Sheila Easson
I was delighted at the opportunity to read this novel as I’ve followed the series all the way through. It was good to catch up with DI Helen Grace, her side-kick, Charlie and the irrepressible Emilia, the journalist. This book introduces the handsome Joseph Hudson to the team. Helen Grace is damaged by childhood experiences, conscience over past cases and she has extraordinary methods of atonement for past events. This book doesn’t stop for breath. In the New Forest, a killer is using a cross-bar to kill his victims. On the surface, it would seem a simple matter to locate a local man with a cross-bar who makes the bolts because the weaponry is so unusual. Wrong. He is elusive, and the team are baffled. As the reader, you get the graphic horror and full sense of terror of the victim in the first brutal killing. It is chilling and elaborately staged to maximise fear in the victim. What is driving the killer to commit these gruesome murders? Is there a reason or is it random? Halfway through I was certain I’d identified the killer, only to discover I was mistaken. How infuriating is that? That’s what it must feel like for the detectives. It struck me forcibly that it must cost a fortune to research so many lines of enquiry, test for DNA etc. and the logistics of apprehending an elusive killer. But, the devil is in the detail. A dynamic, punishing end which reveals the strength, determination and dedication of the team. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph.
1 person found this review helpful
Kim Bailey
Arlidge always writes a gripping novel, BUT there is one problem. I only have reading issues on my Notepad with Penguin ebooks. The font size settings won't adjust and the font size in the Penguin ebook is tiny and difficult to read. Not so good for older eyes. I've checked all my settings but there is no solution so I'm assuming it's to do with Penguin ebooks, because all other ebook publishers are just fine. Quite frustrating to say the least. Hopefully Penguin will see this review and look in to it.
3 people found this review helpful
Game Play
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
Always a big fan, read the entire series. However it didn't feel much like a helen grace mystery, Just didn't have the magic like the other books.