Having been a fan of DI Helen Grace since she first appeared I was excited to receive a review copy of the author’s latest book, Cat and Mouse.
This is a real cat and mouse story where Helen is chasing a serial killer who seems to be randomly murdering people who are at home alone. First a wife and then a teenager, Helen and her team are a
In a race against time to find the perpetrator and any connection between the murders.
Helen is herself the “mouse” and a target of a previous villain who has a grudge against her. Alex Blythe will stop at nothing to get his revenge on Helen and despite being in hiding, manages to find a way of getting to her using a proxy killer!
There are also problems with an ex police officer, Joseph Hudson who betrayed Helen with reporter, Emilia Garanita in a previous book. Joseph wants Helen to speak up for him and stop his disciplinary proceedings despite his obvious guilt. Emilia herself also wants to cause Helen as much trouble as possible. To top all this Helen’s sergeant and confidante, Charlie has personal problems and is not able to devote herself to the case completely and Helen’s boss hates her and cannot wait to get rid of her.
There is so much going on in this story but it all fits together nicely and it moved along at a cracking pace with many thrills and spills along the way. I was really holding my breath to see how Helen could resolve all her issues as well as catching a very clever and violent serial killer. There was no let up in the tension until the very last page which is how I like my crime thrillers! I definitely recommend this book to all DI Helen Grace enthusiasts and if you’ve not read the previous novels you’ve got a real treat in store both with this one and the earlier books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion books for my arc.

Thank you to NetGalley for a pre release copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When you think you're safe,
When you think you're all alone,
That's when he'll come for you...

A silent killer stalks the city, targeting those home alone at night - killing without pity or remorse.

As panic spreads, Detective Inspector Helen Grace leads the investigation, but is herself a hunted woman, her every step dogged by a ruthless killer bent on revenge.

As she tracks the murderer, Grace begins to suspect there is a truly shocking home truth that connects these brutal crimes...

This is the 11th book in the Helen Grace crime thriller series, but it also can be read as a standalone. I have read a few in the series and enjoyed them all.

Detective Grace is a strong protagonist who has a troubling background which we get glimpses of throughout the story.

The story is full of action and twists and turns which makes it unputdownable! I loved the pace and tension of it and you will too if you like crime thrillers with a police procedural element to it.

I’m looking forward to the next instalment of Helen Grace’s story as I feel she still has unfinished business.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book in return for a review.

It’s always a happy day for me when a new book comes out in this series, but this was probably my least favourite so far. It felt a little formulaic at the beginning with the same cast of characters and similar twists and turns. It had a great exciting ending but it was much harder work to get there than I normally find with this series.

My thanks to Orion Publishing Group for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Cat and Mouse’ by M. J. Arlidge in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 11 in the D.I. Helen Grace series of police procedurals set in the South of England. She leads the Major Incident Team at the Southampton Central Police Department.

I was a little concerned about coming into an ongoing series ten books in but M. J. Arlidge provided enough background on Helen and other members of her team so I quickly felt comfortable. Some previous cases were referenced as they impacted upon the ongoing narrative but I was fine with that.

In ‘Cat and Mouse’ a silent killer is stalking the city, targeting victims home alone at night. Detective Inspector Helen Grace is leading the investigation, but she also is a hunted woman with her every step shadowed by a ruthless psychopath bent on revenge. No further details to avoid spoilers.

Well that was certainly intense and while at times it was a bit over the top, I found the case intriguing and the book almost impossible to put down.

DI Helen Grace is quite a character and I was growling at Emilia Garanita, the ambitious local journalist, every time she showed up. As a result I am planning on reading the series from the start and have added the first book to my Kindle library.

This is the eleventh book in the Helen Grace series by author MJ Arlidge. Hard to believe this is the eleventh book as the series still feels so fresh.

Detective Inspector Helen Grace is back and leading an investigation hunting a killer who stalks his victims and attacks them at night in their homes. At the same time she still faces the threat from a former adversary who is seeking revenge.

As the investigation progresses she begins to suspect there is a truly shocking home truth that connects these brutal crimes.

This book is typical of other books in this series in that it is a fast paced page turner with lots of thrills and twists. Great characters, well written and an intriguing plot make this an entertaining read.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book was brilliant, it has me gripped from the off and I couldn't put it down, I just needed to read more!! Brilliantly written, I haven't read any previous Grace books but I definitely need to go back and read them.

This is certainly a book that kept me intrigued to the very last page. There was plenty of action and tension in this book.
This was my first book by M.J.Arlidge and certainly won't be my last. I read this book not knowing that it was part of a series but it certainly didn't make a difference and can be read as a standalone.
Would definitely recommend reading.
Thank you to Netgalley,. Orion Publisjing Group and the author for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Yet another blinder from MJ Arlidge - this brand new addition to the DI Helen Grace series takes off at an astounding page from the very first chapter! Although this is book 11 in the series, it could also be read as a stand alone novel as some basic back story is given.
I was extremely excited to start this book, and I was not disappointed. As usual with the books in this series, it's fast paced, exciting and has you needing to know what's going to happen next... and before you know it it's 3am as you just can't put the book down!
A fabulous action-packed, twisty-turny thriller... and an absolutely great read :)
Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and MJ Arlidge for a digital advance copy, in return for my honest feedback.

A book that kept me on the edge and hooked till the last page. It's gripping, disturbing at times, entertaining, and well written.
The author is an excellent storyteller and all their stories I read were well developed and intersting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another get book by this author. I love the Helen Grace series and this book was no different. It was full of suspense and kept me guessing

I love the Helen Grace books and enjoyed this one. Helen’s nemesis is still after her whilst she deals with a mother murdered in her own bed whilst her husband was out at work. Lots of drama and a serial killer on her hands. A very enjoyable read.

Thank you so much to the publisher and tour organiser for inviting me to be part of the tour
I read this book over the jubilee weekend whilst at my parents. I must admit, I have skipped a couple of the books earlier in the series, purely because I did not have them with me.
I can confirm that this book works perfect as a stand-alone or to be read in the series
I will revisit this book once I have caught up with the others in the series (which was my intention!!)
When I first read Eeny Meeny some years ago, I loved Helen Grace and that is still true! She is an excellent detective, with flaws, that make her all more human
I really enjoy the short chapters, you are left thinking just one more chapter and before you know it, you’ve finished the entire book
The book is extremely fast paced and the reader really does feel as though they are in a chase
The book is packed with action and I really cannot wait for book 12.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves a police procedural

Helen Grace is back. And as usual she's in peril. Her last advisory is still out to get her (thanks for reminding me about the dog MJ Arlidge), her ex is still causing hassle, her boss hates her (standard) and to top everything off there's a case to solve. And of course it's bloody, brutal and seemingly random. But nothing is random in these books....

This series is starting to become a guilty pleasure. Since her return it's been more formulaic than before. Helen is a softer character but still a badass at catching criminals. But as much as I enjoy it I can't help but wonder how many times she can be the target for some master mind psycho and how she can keep surviving the attacks and accidents she suffers. I keep expecting Obi Wan Kenobi to pop up and say "she's more machine now than woman". It's almost getting a bit silly. But I still love it.

This series has definitely jumped the shark, but it's still very enjoyable!

This is the 11th instalment of the Helen Grace series and it’s just brilliant.
From the very first book (Eeny Meeny) all the way through to this one ... these books keep you on the edge of your seat and you just have to read ‘one more chapter’. This book has a great plot and I enjoyed reading it because it was really engrossing. I liked the characterization and the plot progression and pacing was really good.

'Cat and Mouse' is M.J. Alridge's 10th DI Helen Grace detective novel. In it she is in pursuit of a killer who targets and murders lone members of wealthy families, overpowering them in their homes when they feel most safe and are most vulnerable. At the same time, Grace is pursued by a serial killer she thwarted in a previous novel, making it unclear if she is the cat or the mouse in this story.

I have read and enjoyed two or three of Aldridge's earlier detective novels. In them Grace is a complex character, with a strong back story. In this however, it felt like her complexity was lost. Whilst the pressures from above, the investigation, and from a previous relationship (again a continuing story line from another novel) explained some of her actions, I found myself not caring as much about the outcomes of situations and skipping through some of the action scenes. I also found some of them stepped too far away from reality (would she really pursue someone across sky high containers on board a ship, or would she just radio for help). Its a shame, but with this story it felt a bit like Aldridge was dialling it in. Consequently, I feel first time readers of his novels would be better going back to his earlier ones, which were very good.

The DI Helen Grace series is one of the first series I started reading when I started blogging and it remains one of my favourites. Arlidge is the absolute master of fast paced, tense, thrilling novels and Cat & Mouse is no different. It starts with a bang and from there, it is completely relentless. It was very difficult to put this novel down.

It's hard to believe that Cat & Mouse is the eleventh outing for DI Helen Grace and I feel it would help to start this series at the beginning as there are several threads from previous books in the series. It's also important to understand Grace's personality, and that whilst she may be aloof, there are reasons for this and it has been interesting to see how her character has developed over the series. Personally, I love her determination and her refusal to take any rubbish from anyone, particularly her superiors!
It was also great to be back with the rest of the team and although it's been a while since I read the previous instalment, I felt as though I was straight back in on the action as soon as I started reading.

There are a few instances of violence and these are written in such a compelling way that I could not tear my eyes from the page. There is so much tension and several twists and turns that I was completely engaged until the very end.

Reading Eeny Meeny and Pop Goes the Weasel in 2014 I quickly became a fan of Matthew Arlidge and his DI Helen Grace stories so when I was offered a free copy of this book, I quickly agreed so I could read an advanced copy. It must be said, I am more than extremely satisfied with Cat and Mouse, a chase to the end as you would expect from the title.
Stalkers are always good in a story because you want them caught and convicted, but this one has clever targeting and gets away with too much for too long.
The writing here is excellent and consistent and even if you haven't read a Helen Grace thriller before, this is an excellent place to begin as you will quickly source the others.
The stalker with the axe is shown to be quite clever and his targeting of a specific profile aids their success in seeking out single people at home.
As is traditional in these types of stories, the DI always has a clash with their boss and although you know the lead character will eventually succeed, the boss may be there for another book or two after this. Similarly, this DI is being stalked by a character from a previous book. This novel must bring two stories to a head and completes this task magnificently.
Like the James Patterson novels, I enjoy the short chapter approach because it enables me to read at a pace that suits my lifestyle and the coffee machine.
I'm surprised this series hasn't reached television producers yet, especially after this writer wrote the incredible audio book Six Degrees of Assassination. Maybe this 11th in the series will give the producers the nudge required because this is very well written and the most enjoyable read despite the subject.

Wow make sure you’ve done all your jobs before you start reading this book as you definitely won’t have time after.

It starts with a murder of a woman who is in her own bed she hears something and thinks it’s her husband but unfortunately not, it’s her worst nightmare. D.I Helen Grace is the leading investigating officer on the case which proves to be very perplexing as there are so many twists and turns she also has somebody following her putting her life in jeopardy,

It’s a great book you just can’t put it down definitely don’t miss out on this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this great thriller.

This is book 11 in the series but can quite easily be read as a stand alone.
DI Helen Grace is still struggling with the aftermath of her nemesis Alex Blythe. He has told her that she has a price on her head and the assassin can strike at any time!

A young mother is murdered in her bed and now that the killer has a taste for murder can Helen possibly find him without getting herself killed in the process?
Action packed throughout and plenty of suspense along the way.

This was the first book in this series that I have read and I did enjoy it and I cam state clearly that it can be read in isolation of the others. The characters were well described and it was easy to relate to them. It was a gripping story, although I do have to say that it was a little on the gruesome side with such clear descriptions of the murders. DI Grace is certainly more than a little on the reckless side and appears to work best alone, despite leading her team.
The story revolves around the axe wielding murderer who centres on the wealthier people. DI Grace is determined to find out how the homes to be invaded are chosen and if there is indeed a link between them, other than money. It was difficult to read as the characters view points changed frequently within the same chapter with no advance warning. It stopped me in my tracks a lot when I had to work out who was the person speaking now.