BLOG TOUR: Cat and Mouse (DI Helen Grace Book 11) - M.J. Arlidge

THE LATEST COMPULSIVE AND GRIPPING DI HELEN GRACE THRILLER BY THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER MJ ARLIDGE 

When you think you're safe,

When you think you're all alone,

That's when he'll come for you...

A silent killer stalks the city, targeting those home alone at night - killing without pity or remorse.

As panic spreads, Detective Inspector Helen Grace leads the investigation, but is herself a hunted woman, her every step dogged by a ruthless killer bent on revenge.

As she tracks the murderer, Grace begins to suspect there is a truly shocking home truth that connects these brutal crimes...

Check the windows, lock the doors - this is a twisted page-turner that will prey on your darkest fears, in the way only M.J. Arlidge can.

 

What did I think?

I jumped into the DI Helen Grace series at book 10, Truth or Dare, and it finishes on a such a brilliant cliffhanger that I couldn't wait to read book 11, Cat and Mouse.  You can read this as a standalone novel, however, as it does follow straight on from the previous book, I would recommend reading Truth or Dare first.

I always set myself a reading target when I start a new book, allowing myself five days to read Cat and Mouse, but I couldn't put it down and finished it over a period of 48 hours.  It's so fast paced and gripping that I'm sure I was reading a lot faster than I usually would, widening my eyes to devour as many words as possible in the shortest timeframe.

I love motorbike driving detective Helen Grace and the whole team in Southampton, although one in particular is definitely a love to hate as he wants rid of Helen.  Helen doesn't think twice about throwing herself in the path of danger when a murderer is on the loose and I thought she was a goner on several occasions as the suspense and tension reached its peak.  Although it's not just Helen's life that is in danger, it's her whole career...

I cannot even begin to describe how good this book is - it's just brilliant from start to finish.  It's one of those books where you're enjoying it so much you don't want it to end, yet you can't read it fast enough.  Even though it's only the second book in the series that I have read, it's definitely the best DI Helen Grace book I have read (so far).  

Blisteringly fast paced with a razor sharp plot, Cat and Mouse is an outstanding addition to the DI Helen Grace series.  So very highly recommended and one I'll definitely be reading again when I find the time to start the series.

I received an ARC from the publisher to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Matthew (MJ) Arlidge has worked in television for the last twenty years, specialising in high-end drama production, including prime-time crime serials Silent Witness, Torn, The Little House and, most recently, the hit TV show Innocent. His debut thriller, Eeny Meeny, was the UK’s bestselling crime debut of 2014 and has been followed by nine more DI Helen Grace bestsellers including the latest, All Fall Down. In 2015, his audiobook exclusive Six Degrees of Assassination was a number-one bestseller.

Social media links:

Twitter: @mjarlidge

Instagram: @m_j_arlidge

Facebook: @MJArlidge

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BLOG TOUR: Truth or Dare (DI Helen Grace #10) - M.J. Arlidge

 

A crimewave sweeps through the city and no-one is safe. An arson at the docks. A carjacking gone wrong. A murder in a country park. What connects all these crimes without causes, which leave no clues?

Detective Inspector Helen Grace faces the rising tide of cases which threatens to drown the city. But each crime is just a piece of a puzzle which is falling into place.

And when it becomes clear just how twisted and ingenious this web of crime is, D.I. Grace will realise that it may be impossible to stop it . . .

What did I think?

I've been collecting the DI Helen Grace series for quite some time but unfortunately I haven't had the chance to read any of them yet, deciding instead to jump straight into the deep end by reading book 10.  Whilst I didn't feel disadvantaged at all as a reader new to the series, it is clear that the characters have a lot of history and this definitely made me more keen to find the time to pick up the earlier books.  It reads brilliantly as a standalone though.

The story is multi-layered with Helen Grace and her team investigating a series of seemingly unrelated crimes in Southampton, a journalist spinning every story to show Grace in a bad light and the spark of dissension in the ranks.  Grace needs to solve these crimes before she loses her job but with suspects having no links to victims, the police can't make any arrest stick.  It seems like Grace has really met her match this time.

Truth or Dare really does have the wow factor.  The plotting is exquisite and the writing is so vivid that I found myself fully immersed in the story.  Helen Grace is already a well-established character but so many of her wonderful character traits came through loud and clear and I felt like I'd known her for years.  The plot really is ingenious and I love how it finishes on a bit of a cliffhanger to leave readers chomping at the bit for the next instalment.

Fast-paced, intriguing and ingenious, Truth or Dare is absolutely fantastic.  M.J. Arlidge has a new DI Helen Grace fan right here and I can't wait to read more.  Don't miss this one!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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