I am going to say very little plot wise about this book as I have no wish to give anybody a clue about anything. Just get it and read it. As is my usual style I read the first three Serrailler books in one weekend as I had just discovered them and then, of course, had to bide my soul in patience waiting for the next. And here it is and terrific stuff too and had me riveted.
A gunman is on the loose in Lafferton and though, we the reader, know the reason for the killings and the link between them as we are privy to the killer's thought processes, the seemingly random murders baffle Simon Serrailler and his colleagues, no leads, no clues, no ideas and a feeling of helplessness as more victims are gunned down. While struggling to solve these murders Simon has to face his resentment at the new woman in his widowed father's life and a family tragedy which forces him to fact up to his aversion to love and commitment.
As with the previous three novels in this particular series, there are two or three other plot lines running at the same time, they seem to link in with the main crime, or do they? I began to think that one person just might be linked to the killings, and then I thought perhaps not. I could see that this particular character 
was thinking of doing something pretty horrific so was he the murderer? And then he does do something shocking but it was not what I expected and the tension builds up and builds up until it is all resolved, and I remember thinking better be quick I have nearly finished the book, and you are left thinking Wow.
Now I am not one to boast, and I am not usually capable to sussing out who is the murderer in any mystery I read. I am hopeless. Yet for some reason half way through The Vows of Silence I suddenly thought THAT'S who it is.... why I thought that, don't ask, perhaps I picked up a clue here or there without realising, but it seemed to me that this person simply must have done it and then everything fell into place and I was totally chuffed to find I was right.
I read this terrific book on an overcrowded inter-city train from Liverpool Street on Wednesday, in the middle of a week of travelling which was total Hell with overhead line damage, chaos all round, and horrid and hot. I was standing near a window, thank goodness, jammed up against the toilet, not so thank goodness as it ponged something awful, with a heavy suitcase digging into the back of my knees and there I stood for two hours, toes cramping, and I was so engrossed in the story that I more or less forgot my discomfort. Chap standing next to me was quite unashamedly reading over my shoulder which irritated me profoundly so I managed to wriggle round so he couldn't see it any more. When we arrived in Colchester and I fell off the train he asked if he could take a note of the title as he said it looked good and 'you were obviously enjoying it' 'Yes I did' says I and told him to nip into Waterstones and get a copy. So Susan I hope I have increased your sales by one.
As always with Susan Hill, writing which seems effortless, flowing narrative, thrills and spills and in Vows, nail biting tension. I have just come back from a visit to my Aged P who adores Simon S and when I whipped out my copy her eyes lit up and O Good I do like that Susan Hill and she says as soon as she has finished watching the tennis she is going to start it. I know Mum will love it.
I have to say that because the journey was so long and so delayed I found to my utter horror that I had read it by the time we reached Witham. On checking my bag I found I DID NOT HAVE A SECOND BOOK WITH ME. I know all my visitors will understand the hollow feeling that came over me...
I did not make the same mistake twice and just as well, because on Thursday, due to derailment this time as opposed to power cables coming down, the trains were non existent and I came home via Stansted Airport.....
However, I was more prepared for delays and I had two books, a bottle of water, an apple, banana, bar of chocolate and my iPod so I survived - just. Hayfever rife, itchy eyes, sore throat so today I stayed at home. Probably one more post before I leave for my Hols.
Can't wait...
Oh and just want to mention that Simon is really as gorgeus as ever and he is entering the Roderick Alleyn and Peter Wimsey pantheon as far as I am concerned.
