EENY MEENY
Helen Grace #1
M.J. Arlidge
Mystery/Thriller
432 pages
NAL
Available Now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review
THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Two people are abducted, imprisoned, and left with a gun. As hunger and thirst set in, only one walks away alive.
It’s a game more twisted than any Detective Helen Grace has ever seen. If she hadn’t spoken with the shattered survivors herself, she almost wouldn’t believe them.
Helen is familiar with the dark sides of human nature, including her own, but this case—with its seemingly random victims—has her baffled. But as more people go missing, nothing will be more terrifying than when it all starts making sense...
TRACY'S THOUGHTS
Before you read this review and take my opinion into consideration, I need to explain a few things about me. I love the show Criminal Minds - even though most episodes creep me out. I have been known to binge watch the ID channel for weekends at a time. When Jenny asked me to review this serial killer thriller, I jumped at the chance!
Mr. Arlidge sets a fast pace in his first book in the Helen Grace series. He throws us into the terrifying first murder immediately, never wasting a minute to drag us into the darkness of a very 'Saw-like' scenario. I had a very difficult time putting this book down, and could not wait for the next plot twist and intense sinister scene.
That being said, not everyone will love Eeny Meeny. The chapters are extremely short - some are not even one full page in length. Each chapter brings a different point of view, so some readers may not enjoy all of the switching. I liked all of the POV changes, and never once felt it caused any backtracking in the story - it always progressed very quickly.
The main character, Detective Inspector Helen Grace, was fascinating, but was not necessarily the most likeable character. She becomes more likeable as the book progresses and Mr. Arlidge does a great job uncovering her background in the later half of the book to help us reconcile her less appealing side. While we do not exactly like Helen - we do admire her strength and determination in her work. Helen Grace's team is full of great characters - most notably Mark and Charlie - who are both flawed but likeable and relatable.
Overall, Eeny Meeny is a dark and disturbing read, with plenty of action and surprises. Those that are intrigued by the psychological aspect of this book will look past some of the graphic violence that accompanies it. The twist and turns in Eeny Meeny definitely makes it worthwhile. I look forward to reading more Helen Grace mysteries to come.
Rating: 4/5
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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a
review.
I received no other compensation and the above is my, or in this case Tracy's, honest opinion.