’s some Twoo Luv stuff between the two of them near the beginning, but most of the time they’re too busy to see each other, and serve them right. When they are together their relationship seems to be based on sex and eating. We know absolutely nothing about Rachel—what does she do when she’s not glued to her poor dear cuckolded husband’s side? What is she interested in? Does she have family? Who are her friends? What are her faults? What’s she like when she’s ticked off about something?I’m trying to figure out why it is I can see all these flaws in the Serailler books and still keep reading. Is it simply for the chills? Because Hill is extremely good at evoking that OH SHIT feeling when the stair tread creaks and you know, you know . . . . And she has this way of pinpointing all the nasty things in my own head, all the little worries and disappointments and feelings of anger and frustration, and putting them into fictional characters to whom nasty things tend to happen. You could, perhaps, theorize that there are two purposes for murder mysteries—the first being to satisfy the reader’s craving for justice by ensuring that the bad guys always get caught and punished, the second being to satisfy our need to feel scared when we’re safe in our own homes, our animal instincts that SOMETHING’S GOING TO POUNCE warring with the logic based on actual crime figures. In my opinion Hill does badly on the first count, well on the second. And it’s the women and children who are picked off, one by one, as the darkness prowls around us, because we’re the weak ones and are never safe, even when we think we are.Hang on. What was that? I think I heard a noise. I’ll be right back