I too was interested after reading a post on here about one of her mysteries. I got that one from the library (The Various Haunts of Men)and really enjoyed it. I subsequently read the other two in the series (Simon Serrailler) and was not disappointed with these,either. I would highly recommend reading them in order,though.

I'm no expert - I've only read two and a half of her books.

The Mist in the Mirror is a ghost story - v. spooky, but with a disappointing ending.

The Woman in Black has been mentioned many times before here on RP. In my opinion, and in the opinion of several others, it is THE best ghost story written in the twentieth century - possibly ever.

The "half" is I'm the King of the Castle which is meant to be a very good book - but it involves two boys, one of whom bullies the other one, and I found it a bit uncomfortable to read(!) - so I abandoned it. But what I read was well written, and obviously going to be good - my not reading it is a failure in me, not in the book!

Good writer altogether.

I've only read two of hers, but will read more - The Woman in Black was very good, although I wasn't quite as bowled over by it as the person who recommended it to me. I'm the King of the Castle is an excellent study of the psychology of bully and victim, but it is intense and potentially harrowing. I understand why Martin put it aside. I read it instead of the Lord of the Flies and thought it was far superior in its insights into boys' psychology.

I read The Various Haunts of Men during the summer and found it was excellent.
When I was a student I had a 'holiday job' in one of the Shakespear properties in Statford-on-Avon where my family lived, and used to see S H's husband-to be, Dr Stanley Wells who was based in the same building. Of course I was something lower than an ant in those days so he never noticed me! Since then Hill has moved to the same North Cotswold village to which my parents retired near Chipping Campden.

She runs an interesting web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Susan Hill

I wanted to read I'm the King of the Castle but could only find it through a third party on Amazon. I ordered it at a very reasonable price from a bookseller in England and received it within a week. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to read it yet, but I enjoyed The Woman in Black so much that I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

Thanks for the comments all and vee-thanks for the web link
I am going to try one of her books very soon

Vee-you always can be relied upon to provide interesting links-thank you!

I don't believe I have read any of her books and just ck'd our library and they have several by her, so I requested The Woman in Black. They also have Mrs De Winter, has anyone read that one?
I tend to steer clear of sequels written by other authors-thinking here of that dreadful (IMO) book that was sequel to Gone With the Wind!

Pat

Martin-

I don't think it was a failure on your part to stop reading a book about a situation that made you uncomfortable. I think we all get enough "uncomfortable" things thrown at us without our consent; we don't need to willingly put ourselves through more. I'm a big believer in not finishing books that disturb me. "Kite Runner," for example, was well-written and interesting, but there were sections of it that disturbed me so badly I had to quit reading it. It obviously doesn't effect many people that way, but it did me, so I chose not to finish it. I don't blame the writer, he's excellent, but I also don't blame me. Actually, I try not to blame myself for much; I find I'm much happier that way. :)

That's just my two bits ... for what they're worth.

I'd forgotten about Mrs. de Winter. I've read it, but I didn't think much of it.

There is an alternative "sequel" to Rebecca called Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman - it's mainly the same story, but from Rebecca's point of view. This one I enjoyed very much.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rebecca's Tale

It's been 10 years since I read "Mrs. DeWinter" but I recall liking it. I had not heard of the Sally Beauman book. Have not been successful in finding "I'm the King of the Castle" in our libraries, but may look for it at B & N.

Pat, I agree that the sequel to 'Gone With the Wind' was dreadful. If I had sixpence for all the times she screamed "Oh! Rhett" I would be able to buy the DVD of the original film.
I started Rebeccca's Tale but for some reason didn't finish it. Someone has written a continuation of a Jane Austen; is it Emma? Very few of these books seem to 'come off'.

There was a very poor continuation of Pride and Prejudice - can't remember what it was called.

I have read both Mrs. de Winter and Rebecca's Tale. While I enjoyed both of them, I agree with Martin that RT is much the best book. Susan Hill did a good job with Mrs. dW. She is just as aggravating as she was in Rebecca--hasn't learned a thing--but it isn't enthralling. I will warn you that none of Ms. Hill's books that I have read have a happy ending.

I am currently immersed in The Various Haunts of Men and loving it.
I finished Women of the Silk-o.k. but not as wonderful as I thought it might be. The Freedom Writers Diary was excellent (if you like that type of book).
I've never been fond of Dan Simmons but am wondering about the new book-something about the frozen North-I'm at my daughter's house without a reference. Can you tell I'm losing it-what an obscure comment! Guess it's allowed at my "advanced age".