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Helen Grace #10
Truth or Dare
Do you want to play the game?
A crimewave sweeps through the city and no-one is safe. An arson at the docks. A carjacking gone wrong. A murder in a country park. What connects all these crimes without causes, which leave no clues?
Detective Inspector Helen Grace faces the rising tide of cases which threatens to drown the city. But each crime is just a piece of a puzzle which is falling into place.
And when it becomes clear just how twisted and ingenious this web of crime is, D.I. Grace will realise that it may be impossible to stop it.
A crimewave sweeps through the city and no-one is safe. An arson at the docks. A carjacking gone wrong. A murder in a country park. What connects all these crimes without causes, which leave no clues?
Detective Inspector Helen Grace faces the rising tide of cases which threatens to drown the city. But each crime is just a piece of a puzzle which is falling into place.
And when it becomes clear just how twisted and ingenious this web of crime is, D.I. Grace will realise that it may be impossible to stop it.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2021
429 people are currently reading
6826 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Arlidge
37 books4,236 followersM.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specialising in high end drama production. Arlidge has produced a number of prime-time crime serials for ITV In the last five years, and is currently working on a major adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans for the BBC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 809 reviews
June 8, 2021
MJ Arlidge returns with the latest in the Southampton based crime series featuring the flawed, biker DI Helen Grace, this is a dark, tense and fraught addition set in the Covid 19 pandemic era. The police are facing a rising tide of violence and brutal crime in the city, including arson, carjacking and murder, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it and so apparently random. Struggling to find motive, Helen and her team need to be at the top of their game to get to grips with what is happening, but the fractious police team bubbles with discontent, leaks and conflict. At the heart of this web of intrigue and malice lies the disgruntled and vindictive DS Joseph Hudson, intent on destroying Helen, his grudge driven by his personal history with her, but he is so out of order, and is aided by the nightmare that is the reporter Emilia Garanita.
With best friend and colleague, DS Charlie Brooks, on maternity leave, Helen, who finds it difficult to form close relationships, finds herself dangerously isolated and exposed, with pressure to solve the crimes coming from above, with her boss unable to be as supportive as possible because of other issues. There is plenty of drama in this fast paced and twisted crime read, and it is going to require Helen to come at the crime wave with fresh eyes before the pieces slowly start to come together. Arlidge develops Helen's character further here with the pressure of the set of complicated circumstances she is placed under professionally with the case until she eventually comes to grips with it whilst having to endure the machinations of Hudson.
This will appeal to Arlidge's existing fans and other crime and mystery readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
With best friend and colleague, DS Charlie Brooks, on maternity leave, Helen, who finds it difficult to form close relationships, finds herself dangerously isolated and exposed, with pressure to solve the crimes coming from above, with her boss unable to be as supportive as possible because of other issues. There is plenty of drama in this fast paced and twisted crime read, and it is going to require Helen to come at the crime wave with fresh eyes before the pieces slowly start to come together. Arlidge develops Helen's character further here with the pressure of the set of complicated circumstances she is placed under professionally with the case until she eventually comes to grips with it whilst having to endure the machinations of Hudson.
This will appeal to Arlidge's existing fans and other crime and mystery readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
January 12, 2023
I am unfortunately reading this series faster than the author is writing them but who can blame me. They are addictive. I believe there is one more in print and another in preparation. I hope so anyway.
D.I. Helen Grace is a very likeable character, and it has been so interesting watching what has happened to her so far. She is great at her job but sadly there are some nasty people out there. D.S. Joseph Hudson for example who she regrettably had an affair with - he turns out to be one of the nastiest people you would never want to meet. And Helen's nemesis throughout the series, Emilia Garanita - what is with her?
I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book wondering what awful thing was going to happen next. Helen is a trooper though and a very smart lady too. There was a bit of retaliation there which had me cheering her on.
The book ended with unfinished business so I will have to read #11 very soon. I seriously hope M.J.Arlidge is working hard right now on #12.
D.I. Helen Grace is a very likeable character, and it has been so interesting watching what has happened to her so far. She is great at her job but sadly there are some nasty people out there. D.S. Joseph Hudson for example who she regrettably had an affair with - he turns out to be one of the nastiest people you would never want to meet. And Helen's nemesis throughout the series, Emilia Garanita - what is with her?
I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book wondering what awful thing was going to happen next. Helen is a trooper though and a very smart lady too. There was a bit of retaliation there which had me cheering her on.
The book ended with unfinished business so I will have to read #11 very soon. I seriously hope M.J.Arlidge is working hard right now on #12.
August 2, 2021
Although this is the 10th book in Arlidge’s Helen Grace series, it is the first book that I have read. However, it certainly will not be the last.
Truth or Dare follows Detective Grace during a peak in crime in the local area. Grace starts to realise that these crimes are not as separate and random as they seem.
I am an avid thriller fan who loves a good mystery/detective novel. This novel has a unique premise that I hadn’t read before. The crimes and perpetrator(s) was cleverly thought out and executed by Arlidge. I initially found myself confused by the crime chaos surrounding Helen, and I loved being along for the ride as she peeled back the layers to expose the truth.
This novel definitely works as a stand alone, although I feel there may be more depth that is revealed in Helen’s history. I will definitely be going back to read the earlier books in the series to get a deeper understanding of Helen’s personal life and the people in it. This novel only focused on two personal relationships in Helen’s life, I would have liked to have seen some more, just to make her feel more human and connected to others. I hope that the earlier books will help with this. The ending left a suspenseful cliff-hanger that perfectly set-up another instalment and left me on the edge of my seat. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next book so I can find out what happened!
I want to thank Netgalley, Orion Publishing, and M.J. Arlidge for allowing me to read this book and give my own thoughts. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of thrillers/detective novels that leave you guessing.
Truth or Dare follows Detective Grace during a peak in crime in the local area. Grace starts to realise that these crimes are not as separate and random as they seem.
I am an avid thriller fan who loves a good mystery/detective novel. This novel has a unique premise that I hadn’t read before. The crimes and perpetrator(s) was cleverly thought out and executed by Arlidge. I initially found myself confused by the crime chaos surrounding Helen, and I loved being along for the ride as she peeled back the layers to expose the truth.
This novel definitely works as a stand alone, although I feel there may be more depth that is revealed in Helen’s history. I will definitely be going back to read the earlier books in the series to get a deeper understanding of Helen’s personal life and the people in it. This novel only focused on two personal relationships in Helen’s life, I would have liked to have seen some more, just to make her feel more human and connected to others. I hope that the earlier books will help with this. The ending left a suspenseful cliff-hanger that perfectly set-up another instalment and left me on the edge of my seat. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next book so I can find out what happened!
I want to thank Netgalley, Orion Publishing, and M.J. Arlidge for allowing me to read this book and give my own thoughts. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of thrillers/detective novels that leave you guessing.
December 7, 2024
4,5 un volum interesant care ar fi primit 5 stele dacă autorul nu ar insista prea mult pe sabotarea personajului principal. Investigația foarte captivantă, iar elementul surpriză bine realizat, însă s-a simțit lipsa lui Charlie. Unul din volumele interesante ale seriei.
P.S. Așteptam traducerea volumului al 12-lea.
P.S. Așteptam traducerea volumului al 12-lea.
August 20, 2021
Perhaps 3.75 stars for this one...
M.J. Arlidge is back with another stunning novel in the DI Helen Grace series, pitting one of Southhampton’s best crime fighters against a series of crimes that appear unrelated and truly baffling. While the COVID 19 pandemic continues to ravage the community, Grace will have to use all her abilities to solve these crimes, even as tensions within the police come to the surface. However, she has a feeling things are not quite as random as they seem... could there be something to this? A gritty addition to the series that keeps readers guessing throughout.
Southampton has been ravaged by many crimes of late, something that keeps DI Helen Grace on her toes and constantly busy. While her team works to put the pieces together, there are some certain cracks that preclude the needed unity to solve these cases with ease. Grace as a romantic history with one of her colleagues that ended badly and which could only exacerbate an already tense situation if the MIT superiors were to discover what happened.
From an arson attack that leaves a man clinging to life, through to a carjacking that has all the elements of a random crime, there appears to be nothing but a bunch of people committing crimes as COVID 19 continues to envelop the world. Is this the new normal, when people are hidden behind masks on a daily basis, lurking in the shadows? Worse yet, crime reporter, Emilia Garanita, is on Grace, hoping to document her latest trip-up and leave her smeared across the printed page. The aforementioned soured romance could be added fuel.
While DI Grace will have to find the common thread, she’s battling demons from all sides. Once she does come across something that could prove to be a solid lead, she’s baffled with the truths that begin to emerge. This may not be a collection of random crimes at all, but rather the work of a brilliant criminal mind with no means of stopping, forcing DI Grace o take things to the next level, or fear exponential repercussions. A great addition to the series, leaving fans to hunger for more.
There’s something about this series that has pulled me in from the outset. While many police procedurals on both sides of the Atlantic have piqued my interest over the last number of years, the work of M.J. Arlidge has always proven to be some that I find the most intriguing. This series usually hits home for me, leaving me eager to pick up the next book in the series, whenever I can.
DI Helen Grace has come a long way throughout this series, though sometimes to her own detriment. Grace has struggled throughout, while always relying one her trusty motorcycle to keep her grounded and the few people she can call friends. However, there are some struggles for her, both within the police force and outside, leaving her less the grounded at a time she must be sharp. Her struggles are well documented here, alongside a passion to solve crimes and bring peace to the community.
Arlidge uses some of his key supporting characters to bring the story to life yet again. Some work primarily to advance the case at hand, while others appear more keen to chop away at the fragile facade of the protagonist. All said, this is a story that pushes the limits of both a baffling crime novel and one where certain characters show new or deeper colours. All of this through the actions of the supporting characters, who serve this piece well.
While I found myself struggling with the novel at times, I am pleased that I stuck with things and found my feet. It may be that there were many random crimes, rather than a central one on which the story focussed. I have always enjoyed this series and enjoy the twists that Arlidge uses to propel the story forward. While I needed a little grounding at times, I found it and was able to enjoy the momentum used to keep the narrative on track. Arlidge uses short chapters to push things along and deviates only when there is a rich bit of storytelling adds to the plot, taking the reader deeper to feel the intensity of the piece. The character development was great and retuning to some of the struggles that some face throughout the series was a wonderful recap to keep the series fan on their toes. I don’t find things lagging or out of place, even as some bemoan that this series is “not like X or DCI Y”. I’ll leave it to them to realise the flaw in their logic there.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for another winner. I have long been intrigued by your work and cannot wait to see what’s next for DI Helen Grace.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
M.J. Arlidge is back with another stunning novel in the DI Helen Grace series, pitting one of Southhampton’s best crime fighters against a series of crimes that appear unrelated and truly baffling. While the COVID 19 pandemic continues to ravage the community, Grace will have to use all her abilities to solve these crimes, even as tensions within the police come to the surface. However, she has a feeling things are not quite as random as they seem... could there be something to this? A gritty addition to the series that keeps readers guessing throughout.
Southampton has been ravaged by many crimes of late, something that keeps DI Helen Grace on her toes and constantly busy. While her team works to put the pieces together, there are some certain cracks that preclude the needed unity to solve these cases with ease. Grace as a romantic history with one of her colleagues that ended badly and which could only exacerbate an already tense situation if the MIT superiors were to discover what happened.
From an arson attack that leaves a man clinging to life, through to a carjacking that has all the elements of a random crime, there appears to be nothing but a bunch of people committing crimes as COVID 19 continues to envelop the world. Is this the new normal, when people are hidden behind masks on a daily basis, lurking in the shadows? Worse yet, crime reporter, Emilia Garanita, is on Grace, hoping to document her latest trip-up and leave her smeared across the printed page. The aforementioned soured romance could be added fuel.
While DI Grace will have to find the common thread, she’s battling demons from all sides. Once she does come across something that could prove to be a solid lead, she’s baffled with the truths that begin to emerge. This may not be a collection of random crimes at all, but rather the work of a brilliant criminal mind with no means of stopping, forcing DI Grace o take things to the next level, or fear exponential repercussions. A great addition to the series, leaving fans to hunger for more.
There’s something about this series that has pulled me in from the outset. While many police procedurals on both sides of the Atlantic have piqued my interest over the last number of years, the work of M.J. Arlidge has always proven to be some that I find the most intriguing. This series usually hits home for me, leaving me eager to pick up the next book in the series, whenever I can.
DI Helen Grace has come a long way throughout this series, though sometimes to her own detriment. Grace has struggled throughout, while always relying one her trusty motorcycle to keep her grounded and the few people she can call friends. However, there are some struggles for her, both within the police force and outside, leaving her less the grounded at a time she must be sharp. Her struggles are well documented here, alongside a passion to solve crimes and bring peace to the community.
Arlidge uses some of his key supporting characters to bring the story to life yet again. Some work primarily to advance the case at hand, while others appear more keen to chop away at the fragile facade of the protagonist. All said, this is a story that pushes the limits of both a baffling crime novel and one where certain characters show new or deeper colours. All of this through the actions of the supporting characters, who serve this piece well.
While I found myself struggling with the novel at times, I am pleased that I stuck with things and found my feet. It may be that there were many random crimes, rather than a central one on which the story focussed. I have always enjoyed this series and enjoy the twists that Arlidge uses to propel the story forward. While I needed a little grounding at times, I found it and was able to enjoy the momentum used to keep the narrative on track. Arlidge uses short chapters to push things along and deviates only when there is a rich bit of storytelling adds to the plot, taking the reader deeper to feel the intensity of the piece. The character development was great and retuning to some of the struggles that some face throughout the series was a wonderful recap to keep the series fan on their toes. I don’t find things lagging or out of place, even as some bemoan that this series is “not like X or DCI Y”. I’ll leave it to them to realise the flaw in their logic there.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for another winner. I have long been intrigued by your work and cannot wait to see what’s next for DI Helen Grace.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 21, 2021
I have followed the Helen Grace series from the very start and enjoyed everyone of them so I was really looking forward to this one. A fast paced novel and a real page turner make this a quick read.
There is a crimewave hitting Southampton, lots of apparently unconnected random crimes wreaking havoc in the city. It’s up to Helen Grace and her team to try and solve this situation and bring back some normality to the area.
Edge of the seat suspense, fast paced and clever plot make this a good 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.
There is a crimewave hitting Southampton, lots of apparently unconnected random crimes wreaking havoc in the city. It’s up to Helen Grace and her team to try and solve this situation and bring back some normality to the area.
Edge of the seat suspense, fast paced and clever plot make this a good 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.
May 26, 2023
This is book 10 in this fantastic series,I really enjoy reading his books.Helen Grace and her team investigates a murder,arson case.Whos behind it ? DS Joesph Hudson is after Helen after a fling he wants to be in charge of her team.Will he succeed.?another intense read looking forward to reading book 11..Highly recommend this series.
September 1, 2021
Love the Helen Grace series, never fails to hook me in and surprise. Another great instalment
October 31, 2021
“M.J. Arlidge - Niemand zeggen”
🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫
En opnieuw is hij daar met een vervolg! 🤩
Ik mis wel Charlie! 😕 & Hudson is een dwaas jong! 😂
Maar oh wat gebeurt er nu veel in dit boek! 😱
Eeeeeeen… een open einde! Wat wil zeggen dat er nog een deel komt, jippiejajeej! 🥳🤩
Leest ook zo leuk: kleine hoofdstukken, vlot geschreven. Geen hoogstaande literatuur, maar ooooh zo verslavend! 😍
🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫
En opnieuw is hij daar met een vervolg! 🤩
Ik mis wel Charlie! 😕 & Hudson is een dwaas jong! 😂
Maar oh wat gebeurt er nu veel in dit boek! 😱
Eeeeeeen… een open einde! Wat wil zeggen dat er nog een deel komt, jippiejajeej! 🥳🤩
Leest ook zo leuk: kleine hoofdstukken, vlot geschreven. Geen hoogstaande literatuur, maar ooooh zo verslavend! 😍
June 23, 2021
Truth or Dare is the tenth instalment in the Detective (Chief) Inspector Helen Grace series set in Southampton. A trail of devastation has been left behind by a brutal, violent crime spree seemingly sweeping the southern city giving Helen and her team a real headache. There are several incidents of arson, carjackings, stabbings and murders with no apparent motives or connections binding them together. Unfortunately, to get ahead and on top of the unrest and alarm being caused, the police force needs to be all on the same page, but they are far from it. They are discordant and suffer from inner conflict leading to poor morale and the leaking of non-public information. DS Joseph Hudson, who once supported Helen before she dumped him during their relationship, being at the helm may be part of the problem with his immature and divisive mindset and his deep-seated contempt for Helen who he hopes he will eventually drive out by his pathetic, targeted behaviour. His behaviour is given credence by reporter Emilia Garanita to whom he had struck up a mutually beneficial friendship: she receives false or damaging news stories from him to print in the media as exclusives and he has an outlet to post his poisonous, insidious mistruths and slander. His aim is to destroy his team from the inside out.
The fact that Helen’s best friend and esteemed colleague DS Charlie Brooks is currently on maternity leave means Helen feels more alone than usual, has difficulty knowing who she can trust and those with a dangerously cruel, sadistic streak exploit her newfound exposure and harass and intimidate her; and of course, she also feels a tonne of pressure to stop the crime across the city from repeating. But as soon as she manages to put her good foot forward someone undoes her hard work. Just how much more can Helen take before reaching breaking point? This is a compelling and twisty read full of intrigue and unusual, explosive surprises. It is a very different type of story from its predecessors as it focuses almost solely on the police team, the insidious bullying present within it and Helen feeling rather alone. The concept serves to highlight how the shambles of a team cannot manage to get a handle on the erupting crime rate due to the infighting and toxic behaviours of its team members. There's exciting drama, rampant toxicity, secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit that never lets up in this dark, palpably tense procedural and it moves at a rapid-fire pace in which you truly feel sympathy for Helen and her predicament but it does lead to some fascinating character development as she pushes through it.
The fact that Helen’s best friend and esteemed colleague DS Charlie Brooks is currently on maternity leave means Helen feels more alone than usual, has difficulty knowing who she can trust and those with a dangerously cruel, sadistic streak exploit her newfound exposure and harass and intimidate her; and of course, she also feels a tonne of pressure to stop the crime across the city from repeating. But as soon as she manages to put her good foot forward someone undoes her hard work. Just how much more can Helen take before reaching breaking point? This is a compelling and twisty read full of intrigue and unusual, explosive surprises. It is a very different type of story from its predecessors as it focuses almost solely on the police team, the insidious bullying present within it and Helen feeling rather alone. The concept serves to highlight how the shambles of a team cannot manage to get a handle on the erupting crime rate due to the infighting and toxic behaviours of its team members. There's exciting drama, rampant toxicity, secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit that never lets up in this dark, palpably tense procedural and it moves at a rapid-fire pace in which you truly feel sympathy for Helen and her predicament but it does lead to some fascinating character development as she pushes through it.
June 27, 2021
M.j arlidge got me back into reading a couple years ago and i always loved this series but this one just isn’t it. The murderstory line still felt interesting but it also didn’t feel genuine. The ‘’murderer’ didn’t feel that evil to me and honestly it just bored me. I also thought it was stupid how a psychologist could just get all his patients to kill. I thought at first it would be a chain where people all wanted someone dead so they would help eachother in a ‘i kill for you, you kill for me’ kind of way. It seemed ridiculous to me that Lilah by example would rather kill again in the same way that got her traumatized rather than confess to the accident.
Also the whole feud between grace and hudson just bored me to death. I am so sick of hudson and he just felt so overdone. They just completely slaughtered his persona to a pathetic guy who’s angry because he can’t keep his girl and that just feels way to simple-minded to me. It also dragged on and on and on.
I will still read the next book because I hope this will be a one-book-misser.
Also the whole feud between grace and hudson just bored me to death. I am so sick of hudson and he just felt so overdone. They just completely slaughtered his persona to a pathetic guy who’s angry because he can’t keep his girl and that just feels way to simple-minded to me. It also dragged on and on and on.
I will still read the next book because I hope this will be a one-book-misser.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2021
Helen Grace s-a intors! Plina de energie, nervi, inconjurata doar de piedici. Imi place foarte mult seria, dar la un moment dat a luat-o intr-o alta directie, indepartandu-se de primele volume, ceea ce nu a fost pe placul multor cititori. Autorul a ascultat nemultumirile acestora si ne-o reda pe Helen de la inceput, implicata intr-o serie de cazuri extrem de complicate prin tocmai lipsa indiciilor, dar inconjurata numai de inamici. Propria echipa este pe punctul de a exploda, Emilia este, ca de obicei, impotriva ei, iar cel care a pus totul la cale se poate compara doar cu Marianne, din toata cariera ei. Recunosc, la un moment dat am dat ochii peste cap, crezand ca autorul nu a facut altceva decat sa ia una din ideile Agathei Christie si sa o rasuceasca putin, insa este doar o aparenta.
July 14, 2023
3.5-3.75✨
May 13, 2025
✨Livro 10 da saga Helen Grace. Esta é uma das personagens femininas mais fortes que conheço.A vida foi-lhe difícil e ainda o é muitas vezes. Uma mulher independente, determinada, que sabe o que quer, os seus fantasmas assim o ditaram. ✨Fiquei chocada com uma morte neste livro. Coitada da Helen... ✨Este livro segue em O gato e o rato .
September 25, 2021
OK - I really liked the first few books in this series. However this one and the previous two simply haven't done it for me. This has pace and Helen Grace - good. However the story lines are simply getting too incredible for me. I really doubt I will read any further books sadly.
May 14, 2021
DNF used to enjoy the murder stories but this vendetta between 2 high ranking police officers is ridiculous and consumes too much of the storyline.
June 27, 2021
I had no doubts that this book was going to be good. Helen Grace is such a fantastic character. I was getting really pissed off in the treatment that she was receiving. I was getting angry at Hudson for his actions and I was hoping that he would get his in the end. How I hate that man!!! I was getting worried how it was going to play out between them. No spoilers—it’s a must read! The mystery itself is great, of course. I love how it ended (not the one part bc it’s horrible) but it’s such a good cliffhanger! I literally cannot wait for the next book!
August 21, 2023
Deze was TOP! Maar waarom toch weer zulk een open einde ... Dilemma 🙈 verder lezen in de reeks of toch eerst m'n andere boeken uit de bib 🤔
May 11, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for an advance copy of Truth or Dare, the tenth novel to feature DI Helen Grace of the Southampton Police.
There has been a spate of murder in Southampton, but with nothing linking the victims and no obvious motive Helen and the team are floundering.
I enjoyed Truth or Dare to a point. The premise isn’t hard to guess, especially when it is told from multiple points of view and every character adds a little something initially to the picture and more as the action ramps up. That doesn’t actually matter as the excitement, tension and anticipation are all in the detail and that is well done with several twists and some totally unexpected events. It also ends in a potential cliffhanger, which the author may choose to pursue in the next novel but it would be acceptable if he left it as a threat.
The murder investigation, however, is only half the novel and the other half, running concurrently, is all about Police politics and personality clashes. It is, perhaps, a measure of the author’s skill that I’m team Helen all the way, so I actually found what happens to her in this novel distressing and stressful. The vindictiveness of some characters knows no bounds and the self interest of others isn’t far behind. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t like it and I certainly didn’t find it entertaining. However, for the less snowflakey it is interesting, tense and, to a certain extent, redemptive.
Helen Grace is burdened and slightly unsure at the start of this novel, due to the nature of the case and the backstabbing from her colleagues. It is unusual but short lived as she starts to see a pattern and regains control.
Truth or Dare is a good read that I can recommend.
There has been a spate of murder in Southampton, but with nothing linking the victims and no obvious motive Helen and the team are floundering.
I enjoyed Truth or Dare to a point. The premise isn’t hard to guess, especially when it is told from multiple points of view and every character adds a little something initially to the picture and more as the action ramps up. That doesn’t actually matter as the excitement, tension and anticipation are all in the detail and that is well done with several twists and some totally unexpected events. It also ends in a potential cliffhanger, which the author may choose to pursue in the next novel but it would be acceptable if he left it as a threat.
The murder investigation, however, is only half the novel and the other half, running concurrently, is all about Police politics and personality clashes. It is, perhaps, a measure of the author’s skill that I’m team Helen all the way, so I actually found what happens to her in this novel distressing and stressful. The vindictiveness of some characters knows no bounds and the self interest of others isn’t far behind. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t like it and I certainly didn’t find it entertaining. However, for the less snowflakey it is interesting, tense and, to a certain extent, redemptive.
Helen Grace is burdened and slightly unsure at the start of this novel, due to the nature of the case and the backstabbing from her colleagues. It is unusual but short lived as she starts to see a pattern and regains control.
Truth or Dare is a good read that I can recommend.
October 28, 2022
I've usually really enjoyed the novels about D.I Grace, but this was such a let-down. It started off very well, but I soon worked out where it was going - as soon as the villain appeared it went down-hill rapidly. This is virtually a copy of an Angela Marsons book, even down to the villain not only having the same profession as a memorable villain of hers ( by necessity of the plot) but also the same name! The sub-plot of Garanita trying to destroy Grace is now far beyong it's sell-by date - this is book 10 and it seems to have been a feature in every single one of them. On top of this, we've also had the 'team member working against Grace' sub-plot before, so the Hudson bits soon got boring. I really hope Arlidge gets his game together soon as his early books were so good , however, given the ending to this one, I'm not expecting it to start with the next one.
June 22, 2021
3.5 ⭐. Dit deel was wel weer vlot en interessant, maar voor mij persoonlijk niet zo goed als de andere delen. Toch kijk ik weer uit naar nieuwe boeken van deze schrijver, want zijn schrijfstijl is sowieso prettig!
March 19, 2023
Ca întotdeauna super povestea, foarte greu mai găsesc timp sa citesc, au întrat orele în sac. Sper sa reușesc sa ma organizez mai bine sa pot citi cât mai multe povesti ca aceasta .
April 5, 2021
As always Arlidge managed to bring you back up to speed seamlessly and it was like I’d just finish the previous one in the series again.
The plot of this book is intricate, carefully planned and expertly executed. Another fantastic instalment in the series!
It’s less twisty than some of the others in this series have been that did not mean it was any less spectacular. It was still the writing style that fans have grown to love, the short sharp chapters, the multiple points of view, the clear cut storylines.
Ending on a mini-cliff hanger, I already need more Helen Grace in my life.
The plot of this book is intricate, carefully planned and expertly executed. Another fantastic instalment in the series!
It’s less twisty than some of the others in this series have been that did not mean it was any less spectacular. It was still the writing style that fans have grown to love, the short sharp chapters, the multiple points of view, the clear cut storylines.
Ending on a mini-cliff hanger, I already need more Helen Grace in my life.
February 23, 2023
Adevăr sau provocare, al zecelea volum din seria Helen Grace, a fost o cursă nebună, nebună! Un roller-coaster de emoții, adrenalină și tensiune în stare pură! Helen Grace s-a întors și aventura a fost plină de crime violente, aparent fără legătură între ele, de răzbunare, oportuniști și polițe restante ce se cer plătite.
M.J. Arlidge m-a cucerit încă de la primul volum, dar m-am temut că mă voi obișnui prea tare cu povestea și personajele. Că, odată ce am petrecut prea mult timp alături de echipa lui Helen, lucrurile vor deveni prea familiare și prea ușor de dibuit. Helen Grace părea doar un „teren” plin de contraste, acțiunile sale din sfera personală nu mă „mulțumeau” pe deplin. Acum, după zece volume, Helen Grace a devenit un icon al detectivilor din lumea romanelor de ficțiune. Helen Grace este mai puternică, mai stăpână pe situație, mai sigură și mai greu de oprit. Și ce mi-a plăcut să îi strig asta Emiliei Garanita! Și lui Hudson, recunosc.
https://ancasicartile.ro/adevar-sau-p...
M.J. Arlidge m-a cucerit încă de la primul volum, dar m-am temut că mă voi obișnui prea tare cu povestea și personajele. Că, odată ce am petrecut prea mult timp alături de echipa lui Helen, lucrurile vor deveni prea familiare și prea ușor de dibuit. Helen Grace părea doar un „teren” plin de contraste, acțiunile sale din sfera personală nu mă „mulțumeau” pe deplin. Acum, după zece volume, Helen Grace a devenit un icon al detectivilor din lumea romanelor de ficțiune. Helen Grace este mai puternică, mai stăpână pe situație, mai sigură și mai greu de oprit. Și ce mi-a plăcut să îi strig asta Emiliei Garanita! Și lui Hudson, recunosc.
https://ancasicartile.ro/adevar-sau-p...
May 1, 2021
Another fantastic installment in the D.I Helen grace series.
As with the rest of the books in the series, truth or dare was really well written.
These books are always such fast paced reads, with really short chapters which keep you gripped.
I was trying to guess who the killer was throughout this book but I still didn't see the ending coming.
As always, I loved the characters especially D.I Helen grace.
My only complaint with this book was that there were so many separate stories and plot lines going on at once, which meant that times it got confusing and difficult to follow.
However, apart from that I really enjoyed this book. The ending was really interesting. I look forward to carrying on with the rest of the series
TW: murder, violence, racism and suicide
As with the rest of the books in the series, truth or dare was really well written.
These books are always such fast paced reads, with really short chapters which keep you gripped.
I was trying to guess who the killer was throughout this book but I still didn't see the ending coming.
As always, I loved the characters especially D.I Helen grace.
My only complaint with this book was that there were so many separate stories and plot lines going on at once, which meant that times it got confusing and difficult to follow.
However, apart from that I really enjoyed this book. The ending was really interesting. I look forward to carrying on with the rest of the series
TW: murder, violence, racism and suicide
June 19, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars
I’ve read all the author’s books and in the main I enjoy them. This was one of my least favourite however.
I think the story loses something because we know who committed each crime as it is described to us.
There is some suspense in the storyline of who is behind it all but not enough. Plus all the perpetrators are unlikeable so you don’t really feel too sorry for them.
The other weak link is the Hudson storyline; it detracts something from the main story
Not really for me sorry.
I’ve read all the author’s books and in the main I enjoy them. This was one of my least favourite however.
I think the story loses something because we know who committed each crime as it is described to us.
There is some suspense in the storyline of who is behind it all but not enough. Plus all the perpetrators are unlikeable so you don’t really feel too sorry for them.
The other weak link is the Hudson storyline; it detracts something from the main story
Not really for me sorry.
March 4, 2022
Gostei bastante de mais este livro de Arlidge. Adoro a detective e fico ansiosa pelo próximo.
April 1, 2024
Até ao momento o mais fraco da série.
Muita página para pouco desenvolvimento.
E no fim?
Empurra-se a conclusão para o próximo volume.
Não gostei sr Arlidge.
Muita página para pouco desenvolvimento.
E no fim?
Empurra-se a conclusão para o próximo volume.
Não gostei sr Arlidge.
March 4, 2023
Recenzia completa: https://twistinmysobriety-alexa.blogs...
„Adevăr sau provocare” este cel de-al zecelea volum din mult îndrăgita serie thriiler Helen Grace, scrisă de autorul și scenaristul M.J.Arlidge, un volum îndelung așteptat, pe care l-am devorat dintr-o suflare.
Maestru al misterului și suspansului, Arlidge știe cum să dozeze ingredientele necesare obținerii unor scenarii complexe, întunecate și alambicate. Deși voluminos, romanul de 500 de pagini se citește pe repede-nainte, fără oprire, și nu lasă loc îndoielii: autorul nu dezamăgește niciodată, eroina căreia i-a dat viață – investigatorul Helen Grace – fiind unul dintre cele mai apreciate personaje din creațiile thriller din ultimii ani.
“În fiecare zi de muncă încerca din greu să fie un lider bun, să fie hotărâtă, să-și inspire oamenii, să fie calmă. Dar în ultima vreme uitase cum, nu mai reușea să folosească așa cum trebuie forța și hotărârea pentru care era cândva bine-cunoscută, iar pe parcurs pierdea încrederea oamenilor. Acum, când miza era cât se poate de mare, arăta neliniștită, disperată și speriată.”
Crime brutale și atacuri ciudate, aparent fără nicio legătură precisă între ele, disturbă orașul Southampton și ridică numeroase semne de întrebare, într-o lume deja haosată de virusul Covid, iar Helen și echipa sa se văd angrenați într-o cursă contra cronometru, în care miza finală este salvarea următoarei presupuse victime. Însă cum poți pretinde că vei reuși să salvezi un om dacă nu ai nici cea mai vagă idee cine este acesta, care sunt circumstanțe care l-au dus în punctul în care a fost ales victimă și mai ales, cine este păpușarul care trage toate sforile din umbră și care-i sunt motivațiile ?
Nelipsita componentă psihologică este construită aproape la perfecție, iar elementul pe care eu îl consider laitmotivul seriei – și anume construirea unui personaj abuzat, nedreptățit, care la rându-i devine abuzator – este folosit cu generozitate în acest volum și scoate în evidență fragilitatea, vulnerabilitatea, dar și dualitatea umană. Căci în noi toți zace un întuneric ce tinde să ne acapareze complet în anumite circumstanțe traumatizante dacă noi îi permitem, dacă nu conștientizăm că aproape în toate cazurile avem de ales, iar acea alegere poate duce la evoluție sau la o dezumanizare treptată, însă completă.
Asasinatele comise cu sânge rece sunt calculate până la ultimul detaliu, făptașii nu își cunosc în mod personal victimele, deși sunt la curent cu stilul de viață pe care îl duc și încurajati să le observe îndeaproape, totul pentru a comite crimele perfecte, ce par la început furturi, atacuri rasiste sau accidente nefericite. Însă pentru ochiul ager al neînfricatei Helen, piesele de puzzle ce la început par scoase din povești diferite capătă, după îndelungi investigații și eforturi colective, o imagine de ansamblu, completă însă incredibil de șocantă: criminalul operează de la distanță, mânuind cu o înfiorătoare dibăcie destinele mai multor oameni nevinovați, folosindu-se de cele mai intime destăinuiri ale acestora, disecându-le trecutul, perturbându-le prezentul și distrugându-le viitorul, forțându-i să-și inverseze rolurile între ei, aceștia fiind pe rând victime, apoi torționari, apoi din nou victime. Până la deznodământul din urmă. Până la crimă. Până la iertare. Până la moarte.
„Adevăr sau provocare” este cel de-al zecelea volum din mult îndrăgita serie thriiler Helen Grace, scrisă de autorul și scenaristul M.J.Arlidge, un volum îndelung așteptat, pe care l-am devorat dintr-o suflare.
Maestru al misterului și suspansului, Arlidge știe cum să dozeze ingredientele necesare obținerii unor scenarii complexe, întunecate și alambicate. Deși voluminos, romanul de 500 de pagini se citește pe repede-nainte, fără oprire, și nu lasă loc îndoielii: autorul nu dezamăgește niciodată, eroina căreia i-a dat viață – investigatorul Helen Grace – fiind unul dintre cele mai apreciate personaje din creațiile thriller din ultimii ani.
“În fiecare zi de muncă încerca din greu să fie un lider bun, să fie hotărâtă, să-și inspire oamenii, să fie calmă. Dar în ultima vreme uitase cum, nu mai reușea să folosească așa cum trebuie forța și hotărârea pentru care era cândva bine-cunoscută, iar pe parcurs pierdea încrederea oamenilor. Acum, când miza era cât se poate de mare, arăta neliniștită, disperată și speriată.”
Crime brutale și atacuri ciudate, aparent fără nicio legătură precisă între ele, disturbă orașul Southampton și ridică numeroase semne de întrebare, într-o lume deja haosată de virusul Covid, iar Helen și echipa sa se văd angrenați într-o cursă contra cronometru, în care miza finală este salvarea următoarei presupuse victime. Însă cum poți pretinde că vei reuși să salvezi un om dacă nu ai nici cea mai vagă idee cine este acesta, care sunt circumstanțe care l-au dus în punctul în care a fost ales victimă și mai ales, cine este păpușarul care trage toate sforile din umbră și care-i sunt motivațiile ?
Nelipsita componentă psihologică este construită aproape la perfecție, iar elementul pe care eu îl consider laitmotivul seriei – și anume construirea unui personaj abuzat, nedreptățit, care la rându-i devine abuzator – este folosit cu generozitate în acest volum și scoate în evidență fragilitatea, vulnerabilitatea, dar și dualitatea umană. Căci în noi toți zace un întuneric ce tinde să ne acapareze complet în anumite circumstanțe traumatizante dacă noi îi permitem, dacă nu conștientizăm că aproape în toate cazurile avem de ales, iar acea alegere poate duce la evoluție sau la o dezumanizare treptată, însă completă.
Asasinatele comise cu sânge rece sunt calculate până la ultimul detaliu, făptașii nu își cunosc în mod personal victimele, deși sunt la curent cu stilul de viață pe care îl duc și încurajati să le observe îndeaproape, totul pentru a comite crimele perfecte, ce par la început furturi, atacuri rasiste sau accidente nefericite. Însă pentru ochiul ager al neînfricatei Helen, piesele de puzzle ce la început par scoase din povești diferite capătă, după îndelungi investigații și eforturi colective, o imagine de ansamblu, completă însă incredibil de șocantă: criminalul operează de la distanță, mânuind cu o înfiorătoare dibăcie destinele mai multor oameni nevinovați, folosindu-se de cele mai intime destăinuiri ale acestora, disecându-le trecutul, perturbându-le prezentul și distrugându-le viitorul, forțându-i să-și inverseze rolurile între ei, aceștia fiind pe rând victime, apoi torționari, apoi din nou victime. Până la deznodământul din urmă. Până la crimă. Până la iertare. Până la moarte.
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