The Doll’s House {+ Giveaway}

Detective Helen Grace is back today in the third book in a series that kicked off with the international bestseller EENY MEENY.

Author M.J. Arlidge, a bona-fide worldwide phenomenon, returns with THE DOLL’S HOUSE, a Helen Grace Thriller. Thanks to Loren and the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a copy of THE DOLL’S HOUSE to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

Currently one of the UK’s most popular crime writers, Arlidge burst onto the U.S. mystery/thriller scene with the publication of EENY MEENY this past June. Praised by bestselling authors like Jeffery Deaver, Tami Hoag, and Lisa Gardner; reviewed in several national publications, including USA Today; recommended by ESPN’s Mike Greenberg; tweeted about by Stephen King; and selected for the Target Book Club, EENY MEENY introduced readers to Detective Helen Grace, one of the most compelling protagonists to headline a mystery series in years.

Arlidge then followed it up with the equally well-received POP GOES THE WEASEL, which cemented why readers across the globe have become obsessed with his gripping, lightning-paced thrillers.

 The brilliant but complicated Helen Grace is back for a third outing in THE DOLL’S HOUSE (NAL Trade Paperback Original; February 2, 2015; $15), which opens with one of Arlidge’s now-signature harrowing scenarios:  

Ruby wakes up one morning after a night out on the town, however, she quickly realizes she’s locked in a basement with no means of escape. Her captor eerily explains that no one is looking for her. No one wants Ruby, except for him.

At the same time, the body of a woman is found buried in a secluded beach, but according to forensics, the woman has been dead for years, yet no one has even reported her missing. But why would they? She's has been sending text messages to her family and updating her Twitter for years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave.

For Detective Inspector Helen Grace, it's chilling evidence that she's searching for a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful - a predator who's killed before. And as Helen struggles to understand the killer's motivation, she begins to realize that she's in a desperate race against time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author M.J. Arlidge

M.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specializing 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.

Connect with Arlidge on Goodreads.

I had the wonderful opportunity to review the print copy of the book and before I finished, I was able to also listen to the audio version. Here are my thoughts on THE DOLL’S HOUSE …..

Author M.J. Arlidge starts readers/listeners in the thick of drama and then builds the suspense and story around it in his latest release.

Narrators Elizabeth Bower and Scott Joseph do an excellent job bring the various characters to live, each with their own unique voice. The back-and-forth change in narrators adds depth to this thriller and emphasizes the sensations of the story.

The author has created well-developed characters that are realistic and become more intriguing to the reader/listener as the story unfolds. The pace is quick and while it changes perspective from several characters, it flows smoothly. Vivid details makes one feel a part of the scene.

Readers/listeners not only get a feel for what Detective Helen Grace is facing trying to catch this sadistic killer, but also what she is dealing with in her personal life. In addition, Arlidge blends in police politics and the various problems facing officers daily in their pursuit of criminals and maintaining balance at work.

THE DOLL’S HOUSE will keep you guessing as the suspense grows.

The Doll’s House by M.J. Arlidge, A Helen Grace Thriller (Book #3), Narrated by Elizabeth Bower and Scott Joseph, Penguin Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO192AC8JE, Unabridged, Digital Download, Run Time: 8 Hours and 22 Minutes 
NAL, @2016, ISBN: 978-0451475510, Paperback, 432 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to Loren and the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have one print copy of THE DOLL’S HOUSE BY M.J. Arlidge to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress the Doll’s House Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decide for whatever reason you don’t want to win, once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy books that start off slow and draw you in or do you want to jump right into the action in the opening? BTW, Happy Groundhog Day!! Let’s all hope an early spring will soon be here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway