The Doll's House by M.J. Arlidge

I bet you readers didn't expect to hear back from me so soon, huh? Well, surprise! This book was impossible to put down and this new post just seemed to flow.

This book, ladies and gents, is the third novel in the Detective Helen Grace series by British author M.J. Arlidge: The Doll's House. Once again, DI Grace is hunting another serial killer. A demented man with an eye for girls with black hair and blue eyes. He keeps them alive, virtually, through social media years after he has finished with them. DI Grace and her team race against the clock to find the killer and the latest missing girl that he is holding captive in his doll house-esque basement. Unfortunately for DI Grace, she is, once again, fighting a two-front war. One against this elusive killer, and one against her supervisor, Ceri Harwood (a battle she has fought since the previous book).

Arlidge is a master at fast-paced, gripping thrillers. He keeps you on your toes by artfully weaving together multiple viewpoints, including that of the killer and his victim. The disjointed glimpses create a sense of irony and tension that drives the plot at simultaneously quick and slow paces. It feels almost unbearable to learn so much, but watch DI Grace struggle for the answers.

And, of course, it wouldn't be a Helen Grace novel without the journalist I cannot stand, Emilia Garanita. I was happy to see that, after the last book, Garanita seems to have been put in her place. For once, she was more of a help than a hindrance. And boy was she helpful! Now, I can't expect her to be a hero, but I do hope that her and Helen will be able to work better together more in the future. Garanita can really be useful, if she tries.

One thing I haven't really mentioned in my reviews of the other books is how badass these female characters are! For real, there are some horrible women in these books, and there are some great guys. But in today's society, it is great to see some strong women. Women like Helen and Charlie and Sanderson. Kudos to Arlidge for developing their characters and making them women a girl can look up to. These women are smart, brave, and dedicated to both their job and their loved ones. We see when they are mad, sad, scared (terrified even). Arlidge shows their sexual side (in a tasteful way), their tough side, and their soft side. Most importantly, Arlidge shows their mistakes and successes; he shows how they handle the consequences of their actions. The characters are so real and I believe that is partly why these books are so compelling.

And I must add a half-hearted "curse you Arlidge!" This man makes it very hard to say, "let me finish this chapter, then I will go to bed." Especially in the beginning, the chapters are very short. Some may be only a page or two. As I read, I keep seeing two page chapters and I think, "Oh I have time for two pages." Suddenly, "one more chapter" becomes half the book! This man knows what he is doing. The plot is addictive, his voice is eloquent, and his chapters are (mostly) short. Seriously, how does anyone manage to set them down?

By far, this book and its entire series is an A+! If you haven't read them yet, what the hell are you waiting for?! Grab book one, Eeny Meeny, and get cracking! You won't regret it.

#MJArlidge #Mystery #HelenGrace