What do you think?
Rate this book
Helen Grace #13
Fogo e Cinzas
Helen Grace sentia-se confiante por ter tomado a decisão de abandonar o seu lugar de inspetora de polícia. Isto até ao dia em que, pela janela, vê uma jovem a fugir em desespero de dois homens, após ter sido agredida com violência.
Impelida pela tenacidade de sempre, Helen sai a correr atrás dos atacantes, conseguindo alcançá-los em pouco tempo, e, por um breve momento, sente que não precisa de um distintivo para fazer o bem. Porém, enquanto conduz a vítima para um lugar seguro, é atacada pelas costas. Praticamente inconsciente, tudo o que consegue fazer é vê-la a ser arrastada para dentro de uma carrinha branca, que desaparece de vista.
Determinada a encontrar a jovem, Helen suplica por ajuda aos seus antigos colegas, mas de nada lhe serve, tornando-se claro que está por conta própria, tendo de colocar-se em risco, assim como a tudo aquilo que ama. E nessa corrida vertiginosa contra o tempo, Helen descobre rapidamente que, mais do que uma única vítima, há todo um grupo de mulheres a necessitar desesperadamente da sua ajuda…
Impelida pela tenacidade de sempre, Helen sai a correr atrás dos atacantes, conseguindo alcançá-los em pouco tempo, e, por um breve momento, sente que não precisa de um distintivo para fazer o bem. Porém, enquanto conduz a vítima para um lugar seguro, é atacada pelas costas. Praticamente inconsciente, tudo o que consegue fazer é vê-la a ser arrastada para dentro de uma carrinha branca, que desaparece de vista.
Determinada a encontrar a jovem, Helen suplica por ajuda aos seus antigos colegas, mas de nada lhe serve, tornando-se claro que está por conta própria, tendo de colocar-se em risco, assim como a tudo aquilo que ama. E nessa corrida vertiginosa contra o tempo, Helen descobre rapidamente que, mais do que uma única vítima, há todo um grupo de mulheres a necessitar desesperadamente da sua ajuda…
376 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2025
About the author
M.J. Arlidge
41 books4,414 followersM.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specialising in high end drama production. Arlidge has produced a number of prime-time crime serials for ITV In the last five years, and is currently working on a major adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans for the BBC.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
July 23, 2025
I'm obviously in the minority in my opinion/rating, as I notice a lot of 5 star reviews.
I was really looking forward to seeing how Helen was going to cope with being a civilian. However, I found it slightly preposterous that she would continue to throw herself into dangerous situations. Get beaten up numerous times and miraculously bounce back, sometimes within seconds of being concussed/almost killed, to then beat her attackers who are bigger and stronger. Of course it's convenient that they wait their turn to have a go at her, just like the ridiculous kung-fu movies of the 1980's.
I hope that, with the next book planned for July 2026, that maybe the focus moves away from Helen and onto Charlie, but that is probably doubtful, judging by the last sentence of this book......
I was really looking forward to seeing how Helen was going to cope with being a civilian. However, I found it slightly preposterous that she would continue to throw herself into dangerous situations. Get beaten up numerous times and miraculously bounce back, sometimes within seconds of being concussed/almost killed, to then beat her attackers who are bigger and stronger. Of course it's convenient that they wait their turn to have a go at her, just like the ridiculous kung-fu movies of the 1980's.
I hope that, with the next book planned for July 2026, that maybe the focus moves away from Helen and onto Charlie, but that is probably doubtful, judging by the last sentence of this book......
July 8, 2025
a fantastic series.. Helen Grace is back after she left the force she's in a relationship, but not all as it seems.she gets involved with a woman being chased by thugs.she gets hurt lying on the ground she sees the woman being dragged in a white van...Helen looks for the culprits and finds information she needs to try find out who took her..can she do this on her own or does she needs help with the old team.a Great ending..looking forward to reading the next instalment. a thrilling and intense read..five stars... highly recommended series...
April 25, 2026
Ce m-a lovit cel mai tare la cartea asta e senzația de vulnerabilitate. Helen nu mai e doar polițista imbatabilă pe care o știam din volumele anterioare, ci este expusă, e singură și, pentru prima dată după mult timp, pare că fiecare decizie o poate costa tot. Faptul că acționează pe cont propriu ridică miza enorm, nu mai există plasă de siguranță, nu mai există "sistemul" care să o susțină, chiar dacă de multe ori tot același sistem i-a pus bețe în roate. Este la fel de încăpățânată și de curajoasă, poate chiar prea curajoasă, până într-atât încât să o consider inconștientă pentru cât de mult riscă. Dar ăsta este farmecul lui Helen Grace. Dacă n-ar acționa așa, nu ar mai fi ea!
Intriga e brutală, chiar și pentru standardele lui Arlidge. Scenele sunt dure, apăsătoare, revoltătoare, iar tema traficului și a violenței împotriva femeilor e tratată fără menajamente. Mi-a fost rău fizic la pagina în care am înțeles semnificația titlului "în flăcări"...
Mi-a plăcut mult și dinamica personajelor secundare, mai ales felul în care relațiile devin mai complicate, mai încărcate emoțional. Nu mai e doar o poveste despre "cine e criminalul", ci despre încredere, trădare și cât de departe ești dispus să mergi ca să faci ceea ce crezi că e corect. Ritmul? Clasic Arlidge, cu capitole scurte, tăioase, imposibil de lăsat din mână. Dar aici parcă e și mai intens, pentru că știi deja ce poate pierde Helen și tocmai asta face cartea să doară puțin mai mult...
Ultimele pagini sunt construite atât de tensionat încât ai impresia că urmează încă un capitol… dar nu mai vine și îți vine să URLI, pentru că ai nevoie NEAPĂRAT de următorul volum. ACUM! Offf, Helen... ce fac cu viața mea până apare volumul 14? Și mai sper că Arlidge nu are de gând să încheie povestea prea curând! 🥺
Intriga e brutală, chiar și pentru standardele lui Arlidge. Scenele sunt dure, apăsătoare, revoltătoare, iar tema traficului și a violenței împotriva femeilor e tratată fără menajamente. Mi-a fost rău fizic la pagina în care am înțeles semnificația titlului "în flăcări"...
Mi-a plăcut mult și dinamica personajelor secundare, mai ales felul în care relațiile devin mai complicate, mai încărcate emoțional. Nu mai e doar o poveste despre "cine e criminalul", ci despre încredere, trădare și cât de departe ești dispus să mergi ca să faci ceea ce crezi că e corect. Ritmul? Clasic Arlidge, cu capitole scurte, tăioase, imposibil de lăsat din mână. Dar aici parcă e și mai intens, pentru că știi deja ce poate pierde Helen și tocmai asta face cartea să doară puțin mai mult...
Ultimele pagini sunt construite atât de tensionat încât ai impresia că urmează încă un capitol… dar nu mai vine și îți vine să URLI, pentru că ai nevoie NEAPĂRAT de următorul volum. ACUM! Offf, Helen... ce fac cu viața mea până apare volumul 14? Și mai sper că Arlidge nu are de gând să încheie povestea prea curând! 🥺
August 4, 2025
MJ Arlidge has written some good books but this isn’t one of them. I can appreciate the challenges of keeping a long running series fresh but, in my opinion, this failed to rise to the challenge.
Why? Too much graphic violence carried out on women. Characters recovering impossibly quickly from that violence. (If you were beaten with a bicycle chain, as frequently happens here, you would have life changing injuries and you would not be able to go to work the next day!) A comically incompetent police force. (Reacting to the same false tip off three times. No stab vests!) and far too many plot holes. (When Helen rushes out of a hotel room to help a woman being attacked why does her boyfriend not follow? Why does Helen tell a woman she’s barely met where a woman’s refuge is located? In which world does a newspaper publish allegations against a cleaning company hours after receiving a handful of unchecked allegations? Why are the police not interested in Helen’s evidence when they’re investigating the same crime? And, I haven’t got time to explain the sheer impossibility of a getaway from a fast moving articulated truck.)
Sorry, I know I’m at odds with lots of readers here, but this was a bit of a mess in my opinion.
Why? Too much graphic violence carried out on women. Characters recovering impossibly quickly from that violence. (If you were beaten with a bicycle chain, as frequently happens here, you would have life changing injuries and you would not be able to go to work the next day!) A comically incompetent police force. (Reacting to the same false tip off three times. No stab vests!) and far too many plot holes. (When Helen rushes out of a hotel room to help a woman being attacked why does her boyfriend not follow? Why does Helen tell a woman she’s barely met where a woman’s refuge is located? In which world does a newspaper publish allegations against a cleaning company hours after receiving a handful of unchecked allegations? Why are the police not interested in Helen’s evidence when they’re investigating the same crime? And, I haven’t got time to explain the sheer impossibility of a getaway from a fast moving articulated truck.)
Sorry, I know I’m at odds with lots of readers here, but this was a bit of a mess in my opinion.
August 24, 2025
MJ Arlidge blijft gewoon keer op keer goed. Wel vond ik dat Helen deze keer wel echt weer teveel had meegemaakt en het is een keertje klaar. Het verhaal zelf? Gruwelijk. Bah. Zo naar ook. Maar toch weer die cliffhanger hè. Geef me meer en meer please.
October 20, 2025
Door het vuur is het 13 de deel in de Helen Grace serie. In dit verhaal is Helen getuige van een aanval op een jonge vrouw waar ze uiteindelijk het onderspit moet delven. Na wat speurwerk ontdekt ze dat ze te maken had met een criminele bende. Maar Helen is geen inspecteur meer want ze heeft haar ontslag gegeven en probeert op eigen houtje te handelen. Ondertussen heeft Charlie af te rekenen met een handel in mensensmokkel dat op een sisser afloopt en haar zelfvertrouwen een serieuze deuk geeft.
Het verhaal op zich is niet mis maar hoe ver kan een menselijk lichaam leed verdragen. Helen lijkt hier wel onverwoestbaar en het komt allemaal wat ongeloofwaardig over. Het boek eindigt wel met een cliffhanger en weten we zeker dat er nog een vervolg komt in de serie. Maar de auteur zal met een sterk verhaal uit de hoek moeten komen.
Het verhaal op zich is niet mis maar hoe ver kan een menselijk lichaam leed verdragen. Helen lijkt hier wel onverwoestbaar en het komt allemaal wat ongeloofwaardig over. Het boek eindigt wel met een cliffhanger en weten we zeker dat er nog een vervolg komt in de serie. Maar de auteur zal met een sterk verhaal uit de hoek moeten komen.
August 20, 2025
2,5.
Plothole ontdekt, verhaal had weinig ‘body’. Weer zo’n onnodige twist in het persoonlijke leven van Grace. Ik denk dat het stilletjes aan tijd wordt dat deze serie tot een einde komt. Het beste is er ondertussen denk ik wel van af…
Plothole ontdekt, verhaal had weinig ‘body’. Weer zo’n onnodige twist in het persoonlijke leven van Grace. Ik denk dat het stilletjes aan tijd wordt dat deze serie tot een einde komt. Het beste is er ondertussen denk ik wel van af…
April 12, 2026
Dacă aveam următorul volum, eram deja la jumătate. ... în schimb tre sa aștept.... am asa de multe întrebări.. nu cred ca exista serie mai buna ca asta.. vreau următorul volum... ce naiba se presupune sa fac cu viata mea acum?
July 28, 2025
M.J. Arlidge returns with his latest in the Helen Grace series. It has been a busy few years for Helen Grace, leaving her to make the decision to quit, if only for her own sanity. When she sees a brutal assault, she regrets her decision and tries to get someone to take notice. She soon discovers a human trafficking ring in town and wants to break it open, hoping that she can make a difference while a civilian. Some of her former colleagues dismiss her, leaving Helen to ensure she takes matters into her own hands. Arlidge delivers a great addition to the series and keeps fans eager to see what’s to come!
Helen Grace gave significant time and effort while working for the police. She made the drastic choice to quit the force, ensuring her safety. However, when she sees a young woman being assaulted outside her front window, Helen rushes to help, as she would have done when working.
Rushing to stop the attackers, Helen is struck unconscious. When she wakes with a massive headache, she sees the woman being tossed into a white van that speeds away. Helen cannot sit idly by and tries to engage the assistance of her former colleagues, but is rebuffed. It’s time to take on the investigation on her own, citizen or not.
Using her power to pull intel out of others, Helen learns that the victim recently arrived from Türkiye and owed her arrival to people of nefarious means. Soon, other women come forward who were in the same position, and Helen pieces together a case that this is all tied to human trafficking. Getting answers and locating the guilty parties could be a bit more difficult. All the while, Helen receives shocking personal news! No one said that Helen was someone who followed the rules, even if her life were in danger. M.J. Arlidge keeps the tension high in this later instalment of a great series!
M.J. Arlidge has long been an author I followed with much excitement. This series builds on past novels with ease, using a strong narrative to guide the way. It builds without issue and adds a handful of effective characters to flavour the larger story. Plot points work well and keep the reader guessing as the twists add another layer of greatness. I am eager to see what’s to come!
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for keeping me on my toes throughout this read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Helen Grace gave significant time and effort while working for the police. She made the drastic choice to quit the force, ensuring her safety. However, when she sees a young woman being assaulted outside her front window, Helen rushes to help, as she would have done when working.
Rushing to stop the attackers, Helen is struck unconscious. When she wakes with a massive headache, she sees the woman being tossed into a white van that speeds away. Helen cannot sit idly by and tries to engage the assistance of her former colleagues, but is rebuffed. It’s time to take on the investigation on her own, citizen or not.
Using her power to pull intel out of others, Helen learns that the victim recently arrived from Türkiye and owed her arrival to people of nefarious means. Soon, other women come forward who were in the same position, and Helen pieces together a case that this is all tied to human trafficking. Getting answers and locating the guilty parties could be a bit more difficult. All the while, Helen receives shocking personal news! No one said that Helen was someone who followed the rules, even if her life were in danger. M.J. Arlidge keeps the tension high in this later instalment of a great series!
M.J. Arlidge has long been an author I followed with much excitement. This series builds on past novels with ease, using a strong narrative to guide the way. It builds without issue and adds a handful of effective characters to flavour the larger story. Plot points work well and keep the reader guessing as the twists add another layer of greatness. I am eager to see what’s to come!
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for keeping me on my toes throughout this read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 14, 2025
Sinds haar ontslag bij de recherche van Southampton probeert Helen Grace te ontdekken wie ze is nu ze niet langer achter criminelen aan hoeft te gaan. Maar als ze op een nacht getuige is van een aanval op een jonge vrouw springt ze er zonder na te denken op af. Als de vrouw na een korte worsteling in een busje verdwijnt, blijkt wat in eerste instantie een mishandeling leek onderdeel te zijn van iets veel groters en gruwelijkers.
In de haven van Southampton bereiden inspecteur Charlie en haar team zich voor om een grote crimineel bij de kraag te vatten. De Rotterdamse vrachtwagenchauffeur staat op het punt de haven binnen te rijden met een dozijn illegale immigranten, maar tot Charlies grote frustratie blijkt zijn vrachtwagen leeg te zijn. Ze zijn er overduidelijk in geluisd en Charlie weet niet of ze het in zich heeft om de rest van het onderzoek te leiden...
Dit dertiende deel is een klein beetje anders dan de voorgaande delen, want nu moet Helen Grace alles zonder haar vaste team doen en op een dag is ze getuige van een zware mishandeling. Helen raakt hierdoor betrokkeb bij een zaak die nogal duister is en ze probeert er alles aan te doen om achter de waarheid te komen...
Ook lees je veel over inspecteur Charlie. Zij heeft de rol van Helen Grace overgenomen en ze is bezig om een grote crimineel te pakken te krijgen, maar dit valt allemaal nog niet mee.
Ondertussen lees je nog meer verschillende verhaallijnen en Helen kruist ook weer het pad van Charlie. Vooral de frustratie die ze naar haar oude team voelt is goed voelbaar, maar ook in het privéleven van Helen gebeuren er verschillende dingen. Ze is en blijft een heel erg interessant personage.
De afwisseling in personages vond ik prettig en ook de verschillende verhaallijnen maakte het boeiend en niet langdradig.
Er zijn betere en spannendere delen in deze serie, maar het totaal plaatje was dan wel weer interessant en het einde maakt mij dan wel weer heel erg nieuwsgierig! De schrijfstijl van Arlidge blijft ook gewoon super prettig!
Ik wil @boekerij heel erg bedanken voor het recensie-exemplaar en ik kijk uit naar het veertiende deel.
Beoordeling: 3,5/4,0 ⭐️
In de haven van Southampton bereiden inspecteur Charlie en haar team zich voor om een grote crimineel bij de kraag te vatten. De Rotterdamse vrachtwagenchauffeur staat op het punt de haven binnen te rijden met een dozijn illegale immigranten, maar tot Charlies grote frustratie blijkt zijn vrachtwagen leeg te zijn. Ze zijn er overduidelijk in geluisd en Charlie weet niet of ze het in zich heeft om de rest van het onderzoek te leiden...
Dit dertiende deel is een klein beetje anders dan de voorgaande delen, want nu moet Helen Grace alles zonder haar vaste team doen en op een dag is ze getuige van een zware mishandeling. Helen raakt hierdoor betrokkeb bij een zaak die nogal duister is en ze probeert er alles aan te doen om achter de waarheid te komen...
Ook lees je veel over inspecteur Charlie. Zij heeft de rol van Helen Grace overgenomen en ze is bezig om een grote crimineel te pakken te krijgen, maar dit valt allemaal nog niet mee.
Ondertussen lees je nog meer verschillende verhaallijnen en Helen kruist ook weer het pad van Charlie. Vooral de frustratie die ze naar haar oude team voelt is goed voelbaar, maar ook in het privéleven van Helen gebeuren er verschillende dingen. Ze is en blijft een heel erg interessant personage.
De afwisseling in personages vond ik prettig en ook de verschillende verhaallijnen maakte het boeiend en niet langdradig.
Er zijn betere en spannendere delen in deze serie, maar het totaal plaatje was dan wel weer interessant en het einde maakt mij dan wel weer heel erg nieuwsgierig! De schrijfstijl van Arlidge blijft ook gewoon super prettig!
Ik wil @boekerij heel erg bedanken voor het recensie-exemplaar en ik kijk uit naar het veertiende deel.
Beoordeling: 3,5/4,0 ⭐️
July 11, 2025
I've really enjoyed this series but this one was too violent for me. Helen seems to go from one vicious beating to the next and is back on her feet the next day.
September 9, 2025
3/5 ⭐️ Deze auteur kan altijd lekker vlot schrijven dus ik ging weer super snel door dit boek heen. Normaal vind ik deze boeken ook echt heel leuk maar gedurende het hele boek had ik nu een “gewoon leuk” gevoel vanwege de onrealistische situaties. Wel heel interessant onderwerp over mensenhandel, maar de voorgaande delen vond ik beter. Wel zieke cliffhanger weer dus volgende deel ga ik toch ook weer lezen
November 23, 2025
Blij dat mijn bestie Helen Grace een onverwachte terugkeer heeft gemaakt. Zoals van MJ Arlidge gewend, was het weer een spannend en sterk geschreven boek. Wel veel verdrietige stukken er in dit keer 🥺
July 12, 2025
About 60% of this was a 3-star. It just didn't have that Helen Grace urgency of pace for me and the central crime wasn't really my cup of tea (I like multiple murders...) . But the last 30-40% was definitely more like what I've come to expect from this series, which has always unfailingly been 5-star worthy. So this one gets a 4. But I'm not happy about some of it. Not at all.
May 26, 2026
Αν εξαιρέσω το ενοχλητικό γεγονός ότι η πλοκή βασίζεται σε μια σειρά εξωφρενικά απίστευτων συμπτώσεων που συνδέει τα πάντα μεταξύ τους, θεωρώ ότι σε συναισθηματικό επίπεδο είναι ένα από τα πιο δυνατά βιβλία της σειράς. Ειδικά προς το τέλος, που σου κάνει λίγο την καρδιά περιβόλι με μια απροσδόκητα κακή εξέλιξη.
Έχει αγωνία και αρκετή δράση και η κεντρική ιστορία ξεφεύγει από την πιο κλασική συνταγή των προηγούμενων, αν και είναι κατά πολύ πιο ωμή και ρεαλιστική. Υπάρχει και μια άλλη ανατροπή που αφορά την Γκρέις, στην οποία δεν θα αναφερθώ καθόλου για να αποφύγω τα σπόιλερ, αλλά θα παρουσίαζε φοβερό ενδιαφέρον για το μέλλον της σειράς, αν ο Arlidge εξέταζε σοβαρά το ενδεχόμενο να βαδίσει προς εκείνη την οδό. Όποιος κατάλαβε, κατάλαβε :p
Το επόμενο βιβλίο είναι ήδη έτοιμο προς έκδοση στη Βρετανία, (Ιούλιο αν δεν κάνω λάθος, οπότε ελπίζω λίγους μήνες αργότερα να έρθει και εδώ) και με τον τρόπο που τελείωσε αυτό, αναμένεται εκρηκτική η συνέχεια.
Για σειρά που αριθμεί ήδη 13 βιβλία, πάντως, είναι αξιοθαύμαστο ότι κάθε νέα προσθήκη καταφέρνει να κρατήσει το ενδιαφέρον σου στο ίδιο επίπεδο, αποκαλύπτοντας κάθε φορά νέες πτυχές στους χαρακτήρες της.
Έχει αγωνία και αρκετή δράση και η κεντρική ιστορία ξεφεύγει από την πιο κλασική συνταγή των προηγούμενων, αν και είναι κατά πολύ πιο ωμή και ρεαλιστική. Υπάρχει και μια άλλη ανατροπή που αφορά την Γκρέις, στην οποία δεν θα αναφερθώ καθόλου για να αποφύγω τα σπόιλερ, αλλά θα παρουσίαζε φοβερό ενδιαφέρον για το μέλλον της σειράς, αν ο Arlidge εξέταζε σοβαρά το ενδεχόμενο να βαδίσει προς εκείνη την οδό. Όποιος κατάλαβε, κατάλαβε :p
Το επόμενο βιβλίο είναι ήδη έτοιμο προς έκδοση στη Βρετανία, (Ιούλιο αν δεν κάνω λάθος, οπότε ελπίζω λίγους μήνες αργότερα να έρθει και εδώ) και με τον τρόπο που τελείωσε αυτό, αναμένεται εκρηκτική η συνέχεια.
Για σειρά που αριθμεί ήδη 13 βιβλία, πάντως, είναι αξιοθαύμαστο ότι κάθε νέα προσθήκη καταφέρνει να κρατήσει το ενδιαφέρον σου στο ίδιο επίπεδο, αποκαλύπτοντας κάθε φορά νέες πτυχές στους χαρακτήρες της.
June 13, 2026
✨ Como eu adoro a personagem Helen Grace. E vale mesmo a pena ler toda a saga, pois o seu percurso é impressionante, e neste livro, vai enfrentar o maior desafio da sua vida, algo com o qual não estava a contar ...Este é o livro 13 da saga.
✨ Mais um livro onde vemos como ela é maravilhosa, tenaz, temerária, amiga. E continuo a adorar a ligação que ela tem com a Charlie, que bela amizade.
✨ O tema central deste livro o tráfico feminino, vamos assim chamar para ver se não sou bloqueada, é tratado com muito respeito, humanismo, e tem passagens extremamente horripilantes, como logo a primeira, no início do livro, quando a Selima a tenta fugir, o castigo é ser incinerada viva.
✨ Claro, o autor tem essa proeza, termina o livro, deixando-nos com o coração nas mãos...
✨ Mais um livro onde vemos como ela é maravilhosa, tenaz, temerária, amiga. E continuo a adorar a ligação que ela tem com a Charlie, que bela amizade.
✨ O tema central deste livro o tráfico feminino, vamos assim chamar para ver se não sou bloqueada, é tratado com muito respeito, humanismo, e tem passagens extremamente horripilantes, como logo a primeira, no início do livro, quando a Selima a tenta fugir, o castigo é ser incinerada viva.
✨ Claro, o autor tem essa proeza, termina o livro, deixando-nos com o coração nas mãos...
August 12, 2025
Wederom heel duidelijk waarom dit echt m'n all time fave series is. Wat een banger weer en het einde vraagt zeker om een (hopelijk positief) vervolg. Kan niet wachten!
July 20, 2025
This is my favourite series! I waited a year for this one to come out and it really didnt disappoint! Although now I have to wait atleast another year for the next installment!
This one picks up about 6 months after the end of Forget me Not (which ended on a cliffhanger) I was so glad to get stuck back into it, seeing how Helen is faring. Which as usual is not great, but she always gets back up no matter what gets thrown at her. This book was tense and gripping from start to finish.
This one picks up about 6 months after the end of Forget me Not (which ended on a cliffhanger) I was so glad to get stuck back into it, seeing how Helen is faring. Which as usual is not great, but she always gets back up no matter what gets thrown at her. This book was tense and gripping from start to finish.
June 30, 2025
I’ve been a big fan of M.J. Arlidge’s Helen Grace series for a long while now, but his latest, Into the Fire, is definitely one of my favourites. Helen is at a bit of a cross roads in her life. She’s left the police force, and appears to be in a happy relationship with her new boyfriend. That is, until, everything is turned upside down, when she witnesses a horrific attack on a young woman. But because she’s no longer a serving police officer, she’s having to fight for her voice to be heard.
Helen Grace really does go on an emotional rollercoaster as does her longtime nemesis, Emilia Garanita. Emilia is coming to terms with the fact that her father is dying while he is in prison, despite never having got on with him, and openly hating him, due to the way he treated her. Both Helen and Emilia’s stories really do make this such an addictive read. Each time I got to the end of a chapter told from each of their perspectives, I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. In true Helen Grace style, the fight in her completely takes over and this is what made her such a brilliant detective. She will see a case through, no matter what the personal cost to her will be. And because she no longer has the protection of the police force in this book, there are lots of things that could go wrong for her. The stakes really couldn’t be higher for Helen here, and this is what makes this book so entertaining.
I really felt for Helen when she was trying to make her voice heard, especially to her former work colleagues who seem to think she might be making things up. I could really feel her exasperation at the lack of influence she was having. There are some nasty people in this book who will stop at nothing to make sure no one uncovers their secrets and who they are. This is what makes the situation for the people caught up with them, particularly dangerous. You can feel just how ruthless they are.
Into the Fire grabs you right from the first page and doesn’t let you go. M.J. Arlidge drops a few bombshells here that’ll have many readers sitting right on the edge of their seats. I really, really enjoyed it.
Helen Grace really does go on an emotional rollercoaster as does her longtime nemesis, Emilia Garanita. Emilia is coming to terms with the fact that her father is dying while he is in prison, despite never having got on with him, and openly hating him, due to the way he treated her. Both Helen and Emilia’s stories really do make this such an addictive read. Each time I got to the end of a chapter told from each of their perspectives, I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. In true Helen Grace style, the fight in her completely takes over and this is what made her such a brilliant detective. She will see a case through, no matter what the personal cost to her will be. And because she no longer has the protection of the police force in this book, there are lots of things that could go wrong for her. The stakes really couldn’t be higher for Helen here, and this is what makes this book so entertaining.
I really felt for Helen when she was trying to make her voice heard, especially to her former work colleagues who seem to think she might be making things up. I could really feel her exasperation at the lack of influence she was having. There are some nasty people in this book who will stop at nothing to make sure no one uncovers their secrets and who they are. This is what makes the situation for the people caught up with them, particularly dangerous. You can feel just how ruthless they are.
Into the Fire grabs you right from the first page and doesn’t let you go. M.J. Arlidge drops a few bombshells here that’ll have many readers sitting right on the edge of their seats. I really, really enjoyed it.
December 13, 2025
Thirteen books deep and this series has finally lost me. What once felt gritty and compelling now comes across as shallow, heavy-handed, and frankly a bit dumb. The plotting feels lazy, the character work tired, and the political commentary is so blunt it overwhelms the story rather than serving it.
DI Grace has long outstayed her welcome. There’s no development left, no tension, no sense that this character has anywhere interesting to go. At this point, killing her off might be the boldest and most honest move the series could make.
I really wanted to like this — I enjoyed the earlier books — but this one finished me. I won’t be continuing.
DI Grace has long outstayed her welcome. There’s no development left, no tension, no sense that this character has anywhere interesting to go. At this point, killing her off might be the boldest and most honest move the series could make.
I really wanted to like this — I enjoyed the earlier books — but this one finished me. I won’t be continuing.
August 13, 2025
Balen, voor het eerst een Arlidge waar ik niks mee heb. Geen leuke casus, niet goed uitgewerkte personages.
February 11, 2026
Another great crime thriller in this brilliant series.
Despite Helen leaving the Police at the end of the last book, she can’t help but get involved in trying to solve crimes.
After seeing a woman being badly beaten she races to help her, but ends up getting beaten herself. When she tries to report this at her old station, she is met with a frosty reception so she decides to investigate it herself.
With Charlie still hurt that Helen left the team their relationship is not great, but Helen is determined to try and make amends.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Despite Helen leaving the Police at the end of the last book, she can’t help but get involved in trying to solve crimes.
After seeing a woman being badly beaten she races to help her, but ends up getting beaten herself. When she tries to report this at her old station, she is met with a frosty reception so she decides to investigate it herself.
With Charlie still hurt that Helen left the team their relationship is not great, but Helen is determined to try and make amends.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
June 16, 2026
Fogo e Cinzas foi, para mim, um dos livros mais fracos de M. J. Arlidge. Apesar de manter o ritmo acelerado característico do autor, a história acaba por se aproximar mais de um filme de ação de entretenimento do que de um thriller policial convincente.
As personagens perderam parte da profundidade e do carisma que as tornavam interessantes nos livros anteriores. Em particular, Helen Grace, que passa grande parte da narrativa em perseguição sendo espancada ou colocada em situações extremas, mas sempre capaz de seguir em frente sem consequências físicas ou psicológicas credíveis. Confesso que a dada altura comecei a ler na diagonal para acelerar a leitura, tal era o aborrecimento!
As personagens perderam parte da profundidade e do carisma que as tornavam interessantes nos livros anteriores. Em particular, Helen Grace, que passa grande parte da narrativa em perseguição sendo espancada ou colocada em situações extremas, mas sempre capaz de seguir em frente sem consequências físicas ou psicológicas credíveis. Confesso que a dada altura comecei a ler na diagonal para acelerar a leitura, tal era o aborrecimento!
May 15, 2026
Another great instalment of the Helen Grace series from MJ Arlidge. Not my favourite story from the series but a good read nonetheless. Continue to love Matt’s writing style but he went a bit too heavy on all the rhetorical questions at the end of a chapter for this one. Way too many “was this the end the road?” Or similar statements. Still my favourite series of all time!
August 4, 2025
niet z'n beste boek.... ook zeker niet slecht, dat niet, maar had iets meer verwacht
December 6, 2025
3,5⭐️
Pffieww eindelijk uit… Minder spannend dan ik gewend ben van Arlidge en iets te langdradig ofzo
Pffieww eindelijk uit… Minder spannend dan ik gewend ben van Arlidge en iets te langdradig ofzo
August 17, 2025
Weer een heerlijke thriller waarin alle verhaallijnen samenkomen. Het eind was een keer niet zo positief dat alles wordt opgelost, of toch wel? Net op het laatst durft Arlidge toch niet de knoop door te hakken, jammer, had het gewaagd gevonden als een van de hoofdrolspelers eens zou sterven.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2026
Lang uitgekeken naar deel 13 van mijn favoriete serie. Maar helaas een grote teleurstelling. 2*.
Na dit boek weggelegd te hebben en weer opgepakt te hebben, zsm uitgelezen (lees snel erdoor) om er maar vanaf te zijn. Dit boek was absoluut niet mijn cup of tea.
Los van de gruwelijkheden in de verhaallijn, echt heel onrealistisch en doorzichtig. De verhaallijn met Emilia ook totaal niet pakkend. Helen overleeft weer de gekste dingen, het voelt als een slechte actiefilm.
Daarnaast ergerde ik me heel erg aan de zinsconstructies. Zó veel bijvoeglijke naamwoorden! Daar wordt het boek echt niet spannender door, door het extra spannend te omschrijven. Ik kreeg er bijna een een AI vibe van. Ik kan me niet herinneren dat ik dit in de vorige delen had..
Het enige goede vond ik het type verhaal van de slachtoffers, qua originaliteit. Maar daar blijf het bij.. vandaar 2*, want 1* zou het wel tekort doen.
Nu bedenken of ik een mogelijk deel 14 aandurf..
Na dit boek weggelegd te hebben en weer opgepakt te hebben, zsm uitgelezen (lees snel erdoor) om er maar vanaf te zijn. Dit boek was absoluut niet mijn cup of tea.
Los van de gruwelijkheden in de verhaallijn, echt heel onrealistisch en doorzichtig. De verhaallijn met Emilia ook totaal niet pakkend. Helen overleeft weer de gekste dingen, het voelt als een slechte actiefilm.
Daarnaast ergerde ik me heel erg aan de zinsconstructies. Zó veel bijvoeglijke naamwoorden! Daar wordt het boek echt niet spannender door, door het extra spannend te omschrijven. Ik kreeg er bijna een een AI vibe van. Ik kan me niet herinneren dat ik dit in de vorige delen had..
Het enige goede vond ik het type verhaal van de slachtoffers, qua originaliteit. Maar daar blijf het bij.. vandaar 2*, want 1* zou het wel tekort doen.
Nu bedenken of ik een mogelijk deel 14 aandurf..
August 31, 2025
al een aantal delen vroeg ik me af waarom Arlidge maar doorgaat met de Helen Grace serie (en waarom ik ze blijf lezen, nou in de hoop dat hij eens weer een spannend en goed boek zoals in het begin van de reeks aflevert). dit verhaal was erg matig naar mijn idee. ongeloofwaardig en nergens spannend, ik laat deze serie in het vervolg links liggen
Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews