The Betrayal Of Trust. Susan Hill/ Chatto & Windus. £14.99.

CRIME connoisseur Simon Serrailler is back on the bookshelves in mystery writer Susan Hill’s sixth instalment.

The idyllic cathedral city of Lafferton is left shaken after a severe storm and flash floods unearth two skeletons.

The findings lead Detective Chief Superintendent Serrailler to missing teenager Harriet Lowther and a cold case suddenly springs back to life.

Despite budget cuts and staff shortages in the police force, Serrailler, is driven by sole determination to solve a murder committed 16 years ago.

Hill weaves in a complicated romantic subplot and dedicates several pages on complexities involving assisted suicide which seemingly have no bearing on the main investigation, but her riveting narrative technique brings young Harriet back to life through points of view of existing characters.

Despite questions being left unanswered, readers will be eagerly awaiting book seven to tie up the loose ends.

NILIMA DEY SARKER