I pulled this review out of the vault ladies and gents. I'm back with another audiobook/paperback combo book review. Same as I did with Eeny Meeny and Pop Goes the Weasel, I listened during the work day and read the ebook at home in the evening. Why was this in the vault? Well... I completed this book well over 6 months ago and pretty much forgot to post the review! #bookreviewerfail Better late than never, right? Right.
Publisher: NAL | Penguin Audio
Release Date: February 2, 2016 (first published 2015)
Format: Paperback & Audio MP3
Pages: Paperback: 434 pages | Audio Length: Approx 8.5 hours
Narrator: Elizabeth Bower, Scott Joseph
Source: Scribd
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Review Date: September 7, 2016
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: Detective Helen Grace is on the trail of a twisted serial killer in this gripping thriller in the “taut, fast-paced”* international bestselling series.
Ruby wakes up in a strange room. Her captor calmly explains that no one is looking for her. No one wants her. Except him.
When the body of a woman is found buried on a secluded beach, Detective Helen Grace is called to the scene. She knows right away that the killer is no amateur. The woman has been dead for years, and no one has even reported her missing. But why would they? She’s still sending text messages to her family.
Helen is convinced that a criminal mastermind is at work: someone very smart, very careful, and worst of all, very patient. But as she struggles to piece together the killer’s motive, time is running out for a victim who is still alive...
Release Date: February 2, 2016 (first published 2015)
Format: Paperback & Audio MP3
Pages: Paperback: 434 pages | Audio Length: Approx 8.5 hours
Narrator: Elizabeth Bower, Scott Joseph
Source: Scribd
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Review Date: September 7, 2016
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: Detective Helen Grace is on the trail of a twisted serial killer in this gripping thriller in the “taut, fast-paced”* international bestselling series.
Ruby wakes up in a strange room. Her captor calmly explains that no one is looking for her. No one wants her. Except him.
When the body of a woman is found buried on a secluded beach, Detective Helen Grace is called to the scene. She knows right away that the killer is no amateur. The woman has been dead for years, and no one has even reported her missing. But why would they? She’s still sending text messages to her family.
Helen is convinced that a criminal mastermind is at work: someone very smart, very careful, and worst of all, very patient. But as she struggles to piece together the killer’s motive, time is running out for a victim who is still alive...
After finishing the last two books in the series, I seriously wanted to know what hot mess Helen would find herself in next. The Doll's House is book three in the Helen Grace series. While I liked it, let's just say I didn't enjoy this installment as much as the last. What I did like and continue to like is the pacing of the story. Same as with previous installments the chapters are short and thus make you feel that you're moving through the book quickly.
The story rotates POVs between Helen, the victims, a few others, and the serial killer. The plot is full of sub plots that are all happening simultaneously. In the end the multiple plot lines meld together seamlessly. There is a pretty large cast of characters. I always appreciate when the author is able to weave everything together clearly and neatly.
As I mentioned, throughout the story we get a glimpse behind the curtain, we see into the mind of a psychological criminal. We do that with a chapter here and there from the killers point of view. While he’s got a history that lends itself to his particular brand of crazy, it’s not very scary or even very action driven. Still seeing things from the killers POV added contrast and interest. Did it make me feel sympathy toward the kidnapper/killer? Nope, but we know why he did it. Motive is always important when solving a crime, especially when selling the killer or their crimes to the audience.
As I mentioned, throughout the story we get a glimpse behind the curtain, we see into the mind of a psychological criminal. We do that with a chapter here and there from the killers point of view. While he’s got a history that lends itself to his particular brand of crazy, it’s not very scary or even very action driven. Still seeing things from the killers POV added contrast and interest. Did it make me feel sympathy toward the kidnapper/killer? Nope, but we know why he did it. Motive is always important when solving a crime, especially when selling the killer or their crimes to the audience.
M.J. Arlidge has written a very strong leading female character in DI Helen Grace. Yet at the same time, Helen is a hardened woman. Maybe it's her past, maybe it's all the serial killers running round England. Regardless, there is an edge to her that is noticeable. While she's dedicated to her job, she's dogged by her personal demons. She gets out her frustration and depression via her regular visits to her dominator, turned friend Jake. In addition to Jake, she's got DC Charlie Brooks to back her up as well as a department full of police officers that have her back for the most part. Discounting her new boss, Ceri Hardwood, who is madly jealous and has become an arch nemesis. As the situation becomes urgent, Helen is closing in on the killer but of course unnecessary drama rears its ugly head, brought by the one and only Hardwood.
I enjoyed the audiobook narrators used in this installment, Elizabeth Bower and Scott Joseph, both did a fabulous job keeping the listener engaged. Elizabeth Bower has narrated the previous Helen Grace audiobooks, but Scott Joseph is new for this book only (I believe). I hope that Elizabeth Bower sticks around for the following books in this series because I've really come to like her narration.
The Doll's House is well written with a quick moving plot and subplots. The characters, both major and secondary, are nicely developed and this installment has added to their story lines. I'll be continuing on with the series and checking out what craziness ensues in Liar, Liar. What about you? Have you read the Helen Grace series? How far have you gotten in the series? If you haven't, then will you be adding this on to your TBR list?
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
I enjoyed the audiobook narrators used in this installment, Elizabeth Bower and Scott Joseph, both did a fabulous job keeping the listener engaged. Elizabeth Bower has narrated the previous Helen Grace audiobooks, but Scott Joseph is new for this book only (I believe). I hope that Elizabeth Bower sticks around for the following books in this series because I've really come to like her narration.
The Doll's House is well written with a quick moving plot and subplots. The characters, both major and secondary, are nicely developed and this installment has added to their story lines. I'll be continuing on with the series and checking out what craziness ensues in Liar, Liar. What about you? Have you read the Helen Grace series? How far have you gotten in the series? If you haven't, then will you be adding this on to your TBR list?
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
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