Really enjoyed this one, My first book by this author and not the first in this series but a very good stand alone story anyway.
Liked the characters, good plot, twists I didn’t see coming and well written. If you like your police procedurals you should enjoy this one.

I found myself drawn straight into the action with this book and found it all the more fascinating as it is set, as are the whole series, somewhere that I know, Southampton!
As to this book being part of a series, I didn't find it spoiled anything my not having read the previous 10 as enough previous plot points were referred to BUT reading this book out of order has potentially spoiled the previous books for me as part of this storyline is a continuation of a previous one.
Towards the middle of the book I was starting to feel a bit bogged down by the misogynistic senior officer and the incredibly stereotypical characters of the reporter and one of the suspects. By the third quarter of the book it had changed track and sped up dramatically becoming a book I just didn't want to put down and had to finish!
All in all I found this to be a great read and even though I found some of the characters unpalatable I can see their point to the story that was being told. I really can see myself starting this series of books from the first one, yes I know where some storylines are heading but it was such an enjoyable read, I can put up with that!

A silent killer stalks Southampton - breaking into homes when people are alone and killing them in their most vulnerable moments, before taking their belongings and disappearing into the night.

DI Helen Grace is a strong character who seems to solve murders despite her superiors. With her personal demons, she soldiers on despite the doubts of those around her.

Another great book from Arlidge that leaves you wanting more!

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the chance to review this book

DI Helen Grace - the formidable, woman woman of Southampton PD is back!

I love MJ Arlidge’s series following DI Grace and her team and so when this book became available on NetGalley as an advance copy, I lept at the chance to read it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this edition to the DI Helen Grace series. However let it be said this book is not half as good as the first books from the series. The last two books have been a bit formulaic and predictable with the wrong ‘guy’ being caught mischief to the embarrassment of the force and other wrong doers being pulled in for crimes that are similar but not the right one. This was all a little annoying because they were obviously the wrong criminals. Added to that Helen and her team were very single minded in their investigation and interrogation of key evidence and survivors. Add to this Charlie’s totally irrational home life issues. It’s a shame really because the story is really very good and the twists are well concealed, the book would’ve still been brilliant without those mishaps.

Similar to the previous novel we have a very different Helen Grace to the one we first started out with. I feel her character could now do with some further development. Stripped of need to feel physical pain and the man who she sought out to ‘help’ her. Also, now that her sister and nephew are both out of the picture - I’m not sure who Helen is anymore. Interestingly Helen ponders this very question during ‘Cat and Mouse’, stripped of her badge, put on leave and unable to talk to Charlie… what are we now left with? Well, for a start she’s a one woman army who is not only super intelligent she is also completely formidable. She’s more comfortable on two wheels than four and lives alone with (apart from Charlie) no friends, hobbies or social life. Personally I’d love to know more about this new Helen and see her embrace life a bit more.

Overall and in despite to my previous comments this is a fantastic read! It’s fast paced, edgy, thrilling and hard to put down. For those of a weaker disposition this book is not for you! Arlidge does not hold back when it comes to broken bones and bloody matter. I almost had a heart attack in the beginning whilst reading the scene involving Bailey! That was very closely played and utterly heart stopping to read.

For those who haven’t read any DI Helen Grace, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you do. But I wouldn’t recommend this particular book for your first venture as a LOT of water has gone under the bridge and you’ll feel a bit lost picking up the story at this juncture.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A good summer read, riveting, compelling and action packed. I liked that it can be read as a stand alone but for maximum enjoyment probably best to read as a series.

There is a killer on the loose and nobody is safe even children. D I Helen Grace bolshy determined and well respected in her office but not so much upstairs. Helen has her own demon's an ex-lover who is on the wrong side of the law and wants Helen to help him but she is not going to put her job on the line for him, and he is not the only one that could kiss Helen goodbye but she will soldier on regardless of what it takes.
The book is well thought out and some scenes are a bit graphic, but as a person, I don't like Helen at all I cannot take to her, perhaps the author could make her more likeable but perhaps a bit late in the day for that.
I would like to thank Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy to read, a clever story worth the time to read it.

Whilst this was a solid police procedural with familiar characters who I normally love, I did feel this one was a little slower than the others which is why I've gven 3 stars.
The intriguing combination of Detective Helen Grace's personal dilemma and a series of atrociously brutal home invasions is intriguing . The characters are well developed and individual storylines are intriguing and the premise is quite clever.

As an avid fan of the DI Grace series I have eagerly always the release of cat and mouse. I was so glad when I was not disappointed. Arlington has the natural knack to write in a way that is both chilling and thrilling. Truly unputdownable and such a fast paced thriller. Amazing!

Available from June 9, I genuinely got over excited when the option to read the new DI Helen Grace crime novel came up. I’ve read them all and they’re excellent. Helen makes for a superb crime fighter; often impetuous, but physically and mentally strong and fearless (some would say reckless) in the face of standing up to the bad guys. In this latest case, she is trying to locate a silent killer who is targeting those alone at night. It might be cat and mouse but certainly not as you’ve ever experienced. Helen has enemies inside and outside the Force, while her right hand woman is struggling with her own difficulties. Panic creeps in as the body count racks up as Helen suspects there’s something linking each crime and victim… but could it be even more brutal than she’s expected? Not something to read when on your own and on a rainy evening but a wonderful character who you continue to root for, even if she doesn’t always do the right thing.

I have to say, I love the Helen Grace series, and I feel that this instalment is the best! A spate of horrific murders is taking place, Helen is not only battling a very careful killer, but her conflict with Peters also steps up a gear, with Peters going out of his way to remove Helen from the helm of the MIT!

There are plenty of action-packed paragraphs, and as with previous tales, we find Helen is practically indestructible, always managing to come out of battle with just a few minor scrapes! I really enjoy the fact that these books are full of strong female characters.

I don’t want to say too much more, as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else, all I will say is that this book deserves every one of the full five stars.

A very fast-paced and enjoyable;e thriller. It was my first experience of reading about the dashing Helen Grace and I loved the images of her speeding round the city on he motorbike. The story wasn't all that original, to be honest, but the writing was good and the characters well-drawn, so it was an entertaining couple of hours well spent. I will read more by this author, so a solid four star.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my first DI Helen Grace novel, in fact my first M J Arlidge read but it won't be my last.

I really enjoyed this fast paced storyline, the grisly murders and trying to figure out the link between them. It kept me guessing up until the end which always makes for a great crime thriller.

I found Helen Grace to be a formidable detective, unbelievably strong and courageous despite her own backstory.

Thank you Orion Books for the opportunity to review this great book. I have also posted a review @lovetoread42

The idea behind this book is a good one but I found it much too overwrought. I also found the storyline fairly predictable, and Helen Grace is becoming slightly irritating. Probably a good holiday read but not a book I would really recommend.

I read this book in just a couple of sittings.

Yet another fast paced DI Helen Grace thriller. Lots of jeopardy and all the stuff we love!

However, I hate to be saying this but I feel like the story arc’s of this series are becoming the same. I can’t say too much without giving this away but I felt it was actually pretty predictable and I’m a little disappointed by that!

Still really enjoyed it hence the 4/5 but it wasn’t quite a 5/5 for me for that reason!

Cat and Mouse is an absolute tour de force in the latest in the D.I. Helen Grace series.
Still reeling from her last case Helen is living with knowing she is being hunted by a psychopath, out to kill her by any means. Added to this is her boss who is out to remove her from her position in charge of the murder investigation team.
Horrific murders are happening with no clues or reason identified. Gradually a pattern emerges but as the investigation continues the action is amped up for Helen putting her in great danger.
This is such a page turner, these books are always enthralling but for me this is head and shoulders above the excellent others, mainly because there are events that could lead to Helens demise. Difficult to describe the plot as any spoilers could ruin your enjoyment.
My thanks to net galley and publisher and particularly the author for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Highly recommend
Best D.I Helen Grace book so far.
A silent killer is targeting people home alone at night,a game of cat and mouse with disastrous consequences.D.I Helen Grace is leading the investigation,she has her own cat and mouse situation with a psychopath out to get her.
As she works the case she feels there is something that connects the brutal crimes but what she fears is so much more than she could ever dream of..
I really love the strong female characters and to me this was the best book so far in the series Plenty of action and twists that kept me hooked throughout.M.J Arlidge is one of my favourite authors he delivers every time.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC.

Having literally just finished Cat And Mouse I am feeling the adrenaline ebb from my body, such was the pace of this thriller. DI Helen Grace is a tour de force when it comes to Southampton's MIT clear up rate and she seems like a cat with nine lives too as she gets up close and personal with some brutish villains. However, this is the tenth book in the series so is she outliving herself? I don't think so for this novel is an absolute blast which grips you from the first page and does not let go. I think it's possibly the best one in the series in terms of pace. I note there are those who wonder whether the segway from one story element to another is a function of poor editing. Well, if you analyse the segway I think you'll find it's a writer's device to make you sit up and take note. The conclusion to the novel gave me cause for concern that with so many loose ends tied up we may have read the final chapter in the series. I hope not.
It has to be a five star review from me because of the twists and turns in a story that never lets go of you.

well written with a compelling plot ansd well developed characters. I was gripped right from the start, it is fast paced and full of bloody murders. I couldn't put it down

I love the Helen Grace books. This is the 5th in the series, and so much has happened to Helen in the past books. When the book opens, she is on a serial killer's hit list, her corrupt policeman ex-boyfriend is harassing her, and her boss wants to get rid of her. Then there are the new cases of violent burglars and murders which Helen and her team need to solve. In addition to this, her team members have problems of their own, so aren't giving Helen their full support. And finally, the horrible journalist is still getting information on the cases, and trying to cause problems for Helen. The book is action-packed with several violent attacks on Helen, and lots of horrible characters uncovered as the team search for the murderer. Most of the issues get resolved, often in unexpected ways! I read this in one night and really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

I love the DI Grace books and this one did not disappoint. The plot was convoluted but the murders were gory and Helen Grace was her usual strong independent self, battling to solve crimes and endangering herself in the line of duty. A great character who is not afraid to speak her mind and is not afraid to cross boundaries if needs be. A great read. Bring on the next one!