Book Review -‘Down to the Woods’ by M. J. Arlidge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, M. J. Arlidge and Penguin UK for the chance to read and review this novel.

There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries here…

DI Helen Grace and the rest of Southampton’s Major Incident Team are back for book 8 and have a new series of shocking and savage crimes to solve. It is the height of the camping season and a killer is targeting the holidaymakers under the cover of darkness. After a barbaric death, the brutalised victim is then left displayed between the branches of the ancient trees in the picturesque New Forest like a macabre piece of art. Is there a reason behind the way they are killed and displayed? Or is the killer just doing it to shock and haunt those who have to witness the aftermath of his violence? How and why does the killer select their victims and kill without a single witness or clue seeming to be left behind? Helen has to delve into the depths of the forest to find answers. But will she make it out unscathed?

I have been a fan of this series of books ever since the first one was published. I’ve loved all the previous novels and how well written the characters are and you get to know and care about them more with each book, feeling their joy and their pain. I also grew up not far from the New Forest so feel a connection with the characters and places in these books that makes it even more fun to read. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this installment ever since it was announced, so to get the chance to read and review it before release was an exciting privilege.

Very quickly the fear, suspense and mystery begin and you’re on the edge of your seat reading every word. You feel every bit of terror, confusion and pain that victims experience, the evil delight as their murderer stalks and dispatches his prey and the desperation felt by Helen and her team as they try to find the killer and bring them to justice.

The addition of a new team member in this book added an extra element of mystery as you try to figure out his motives for joining the team and reason behind his obsession with his new boss. Is he a suspect? Or is he up to something altogether unconnected to the crimes?

M. J. Arlidge has done it again. He’s written an exciting, grisly thriller that you can’t put down. He weaves multiple characters and storylines together intricately, masking their full connection until the dramatic reveal. From the start of the book my head was constantly spinning with ideas of how the victims might be connected, who could be doing this and why. The answers were shocking and the author is able to throw us off the scent expertly in order to keep the true identity of this heinous killer a mystery. Reading the previous books did help me connect with the characters but you could definitely pick up this story without having read any of the others and still enjoy a fantastic, nail-biting read.

Released September 20th.

THE EIGHT DI HELEN GRACE THRILLER BY BESTSELLING AUTHOR M. J. ARLIDGE

There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries here...

DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do their murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the Forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet.

Another eagerly awaited novel from Arlidge that has certainly not disappointed, if anything they get better and better. I have a genuine soft spot for Helen Grace and have done since the very beginning. The characters in Down to the Woods are completely believable and it is easy to have empathy for those who deserve it and for those who don't..

The story itself is gripping with twists and turns coming from every angle. I found it impossible to pick out the perpetrator and I never would have guessed the outcome, even though by the end it made complete sense.

This is a must read! Easy 5 stars

Down to the Woods by m j Arlidge.
DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do their murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the Forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet.
Ong an absolutely fantastic read. I was hooked. I had no idea who was doing the killings and my suspects list just kept growing. I love the new character Joseph Hudson. I do hope there will be more to come highly recommended. 5*.

I have read all previous Helen Grace novels and always enjoy them and this is no different. Helen Grace is a good strong character, although a bit frustrating at times! However, this book it felt that she softened somewhat and we got to see a different side to her. I enjoyed the storyline and how links were made with early characters. Overall, a good recommended read.

Wow. Just WOW. I get super excited when a new Helen Grace book is released. M J Arlidge is one of my favourite authors. Another complex investigation against time for Helen, Charlie and the team. But even though you know how good they are the killer is also clever... A huge 5 starts from me

Brilliant, not disappointing read at all! Wonderful to get into the life and role of Helen grace again. Catch up with Charlie brooks and the rest of the team! Awesome writing love love love

Please, do yourself a favour if you haven't already done so and start this series from book one and read in order. To say that Helen Grace is a bit complex would be a bit of an understatement so to get the best from her, what she does, and how she does it you do need that backstory. Oh and they are all brilliant reads in their own rights so, why wouldn't you?!
So, someone is killing people with arrows and stringing them up in the New Forest. Sounds like just another day for Helen and her team. Disappearing from tents, pitched at campsites, in the middle of the night, leaving their partners still asleep too. Bizarre! With two bodies so far, is there a connection between the two or are these just random acts of violence. With a new team member to get to grips with, can Helen solve this before things get worse? And, more importantly, before annoying journalist Emilia interferes too much.
I love this series. Despite the fact that I live in Portsmouth and it is set in Southampton (although we here spell that word in a completely different way I will try and play nice here) I do like it that I know a lot of the places mentioned, if in name only for the most part.
It also has the best mix of characters who, together with our main character Helen, all rub along nicely. Some more than others and all in their own ways. They have all, for the most part, suffered in their own ways and are all very supportive of each other even though, on the face of things, they may be chalk and cheese. Even the new boy to the team brings something to the table even if he can't yet see it himself. Even that blooming darned annoying journalist has her part to play in things.
The plot this time is an absolute doozy. So much so that I am going to say absolutely nothing more specific about it. Needless to say though, it meanders around and about itself, dragging the police this way and that, down dead ends as it twists and turns along to a conclusion that I really (hand on heart) didn't see coming even though there were clues along the way.
What I loved most about this book is the spark that a certain person has re-ignited in Helen. I had started to think that she has tamed a little too much recently, since prison and definitely in her previous outing, but here, I think she may have not only a willing participant but also an adrenaline rival and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this develops, especially as it has Simmon's apparent approval!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

M J Arlidge just gets better and better!

Having read all of the previous books in the series I was really looking forward to the next instalment, particularly as I am a resident of the New Forest.

The plot cracks along at a great pace and just when you think you know in which direction it is headed new lines of enquiry are introduced and you are constantly wondering what will happen next.

It was great to meet all of the old characters and the introduction of new ones was welcome, adding a new dynamic to plots and relationships.

The ending felt satisfying and was not rushed, although I was reading faster and faster to find out how the ending would pan out. Looking forward to the next one already!

I loved the previous DI Helen Grace books and so was super excited to receive a copy of this one to review from NetGalley. As expected, it did not disappoint. Helen Grace is a brilliant heroine with well-written supporting cast, and Arlidge skillfully writes his thrillers, keeping you enthralled and guessing til the last page as he ties the loose ends up. Being set in the place I grew up gives these stories an added layer of enjoyment for me, as I recognise places I knew. I'm already anticipating the next one.

I read Down to the Woods, the eighth Helen Grace book in a couple of days. It follows the story of a sickness in the forest. First horses and then innocent men and women hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. It’s down to Helen Grace and her team to find the killer before he takes any more lives.

This book is fast paced.’good plot line and enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author for the chance to review.