I love M J Arlidge's Helen Grace series and couldn't wait to read the latest novel, Little Boy Blue.

It starts off like most serial killer novels, but this time, Grace knows the victims personally. Could she be the key to solving the mystery?

This was an good addition to the series, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed, especially by the ending. I feel that it was just there as a hook to make me buy the next book. I thought that the story overall also seemed a little rushed. However, this is still a highly competent piece of writing and I will still definitely buy the next book.

Back in January I confessed to a girl crush on a new detective (that was on my blog, if you're wondering..). However, I have to tell you that DI Helen Grace was my first ‘womance’ and nothing has changed! I love the DI Grace series. If you need someone on your side in a tricky situation then it’s got to be Helen!

I did however blush ever so slightly whilst reading this book as the killings centre around the BDSM community. If you don’t know what that is I’m afraid I’m not going to tell you but go and google it (then delete your browsing history immediately!).

A body is discovered in ‘The Torture Rooms’, a BDSM nightclub in Southampton. DI Grace is called to the scene but quickly discovers that she knows the victim….intimately. Normally in this situation the officer in charge would declare their connection and step down from the investigation but not our Helen, oh no. She becomes heavily involved in the case but then more murders take place and things start to spiral out of control.

It’s an edge of your seat kind of read; M J Arlidge has done it again with another blinder of a story. When I say things start spiralling out of control for DI Grace I REALLY mean it. I couldn’t get over the conclusion of the book and it has left me longing for the next instalment. Little Boy Blue is published in the UK on 10th March so go and get yourself a copy (along with the first four books). I dare you not to love DI Grace.

Four out of five stars.

Many thanks to Penguin UK – Michael Joseph, NetGalley and the M J Arlidge for providing with an ARC in return for an honest review.

I have enjoyed the series so far and I enjoyed this one but I felt like Grace was just really naive in this. After the first person was murdered that she knew there is no way she would have thought the connection okay to keep to herself. Is it really that embarrassing that you’re into BDSM that you would risk your career to keep that kind of secret. Maybe I’m too open minded! I just thought it was unlikely. The storytelling as always was great though and I will read the next one.

WOW. This had jaw dropping aspects from Chapter 1!

TW: Trans vrouw wordt in dit vaak redelijk vaak gemisgenderd (is dat een Nederlands woord? vanaf nu wel). Ik weet ook niet wat ik van dat personage moet vinden. Het element dat ze trans is voegde niks toe en ging eigenlijk alleen mis.

Verder gewoon een Helen Grace verhaal, zoals altijd.

Wat een boek.
Ik heb veel mensen verdacht dit keer, maar weer niet de juiste...

Só gostei das últimas 100 páginas do livro, não esperava aquele final. Desejosa de ler o próximo para saber o que se vai passar agora

It's a Helen Grace.