Title: Pop Goes the Weasel
Author: M.J. Arlidge
Series: Helen Grace, #2
Published: October 2015, NAL
Format: ARC E-copy, 416 pages
Source: Netgalley
From the international bestselling author of Eeny Meeny comes the second thriller in the “truly excellent series”* featuring DI Helen Grace.
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…
My thoughts: This is the second book in M.J. Arlidge’s Helen Grace series and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I loved the first book book, Eeny Meeny, and have been patiently waiting for the U.S. release of this one.
If ever there was a case to be made for reading books in a series in order, I’d have to say this might be one. I’m pretty anal about doing so – I feel that there is so much character development that occurs in series that you miss if you start in the middle, and with this one in particular, even with this being only book two. And, in this book, there are spoilers/references given to the case solved in the first book that I feel are going to be a huge part of this series – a huge part of Helen’s character in general.
I really like Helen’s character – she’s tough and takes no nonsense while on the job, yet she has this vulnerable side to her that we occasionally see. I love that she has a Kawasaki motorcycle that she just takes off on – it so fits her persona. She is one twisted, flawed character and I look forward to continuing to figure her out…there is definitely more to her than meets the eye!
The case they are trying to solve, the serial murder they are trying to catch, is brutal. It’s gory at times, but it’s also interesting that once again, M.J. Arlidge gives us the killer’s point of view. This is quite eye-opening, because when you get the whole story, there’s a sympathetic side to it, but not enough to justify what has happened.
The twists and turns that this book take coupled with the short chapters will have you flipping through this book at breakneck speed. This has become one of my favorite new series and I’m ecstatic that I already have in my possession the next installment, The Doll’s House…I can’t wait to start reading it!!! Have you read this series yet?
Books in this series:
- Eeny Meeny
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- The Doll’s House
- Liar Liar
I picked up the first two in this series because I remembered your great review of Eeny Meeny! I need to read them soon!
I read this one not knowing it was a series! Liked it very much. My first foray with this author.