Have you discovered serial killer thriller author M J Arlidge yet? If not, you’re in for a treat.
M J Arlidge burst onto the crime fiction scene in 2014 with Eeny Meeny, the UK’s bestselling crime debut of the year, which posed an impossible question: would you rather lose your life or lose your mind?
Since then, we’ve been gripped by nine more fantastic DI Helen Grace novels and two digital short stories. If you love a good page turner then these fast-paced thrillers are perfect for you; we promise you’ll find yourself unable to put your book down, and once you’ve finished one you’ll be desperate to read the next.
If you’re yet to discover M J Arlidge, read on for a taste of what you’re missing!
M J Arlidge’s DI Helen Grace books in order:
Eeny Meeny by M J Arlidge
1. Eeny Meeny
The girl emerged from the woods, barely alive. Her story was beyond belief. But it was true. Every dreadful word of it. Days later, another desperate escapee is found – and a pattern is emerging. Pairs of victims are being abducted, imprisoned then faced with a terrible choice: kill or be killed.
Would you rather lose your life or lose your mind?
Detective Inspector Helen Grace has faced down her own demons on her rise to the top. As she leads the investigation to hunt down this unseen monster, she learns that it may be the survivors – living calling cards – who hold the key to the case. And unless she succeeds, more innocents will die…
Pop Goes the Weasel by M J Arlidge
2. Pop Goes the Weasel
The body of a middle-aged man is discovered in Southampton’s red light district – horrifically mutilated, with his heart removed. Hours later – and barely cold – the heart arrives with his wife and children by courier.
A pattern emerges when another male victim is found dead and eviscerated, his heart delivered soon afterwards.The media call it Jack the Ripper in reverse; revenge against the men who lead sordid double lives visiting prostitutes.
For Grace, only one thing is certain: there’s a vicious serial killer at large who must be halted at all costs…
The Doll's House by M J Arlidge
3. The Doll’s House
A woman wakes. Immediately she knows she’s not in the bed she slept in. It’s just the beginning of her nightmare.
Across town, a child discovers a woman’s body buried beneath the beach. Then another victim is found. Neither friends nor family had even reported either woman missing. How could their killer be getting away with murder?
For Detective Inspector Helen Grace it’s chilling evidence that she’s hunting a monster who’s not just twisted, but clever and careful. And as Helen struggles to understand the killer’s motivation she realizes that time might be running out for someone still alive…
Liar Liar by M J Arlidge
4. Liar Liar
In the dead of night, three raging fires light up the city skies. It’s more than a tragic coincidence. For DI Helen Grace the flames announce the arrival of an evil she has never encountered before. Because this is no firestarter seeking sick thrills, but something more chilling: a series of careful, calculating acts of murder.
But why were the victims chosen? What’s driving the killer? And who will be next?
A powder keg of fear, suspicion and dread has been laid. Now all it needs is a spark to set it off…
Little Boy Blue by M J Arlidge
5. Little Boy Blue
Called to a Southampton nightclub, DI Helen Grace cuts the duct tape from the asphyxiated victim and discovers she knows him. A man from the double life she has concealed from her superiors, Helen is determined to find his murderer – while keeping their relationship hidden at all costs.
When a new victim is found, Helen works around the clock to stop her life unravelling. She’ll do anything to solve this case – but dare she reveal her own darkest secrets and lose everything?
And would even that be enough to stop this killer?
Hide and Seek by M J Arlidge
6. Hide and Seek
Helen awaits trial in a crumbling women’s prison in Southampton. She has a fight on to prove her innocence from inside her prison cell, but this soon turns out to be the least of her worries.
A serial killer is picking off fellow inmates, thriving in an environment where there is truly nowhere to run. Is it a criminal giving in to their dark urges or a member of the prison staff preying on the captive population?
Helen must work fast to reveal this devious killer, all the time wondering if she will be next on her list…
Love Me Not by M J Arlidge
7. Love Me Not
A woman’s body lies in the road. At first it looks like a tragic accident. But when Helen Grace arrives on the scene it’s clear she’s looking at a cold-blooded killing. But why would anyone target a much-loved wife and mother?
Across town, a shopkeeper is killed while his customers are left unharmed. But what lies behind the killer’s choices?
Who lives? Who dies? Who’s next? The clock is ticking. If Helen can’t solve this deadly puzzle then more blood will be shed. But any mistake and it might be her own…
Down to the Woods by M J Arlidge
8. Down to the Woods
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.
All Fall Down by M J Arlidge
9. All Fall Down
“You have one hour to live.” Those are the only words on the phone call. Then they hang up. Surely, a prank? A mistake? A wrong number? Anything but the chilling truth… That someone is watching, waiting, working to take your life in one hour. But why?
The job of finding out falls to Helen Grace: a woman with a track record in hunting killers. However, this is a case where the killer seems to always be one step ahead of the police and the victims. With no motive, no leads, no clues – nothing but pure fear – an hour can last a lifetime…
Truth or Dare by M J Arlidge
10. Truth or Dare
A crimewave sweeps through the city and no-one is safe. An arson at the docks. A carjacking gone wrong. A murder in a country park. What connects all these crimes without causes, which leave no clues?
Detective Inspector Helen Grace faces the rising tide of cases which threatens to drown the city. But each crime is just a piece of a puzzle which is falling into place.
And when it becomes clear just how twisted and ingenious this web of crime is, D.I. Grace will realise that it may be impossible to stop it…
Cat and Mouse by M J Arlidge
11. Cat and Mouse
A silent killer stalks the city, targeting those home alone at night, playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with the victims.
As panic spreads, Detective Inspector Helen Grace leads the investigation, but is herself a hunted woman, her every step shadowed by a ruthless psychopath bent on revenge.
As she tracks the murderer, Grace begins to suspect there is a truly shocking home truth that connects these brutal crimes.
But what she will find is something more twisted than she could ever suspect…
Also in the series…
M J Arlidge has also penned two gripping digital short stories starring DI Helen Grace.
No Way Back by M J Arlidge
No Way Back
Jodie’s arriving at her third children’s home. She’s only fifteen. Maybe this time will be different. She’ll be safe. Looked after.
But the truth is Jodie has no one left to protect her. She must defend herself. She must change.
Running Blind by M J Arlidge
Running Blind
Fresh out of Police College, 18-year-old WPC Helen Grace is the first to arrive on the scene of a fatal collision. Her colleagues see nothing amiss, convinced that the young man’s death was a tragic accident. But Helen is not so sure.
Who is their mystery victim? Why would he risk life and limb running across a busy highway? And what might he have been running from? There’s a dark secret lurking amid the quiet fields of Hampshire, one that Helen is determined to uncover.
In this ebook novella, rookie Helen Grace discovers what it’s like to be a woman in a man’s world, facing impossible odds as she races against time to save vulnerable lives.
Have you read one of M J Arlidge’s DI Helen Grace thrillers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
I’ve read five of the Helen Grace books and I’ve loved every one of them, so much so that it’s often 2am before I can put it down! I slow down when I get near the end as I want it to last longer. Each one has been so intriguing 💜
I think Arlidge is a superb writer and his books have gripping plots. But can’t take Helen Grace. Little Boy Blue had her breaking every rule and holding back her personal evidence creating more deaths. She wouldn’t be able to continue in her role in real life. There’s one thing being a loose cannon but she is particularly violent and as her nephew says she ruins all relationships. Will continue reading but feel no empathy for what I was hoping would be a great female detective.
Just discovered the joy of this series. Chris Carter, Karen Rose, Tess Gerritsen, LJ Ross, Alex Smith have all created really likeable characters. Helen is something else. Deeply flawed but you just want to like her and her commitment to her job. Eeny Meeny left me open mouthed at times and the plot couldn’t have been more gruesome. Just up my street. Cannot wait to get stuck into Pop Goes the Weasel ☺️
I have only just come across M J Arlidge and just finished Truth or Dare. I then googled to see what the next book follows it but assume the next one has not yet been published. So now I’m going to start from the top with Eeny Meeny. Thanks MJA for excellent and exciting reading.
I try not to read the new one when it comes out too soon as then I have to wait too long for the next book. They are so addictive and he is an amazing writer. Let’s hope he never stops with DI Helen Grace’s escapades!