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Helen Grace #5.5
No Way Back
Jodie's arriving at her third children's home. She's only fifteen. Maybe this time will be different. She'll be safe. Looked after.
But the truth is Jodie has no one left to protect her. She must defend herself. She must change.
But the truth is Jodie has no one left to protect her. She must defend herself. She must change.
54 pages, ebook
First published August 8, 2016
160 people are currently reading
5273 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Arlidge
38 books4,232 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
August 12, 2018
This is a short story from the 'Helen Grace' series by author M.J.Arlidge. I had already read all the novels in this series and enjoyed them so I was looking forward to this short book. I must confess that I am not a big fan of the short story format as often the length does not allow for a story or character development that I enjoy. But in this case I was already familiar with the background and author so the read was far more enjoyable than I had anticipated.
The story focuses on events from years ago when Jodie Haines arrives at her third children's home hoping that things will be different this time. At just 16 she faces life alone having had her sister sentenced for murdering her parents who abused the two of them throughout their life. Jodie struggles to connect with her new housemates until she makes friends with Gemma, who has also suffered in her past but Jodie has no one left to protect her so must defend herself against whatever life throws at her.
This is a great read especially for anyone who is already reading this series and wants answers to some of the previously unanswered questions.
The story focuses on events from years ago when Jodie Haines arrives at her third children's home hoping that things will be different this time. At just 16 she faces life alone having had her sister sentenced for murdering her parents who abused the two of them throughout their life. Jodie struggles to connect with her new housemates until she makes friends with Gemma, who has also suffered in her past but Jodie has no one left to protect her so must defend herself against whatever life throws at her.
This is a great read especially for anyone who is already reading this series and wants answers to some of the previously unanswered questions.
January 9, 2024
Twee kleine visjes van M.J. Arlidge bevat de twee kortverhalen Alles in de wind en Schuitje varen in 1 boekje. In Alles in de wind zien we hoe een kleine Helen Grace (toen nog gekend onder Jodie Bentley) het vergaat in het zoveelste weeshuis waar ze wordt ondergebracht. Ze maakt er vooral schrijnende toestanden mee en dat zal sowieso zijn weerslag hebben op de volwassen Helen Grace. We leren echter ook hoe ze aan haar nieuwe naam komt en het is fijn om een deeltje achtergrond te hebben over haar.
In Schuitje varen zien we een 18-jarige Helen die net start aan haar stage bij de verkeerspolitie en het zwaar te verduren krijgt van de mannelijke collega’s. Je merkt als lezer hoe de politie in die tijd echt nog een mannenwereld was en daar geen plaats was voor een vrouw aan het roer. Helen is echter slim en merkt al snel op dat een bizar verkeersongeluk meer is dan het op het eerste zicht lijkt. Als ze verder op onderzoek gaat, blijkt ze gelijk te hebben en is ze een grote zaak op het spoor. Het is de 1e grote zaak van Helen en zal een grote stap vooruit betekenen in haar carrière. Ook hier leren we dat Helen alles zal doen om het recht te laten zegevieren en dat ze mensen met mindere kansen een warm hart toedraagt. Ikzelf ben nog niet begonnen in de overige Helen Grace boeken, maar ik ben net gestart wel in het eerste deel Iene Miene Mutte. Als fervent thrillerlezer kon ik met deze serie echt niet achterblijven en het is een doel van mij om elke maand een deel uit deze reeks te gaan lezen. Hopelijk lukt me dit en bevallen de boeken me goed! Voor Twee kleine visjes geef ik 3.5 sterren, afgerond naar 4 sterren.
In Schuitje varen zien we een 18-jarige Helen die net start aan haar stage bij de verkeerspolitie en het zwaar te verduren krijgt van de mannelijke collega’s. Je merkt als lezer hoe de politie in die tijd echt nog een mannenwereld was en daar geen plaats was voor een vrouw aan het roer. Helen is echter slim en merkt al snel op dat een bizar verkeersongeluk meer is dan het op het eerste zicht lijkt. Als ze verder op onderzoek gaat, blijkt ze gelijk te hebben en is ze een grote zaak op het spoor. Het is de 1e grote zaak van Helen en zal een grote stap vooruit betekenen in haar carrière. Ook hier leren we dat Helen alles zal doen om het recht te laten zegevieren en dat ze mensen met mindere kansen een warm hart toedraagt. Ikzelf ben nog niet begonnen in de overige Helen Grace boeken, maar ik ben net gestart wel in het eerste deel Iene Miene Mutte. Als fervent thrillerlezer kon ik met deze serie echt niet achterblijven en het is een doel van mij om elke maand een deel uit deze reeks te gaan lezen. Hopelijk lukt me dit en bevallen de boeken me goed! Voor Twee kleine visjes geef ik 3.5 sterren, afgerond naar 4 sterren.
December 6, 2017
This was a real treat! A dark and moving short story about the making of a great detective.
January 19, 2025
Short but satisfying story giving us a glimpse into Helen Grace's past and how she became to be who she is now.
Well written, intense, gritty. Perfect origin story.
Well written, intense, gritty. Perfect origin story.
August 11, 2016
In this poignant short story, Arlidge offers an interesting look at events from decades ago. Jodie Haines has been through much in her young life. Placed in her third group home by the age of sixteen, she is alone and has nowhere to turn. Her sister is serving time for murdering her parents, who were complicit in years of abuse towards their children. As she tries to connect with her fellow housemates, Jodie is shunned and left to suffer, until she is befriended by Gemma, a girl whose rough past is something to which Jodie can relate. After a night of drinking and drugging in the home's basement, Jodie wakes suddenly to an assault in progress on her person, the owner of the group home facilitating access to the local scumbags. When Gemma makes a shocking revelation to Jodie, they try to get help for the girls in the house. However, actions are taken and Gemma soon disappears, presumably turning to a life on the streets. When Jodie finds evidence that disputes this, she escapes, but is too cowardly to substantiate her report to the authorities. After a second girl brings news to Jodie, there is no standing around idly. Again, this girl goes missing, but Jodie sleuths her way into following and learns what is going on. She holds onto this information, hoping that she will be able to reveal all in time. When she becomes a target again, Jodie chooses to take the law into her own hands. However, with a record for being less than honest and her family history, will anyone believe her outlandish story? Arlidge offers a powerful look into a main character from his extremely successful series, filling in many of the gaps left in the previous five novels.
This short story is not only extremely well-written, but it also gives the reader much insight into the life of Jodie, read: Helen Grace. While Grace's backstory has not been one of extreme mystery, there are aspects that have been left to linger, particularly how she got her name and became interested in police work. Arlidge develops the early Helen Grace story in these pages, as well as illustrating her resilience in the face of extreme adversity. The attentive reader can also see the strong parallels between Jodie's 'imprisonment' in the group home and the situation in which Helen Grace finds herself at present. This substantiates the timely release of this short story, allowing the reader to mentally prepare for the horrors that Grace is suffering, likely a partial repeat of this third (and final) teenage placement in a group home. There is little to dispute, even from the outset, that Helen Grace has long been a strong woman. However, this short story supports her true character and that helping others has always been a part of her. A quick read, but chock full of details essential to further the understanding for the series reader.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge for this wonderful story that answers so much while sating series fans as they await news of Helen Grace's demise.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
This short story is not only extremely well-written, but it also gives the reader much insight into the life of Jodie, read: Helen Grace. While Grace's backstory has not been one of extreme mystery, there are aspects that have been left to linger, particularly how she got her name and became interested in police work. Arlidge develops the early Helen Grace story in these pages, as well as illustrating her resilience in the face of extreme adversity. The attentive reader can also see the strong parallels between Jodie's 'imprisonment' in the group home and the situation in which Helen Grace finds herself at present. This substantiates the timely release of this short story, allowing the reader to mentally prepare for the horrors that Grace is suffering, likely a partial repeat of this third (and final) teenage placement in a group home. There is little to dispute, even from the outset, that Helen Grace has long been a strong woman. However, this short story supports her true character and that helping others has always been a part of her. A quick read, but chock full of details essential to further the understanding for the series reader.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge for this wonderful story that answers so much while sating series fans as they await news of Helen Grace's demise.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 18, 2018
Leuk maar erg kort verhaaltje. Leuk om te lezen hoe Helen Grace aan haar naam kwam.
April 29, 2021
It was nice to get a little backstory on Helen Grace. This novella will make you understand her better.
February 27, 2018
No Way Back is an incredibly short story, one that probably would have worked as an extended Prologue to one of the main Helen Grace novels. To appreciate this story you do have to have met Helen before in one of Matthew Arlidge’s fantastic full-length stories. She has always been a fascinating character and whilst we have been fed snippets of her childhood before, it’s here in No Way Back that we get a real sense of how difficult things were for her.
No Way Back allows regular readers to understand the character of Helen Grace more, and to see why she chose a career in the police force. For a short story I felt that Matthew created a lot of tension and suspense, and the book had an almost horror vibe to it as we followed a younger Helen as she attempted to protect those being abused in the home she found herself in after the death of her parents. There’s not all that much I can say beyond that other than that it was an enjoyable read but given that it took me about 15 minutes to read I’m not sure what the whole ‘point’ of it was. I enjoy reading short stories but this was extremely short and only offered a small but interesting insight into the younger Helen Grace.
No Way Back allows regular readers to understand the character of Helen Grace more, and to see why she chose a career in the police force. For a short story I felt that Matthew created a lot of tension and suspense, and the book had an almost horror vibe to it as we followed a younger Helen as she attempted to protect those being abused in the home she found herself in after the death of her parents. There’s not all that much I can say beyond that other than that it was an enjoyable read but given that it took me about 15 minutes to read I’m not sure what the whole ‘point’ of it was. I enjoy reading short stories but this was extremely short and only offered a small but interesting insight into the younger Helen Grace.
June 11, 2020
Um pequeno vislumbre do passado da nossa Helen.
O que se passou depois de ter sido separada da irmã e antes da decisão final sobre o que queria fazer com o resto da sua vida.
O que se passou depois de ter sido separada da irmã e antes da decisão final sobre o que queria fazer com o resto da sua vida.
June 2, 2017
I think I love these short stories that accompany series that give you a bit of extra background info on your favourite characters and make you feel like you're learning all their guilty secrets!
Not only do I adore the Helen Grace series (it's punchy, raw and in-your-face) but this short story is great even if you didn't know anything about the series (I may be biased on that).
I am not a great fan of short stories (yes, too short ahem) but this one I really like.
I think it's only a tiny coincidence that all the short stories I've liked are ones that relate to a series I'm enjoying ha! Oh well...4.5 stars hooray!
Not only do I adore the Helen Grace series (it's punchy, raw and in-your-face) but this short story is great even if you didn't know anything about the series (I may be biased on that).
I am not a great fan of short stories (yes, too short ahem) but this one I really like.
I think it's only a tiny coincidence that all the short stories I've liked are ones that relate to a series I'm enjoying ha! Oh well...4.5 stars hooray!
March 31, 2024
It was nice to hear about her background and the origin of her new name. I’m surprised there was so much action in a book of 50 pages
February 7, 2022
Dit is een bundeling van de novelles Alles in de wind en Schuitje varen, twee verhalen die je een inkijkje in de jeugdige jaren en de eerste grote zaak van Helen Grace geven. In Alles in de wind is Helen 15 jaar oud en zit ze in een kindertehuis, waar ze afschuwelijke dingen mee moet maken. Je leert meer over haar verleden en ontwikkeling, over hoe ze moet leren om voor zichzelf op te komen en zich te verdedigen. Daarnaast lees je hoe ze op de naam Helen Grace is gekomen, want dit is niet haar echte naam (dat detail was ik volledig vergeten 😅).
In Schuitje varen is Helen net afgestudeerd van de politieacademie en lees je over haar eerste grote zaak, de moeilijkheden om als vrouw geaccepteerd te worden binnen het korps, over haar vastberadenheid, doorzettingsvermogen, eigengereide en eigenwijze aanpak, je ziet al een glimp van de toekomstige politievrouw zoals je haar kent uit de rest van de serie. Het zijn leuke novelles, minder spannend dan de andere boeken, maar een mooie aanvulling of een eerste kennismaking die smaakt naar meer!
3.5⭐️
In Schuitje varen is Helen net afgestudeerd van de politieacademie en lees je over haar eerste grote zaak, de moeilijkheden om als vrouw geaccepteerd te worden binnen het korps, over haar vastberadenheid, doorzettingsvermogen, eigengereide en eigenwijze aanpak, je ziet al een glimp van de toekomstige politievrouw zoals je haar kent uit de rest van de serie. Het zijn leuke novelles, minder spannend dan de andere boeken, maar een mooie aanvulling of een eerste kennismaking die smaakt naar meer!
3.5⭐️
September 12, 2016
Anyone who is a far of the Helen Grace series probably should look at reading this short story. It illuminates her background to some degree at least. Given this is M J Arlidge (one of my favourite writers currently) writing about Helen Grace (one of my favourite characters currently) it's not surprising that this is somewhat hardcore. Not in a graphic sense - simply in the excellent bare prose - we get to understand something about the person Helen is. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to any fans of the series. I think it is intended to slot in between book 5 and book 6 though I don't think the exact timing is vital. I'm left with a feeling there is room for more .5 books about Helen or is that simply wishful thinking...!
July 16, 2017
Kijk, dit is hoe je een kort verhaal schrijft. Superspannend, en een aanvulling op de serie. Ik heb alleen nog maar deel 1 ervan gelezen, maar toch kun je dit verhaal al goed lezen, zelfs nog voor deel 1. Het zit bij Flair 27, nog tot woensdag te koop, en ik raad het ECHT aan want dit is echt een goed kort verhaal én een goede aanvulling op de serie, maar ik geloof dat ik dat al gezegd had. Ik ben er een beetje van onder de indruk.
April 1, 2017
No Way Back is a short story that shows us what life was like for Helen Grace when she was put into a children’s home which probably defined her even more into the person she has become.
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Helen is without a doubt a character who is very troubled. Her past is something she can sadly never put fully behind her and it very much affects the person she is today. Even though as a reader we know the main facts of what happened to Helen when she was younger, No Way Back really gives you a feel for the truly horrible time that Helen sadly had to endure. Even though this is a work of fiction, sadly over the years we only know to well through the news what horrors went on sadly in a few children’s homes. It deeply saddens me that a place where children should be safe, due to some evil individuals ends up being anything but.
No Way Back is an absolute must read if you are a die hard Helen Grace fan. It may only be a short story but it will have a huge impact on the reader and as with the books in the series, this is yet another truly gripping read.
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Helen is without a doubt a character who is very troubled. Her past is something she can sadly never put fully behind her and it very much affects the person she is today. Even though as a reader we know the main facts of what happened to Helen when she was younger, No Way Back really gives you a feel for the truly horrible time that Helen sadly had to endure. Even though this is a work of fiction, sadly over the years we only know to well through the news what horrors went on sadly in a few children’s homes. It deeply saddens me that a place where children should be safe, due to some evil individuals ends up being anything but.
No Way Back is an absolute must read if you are a die hard Helen Grace fan. It may only be a short story but it will have a huge impact on the reader and as with the books in the series, this is yet another truly gripping read.
November 16, 2016
I had not known about the British author M.J.Arlidge and so was not familiar with the D.I. Helen Grace mystery series. After seeing a favorable review on Goodreads and finding this short story on Amazon, am now looking forward to reading the books. This was an excellent stand-alone and suspenseful short story which examines Helen Grace's traumatic early life before she became a police detective. A terrific, effective introduction to Arlidge's Helen Grace series. 4.5 stars
November 4, 2021
Interessant in die zin dat we te weten komen hoe de kleine Jodie in een weeshuis is terecht gekomen, is ontsnapt en waarom ze haar naam veranderd heeft in Helen Grace. In deel 2 lezen we dan over een piepjonge Helen die het als agente in een mannelijk korps moeilijk heeft. Haar eigenwijze karakter komt al snel bovendrijven en ze gaat een zoek naar een bende mensensmokkelaars. Leest op een avondje uit.
February 28, 2021
Blunt and to the point
A nice little added bonus to a great series of books. short and sweet perfect to get the background to this poor girls struggles and the things that set her off into a better path.
A nice little added bonus to a great series of books. short and sweet perfect to get the background to this poor girls struggles and the things that set her off into a better path.
March 15, 2022
TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
July 10, 2017
Dit boekje zat als extraatje bij de Flair. Dit deel beschrijft een deel van de jeugd van Helen Grace en verklaart het een en het ander over de persoonlijkheid van Helen. Een leuke toevoeging aan de rest van de verhalen. Het kan prima gelezen worden zonder deel 6 gelezen te hebben, het boek bevat geen spoilers over de voorgaande delen.
September 11, 2017
Een leuk boekje voor tussendoor. Het is een kort verhaal over de jeugd van Helen Grace, de hoofdpersoon uit de serie. Dit verhaal is een leuke aanvulling op de serie. Al had het van mij nog wel iets langer mogen zijn. Ik had nog wel meer willen weten over haar jeugd en hoe ze daaraan ontsnapt is.
January 27, 2019
Kort verhaal, maar het las wel heel prettig dus ik ga zeker meer boeken van deze schrijver lezen!
August 30, 2023
Craaaazy!! Heftig kortverhaal met een deel verduidelijkingen!
March 8, 2025
Eindelijk weer verder gegaan met de Helen Grace-serie, en wat was dit een goede keuze! Het duurde even voordat ik deze oppakte, maar had ik dat maar eerder gedaan. Het was zo interessant om meer te weten te komen over de jonge jaren van Helen, voordat ze bij de recherche begon. Ook al is haar verhaal hartverscheurend.
Dit boek bevat twee novelles: Alles in de Wind en Schuitje Varen.
In Alles in de Wind volgen we Helen als jonge vrouw in de jeugdzorg na het verlies van haar ouders. Het is een pakkend en schokkend verhaal dat haar drijfveren om bij de politie te gaan onthult én verklaart waarom ze de naam Helen Grace koos. Wat ze toen allemaal heeft moeten doorstaan... intens en diep tragisch.
Schuitje Varen draait om Helens eerste grote zaak bij de politie. Een adembenemende thriller met een duivelse plotwending die je niet ziet aankomen.
Kortom, beide novelles zijn een aanrader voor fans van de serie!
Dit boek bevat twee novelles: Alles in de Wind en Schuitje Varen.
In Alles in de Wind volgen we Helen als jonge vrouw in de jeugdzorg na het verlies van haar ouders. Het is een pakkend en schokkend verhaal dat haar drijfveren om bij de politie te gaan onthult én verklaart waarom ze de naam Helen Grace koos. Wat ze toen allemaal heeft moeten doorstaan... intens en diep tragisch.
Schuitje Varen draait om Helens eerste grote zaak bij de politie. Een adembenemende thriller met een duivelse plotwending die je niet ziet aankomen.
Kortom, beide novelles zijn een aanrader voor fans van de serie!
September 25, 2016
No Way Back
I'm already a huge fan of M.J.Aldridge and the Helen Grace series.
This book is a great short story, focussed on Helen Grace as a young girl, long before she joined the police force.
We already know snippets of Helen's life when she was a child. But this book was a great way to truly understand, and to finally crawl a little deeper into her mind and understand why she is now the person she is.
I really enjoyed reading this short story, and once again, I'm impressed by M. J. Arlidge's storytelling.
I'm already a huge fan of M.J.Aldridge and the Helen Grace series.
This book is a great short story, focussed on Helen Grace as a young girl, long before she joined the police force.
We already know snippets of Helen's life when she was a child. But this book was a great way to truly understand, and to finally crawl a little deeper into her mind and understand why she is now the person she is.
I really enjoyed reading this short story, and once again, I'm impressed by M. J. Arlidge's storytelling.
November 26, 2018
Like the author said, this short story is just a treat for Helen Grace fans! And it is true! It is amazing how simple and impactant it is. We now get a grasp on how and why Helen became such a great detective. It a very pleasant short read and reminded me a bit about Twin Peaks (just for fans!! 😉)
November 12, 2018
Voor mij als fan van deze serie voegde dit korte verhaal echt iets toe. Het laat een heel klein stukje uit de jeugd van Helen zien waardoor je als lezer beter begrijpt waarom zij is zoals ze is.
April 9, 2021
We know a little about Helen Grace's back story, but this book really fills in the blanks with regards to what happened to her just after her parents were murdered. This is where Helen gets the idea of what she wants to do with her life, her past definitely shaped her future. It seems Helen has always been inquisitive and has a knack of putting herself in terrible situations. If there is trouble to be found, she will find it...and inevitably solve it.
December 15, 2023
Aqui entendemos como é que a Jodie se tornou na Helen, e vemos um pouco do passado dela após a morte dos pais. Foi perturbador de ler...foi mais doloroso do que os crimes que o autor descreve na saga - esta novella pode ser pequena mas é potente. A Helen sempre esteve rodeada de desgraça, do pior da humanidade...sempre com o mal a persegui-la, mas no meio de tudo consegue sempre encontrar maneira de lutar por si e pelo bem - a garra dela é de louvar.
March 3, 2021
Voor de fans van Arlidge! Een boek dat het leven van inspecteur Helen Grace vertelt als ze nog heel erg jong is. Haar jeugd wordt kort beschreven en je merkt hoe Helen gevormd is tot de persoon wie ze nu is.
Leuk boekje.
Leuk boekje.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews