M.J. Arlidge

A man's body is found in an empty house. His heart has been cut out and delivered to his wife and children. He is the first victim, and Detective Inspector Helen Grace knows he will not be the last. But why would a happily married man be this far from home in the dead of night? The media call it Jack the Ripper in reverse: a serial killer preying on family men who lead hidden double lives. Helen can sense the fury behind the murders. But what she cannot possibly predict is how volatile this killer is - or what is waiting for her at the end of the chase . . . Praise for M. J. Arlidge 'Taut, fast-paced, truly excellent.' Sun 'DI Helen Grace is a genuinely fresh heroine . . . Arlidge weaver together a tapestry that chills to the bone.' Daily Mail 'M. J. Arlidge is the new Jo Nesbo.' Judy Finnigan

Pop Goes the Weasel

Denaiir

Another excellent DI Helen Grace investigation! This is hands down one of the best crime series I've ever read. 

Men are found brutally murdered, with their hearts removed. They were all respected men but found in areas that are mainly frequented by prostitutes. The first man's heart is delivered to his home for his wife to find. The second man's heart is delivered to his boss. Helen Grace has to find the connection that binds that victims together in order to find the killer and prevent more deaths.

So DI Grace is once again stuck inside a serial killer investigation, struggling with office politics and trying to figure out how to create bonds with her remaining family. This is the second book in the Helen Grace series and if you have not read the first book, I highly recommend you read it before starting this one, since the story starts barely a month after the first one and I believe you can only get full enjoyment if you know the characters' backgrounds.

There is one investigation per book, but I think missing out on the personal complexity of some of these characters, especially D.I. Grace and Charlie, would be a big loss. The web of character development is woven slowly with little details here and there, they are not the main focus but thus it makes it even more of a treat when you feel that you're starting to really get to know them.

I'm not generally a big fan of office politics but in this series it's very well done and I love the tensions between the various factions, the scheming and the conflicting ambitions. It's a sprinkle of salt on a quite gruesome investigation, and once again the author is exceptionally skilled in balancing the private lives, pasts, current ambitions and plotting of the various characters. I am even interested in seeing more of Emelia Garanita, the journalist, even though I normally hate the press.

DI Helen Grace makes a wonderful series character. She has so many issues, but it is truly believable and makes her so interesting. There is so much to her ... she has a need to keep everyone at a distance, yet she longs for a friend that she can trust. Her job means everything to her, and even though she crosses the line from time to time she is an amazing investigator. I loved the relationship that started building between Helen and her colleague Charlie and am glad they got along so well after what transpired in book 1. 

Sometimes I find a new series that I give a 5-star rating to, then I move onto the second book and it disappoints me. This sucks because I had such high expectations and was fully invested, but it just falls short. However, this is not one of those times. The second book in this series is just as good and I had to pick up book 3 right after (spoiler alert: it's incredible!)

This 2nd book confirms that the Helen Grace series is a must-have for readers who enjoy a good serial killer procedural, I would put it to the top of my favorite series with the Jack Caffery series by Mo Hayder and the Crimson Lake series by Candice Fox. I'm delighted that some authors don't shy away from the dark and gruesome.

chloe mcpherson

A man has been murdered with his heart removed. His heart is then sent to his wife and kids and from there sets off an investigation with the help of her team Helen struggles with her past as she investigates a series of murders.
This book was so easy to read and so quick to get through, easily be able to read this in one sitting, you get into the book that you don't even want to put the book down. 
Every character has a personality and depth to them which i love because it makes the book that much more special.

Becky Yates

Wow. I demolished that in 2 days. Completely hooked!

Het politieteam van Southampton is op zoek naar een moordenaar die de harten van hoerenlopers uit hun borstkas verwijdert.

Piep zei de muis

Roos Kuijper 

Ik twijfel tussen 3.5 en 4 sterren, maar hoewel het even duurde heb ik genoten van deze thriller.

Helen Grace is de heldin van de populaire thrillerreeks van M.J. Arlidge. Ze is een geharde rechercheur die motor rijdt en zich het liefst alleen door het leven slaat, maar wordt achtervolgd door persoonlijke demonen die haar af en toe zelfs in een depressie dreigen te storten. Toch is zij onmisbaar in de strijd tegen psychopaten die Southampton blijven teisteren en onschuldige slachtoffers maken, op gruwelijke wijze…

Helen Grace 2

Piep zei de Muis

Remco

Sophie

Margaux Joris 

Annabelle

Nina Yska

Larisa

Melissa M.

Ella 

Kayleigh Tomlyns

Ingelin

Alistair James

Kim Klein Hesselink

Sanne Zwart 

Iris Wijshof

Fleur van Ravesteijn 

Larissa Rongen

Evi stuyts

Clodagh Nolan-Smith

Hannah Hannah

   Un nou thriller din seria Helen Grace

   Cadavrul unui bărbat este găsit într-o casă goală. Inima i-a fost scoasă din piept şi trimisă soţiei şi copiilor lui.
   E prima victimă, iar inspectoarea Helen Grace ştie că nu va fi ultima. Dar de ce s-ar afla un bărbat cu o viaţă împlinită departe de casă în toiul nopţii?
   Presa îl numeşte Jack Spintecătorul în sens invers: un criminal în serie, vânând bărbaţi însuraţi care duc vieţi duble.
   Helen simte furia din spatele crimelor. Dar ceea ce nu poate ea să prevadă este cât de schimbător e criminalul - sau ce o aşteaptă la capătul cursei...


Pop Goes the Weasel

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