Love Me Not by M. J. Arlidge #BookReview

About this book…

She Loves Me
A woman’s body lies in the road. At first it looks like a tragic accident. But when Helen Grace arrives on the scene it’s clear she’s looking at a coldblooded killing. But why would anyone target a much-loved wife and mother?

She Loves Me Not
Across town, a shopkeeper is killed while his customers are left unharmed. But what lies behind the killer’s choices?

She Loves Me
Who lives? Who dies? Who’s next? The clock is ticking.

She Loves Me Not
If Helen can’t solve this deadly puzzle then more blood will be shed. But any mistake and it might be her own …

My review…

I have really been enjoying the Helen Grace series and it’s great to see Helen back on the job now after her incarceration in book 6. But Helen is about to have a very VERY bad day as there is a Bonnie and Clyde style killing spree about to start in Southampton and she will need all her wits about her if she’s to solve this one.

What I loved about Love Me Not was the fact that as everything took place within the space of one day, the time at the start of each chapter kept the tension high right from the very first page. Helen is coincidentally first on the scene to the murder of a much loved wife and mother and it’s due to her diligence that straight away she realises something isn’t adding up. It was great to see Helen on a new bike but it did take a while for the old Helen to start coming back. Thankfully, Charlie is on hand to help out but an old adversary is out to achieve her own glory after her fall from grace. Yes, Emilia is determined to get her name back in lights (or very large print!!) and gets more than she bargains for when she sets off on her own to follow the case.

The action never lets up here. It’s a fast paced chase through Southampton where there isn’t much time for Helen to make decisions. She does seems to be “missing” somewhat here though especially during the first few chapters, as if she has left some part of her behind in Holloway and I did miss the old Helen at times. I feel that I know her so well after the previous six books that I can predict how she will react to certain events before even she does. And I wasn’t disappointed here just glad to have the series back on track after the rather different feel to the last book

M.J. Arlidge is an accomplished storyteller who can weave a twisty tale around his tormented heroine that will leave you desperate for more. If you haven’t tried this series yet it is definitely one to be followed from book one to get the most out of the complex and fascinating character that is Helen Grace.

Many thanks to the publisher for my advanced review copy via netgalley of Love Me Not: DI Helen Grace 7 (formerly titled Follow My Leader) (Detective Inspector Helen Grace) which is available to buy now.

Meet the author…

M. J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last fifteen years, specializing in high-end drama production, including the prime-time crime serials Torn, The Little House and Silent Witness. Arlidge also pilots original crime series for both UK and US networks. In 2015 his audio exclusive Six Degrees of Assassination was a Number One bestseller.

His first thriller, Eeny Meeny, was the UK’s bestselling crime debut of 2014. It was followed by the bestselling Pop Goes the Weasel, The Doll’s House, Liar Liar and Little Boy Blue.

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