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Helen Grace #8
Ghici cine pândește în pădure
Dacă mergi în pădure, ai face bine să nu te duci singur…
În pădure pândește un prădător nemilos. Întâi, au fost omorâți caii sălbatici. Acum sunt bărbați și femei, vânați și uciși de o siluetă fără chip. Disperați, cer ajutor, dar nu are cine să le audă strigătele…
Helen Grace trebuie să se confrunte cu un nou coșmar: victime împănate cu săgeți sunt spânzurate de stejarii străvechi din New Forest, ca niște fructe bizare. De ce sunt atacați turiști neputincioși în plin sezon estival? Și ce înseamnă uciderea lor? Să fie oare crime oculte sau ofrande aduse pădurii?
Helen pătrunde în tenebre ca să descopere adevărul din spatele celui mai sumbru din-tre cazurile de până acum.
În pădure pândește un prădător nemilos. Întâi, au fost omorâți caii sălbatici. Acum sunt bărbați și femei, vânați și uciși de o siluetă fără chip. Disperați, cer ajutor, dar nu are cine să le audă strigătele…
Helen Grace trebuie să se confrunte cu un nou coșmar: victime împănate cu săgeți sunt spânzurate de stejarii străvechi din New Forest, ca niște fructe bizare. De ce sunt atacați turiști neputincioși în plin sezon estival? Și ce înseamnă uciderea lor? Să fie oare crime oculte sau ofrande aduse pădurii?
Helen pătrunde în tenebre ca să descopere adevărul din spatele celui mai sumbru din-tre cazurile de până acum.
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
535 people are currently reading
7103 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Arlidge
36 books4,309 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 989 reviews
September 22, 2018
I really love the natural beauty of lush green forests and woodland, and just this summer spent time walking in the New Forest where ‘Down To The Woods’ is located, but the thought of being lost deep in the forest with a serial killer on the loose, hunting his prey to their deaths gives me the chills!
A young woman staying in a tent on a camp site in the New Forest awakes to find her boyfriend missing. His body is subsequently found deep in the forest hanging from a tree, but he’s also suffered devastating injuries prior to this.
Following on from this murder, two of the beautiful New Forest ponies are found dead, and the manner in which they died appears to have the same MO as the young man’s murder. However, the killer isn’t finished yet, and before long, the body of a young woman is found in exactly the same way as the first, displayed hanging from a tree, almost as if the killer is proud of his handiwork.
DI Helen Grace is SIO, and together with her regular hard working and dedicated team, she also has the services of newly transferred DS Joe Hudson - this is a guy who won’t readily disappear into the background, he’s determined to shine in his chosen career, and in addition, he finds himself attracted to his boss!
The team certainly have their work cut out trying to find the perpetrator of these gruesome murders. It’s clear that the killer is at home in the forest, he’s cunning and appears to be an experienced hunter, but don’t jump to conclusions with this one, as the author has made expert use of misdirection - smoke and mirrors to lead us down the wrong path. The characters are certainly plausible and help drive the novel towards a heart pounding and satisfying conclusion. This is one that I would definitely recommend!
* My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for my Arc. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
A young woman staying in a tent on a camp site in the New Forest awakes to find her boyfriend missing. His body is subsequently found deep in the forest hanging from a tree, but he’s also suffered devastating injuries prior to this.
Following on from this murder, two of the beautiful New Forest ponies are found dead, and the manner in which they died appears to have the same MO as the young man’s murder. However, the killer isn’t finished yet, and before long, the body of a young woman is found in exactly the same way as the first, displayed hanging from a tree, almost as if the killer is proud of his handiwork.
DI Helen Grace is SIO, and together with her regular hard working and dedicated team, she also has the services of newly transferred DS Joe Hudson - this is a guy who won’t readily disappear into the background, he’s determined to shine in his chosen career, and in addition, he finds himself attracted to his boss!
The team certainly have their work cut out trying to find the perpetrator of these gruesome murders. It’s clear that the killer is at home in the forest, he’s cunning and appears to be an experienced hunter, but don’t jump to conclusions with this one, as the author has made expert use of misdirection - smoke and mirrors to lead us down the wrong path. The characters are certainly plausible and help drive the novel towards a heart pounding and satisfying conclusion. This is one that I would definitely recommend!
* My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for my Arc. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
October 7, 2018
M.J. Arlidge is back with his eighth novel in the Helen Grace series, adding a new layer of thrills in this unique piece. While DI Helen Grace is still trying to piece her life back together after a year of significant changes, she learns that there is a new addition to her Major Incident Team (MIT). DS Joseph Hudson has a great deal of police work under his belt, all across England, but has finally decided on a transfer to Southampton. The team is soon called out to a campsite, where a man has disappeared without a trace. Scouring the surrounding forested area, DI Grace and her team find him hanging from a tree, his organs dangling and embedded with crossbow bolts. Could the killer still be lurking in the forest? This begins a thorough exploration, where one member falls victim to a man who chooses to live way off the grid. It is only pure luck that has DI Grace stumble upon her teammate, saving her from another tragic incident. When a second victim goes missing and is found in the same state, DI Grace knows that this killer has a message and will stop at nothing. Now it’s time to determine if these are random kills or whether there is a connection, as yet unseen. While the MIT works their magic, journalist Emilia Garanita is back to find the scoop of her life. Her past run-ins with DI Grace do not deter her from using her powers of persuasion to get the story to ensure the public is aware of what’s going on. As the case heats up, both DI Grace and Emilia must come to terms with potential changes in their personal lives, both of which could have a significant bearing on the case. Arlidge does it again with a thrilling piece that will have series readers talking. Those who have yet to discover this series ought to take this as a strong recommendation. Do not let their length become a deterrent, as it is jam packed with highly entertaining thrills.
I have long been a fan of M.J. Arlidge and his writing, which has kept me up well into the night. He never seems at a loss for twists in the stories or series to keep the reader captivated, while pushing DI Helen Grace to her limits. It is this unpredictability that keeps the stories from getting stale and allows the series to grow effectively. Helen Grace has been through much in the series and this continues with this novel, in which she finds herself at a crossroads, seeking to better herself while also being highly introspective. She has seen loss and chooses to steer clear of it, though her current position makes that all but impossible. With a strong crew around her as part of the MIT, Grace and her cohort are always interacting on a professional level, with bits of personal aside to keep the subplots moving together effectively. The introduction of DI Joseph Hudson may prove to be an interesting new angle that series fans can chase, as he brings something new and exciting to the game. He, along with the many of the other supporting characters, prove effective in keeping the story intense and force the reader to wonder where things are headed. This has always been a wonderful aspect to Arlidge’s writing, as the characters enrich the story in ways that might not have been predicted. The story is great and, as long as the reader is not seeking anything overly deep, is perfect to push through in a few sittings. Arlidge uses an effective short chapter system that keeps the reader hanging and seeking “a little more”, which turns into late-night reading binges. The book has just what I am looking for and I cannot wait for the next instalment, which is sure to have just as many enticements.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for another winner. Series fans will surely not be disappointed and I can only hope others will commence this series sooner than later.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I have long been a fan of M.J. Arlidge and his writing, which has kept me up well into the night. He never seems at a loss for twists in the stories or series to keep the reader captivated, while pushing DI Helen Grace to her limits. It is this unpredictability that keeps the stories from getting stale and allows the series to grow effectively. Helen Grace has been through much in the series and this continues with this novel, in which she finds herself at a crossroads, seeking to better herself while also being highly introspective. She has seen loss and chooses to steer clear of it, though her current position makes that all but impossible. With a strong crew around her as part of the MIT, Grace and her cohort are always interacting on a professional level, with bits of personal aside to keep the subplots moving together effectively. The introduction of DI Joseph Hudson may prove to be an interesting new angle that series fans can chase, as he brings something new and exciting to the game. He, along with the many of the other supporting characters, prove effective in keeping the story intense and force the reader to wonder where things are headed. This has always been a wonderful aspect to Arlidge’s writing, as the characters enrich the story in ways that might not have been predicted. The story is great and, as long as the reader is not seeking anything overly deep, is perfect to push through in a few sittings. Arlidge uses an effective short chapter system that keeps the reader hanging and seeking “a little more”, which turns into late-night reading binges. The book has just what I am looking for and I cannot wait for the next instalment, which is sure to have just as many enticements.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for another winner. Series fans will surely not be disappointed and I can only hope others will commence this series sooner than later.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
November 6, 2018
If you go down to the woods......
4.5 stars
Down to the Woods should come with a warning - "highly addictive". I couldn't stop reading it and it resulted in more than a few very late nights and almost sleeping through my alarm the following morning.
This was only the second book I'd read in the DI Helen Grace series, the other being no 1 - which I enjoyed immensely. They can be read out of order as they definitely work as standalone novels, but as with any series, it tends to pay to read them in sequence to grow and know the backstory of the characters.
I knew I had to read this book with it being so close to Halloween - although it isn't specifically set during Halloween - the synopsis sounds pretty spooky with the action centred in the woods, making it a great thriller/police procedural/crime book to read (particularly) in October/November!
A quick snapshot of the plot; there's something evil, cruel and sinister stalking and deliberately hunting people and animals in the New Forest. Immediately after the first victim is found, DI Helen Grace and her team are dispatched to try to work out who could be doing something so despicable. Not long after, another body is found, killed in exactly the same way. The team soon realise they have a killer on the loose and need to work out who it is before they strike again...
If this book was a movie, I would have had a stack of cushions to hide behind at the most tense moments. As it is my nails took a chewing. Down to the Woods is a seriously thrilling, dark, edge of your seat read, brilliantly fast paced, wonderful characters and with heaps of twists and turns. Another highly recommended read in the excellent DI Helen Grace series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.
4.5 stars
Down to the Woods should come with a warning - "highly addictive". I couldn't stop reading it and it resulted in more than a few very late nights and almost sleeping through my alarm the following morning.
This was only the second book I'd read in the DI Helen Grace series, the other being no 1 - which I enjoyed immensely. They can be read out of order as they definitely work as standalone novels, but as with any series, it tends to pay to read them in sequence to grow and know the backstory of the characters.
I knew I had to read this book with it being so close to Halloween - although it isn't specifically set during Halloween - the synopsis sounds pretty spooky with the action centred in the woods, making it a great thriller/police procedural/crime book to read (particularly) in October/November!
A quick snapshot of the plot; there's something evil, cruel and sinister stalking and deliberately hunting people and animals in the New Forest. Immediately after the first victim is found, DI Helen Grace and her team are dispatched to try to work out who could be doing something so despicable. Not long after, another body is found, killed in exactly the same way. The team soon realise they have a killer on the loose and need to work out who it is before they strike again...
If this book was a movie, I would have had a stack of cushions to hide behind at the most tense moments. As it is my nails took a chewing. Down to the Woods is a seriously thrilling, dark, edge of your seat read, brilliantly fast paced, wonderful characters and with heaps of twists and turns. Another highly recommended read in the excellent DI Helen Grace series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.
September 23, 2018
Having already read a few books in the series of Helen Grace, I knew I was in for a treat with this book. I was so excited to get a copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review, that I failed to notice I am 2 books behind in this series, but desperate to start this book I will for once overlook this. I hate not reading books or watching films in their right order!!!
Someone is murdering campers in the New Forrest. They are hunted down and killed, leaving their bodies hanging from a tree!!
From the first page you are drawn in and it’s a fast paced book that will keep you turning the pages without you realising it!A rollercoaster of a ride that does not slow down until the final chapter, it is as scary and exhilarating!!
Oh M J Arlidge you never disappoint and I am eagerly awaiting for you’re next book!!!
Someone is murdering campers in the New Forrest. They are hunted down and killed, leaving their bodies hanging from a tree!!
From the first page you are drawn in and it’s a fast paced book that will keep you turning the pages without you realising it!A rollercoaster of a ride that does not slow down until the final chapter, it is as scary and exhilarating!!
Oh M J Arlidge you never disappoint and I am eagerly awaiting for you’re next book!!!
September 14, 2021
I do like D.I. Helen Grace, the main character in this series of books. In Down to the Woods she is still dealing with her personal feelings about her prison time and also about the death in action of one of her team. Life moves on though and there is a new team member, D.S. Joseph Hudson. He is younger than Helen and is her subordinate but there are sparks! Will they or won't they? Arlidge is good at introducing new themes like this as the series progresses.
For most of the book though everyone is far too busy to do anything but work. People go missing from campsites in the forest only to be found subjected to brutal murders. There is a serial killer on the loose and Helen and her team buckle down to the detailed police work required to find out who it is. There are plenty of red herrings and suspects are found and then dismissed as incorrect. Eventually of course they catch their man.
The book is quite a long one but it is action packed and delivered in short chapters which draw the reader on to the next piece of excitement. Arlidge writes extremely well and I am very glad I still have more books to look forward to.
For most of the book though everyone is far too busy to do anything but work. People go missing from campsites in the forest only to be found subjected to brutal murders. There is a serial killer on the loose and Helen and her team buckle down to the detailed police work required to find out who it is. There are plenty of red herrings and suspects are found and then dismissed as incorrect. Eventually of course they catch their man.
The book is quite a long one but it is action packed and delivered in short chapters which draw the reader on to the next piece of excitement. Arlidge writes extremely well and I am very glad I still have more books to look forward to.
September 25, 2018
This is the 8th book in the Helen Grace series by author MJ Arlidge.
I can't believe this is already the 8th book in this series, starting with 'Eeny Meeny' four years ago and I am still enjoying it.
When Melanie Walton wakes up in her tent in the New Forest she discovers that her boyfriend Tom has disappeared and after failing to find him she calls the police. Very soon Tom Campbell’s body is discovered hanging from a tree, his face has a look of terror and there are arrows deep in his chest, neck and back. Soon after another body is found, that of Lauren Scott. Are the campers being targeted and is there a connection, call for Helen Grace.
Another gripping novel in a series that goes from strength to strength.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I can't believe this is already the 8th book in this series, starting with 'Eeny Meeny' four years ago and I am still enjoying it.
When Melanie Walton wakes up in her tent in the New Forest she discovers that her boyfriend Tom has disappeared and after failing to find him she calls the police. Very soon Tom Campbell’s body is discovered hanging from a tree, his face has a look of terror and there are arrows deep in his chest, neck and back. Soon after another body is found, that of Lauren Scott. Are the campers being targeted and is there a connection, call for Helen Grace.
Another gripping novel in a series that goes from strength to strength.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2018
Briefly - Hum - I seem to be the odd one out here but having read all the series this is definitely not the best for me.
In full
This book is the eighth in the Helen Grace series by M J Arlidge. I've always found DI Grace a good character of real depth. In this book, after a fairly traumatic previous story - see here for the blog, a body is found in the New Forest. The person had been at a campsite the previous night and no one knows what made them leave their tent. As a member of the team died in the course of the previous book there is a new DS who arrives as the case is breaking.
Initially I found this a very typical Helen Grace story. Well paced and tense as usual making for easy reading. It was, and continued to be, a book that was far easier to keep reading than put down. The investigation continues to reveal aspects of the story as time goes by. There are the usual twists and turns, with misdirection and red herrings to be considered.
So far so good I guess. However this time I was not really gripped by the story. I've found it hard to pin down just why that is. I think a few factors are involved. The red herrings seemed quite obviously to be just that to me. The new DS didn't become a character in any meaningful way. Emilia is someone I dislike and I do realise that is supposed to be the case. However, after the events of the last book, she seems to have learnt little and be determined to be even less pleasant. In the end though I think it was the fact that Helen seemed to almost be a minor role compared with the previous books that left me rather dissatisfied.
This certainly was not the best of the series for me. I'm sure followers of Helen Grace will probably find it very readable - I did. I can only hope that the next book will be able to grip me once again and that I can once again say this series is one of my favourites. 3.5/5
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/thriller/down-t...
In full
This book is the eighth in the Helen Grace series by M J Arlidge. I've always found DI Grace a good character of real depth. In this book, after a fairly traumatic previous story - see here for the blog, a body is found in the New Forest. The person had been at a campsite the previous night and no one knows what made them leave their tent. As a member of the team died in the course of the previous book there is a new DS who arrives as the case is breaking.
Initially I found this a very typical Helen Grace story. Well paced and tense as usual making for easy reading. It was, and continued to be, a book that was far easier to keep reading than put down. The investigation continues to reveal aspects of the story as time goes by. There are the usual twists and turns, with misdirection and red herrings to be considered.
So far so good I guess. However this time I was not really gripped by the story. I've found it hard to pin down just why that is. I think a few factors are involved. The red herrings seemed quite obviously to be just that to me. The new DS didn't become a character in any meaningful way. Emilia is someone I dislike and I do realise that is supposed to be the case. However, after the events of the last book, she seems to have learnt little and be determined to be even less pleasant. In the end though I think it was the fact that Helen seemed to almost be a minor role compared with the previous books that left me rather dissatisfied.
This certainly was not the best of the series for me. I'm sure followers of Helen Grace will probably find it very readable - I did. I can only hope that the next book will be able to grip me once again and that I can once again say this series is one of my favourites. 3.5/5
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/thriller/down-t...
April 21, 2022
Mai are sens să scriu că e uimitoare?
Arlidge ori te prinde… ori nu:)))
Nu am avut dificultăți cu nicio carte din serie și mereu a reușit să mă surprindă.
Știe să monteze piste, te face să crezi lucruri, devii Helen Grace și tot nu reușești să ghicești ce se va întâmpla cu adevărat👀
Volumul acesta a fost plin de suspans, alert și misterios cu surprize plăcute și mai puțin plăcute.
Dar volumul 7 a rămas printre preferate. Să văd vol. 9 ce ne aduce :)
Arlidge ori te prinde… ori nu:)))
Nu am avut dificultăți cu nicio carte din serie și mereu a reușit să mă surprindă.
Știe să monteze piste, te face să crezi lucruri, devii Helen Grace și tot nu reușești să ghicești ce se va întâmpla cu adevărat👀
Volumul acesta a fost plin de suspans, alert și misterios cu surprize plăcute și mai puțin plăcute.
Dar volumul 7 a rămas printre preferate. Să văd vol. 9 ce ne aduce :)
July 13, 2023
Un thriller care le are pe toate: suspans, răsturnări de situație, un criminal misterios și o enigmă pe măsură. Când e vorba de copilul tău cât de departe mergi pentru ai face dreptate?
January 14, 2019
3.5
An engaging and suspenseful read!
A vicious murderer is targeting campers, hunting them with arrows and hanging their bodies from the trees.
Is the killer a madman? Is he killing at random? Or is there a connection between the victims? What is the motive? And who is going to be the next victim?
It is up to Helen Grace and her team to try to find the perpetrator and put a stop to his rampage.
An engaging and suspenseful read!
A vicious murderer is targeting campers, hunting them with arrows and hanging their bodies from the trees.
Is the killer a madman? Is he killing at random? Or is there a connection between the victims? What is the motive? And who is going to be the next victim?
It is up to Helen Grace and her team to try to find the perpetrator and put a stop to his rampage.
September 12, 2018
I'll be honest and say the last book I read in this series was the first one. Since then it seems that time has escaped me so despite muttering to myself about reading in order, when this arrived on my doorstep the cover just drew me right in..
I'm going to have to get to the backlist because Down To The Woods was darkly entertaining, a classically good crime drama with an engaging and clever lead in Helen Grace. I devoured it, some of it, set in said Woods, actually freaked me out and the mystery elements were excellent.
Whilst it's obvious I've missed a lot of back story for the main group, it didn't detract at all from the joy of reading this one so I don't feel too bad about my terrible neglect- after all, now I have 6 books to love whilst the rest of you will be waiting..
Down to The Woods was deliciously intriguing, fast paced and ever fascinating. Great writing, really addictive plotting and worth a place on any crime lovers shelf.
Recommended.
I'm going to have to get to the backlist because Down To The Woods was darkly entertaining, a classically good crime drama with an engaging and clever lead in Helen Grace. I devoured it, some of it, set in said Woods, actually freaked me out and the mystery elements were excellent.
Whilst it's obvious I've missed a lot of back story for the main group, it didn't detract at all from the joy of reading this one so I don't feel too bad about my terrible neglect- after all, now I have 6 books to love whilst the rest of you will be waiting..
Down to The Woods was deliciously intriguing, fast paced and ever fascinating. Great writing, really addictive plotting and worth a place on any crime lovers shelf.
Recommended.
September 19, 2019
I was really looking forward to reading this. Having read all 7 previous books all 5 star, 3 of them shortlisted for my book of the year.
However the reality was a little disappointing. A little bit slow to start, the teams characters were not as well developed as before and they didn't seem to mix as much this time.
Having said that the story was a great idea, well thought out and developed. Although I guessed the killer fairly early.
I was going to give just 3 stars maybe 3.5. But in the end made it 4, partly due to the fantastic ending, and partly due to, it maybe I expected too much from this. I will definitely read book 9 if one is written.
However the reality was a little disappointing. A little bit slow to start, the teams characters were not as well developed as before and they didn't seem to mix as much this time.
Having said that the story was a great idea, well thought out and developed. Although I guessed the killer fairly early.
I was going to give just 3 stars maybe 3.5. But in the end made it 4, partly due to the fantastic ending, and partly due to, it maybe I expected too much from this. I will definitely read book 9 if one is written.
September 19, 2018
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this read in exchange for a honest review.
"There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries....
DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do these murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the Forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet"
While this book was definitely better then the last book in the series, it didn't really compare to some of the earlier books in the Helen Grace series. I did enjoy this one but I definitely felt like there was something missing.
This book did take a while to get into as I wasn't immediately gripped by the storyline. Although the plotline did get a whole lot better, the first half of the story lacked excitement, a hook and an obvious lack of character personality from characters that I have now grown to love. Helen Grace, in particular, is a character that has been amazingly written and developed throughout the series, and although there is a light development of her life in second half, I honestly felt her personality had just vanished in the first half. A tad disappointed.
Overall, definitely worth a read purely for the second half of the book. A creepy story that definitely put me off camping!
"There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries....
DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do these murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the Forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet"
While this book was definitely better then the last book in the series, it didn't really compare to some of the earlier books in the Helen Grace series. I did enjoy this one but I definitely felt like there was something missing.
This book did take a while to get into as I wasn't immediately gripped by the storyline. Although the plotline did get a whole lot better, the first half of the story lacked excitement, a hook and an obvious lack of character personality from characters that I have now grown to love. Helen Grace, in particular, is a character that has been amazingly written and developed throughout the series, and although there is a light development of her life in second half, I honestly felt her personality had just vanished in the first half. A tad disappointed.
Overall, definitely worth a read purely for the second half of the book. A creepy story that definitely put me off camping!
January 11, 2020
Τρία αστεράκια γιατί ως συνήθως είναι ιστορία με γρήγορο ρυθμό και αρκετά ατμοσφαιρικό θα έλεγα με τις περιγραφές του δάσους! Λίγο διαφορετική και η Έλεν Γκρέις σε αυτήν την ιστορία και επίσης ευχάριστο θα έλεγα που μετά από εφτά βιβλία αλλάζει πορεία! Ακόμη ένα γεγονός που μου άρεσε είναι ότι πλέον οι υποθέσεις τις είναι καθαρά επαγγελματικού περιεχομένου και όχι όπως σε προηγούμενα που όλο κάποιος είχε προσωπικά μαζί της και ήθελε να της κάνει κακό!
Μέσα στον όλο χαμό με το κυνήγι του δολοφόνου υπήρχε και η οικογενειακή ατμόσφαιρα της συναδέλφου και φίλης της Έλεν, Τσάρλι που αν και όχι πάντα ευχάριστη γιατί κάθε οικογένεια έχει τα θέματά της δίνει μια πιο ανθρώπινη νότα στην πλοκή της ιστορίας!
Ευχάριστη προσθήκη και ο νέος συνάδελφος της ομάδας Χάντσον που ελπίζω να μην κρύβει δυσάρεστες εκπλήξεις στο μέλλον γιατί όλα τα περιμένω από τον Arldige!
Μείον δύο αστεράκια:
1. Για την απόδοση και επιμέλεια κειμένου! Έλεος με την μεταφράστρια που βαριόταν να προσθέσει ένα "ε" στο εκεί και πολλές φορές ήταν ένα ξερό "κει" αλλά δεν ήταν μόνο αυτό δυστυχώς!
1. Για την Γκαρανίτα που χωρίς την άσκοπη παρουσία της το βιβλίο θα είχε 100 σελίδες λιγότερες! Πόσες φορές έχω πιάσει τον εαυτό μου να σκέφτεται δεν γίνεται ο επόμενος δολοφόνος να είναι κάποιος που σκοτώνει άθλιους δημοσιογράφους αλλά που τέτοια τύχη! Επίσης σε κάποια σημεία ο συγγραφέας ήταν λίγο υπερβολικός στις καταστάσεις που δημιούργησε για τα δικά μου γούστα τουλάχιστον!
Γενικά μια ιστορία που διαβάζεται ευχάριστα και τη συνιστώ σε φαν της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας που θέλουν μια ιστορία με γρήγορο ρυθμό και μια καλή υπόθεση!
Ελπίζω αν υπάρξει επόμενο να συνεχίσει η μεταμόρφωση της Έλεν Γκρέις αν και πιστεύω ότι όλες οι ιστορίες πρέπει να έρχονται στο τέλος τους πριν καταντήσουν μια ρουτίνα και για τους αναγνώστες και για τον ίδιο τον συγγραφέα που τις γράφει!
Μέσα στον όλο χαμό με το κυνήγι του δολοφόνου υπήρχε και η οικογενειακή ατμόσφαιρα της συναδέλφου και φίλης της Έλεν, Τσάρλι που αν και όχι πάντα ευχάριστη γιατί κάθε οικογένεια έχει τα θέματά της δίνει μια πιο ανθρώπινη νότα στην πλοκή της ιστορίας!
Ευχάριστη προσθήκη και ο νέος συνάδελφος της ομάδας Χάντσον που ελπίζω να μην κρύβει δυσάρεστες εκπλήξεις στο μέλλον γιατί όλα τα περιμένω από τον Arldige!
Μείον δύο αστεράκια:
1. Για την απόδοση και επιμέλεια κειμένου! Έλεος με την μεταφράστρια που βαριόταν να προσθέσει ένα "ε" στο εκεί και πολλές φορές ήταν ένα ξερό "κει" αλλά δεν ήταν μόνο αυτό δυστυχώς!
1. Για την Γκαρανίτα που χωρίς την άσκοπη παρουσία της το βιβλίο θα είχε 100 σελίδες λιγότερες! Πόσες φορές έχω πιάσει τον εαυτό μου να σκέφτεται δεν γίνεται ο επόμενος δολοφόνος να είναι κάποιος που σκοτώνει άθλιους δημοσιογράφους αλλά που τέτοια τύχη! Επίσης σε κάποια σημεία ο συγγραφέας ήταν λίγο υπερβολικός στις καταστάσεις που δημιούργησε για τα δικά μου γούστα τουλάχιστον!
Γενικά μια ιστορία που διαβάζεται ευχάριστα και τη συνιστώ σε φαν της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας που θέλουν μια ιστορία με γρήγορο ρυθμό και μια καλή υπόθεση!
Ελπίζω αν υπάρξει επόμενο να συνεχίσει η μεταμόρφωση της Έλεν Γκρέις αν και πιστεύω ότι όλες οι ιστορίες πρέπει να έρχονται στο τέλος τους πριν καταντήσουν μια ρουτίνα και για τους αναγνώστες και για τον ίδιο τον συγγραφέα που τις γράφει!
November 2, 2018
OK book, however, I did figure out who the baddie was and the motive quite early one. Also, the new guy on the team and his fascinating with Grace didn't rock my boat. I enjoyed listening to the book, but so far this is one of the weakest books in the series. The narrator did a good job, and absolutely the book is well worth reading (or listening). I just wanted a more surprising story.
On a side note, adding a Swedish character to the story and claiming that the person did not understand English? Sorry, but English is our second language and we start learning it very early on in school. And yes, this caused me to call my mom and rant about it during work... ;)
On a side note, adding a Swedish character to the story and claiming that the person did not understand English? Sorry, but English is our second language and we start learning it very early on in school. And yes, this caused me to call my mom and rant about it during work... ;)
November 17, 2018
Toppertje alweer!
May 21, 2020
At this point, I'm such a big fan of this series, that I try to get everybody to read this series. I always ask about this series if people take a look at my shelves. It's just so good and I believe that every thriller lover will like this series. The set of characters is a great one to follow in these books. I can easily rush through and the books always have such exciting endings.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
I think that M.J. Arlidge is at the top of my list of thriller authors together with Karin Slaughter. She is the Queen of Thrillers for me, but M.J. Arlidge is the King! Don't ask me to choose between them, thanks. I'm addicted to his books and the plots are amazing. The characters have depth and the way he switches it up with the set of characters is great. I can't wait to read the next book and I have to wait another month... Do you know how long that is when you're excited for a book?!
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
I think that M.J. Arlidge is at the top of my list of thriller authors together with Karin Slaughter. She is the Queen of Thrillers for me, but M.J. Arlidge is the King! Don't ask me to choose between them, thanks. I'm addicted to his books and the plots are amazing. The characters have depth and the way he switches it up with the set of characters is great. I can't wait to read the next book and I have to wait another month... Do you know how long that is when you're excited for a book?!
October 11, 2023
După ce am citit cartea asta, mă cam tem să mai merg cu cortul sau în pădure, de cum se înserează, m-au luat toate fobiile, chiar și alea de care nu știam 🤣. O nouă goană în prinderea unui făptaș mânat de motive necunoscute.
Helen se vede prinsă într-un nou caz ce pare a nu avea soluție, pistele sunt tot mai îmbârligate și confuze, iar în spatele crimelor stau motive dintre cele mai dubioase…sau poate nu? 🫣
Parcă cu acest volum, Helen a revenit Helen, am început să o recunosc tot mai mult din persoana care a fost la începutul seriei și pe care am îndrăgit-o tare, în special că din acest volum, își permite, din nou, să trăiască.
Am fost intrigată, atât de viața sa personală, cât și de cea profesională, minunându-mă pentru a nu știu câta oară de modul în care îi lucrează mintea, de ambiția ei, dar și de cât de invidiată este de cei din jurul său. Una este Helen, iar viața ei, un mister până nu de mult, atrăgea tot mai mulți curioși, nu tocmai cu intenții bune.
Raportându-mă la acțiune, s-a păstrat acel ritm alert cu care am fost obișnuită, capitole scurte, mult suspans, un caz turburător, detalii ale crimelor care m-au oripilat, s-a observat o evoluție și în viața personajelor, deși nu le-am mai urmărit atât de mult pe plan personal ca până acum, axându-se mult mai mult pe cea profesională. Apar și un personaj nou, de care sunt tare curioasă cum va influența povestea, mai ales că este puțin cam misterios, multe detalii nu oferă și abia aștept să “sap” în viața lui 🫣.
Helen se vede prinsă într-un nou caz ce pare a nu avea soluție, pistele sunt tot mai îmbârligate și confuze, iar în spatele crimelor stau motive dintre cele mai dubioase…sau poate nu? 🫣
Parcă cu acest volum, Helen a revenit Helen, am început să o recunosc tot mai mult din persoana care a fost la începutul seriei și pe care am îndrăgit-o tare, în special că din acest volum, își permite, din nou, să trăiască.
Am fost intrigată, atât de viața sa personală, cât și de cea profesională, minunându-mă pentru a nu știu câta oară de modul în care îi lucrează mintea, de ambiția ei, dar și de cât de invidiată este de cei din jurul său. Una este Helen, iar viața ei, un mister până nu de mult, atrăgea tot mai mulți curioși, nu tocmai cu intenții bune.
Raportându-mă la acțiune, s-a păstrat acel ritm alert cu care am fost obișnuită, capitole scurte, mult suspans, un caz turburător, detalii ale crimelor care m-au oripilat, s-a observat o evoluție și în viața personajelor, deși nu le-am mai urmărit atât de mult pe plan personal ca până acum, axându-se mult mai mult pe cea profesională. Apar și un personaj nou, de care sunt tare curioasă cum va influența povestea, mai ales că este puțin cam misterios, multe detalii nu oferă și abia aștept să “sap” în viața lui 🫣.
August 26, 2024
Esta série já viu melhores dias! Que livro enfadonho... 😒
January 9, 2019
I cannot believe we've already reached book eight! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was embarking on this brilliant series.
Melanie Walton and her boyfriend have gone camping in the New Forest. Even though she wasn't keen preferring to go somewhere warmer, Melanie relented and camping it was. All is well until the next morning when she wakes to find that Tom is missing. Cut to later and Tom's body is found hanging in the woods having been brutally murdered. Later another body is found in the shape of Lauren Scott again in the woods. Are the murders related? Do the victims know each other? Questions to be answered by our protagonist DI Helen Woods. I love the character of Woods and how she has progressed through the books. I especially like her working relationship and friendship with her sergeant, DS Charlie Brooks. They have seen much heartache together which has gone on to cement a true bond of trust and professionalism.
Down To The Woods is another gripping read which kept me enthralled until the last page. Long may this series continue and I look forward to the next instalment. *Looks around. Wonders how long I have to wait!!*
Melanie Walton and her boyfriend have gone camping in the New Forest. Even though she wasn't keen preferring to go somewhere warmer, Melanie relented and camping it was. All is well until the next morning when she wakes to find that Tom is missing. Cut to later and Tom's body is found hanging in the woods having been brutally murdered. Later another body is found in the shape of Lauren Scott again in the woods. Are the murders related? Do the victims know each other? Questions to be answered by our protagonist DI Helen Woods. I love the character of Woods and how she has progressed through the books. I especially like her working relationship and friendship with her sergeant, DS Charlie Brooks. They have seen much heartache together which has gone on to cement a true bond of trust and professionalism.
Down To The Woods is another gripping read which kept me enthralled until the last page. Long may this series continue and I look forward to the next instalment. *Looks around. Wonders how long I have to wait!!*
December 6, 2021
I'm really enjoying this series, the storyline wasnt as good as the other books in this series.A couple goes camping and one of them is killed in a brutal way.not long after a second murder in a camp site.who is behind the murders.A fantastic series worth reading.looking forward to the next book.
June 12, 2019
«Λύκε λύκε, είσαι εδώ;» αναρωτιέται ο συγγραφέας M. J. Arlidge στο νέο του βιβλίο, την όγδοη περιπέτεια της επιθεωρήτριας Έλεν Γκρέις, «παίζοντας» ακόμα ένα παιχνίδι της γάτας με το ποντίκι με το αναγνωστικό κοινό του.
Η υπόθεση που αναλαμβάνουν να επιλύσουν η Έλεν και η ομάδα της αυτή τη φορά αφορά μια άγρια δολοφονία σε ένα δάσος. Ένα ειδυλλιακό τοπίο μετατρέπεται σε εφιαλτικό σκηνικό, όταν το πτώμα ενός κατασκηνωτή ανακαλύπτεται κρεμασμένο ανάποδα από ένα δέντρο. Το θέαμα και η αγριότητα της δολοφονίας σοκάρουν ακόμα και τους έμπειρους αστυνομικούς, οι οποίοι θέτουν ως άμεση προτεραιότητα την ανακάλυψη της ταυτότητας του δράστη και τη σύλληψή του.
Τα σενάρια για τα κίνητρα του δολοφόνου είναι πολλά. Πρόκειται άραγε για μεμονωμένο περιστατικό; Το θύμα είχε εχθρούς ή μήπως κάποιος θέλει να πλήξει τον ιδιοκτήτη του κάμπινγκ όπου είχε κατασκηνώσει, μόλις στην αρχή της τουριστικής σεζόν; Άραγε ο δράστης είναι κάποιος που θεωρεί πως το δάσος καταπατείται; Είναι κάποιο ιδιαίτερο τελετουργικό, μια «θυσία» προς τιμήν του ίδιου του δάσους; Όλα τα ενδεχόμενα φαντάζουν πιθανά, μα τα στοιχεία είναι ελάχιστα. Σύντομα μια δεύτερη δολοφονία θα ακολουθήσει την πρώτη, και τότε η Έλεν με την ομάδα της θα πρέπει να θέσουν την έρευνα σε νέες βάσεις: μήπως υπάρχει κάτι συγκεκριμένο που ενώνει τα θύματα, κάτι που τους έβαλε στο στόχαστρο του δολοφόνου;
Έχοντας να αντιμετωπίσουν ένα άκρως επικίνδυνο άτομο που παραμονεύει στο δάσος και φαίνεται να το ξέρει πολύ καλά, είναι αυτονόητο για την Έλεν πως η υπόθεση αυτή πρέπει να επιλυθεί το συντομότερο. Έμπειρη αστυνομικός η ίδια, ξέρει πως τα περιθώρια στενεύουν. Και ξέρει επίσης πως ακόμα κι η ζωή όλων τους μπορεί να βρεθεί σε κίνδυνο, όσο η απόκοσμη φιγούρα του δολοφόνου κυκλοφορεί ελεύθερη ανάμεσα στα πυκνά φυλλώματα του δάσους…
Για άλλη μία φορά, η Έλεν και οι συνεργάτες της προσπαθούν να ξαναβρούν τους ρυθμούς τους μετά από μια περίοδο έντασης, μέχρι που μια νέα υπόθεση έρχεται να ταράξει εκ νέου τα νερά. Η νέα προσθήκη στη γνώριμη από προηγούμενα βιβλία ομάδα είναι ο αρχιφύλακας Τζόζεφ Χάντσον, ένας τύπος που είναι αποφασισμένος να αποδείξει πως αξίζει να βρίσκεται στην «επίλεκτη» ομάδα της επιθεωρήτριας Γκρέις και θα κάνει τα πάντα ώστε να βοηθήσει έμπρακτα στη διαλεύκανση της υπόθεσης. Ταυτόχρονα, το έντονο ενδιαφέρον του για την Έλεν προκαλεί ορισμένες υποψίες: ενδιαφέρεται για εκείνη ως γυναίκα ή μήπως υπάρχει κάποιος άλλος, ιδιαίτερος λόγος που την παρατηρεί επίμονα; Και πώς θα αντιδράσει εκείνη, η μοναχική επιθεωρήτρια, σ’ αυτό το ενδιαφέρον, που μάλιστα προέρχεται από έναν συνεργάτη της;
Σε κάθε καινούριο του βιβλίο, ο Arlidge αποδεικνύει τη συγγραφική εξέλιξή του αλλά και το πόσο καλά ξέρει να χειρίζεται την πένα και να δημιουργεί μια πλοκή που εξελίσσεται διαρκώς, δεν επαναπαύεται ποτέ και κλιμακώνεται με αυξομειώσεις, από τη δραματική ένταση στις πιο χαλαρές σκηνές της καθημερινότητας των ηρώων, διατηρώντας τις απαραίτητες ισορροπίες σε μια πολυσέλιδη ιστορία, όπου διαρκώς τα δεδομένα ανατρέπονται. Η δε δομή του βιβλίου δεν διαφέρει από τα προηγούμενα, με τα μικρά σε έκταση κεφάλαια και τα συνεχώς εναλλασσόμενα σκηνικά δράσης να αποτελούν ένα ακόμη θετικό στοιχείο σε ό,τι αφορά τη ροή της αφήγησης.
Πιστός παραμένει ο συγγραφέας και στη σκιαγράφηση των γνώριμων ηρώων του, τους οποίους ο φανατικός αναγνώστης χαίρεται κάθε φορά να ξανασυναντά σε μια νέα περιπέτεια. Η φυσιογνωμία της επιθεωρήτριας Έλεν Γκρέις ξεχωρίζει με τον ιδιαίτερο τρόπο της, αν και σ’ αυτό το βιβλίο δείχνει κάπως περισσότερο χαλαρή απ’ ό,τι την έχουμε συνηθίσει. Ίσως γιατί συνειδητοποιεί πόσο άδεια είναι η προσωπική της ζωή, ότι δεν αξίζει να προσπαθεί να τιμωρεί συνεχώς τον εαυτό της και ότι πρέπει να δώσει μια ευκαιρία σε ανθρώπους που θα ήθελαν να την πλησιάσουν περισσότερο. Ο νέος αρχιφύλακας, ο Τζόζεφ Χάντσον, διεκδικεί δυναμικά τον δικό του χώρο στις σελίδες, στην υπόθεση αλλά και στη ζωή της Έλεν, ενώ τον ρόλο του εκνευριστικού «κακού» της υπόθεσης συνεχίζει να κρατάει απτόητη η δημοσιογράφος -και ενίοτε αδίστακτη κολλιτσίδα- Εμίλια Γκαρανίτα, η οποία αποτελεί μόνιμο πονοκέφαλο για τους αστυνομικούς ήρωες του βιβλίου, αλλά και για μεγάλη μερίδα αναγνωστών!
Αυτός που κερδίζει όμως το αναγνωστικό ενδιαφέρον είναι ο δολοφόνος, με τη σκιαγράφηση της δικής του ψυχοσύνθεσης από τον συγγραφέα: ένας άνθρωπος επικίνδυνος, μια μορφή που μοιάζει βγαλμένη από ένα κακό παραμύθι, που βρίσκει στη σκοτεινιά και τη μυστηριώδη ατμόσφαιρα του δάσους το ιδανικό σκηνικό για να «στήσει» τα εγκλήματά του. Κανείς δεν γνωρίζει το κίνητρό του, τουλάχιστον μέχρι να αρχίσει να ξετυλίγεται για τα καλά το κουβάρι της υπόθεσης και να βρεθούν αρκετά στοιχεία για το ποιος είναι και γιατί οδηγήθηκε στο να διαπράξει τους φόνους – κι όμως, από την αρχή η άγρια φύση των πράξεών του και ο τρόπος δράσης του τον κάνουν να ξεχωρίζει. Έξυπνη η όλη ιδέα από την αρχή ως το τέλος, ιδανική η επιλογή του δάσους ως μακάβριο σκηνικό εγκλήματος, ενδιαφέρουσα η εξέλιξη της ιστορίας, ευρηματική η τελική αποκάλυψη και το πώς όλα όσα αρχικά φαίνονταν ασήμαντα ή άσχετα συνδέονται τελικά μεταξύ τους.
Χορταστικό τόσο από άποψη σελίδων όσο και εξελίξεων, το «Λύκε λύκε, είσαι εδώ;» υπόσχεται ένα περιπετειώδες, συναρπαστικό λογοτεχνικό ταξίδι, τη διαδρομή του οποίου αξίζει να απολαύσει κανείς μέχρι και την τελευταία του σελίδα.
Η κριτική μου και στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Λύκε λύκε, είσαι εδώ;
Η υπόθεση που αναλαμβάνουν να επιλύσουν η Έλεν και η ομάδα της αυτή τη φορά αφορά μια άγρια δολοφονία σε ένα δάσος. Ένα ειδυλλιακό τοπίο μετατρέπεται σε εφιαλτικό σκηνικό, όταν το πτώμα ενός κατασκηνωτή ανακαλύπτεται κρεμασμένο ανάποδα από ένα δέντρο. Το θέαμα και η αγριότητα της δολοφονίας σοκάρουν ακόμα και τους έμπειρους αστυνομικούς, οι οποίοι θέτουν ως άμεση προτεραιότητα την ανακάλυψη της ταυτότητας του δράστη και τη σύλληψή του.
Τα σενάρια για τα κίνητρα του δολοφόνου είναι πολλά. Πρόκειται άραγε για μεμονωμένο περιστατικό; Το θύμα είχε εχθρούς ή μήπως κάποιος θέλει να πλήξει τον ιδιοκτήτη του κάμπινγκ όπου είχε κατασκηνώσει, μόλις στην αρχή της τουριστικής σεζόν; Άραγε ο δράστης είναι κάποιος που θεωρεί πως το δάσος καταπατείται; Είναι κάποιο ιδιαίτερο τελετουργικό, μια «θυσία» προς τιμήν του ίδιου του δάσους; Όλα τα ενδεχόμενα φαντάζουν πιθανά, μα τα στοιχεία είναι ελάχιστα. Σύντομα μια δεύτερη δολοφονία θα ακολουθήσει την πρώτη, και τότε η Έλεν με την ομάδα της θα πρέπει να θέσουν την έρευνα σε νέες βάσεις: μήπως υπάρχει κάτι συγκεκριμένο που ενώνει τα θύματα, κάτι που τους έβαλε στο στόχαστρο του δολοφόνου;
Έχοντας να αντιμετωπίσουν ένα άκρως επικίνδυνο άτομο που παραμονεύει στο δάσος και φαίνεται να το ξέρει πολύ καλά, είναι αυτονόητο για την Έλεν πως η υπόθεση αυτή πρέπει να επιλυθεί το συντομότερο. Έμπειρη αστυνομικός η ίδια, ξέρει πως τα περιθώρια στενεύουν. Και ξέρει επίσης πως ακόμα κι η ζωή όλων τους μπορεί να βρεθεί σε κίνδυνο, όσο η απόκοσμη φιγούρα του δολοφόνου κυκλοφορεί ελεύθερη ανάμεσα στα πυκνά φυλλώματα του δάσους…
Για άλλη μία φορά, η Έλεν και οι συνεργάτες της προσπαθούν να ξαναβρούν τους ρυθμούς τους μετά από μια περίοδο έντασης, μέχρι που μια νέα υπόθεση έρχεται να ταράξει εκ νέου τα νερά. Η νέα προσθήκη στη γνώριμη από προηγούμενα βιβλία ομάδα είναι ο αρχιφύλακας Τζόζεφ Χάντσον, ένας τύπος που είναι αποφασισμένος να αποδείξει πως αξίζει να βρίσκεται στην «επίλεκτη» ομάδα της επιθεωρήτριας Γκρέις και θα κάνει τα πάντα ώστε να βοηθήσει έμπρακτα στη διαλεύκανση της υπόθεσης. Ταυτόχρονα, το έντονο ενδιαφέρον του για την Έλεν προκαλεί ορισμένες υποψίες: ενδιαφέρεται για εκείνη ως γυναίκα ή μήπως υπάρχει κάποιος άλλος, ιδιαίτερος λόγος που την παρατηρεί επίμονα; Και πώς θα αντιδράσει εκείνη, η μοναχική επιθεωρήτρια, σ’ αυτό το ενδιαφέρον, που μάλιστα προέρχεται από έναν συνεργάτη της;
Σε κάθε καινούριο του βιβλίο, ο Arlidge αποδεικνύει τη συγγραφική εξέλιξή του αλλά και το πόσο καλά ξέρει να χειρίζεται την πένα και να δημιουργεί μια πλοκή που εξελίσσεται διαρκώς, δεν επαναπαύεται ποτέ και κλιμακώνεται με αυξομειώσεις, από τη δραματική ένταση στις πιο χαλαρές σκηνές της καθημερινότητας των ηρώων, διατηρώντας τις απαραίτητες ισορροπίες σε μια πολυσέλιδη ιστορία, όπου διαρκώς τα δεδομένα ανατρέπονται. Η δε δομή του βιβλίου δεν διαφέρει από τα προηγούμενα, με τα μικρά σε έκταση κεφάλαια και τα συνεχώς εναλλασσόμενα σκηνικά δράσης να αποτελούν ένα ακόμη θετικό στοιχείο σε ό,τι αφορά τη ροή της αφήγησης.
Πιστός παραμένει ο συγγραφέας και στη σκιαγράφηση των γνώριμων ηρώων του, τους οποίους ο φανατικός αναγνώστης χαίρεται κάθε φορά να ξανασυναντά σε μια νέα περιπέτεια. Η φυσιογνωμία της επιθεωρήτριας Έλεν Γκρέις ξεχωρίζει με τον ιδιαίτερο τρόπο της, αν και σ’ αυτό το βιβλίο δείχνει κάπως περισσότερο χαλαρή απ’ ό,τι την έχουμε συνηθίσει. Ίσως γιατί συνειδητοποιεί πόσο άδεια είναι η προσωπική της ζωή, ότι δεν αξίζει να προσπαθεί να τιμωρεί συνεχώς τον εαυτό της και ότι πρέπει να δώσει μια ευκαιρία σε ανθρώπους που θα ήθελαν να την πλησιάσουν περισσότερο. Ο νέος αρχιφύλακας, ο Τζόζεφ Χάντσον, διεκδικεί δυναμικά τον δικό του χώρο στις σελίδες, στην υπόθεση αλλά και στη ζωή της Έλεν, ενώ τον ρόλο του εκνευριστικού «κακού» της υπόθεσης συνεχίζει να κρατάει απτόητη η δημοσιογράφος -και ενίοτε αδίστακτη κολλιτσίδα- Εμίλια Γκαρανίτα, η οποία αποτελεί μόνιμο πονοκέφαλο για τους αστυνομικούς ήρωες του βιβλίου, αλλά και για μεγάλη μερίδα αναγνωστών!
Αυτός που κερδίζει όμως το αναγνωστικό ενδιαφέρον είναι ο δολοφόνος, με τη σκιαγράφηση της δικής του ψυχοσύνθεσης από τον συγγραφέα: ένας άνθρωπος επικίνδυνος, μια μορφή που μοιάζει βγαλμένη από ένα κακό παραμύθι, που βρίσκει στη σκοτεινιά και τη μυστηριώδη ατμόσφαιρα του δάσους το ιδανικό σκηνικό για να «στήσει» τα εγκλήματά του. Κανείς δεν γνωρίζει το κίνητρό του, τουλάχιστον μέχρι να αρχίσει να ξετυλίγεται για τα καλά το κουβάρι της υπόθεσης και να βρεθούν αρκετά στοιχεία για το ποιος είναι και γιατί οδηγήθηκε στο να διαπράξει τους φόνους – κι όμως, από την αρχή η άγρια φύση των πράξεών του και ο τρόπος δράσης του τον κάνουν να ξεχωρίζει. Έξυπνη η όλη ιδέα από την αρχή ως το τέλος, ιδανική η επιλογή του δάσους ως μακάβριο σκηνικό εγκλήματος, ενδιαφέρουσα η εξέλιξη της ιστορίας, ευρηματική η τελική αποκάλυψη και το πώς όλα όσα αρχικά φαίνονταν ασήμαντα ή άσχετα συνδέονται τελικά μεταξύ τους.
Χορταστικό τόσο από άποψη σελίδων όσο και εξελίξεων, το «Λύκε λύκε, είσαι εδώ;» υπόσχεται ένα περιπετειώδες, συναρπαστικό λογοτεχνικό ταξίδι, τη διαδρομή του οποίου αξίζει να απολαύσει κανείς μέχρι και την τελευταία του σελίδα.
Η κριτική μου και στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Λύκε λύκε, είσαι εδώ;
November 25, 2018
Negen maanden nadat Sanderson omgekomen is door het toedoen van een seriemoordenaar loopt er alweer één rond in Southampton. Het is daar nogal onveilig!
Deze keer vermijdt men best het bos. Want er worden paarden afgeslacht en mensen op een vreselijke manier vermoord.
Helen Grace en haar team hebben een moeilijke opdracht deze keer. 522 pagina’s telt het boek maar ondanks de vele (dwaal)sporen in het onderzoek blijft het spannend tot op het eind.
Deze keer vermijdt men best het bos. Want er worden paarden afgeslacht en mensen op een vreselijke manier vermoord.
Helen Grace en haar team hebben een moeilijke opdracht deze keer. 522 pagina’s telt het boek maar ondanks de vele (dwaal)sporen in het onderzoek blijft het spannend tot op het eind.
October 24, 2020
Κλασικός Arlidge...
Σαν υπόθεση ήτανε καλό, αλλά κάτι μερικές υπερβολές, κάτι που όλα έρχονται βολικά την κατάλληλη στιγμή, κάτι που η αχώνευτη δημοσιογράφος που κανονικά θα έπρεπε να βρίσκεται στη φυλακή (αλλά φυσικά της την χαρίσανε!) είναι πάλι εδώ απλά για να σου σπάει τα.....νεύρα, και κάτι το ασπόνδυλο, η υπαρχηγός της Έλεν Τσάρλι, που στις μισές φορές που εμφανίζεται μαθαίνουμε για τα οικογενειακά της και τους εφιάλτες που βλέπει το 4χρονο παιδί της, ήτανε αρκετά για να ξενερώσω! Για όλα αυτά τα κάτι λοιπόν, πήγαινε για δύο αστεράκια αλλά θα βάλω τρία μόνο και μόνο για την υπόθεση.
Σαν υπόθεση ήτανε καλό, αλλά κάτι μερικές υπερβολές, κάτι που όλα έρχονται βολικά την κατάλληλη στιγμή, κάτι που η αχώνευτη δημοσιογράφος που κανονικά θα έπρεπε να βρίσκεται στη φυλακή (αλλά φυσικά της την χαρίσανε!) είναι πάλι εδώ απλά για να σου σπάει τα.....νεύρα, και κάτι το ασπόνδυλο, η υπαρχηγός της Έλεν Τσάρλι, που στις μισές φορές που εμφανίζεται μαθαίνουμε για τα οικογενειακά της και τους εφιάλτες που βλέπει το 4χρονο παιδί της, ήτανε αρκετά για να ξενερώσω! Για όλα αυτά τα κάτι λοιπόν, πήγαινε για δύο αστεράκια αλλά θα βάλω τρία μόνο και μόνο για την υπόθεση.
September 19, 2018
Arlidge gained me as a fan of this explosive serial killer thrillers right from the outset, and his Detective Inspector Helen Grace series, set in Southampton, is one of my favourite ever series'. 'Down To The Woods' is another excellent addition, and being book eight, I just hope now it's getting to where some authors put the kaibosh on a successful series, Arlidge will continue it!
Well, you can always rely on Matthew Arlidge to bring you a utterly gripping and fantastically twisted mind-bender of a story. Accompanied by his signature brutal storyline, a cast of exciting characters that are easy to connect to, and a plot that propels itself forward at a heck of a pace, this is one of my favourite reads of the year. Not only that, but Arlidge is adept at using red herrings and misdirection to his advantage and sent me down many a dead end. He also made sure the denouement was satisfying with all of the pre-eminent questions that build throughout the story being answered. It is told primarily from Helen's point of view, but journalist and all around vulture Emma Garanita and some others also get in on the act. I did enjoy the way it was told but felt at certain points it was a little disjointed and affected the overall flow of the story. That said, it was such a minor issue that it had little impact. The author expertly weaves a wonderful tapestry which comes together spectacularly towards the concluding part of the book.
With regards to Helen Grace, her character has certainly moved past the issues she was having in the previous books which is both admirable and nice to see. I very much like her as a character, and her working relationship with DS Charlie Brooke comes across as authentic and believable. I appreciate their dynamic and look forard to seeing how they evolve over the next few additions to the series.
Many thanks to Penguin - Michael Joseph for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Well, you can always rely on Matthew Arlidge to bring you a utterly gripping and fantastically twisted mind-bender of a story. Accompanied by his signature brutal storyline, a cast of exciting characters that are easy to connect to, and a plot that propels itself forward at a heck of a pace, this is one of my favourite reads of the year. Not only that, but Arlidge is adept at using red herrings and misdirection to his advantage and sent me down many a dead end. He also made sure the denouement was satisfying with all of the pre-eminent questions that build throughout the story being answered. It is told primarily from Helen's point of view, but journalist and all around vulture Emma Garanita and some others also get in on the act. I did enjoy the way it was told but felt at certain points it was a little disjointed and affected the overall flow of the story. That said, it was such a minor issue that it had little impact. The author expertly weaves a wonderful tapestry which comes together spectacularly towards the concluding part of the book.
With regards to Helen Grace, her character has certainly moved past the issues she was having in the previous books which is both admirable and nice to see. I very much like her as a character, and her working relationship with DS Charlie Brooke comes across as authentic and believable. I appreciate their dynamic and look forard to seeing how they evolve over the next few additions to the series.
Many thanks to Penguin - Michael Joseph for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
October 31, 2018
I love this series... and this one was great!
September 18, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for an advance copy of Down to the Woods, the 8th novel to feature Southampton based DI Helen Grace.
Helen and the team are called out to a vicious murder in the New Forest, Tom Campbell has been shot by an arrow and hung upside down from a tree. An all round good guy the team have no idea why he was killed, whether he was selected or a random victim or what the motive could be. Then another body is discovered with no links to Tom.
I thoroughly enjoyed Down to the Woods which is a good mystery with several twists and turns and all the requisite red herrings and blind alleys topped off by an action packed finale. It is mostly told from Helen's point of view but the ghastly Emilia Garanita, journalist extraordinaire, gets a good airing as do the events leading up to the murders and sundry other voices. I don't always like this scattergun approach to narration, finding it disruptive and distracting, and it doesn't always work in this novel as it sometimes feels disjointed and tears the reader away from an impending juicy reveal so it's just ok. The plot is absorbing with several false starts as the team try to home in on a suspect and motive but gradually it all comes together.
I like the new version of Helen Grace. She's as sharp as ever investigatively but she seems so much calmer, more settled and less haunted by her past, so much so that's she's even hinting at happiness. It makes her a more rounded and credible character and the novel a more comfortable read. Her sidekick DS Charlie Brooke is working through her own problems and new boy DS Joseph Hudson is still a bit of an enigma with hidden secrets to be pondered.
Down to the Woods is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Helen and the team are called out to a vicious murder in the New Forest, Tom Campbell has been shot by an arrow and hung upside down from a tree. An all round good guy the team have no idea why he was killed, whether he was selected or a random victim or what the motive could be. Then another body is discovered with no links to Tom.
I thoroughly enjoyed Down to the Woods which is a good mystery with several twists and turns and all the requisite red herrings and blind alleys topped off by an action packed finale. It is mostly told from Helen's point of view but the ghastly Emilia Garanita, journalist extraordinaire, gets a good airing as do the events leading up to the murders and sundry other voices. I don't always like this scattergun approach to narration, finding it disruptive and distracting, and it doesn't always work in this novel as it sometimes feels disjointed and tears the reader away from an impending juicy reveal so it's just ok. The plot is absorbing with several false starts as the team try to home in on a suspect and motive but gradually it all comes together.
I like the new version of Helen Grace. She's as sharp as ever investigatively but she seems so much calmer, more settled and less haunted by her past, so much so that's she's even hinting at happiness. It makes her a more rounded and credible character and the novel a more comfortable read. Her sidekick DS Charlie Brooke is working through her own problems and new boy DS Joseph Hudson is still a bit of an enigma with hidden secrets to be pondered.
Down to the Woods is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
March 2, 2019
In de maneschijn is het laatste deel in de Helen Grace serie. Het heeft ook echt een einde, waarop blijkt dat er geen nieuwe boeken zullen verschijnen.
Ik heb genoten van de hele serie. Deze zo goed als mogelijk achter elkaar gelezen waardoor ik continu in het verhaal bleef en de Helen Grace ook goed leerde kennen. Elk boek heeft hetzelfde verhaalproces, verhaallijn, opbouw en spanning. Maar de diepgang die de personages krijgen wordt elk boek groter. Verder zijn de zaken toch weer steeds spannend.
Wel vind ik dat dit boek eindelijk een perfecte titel heeft voor bij het verhaal.
Ik heb genoten van de hele serie. Deze zo goed als mogelijk achter elkaar gelezen waardoor ik continu in het verhaal bleef en de Helen Grace ook goed leerde kennen. Elk boek heeft hetzelfde verhaalproces, verhaallijn, opbouw en spanning. Maar de diepgang die de personages krijgen wordt elk boek groter. Verder zijn de zaken toch weer steeds spannend.
Wel vind ik dat dit boek eindelijk een perfecte titel heeft voor bij het verhaal.
December 7, 2018
Young campers keep getting murdered near the New Forest camping site. Seemingly unrelated, all victims show horrific injuries and are found miles away from the campsite, deep inside the forest. This is DCI Grace's eighth case and she not only has to catch a serial killer, but also has to deal with the nosy reporter Emilia, who keeps publishing inside scoops on the murders, and a new member on the squad, DS Hudson.
I enjoyed the fast pace and that some of the background of Helen was provided, as I had not read any of the previous books in the series. I absolutely loved the complex character of Helen, a committed DCI with a difficult past and fearless when faced with a dangerous killer (and she can ride motorcycles!). I liked the twists and turns, although a few of them were a bit obvious. I read the book this summer, while on vacation on an island with a lovely beach and vast forest area. Once I had started reading the book, I avoided the forest. I also had to skim over the descriptions of the killed ponies.
This is the first novel of the DCI Helen Grace series that I have read and I would recommend the book and read future books of the series.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the fast pace and that some of the background of Helen was provided, as I had not read any of the previous books in the series. I absolutely loved the complex character of Helen, a committed DCI with a difficult past and fearless when faced with a dangerous killer (and she can ride motorcycles!). I liked the twists and turns, although a few of them were a bit obvious. I read the book this summer, while on vacation on an island with a lovely beach and vast forest area. Once I had started reading the book, I avoided the forest. I also had to skim over the descriptions of the killed ponies.
This is the first novel of the DCI Helen Grace series that I have read and I would recommend the book and read future books of the series.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2020
A better read in the Helen Grace series, but sadly doesn't have that magic that was in the earlier novels.
The novel is a big one (just under 500 pages), but thankfully it goes by quickly. I think some minor parts could of been cut (new DS on the team and Emilia the reporter) to focus more on the investigation work done by Helen and her team.
I did enjoy the mystery and seeing all of the pieces fit together (especially how the victims are connected), but again it did take a bit long to get there.
The novel is a big one (just under 500 pages), but thankfully it goes by quickly. I think some minor parts could of been cut (new DS on the team and Emilia the reporter) to focus more on the investigation work done by Helen and her team.
I did enjoy the mystery and seeing all of the pieces fit together (especially how the victims are connected), but again it did take a bit long to get there.
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