A Change of Circumstance: A Simon Serrailler Case

The death of a young man from a heroin overdose drives British author Hill’s choppy 11th novel featuring Det. Chief Supt. Simon Serrailler of the Lafferton, England, police (after 2020’s The Benefit of Hindsight). Serrailler’s search for the identity of the victim draws him into a sordid world where lonely children are groomed and used as drug mules. Harrowing scenes focus on the home lives of an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old, both girls. Meanwhile, Cat Deerbon, Serrailler’s physician daughter, becomes overly involved in the lives of her patients. Cat is also worried about her son’s romantic relationship, the health of her little dog, and the painful leg injury of her husband, a chief constable. Serrailler does his own fair share of pondering whether he’s ready to allow a woman to share his life. This is essentially a soap opera with a bit of cop action and social observation, such as that drugs are no longer just a big-city problem. Series fans will enjoy catching up with Serrailler and company, but this isn’t the place to start for newcomers. Agent: Vivien Green, Sheil Land Assoc. (U.K.). (Mar.)