If you go down to the woods today . . .

The last thing Tom Campbell remembers is camping in the New Forest with his girlfriend, Melissa. Now he is helpless, alone and consumed by fear, hunted through the woods by a sinister, masked figure...

When Tom's body is found, displayed with grisly relish, Helen Grace takes the case. But before she can catch her breath, a second victim is taken - a serial killer is on the loose.

You better not go alone . . .

Something dark and deadly stalks the forest. Helen and her team must race against time to catch the perpetrator, before more blood is shed.

But the hunt will take Helen back into the eerie twilit woods - and this time she might not make it out alive.

I love this series. The short and snappy chapters build pace and excitement. The author has created well-developed characters in Helen and her colleagues.

You *could* read this book as a standalone if you wished as there’s enough backstory sprinkled in throughout, BUT… I completely and wholeheartedly recommend reading the whole series in order to get the full Helen experience.

I have not read this series so I felt like i was lost the whole time. Will read the series from the beginning and come back to this book.

Down to the woods is the eighth installment in the DI Helen Grace series by M J Arlidge. The book follows DI Grace as she investigates a murder case in the heart of the New Forest. As she delves deeper into the case, she realizes that nothing is as it seems, and the killer is closer than she thinks.

M J Arlidge has once again delivered a gripping crime thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The plot is fast-paced, and the tension builds with each chapter, making it hard to put the book down. The characters are well-drawn, and DI Helen Grace is a strong and relatable protagonist. The writing is crisp, and the dialogue is sharp, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.

One of the strengths of this book is the way Arlidge weaves together different plot threads to create a complex and satisfying mystery. However, at times, the number of characters and their different storylines can be confusing, making it challenging to keep track of who is who.

Overall, Down to the woods is an engaging and well-written crime thriller that will keep readers guessing until the end. It is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, but it certainly helps to have some background knowledge of the characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Always enjoy this aithors books and have loved this series so far, this latest instalment did not dissapoint! Thoroughly enjoyed, 4 stars!

What can i say i have always loved reading this author books and this any different.

I find this book different from what i have been reading.

Another good read in the DI Helen Grace series. DI Grace and her team are hunting a serial killer who is targeting people camping in the woods. The team are in a race to find out who the perpetrator is. As with the previous books this is a fast paced read with plenty going on. I loved it.

A great thriller that just kept on giving.

This is one of the things I love about this authors books. They get better with each one and really do pack a punch.

Looking forward to the next instalment

Another brilliant book about detective Helen Grace. Dark and mysterious, it keeps you guessing. Never a quiet chapter in the life of this brilliant detective!

I love DI Helen Grace stories, but I have to say I was quite disappointed with this one. It was as though the author was going through the motions with each murder. It didn't have anywhere near the tension or draw that other DI Grace cases have had. It was all over a bit quick too, although probably a good thing.

I was given a copy of Down in the Woods by A J Arlidge by the publisher in exchange for a honest review. I have read other books by this author and this book is the 8th book in the series. Helen Grace is in the New Forest she must investigate a murder. This book is best read as part of the series. It has the usual twists and turns of the previous books but felt it was a bit slow getting going.

M J Arlidge is a fantastic crime writer - one of my favouries, in fact. I can devour several in one binge, and there are few authors I can do this with. The Helen Grace novels are true page-turners.

MJ Arlidge writes so well. DI Helen Grace has become a well rounded protagonist as this series has progressed. It just gets better.

Normally a fan of M. J Arlidge but this book just didnt meet my expectations at all. I found it nd i hate to say this rather boring and to be honest it was quite hard going and just lacked where as the others in the series drew me in and kept me reading well into the early hours. This however i found hard to read x

This marks the eighth book in the Helen Grace series. Whilst this can be read as a standalone I do recommend reading the others as it gives you a lot of background information and understanding of the reoccurring characters.

You would think that eight books in I would be bored of the series, wondering when it is was going to end but that couldn’t be further from the truth. M.J. Arlidge has this incredible ability to draw me in after a few chapters and leave me in constant anticipation throughout. Everything about his writing is mesmerising and as soon as I’ve finished one of his books I want to dive straight in to the next one.

With this book we see the return of a few familiar faces. I’m so pleased that Charlie is still a key character, she without a doubt is the Robin to our Batman Helen. Loyal, honest and trustworthy are all factors that make her one of my favourite familiar characters. In this book we see the introduction of Joseph Hudson. To begin with I wasn’t sure what to make of him but as the story went on I liked what he brought to it. I admired how his relationship with the team developed and the effect he had on Helen, I’d be really interested to see how that story develops in the next book.

As with every book in the series so far I have been left guessing until the complete end. Like a dummy I follow the red herrings that M.J. Arlidge sets out and think that I’m super smart for figuring it all out. Only to realise my detective skills are about as good as Emilia Granita’s. Speaking of Emilia I didn’t think it would take her too long to get up to her usual tricks. Whilst it was nice to see a different side to her in the previous book, part of me is glad she’s back to her usual self making more trouble for Helen and her team.

Suspense, thrills, adventure and drama is packed tightly in the story leaving you feeling like you’re holding your breath until the end. Previous to this book my favourite in the series was Hide and Seek but I think this one just pinches the trophy. Luckily the next instalment has already been released so I won’t have to wait to long to get my next fix!

This has been a series I've loved, enjoyed every book and this one is no exception. Another good read. I flicked between reading and the audio of this book. Saturday morning started with blitzing the house, out came the headphones and I started with the audio, hours passed, non stop. It was great to be listening while doing things. Once I'd given up on being a responsible adult, out came the pj's and I sat chilling and reading it. It's brilliant being able to jump from audio to reading and doesn't half get you through a book quickly. Over 2 days this book was finished. Ready now for me to dive into the next one.
Helen Grace is an amazing character. A woman who strives on determination and ambition to get done what is needed.
Brilliantly set in the New Forest this book will have you on the edge of your seat. When Melisa and Tom set off for a lovely break, Camping. They didn't realise that Tom would never be going home with her. Waking to find him missing turns into hell for Melisa.
It's down to Helen and her team to solve this one, but when a second body is found the Hunt grows. Is this case going to be the one that beats the team? Is there a link between the first and second body found? Do we have more that one killer or one sick induvial, the only way to find out is by reading the book. Personally for me if you haven't read any of the previous books i'd say you could start here, but you wouldn't get the full benefit of the characters history. I always find reading a series from the beginning is the best way.

The twists are there, they will keep you guessing and keep you hooked. Turned into a really good read, although the pace is a little slower than previous books the story itself I found interesting. The narration in the audio book is good, easy to follow and easy to listen to, but couldn't help feeling some of the gruesome/tense parts were said in a neutral voice and didn't alway sound like you were following a thriller of a read.
I now have the luxury of reading the next book. I can't wait.

Well. Read this and I suspect the first thing you'll do is cancel any thoughts of a camping holiday in The New Forest!! Our plot involves truly ghastly murders with bodies, animal and human, being discovered deep in the forest. Helen Grace leads the hunt to find the perpetrator and, along the way has to deal with burglars, drug dealers, a nosy investigative journalist as well as lead numerous police searches in the dark depths of the forest. Fast-paced and full of believable suspects "Down to the Woods" will keep you reading but - and there is a big but - for me the storyline over-reaches itself and, therefore regrettably, left me unengaged.

It has been a long time since I last caught up with Detective Inspector Helen Grace and her team and I was delighted to do so. It was like being back amongst old friends and I loved the way they work together so well to catch the perpetrator. It is not just the police team, but the victims and their families and Emilia Garanita and her journalist colleagues, who are also well developed and allowed me to be drawn into this gripping story.

As the victims are found in the woods, Arlidge takes the reader to some very dark and creepy locations throughout this novel. This helped to build the atmosphere which kept me engaged as I was reading.

All of the books in this series are fast paced and tense affairs, and Down To The Woods is no different. The chapters are very short, which meant it was very easy to keep reading and emerge hours later! There is a high intensity chase at the end of the novel which made for an ending which left me on the edge of my seat!

M J Arlidge never disappoints!

Another gripping, gruesome, fast paced read in the DI Helen Grace series.

Full of suspense, red herrings and dead ends, the team must track down a serial killer before he strikes again and the pressure is on!

An easy 5 star review and I can't wait for the next one in the series.

As with all stories within the series, Down To The Woods begins with a stand out shocker of a crime which quickly hooks the attention of the readers, and commences the search to find the killer. Helen Grace and her team are quick to be assigned to the case, bringing together the clues pointing towards potential suspects.

This book is quite unique in that so many of the events lie deep within the woods. This link to the physical environment sets so many suspense filled scenes in a dense, remote setting which many of us could never imagine being in. The feeling of isolation and helplessness leaves many characters very vulnerable when they least expect it.

I'm not sure what it was, but it just felt like there was something missing within this eighth instalment in the series. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, but I was left feeling pleasantly content once finished. Whereas I can explicitly remember itching out my skin to know what happens next in previous books.

As always, Helen Grace's personality shines through, and her relationships with her colleagues and other familiar faces keep the reader invested in the search for the truth. The events of the book are fast-paced which makes it easy to fly through the pages, and the ending brings through very important and touching messages.

Another brilliant Helen Grace crime thriller, but for me it wasn't as much of a stand out as some of the other titles in this series. So I gave it a four star review on Goodreads. However I am really glad it has got me back and connected with Helen, ready for All Fall Down which is next on my list to read!

I absolutely love the DI Helen Grace series, this being number 8. Just when you think you’ve worked it all out this author throws a curveball and off you go again. And when the killer is finally revealed you just can’t believe it! The characters are well bedded in now so with each new book it’s like meeting up with old friends. If you haven’t read this series yet then you are missing a treat - I have introduced Mr Arlidge to a few avid readers now and no one has been disappointed. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK for letting me read and review this book.