With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


As always, a very enjoyable read. Gripping, Arlidhe always delivers.

Another gripping read from this fantastic author- someone is playing a game of cat and mouse with random campers at a new campsite, but are they random attacks or is there a connection between the victims ? Its down to DI Helen Grace and her team to find the link and stop the killer

Wow - what more can I say about this book. Yet again an absolutely brilliant book with plenty of twists and turns.

When a body goes missing from a campsite on the edge of New Forest so begins the hunt for the killer.
I thought I had finally got one over on MJ and was adamant that I had worked out who it was, only to be proved wrong, as usual.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and am now waiting in anticipation for the next one to be released.

Down to the Woods is the 8th DI Helen Grace thriller by M J Arlidge. I haven’t read any of the earlier books and it's obvious that Helen has a particularly dramatic and traumatic backstory, but enough explanation is given for me to read this book as a stand-alone. It's tense and dark with several twists and turns and red herrings, that seemed obviously so to me. It's on the grisly side of gruesome with graphic descriptions of violence and death and details of information on the dark web, all of which I find off-putting. 

I don't intend to retell the plot as I think the synopsis gives as much detail as you need to know to begin the book. It's fast-paced in parts, but in others it's slowed down considerably by the amount of description of the location and characters. Having said that I did like the description of the New Forest, with its ancient woodland, beautiful glades and of course the New Forest ponies.

However, I think the characters aren't very credible, with maybe the exception of DS Charlie Brooke who has her own problems at home. DS Joseph Hudson is a new character to the series and there are several questions to be answered about his background that seemed rather dubious to me. The reporter Emilia Garanita is the stereotypical journalist with all the unlikable journalistic traits rolled into her character and you're meant to dislike her. I expected Helen to be the main character but for most of the book she on the sidelines until the final section when she ends up close to death. The chapters are very short with cliff-hanger endings, designed to keep you turning the pages. I did want to know the outcome, but I got rather tired of all the violence and chase scenes throughout the book and was relieved to finish it.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars on Goodreads. Other people liked it more than me - there are many 5 and 4 star reviews on Goodreads.

Thank you to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for my copy of this book for review.

I had heard some good things about this author so I thought I would give it a go. Sadly this one wasn’t my cup of tea. Too much dialogue and my concentration lapsed. I am sure many readers will love this book but I am afraid I was not one of them.

An excellent addition to this series. Well written, well paced and well developed in a much loved series.

Catapulted into an adrenaline-fueled, suspenseful scenario that is packed full of vivid, often grisly imagery from the start, this story's hook draws you into a complex case for DI Helen Grace. The reader's first meeting with the main protagonist is thought-provoking and immediately demonstrates she has emotional issues, an independent spirit and a well-hidden vulnerability.

The 'New Forest' setting conjures up many hiding places for the killer, and such an ancient place must be haunted by past events, all of which add to the story's chilling atmospheric quality. The plot cleverly acquaints you with several possible suspects as the body count rises.

Reeling from recent past events DI Grace and her team welcome a new member who has a profound effect on the case and Di Grace. The storyline hints but does not reveal all this new officer's secrets.

The pacing is good, and the clues and misinformation are woven expertly into the story. Even though this is the only book I've read in the series, I connected with the main characters and understood their relationship with Di Grace. Don't be afraid to read this as a standalone; it works well.

An exciting, driven police procedural with an intriguing, female detective.

I received a copy of this book from Penguin UK- Michael Joseph via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Helen Grace and her team are back and with a case that feels different to the others. A body is found, deep in the New Forest, killed in a grotesque manner. Enter DI Helen Grace and her co, who are baffled by a case with little to go on. As the body count rises, can they hunt the culprit before they are hunted? 

This is yet another exhilarating outing for Helen Grace and her team. This is firmly based around the investigation rather than personal strife, something I always prefer in a crime read. We start with an intense situation that quickly turns grotesque and then the real investigation starts. This feels different to other Grace books, there are fewer victims and the team are floundering for a while. In a way, this is not as exciting but it is, as we see the team fight for breakthroughs and they feel more deserved. The case feels more personal too, Arlidge creates a lot of feelings in this case; good and bad, and with a heap of sympathy. Not only was I appalled and excited by the case, but I had strong feelings about all involved as well. 

It is always great to follow old characters and this was no different. Catching up with Helen and Charlie in particular, was a joy and seeing how they developed was great as always. This has the added bonus of a new character in the form of DS Hudson. He is interesting to get to know and changes the dynamic in the team.

'Down to the Woods' is a very personal, more sensitive crime read from Arlidge. We have a devastating crime and Arlidge hurtles towards a climax that although is justified, is no less heartbreaking. Another stonker of a read from Arlidge and I cannot wait for the next. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an advance copy.

Another excellent Helen Grace novel from M.J.Arlidge.
Grace is a complex character but this story has her showing a more normal side. Once again she is supported by Charlie who epitomises the strains & worries felt by most working mum's.
The story will have campers rethinking whether to pack the rent or book a B&B.

Wow! Another cracking read.
This book had me gripped right from the beginning, full of the usual twists and turns from this author. I couldn’t put this book down, it is one of those books that really keeps you guessing. I have read all of the books in this series and have become familiar with all of the characters in this book and it was good to see Helen Grace back on her feet (after the last book) doing what she does best alongside her trusted Charlie.
What is good about these books is along with the gripping storyline, over the series we really have got to know the characters in depth as well.
Keep up the good work Alridge!

Apparently the 8th in a series but the first that I have read. There were some comments that obviously related to earlier books but that didn't particularly detract from the story as far as I was concerned. The main characters are DI Helen Grace, her team (DS Brookes and the new DS Hudson) and an exceedingly over the top (I hope) local journalist with ambition. Set in and around the New Forest, Hampshire we have gruesome, sadistic murders of people being chased through the woods, killed with a crossbow and then strung up on display - too much for me. There is an eccentric living "with nature" in the woods who is an initial suspect for the crimes but comes out trumps in the end. There is the highly dubious campsite owner who doesn't. It was all too unreal to me and I couldn't sympathise with any of the characters at all I'm afraid. From the other reviews I am clearly in a minority but, that's life. The writing is good though, the short staccato sentences do give a feel of tension and fear. The characters were all a bit too too - the journalist was appalling and insensitive, the DI gung-ho, or was it just too taken up with the case to go off chasing the suspect by herself through the woods (we almost ended the series there), the new DS just too creepy. At least DS Brookes was more real with her family problems and juggling those with work. Nope, not for me and I shan't be reading others in the series but thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this. We can't win them all.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
This was a thrilling, fast paced story with excellent characters, many from earlier books in the series and some good new ones. Skilfully narrated it kept me hooked.
I have read several of the books in this series so was keen to read this latest one and I certainly was not disappointed.
4.5 stars

I’ve read all previous books in the Helen Grace series and this one did not disappoint. Fast, exciting and scary, it has everything you’d want from a thriller. Cannot wait for more.

In the New Forest bodies are being found strung up and killed by using a crossbar.There is a serial killer on the loose and DI Helen Grace and her team are in pursuit .I have not read any in this series so some of the references I didn't know but it didn't spoil my enjoyment.The book is fast paced very gripping ,hard to put down and in some places heart stopping,the final few chapters had me almost holding my breath they were so exciting .I thought I knew who the killer was but I was so wrong .Brilliant ending.Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for a preview copy in return for an honest review .

DI Helen Grace has her work cut out for her as campers in the New Forest are disappearing and then reappearing in a rather grisly manner.
She has to find the connection, something that links these unfortunate people to solve their murders, whilst adjusting to the loss of a team member - and the replacement who would seem to be very interested in her.
Plagued by a reporter determined to dominate the front pages of her newspaper and spread fear and alarm throughout their community, DI Grace relies on her team members and her boss/mentor for support as the public are turned against them.
You feel the victim’s fear and confusion on waking and finding themselves lost and alone in the forest, hiding and running away from a faceless killer, - and the unease of the team as they follow the killer into the forest, not knowing what they will find.
This is one of several DI Grace books, but could really be read as a stand alone.
To be honest, I have read some of the earlier books in the series, which I preferred, but now intend to go back read the ones I’ve missed.
I may never go camping in the New Forest though!

This is book #8 in the Detective Inspector Helen Grace series. It can be read as a standalone, but for continuity it makes sense to read the whole series. Also for those who like to know where the book is set, this book (and the series) is set around the Southampton area.

DI Helen Grace is given a gruesome case of a man found hung from a tree in the New Forest, killed by crossbow bolts. When another case comes in of a similar killing, Grace and her team have to work out how the two killings are linked and who is stalking the Forest committing these horrendous crimes. In line with this, Helen Grace also has to cope with a new member of the team, DS Joe Hudson, who is not only newly transferred but also appears to have taken a romantic interest in his new boss. Can Helen and the team find the killer before another murder takes place?

I am an ardent fan of the Helen Grace series and I was very keen to get started on this book. I love Helen’s character and have found her more intriguing as the series has continued. The book begins with a gruesome discovery of a hanging body in the New Forest. You just know from this start that the book is going to be a dark and seriously chilling read, and it was! The premise of a killer stalking around the New Forest with a crossbow was enough to have me reading the rest of the book from behind a cushion!

The pace of the book was good and flowed really well. The storyline was filled with more red herrings than you could shake a stick at and I seriously could not work out what was going on until I was nearing the end. Everyone had a reason to become a suspect and I suspected every single one of them throughout the story! There were also some familiar faces from the other books within the series such as Charlie, DI Grace’s faithful sidekick and Emilia, the ever annoying local journalist, and all of these help you slot back into the story just like you’ve known them all your life!!

A gripping, nail biting thriller of a story which I would highly recommend. I can’t wait for the next book to continue DI Grace’s story!

This was the first Helen Grace book I have read and I enjoyed it enough to started the series from the beginning. The plot is good, intriguing with a number of twists and terms and the solution is satisfying. I think, that as with all detective series part of the enjoyment is the familiarity and development of the central character so reading what I believe is book eight denies that enjoyment. Hence my decision to start from the beginning. I read this on holiday so read it right through fairly quickly and it kept me very happily entertained.

Like some other readers, this is the first book I have read in the DI Grace series and I will certainly now be reading the others. It did not bother me that I had not read the earlier books in this series, I know some people like to read books in order but I have found that if I do that, I sometimes miss out on finding a new author whose books I would enjoy.

I did enjoy this book, pretty gory in places but the whole suspense and drama of the book kept me reading and reading! I also love to read books set in my own country (England), just a personal preference of mine but I just find it fascinating when I know the area sometimes. This was no exception, I know the New Forest well. In facetI just came back from a couple of days there before reading this book ... don't think I would want to go walking there after dusk now though! A well written and exciting story.

Once again a fantastic read. I have all the books read now and they just get better and better. There's just something about Helen Grace that pulls you into the story. Fabulous, amazing again

I appear to be in the minority in giving this book a 3 out of 5 but I just felt I couldn't give it anymore.

Please don't get me wrong, it is not a bad book at all and the story is quite gripping....however we are thrown far too many red herrings that come so early on in the book that it is painfully obvious that the police are on the wrong track and I found myself wondering when they would realize they were wrong.

I understand that this is the 8th book in the series and I have only read the first book so perhaps the next criticism is more my fault than the writers but I found all the oblique nods to things that have happened in previous books to be quite irritating because I didn't know what had happened. It is a technique used by lots of series writers but I find others do it a little better (I'm thinking of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series in particular).

The chapters are incredibly short and as such there are lots of them and I became increasingly annoyed by the way the chapters finished. I understand that tension was being built up but did we really need it at the end of every chapter? Each chapter either finished with a question or a very short sentence commenting on the action - you could almost hear the 'dah dah dahhhhhhhh'

Having said all of this. it is a page turner and I finished the book in just a few days as I was keen to find out how it all ended. It is a good book and maybe I am a bit nit picky but it is down to personal taste at the end of the day and I was hoping for something a little bit...more really.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the preview copy in exchange for an honest review.