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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The Doll’s House by M. J. Arlidge is the third book in the D.I. Helen Grace Thrillers series (and you do not want to miss it). A woman wakes up in a dank, cold cellar. The last thing Ruby Sprackling remembers (and it is tough to remember because of the drugs and alcohol) is going to sleep in her own bed. How did she get in this creepy, cold room with a locked door? Her captor was clever, and he does not think anyone will come looking for Ruby. Especially since he keeps their phones and sends out texts/tweets (keeps them alive but away).
D.I. Helen Grace is called out to an isolated stretch of beach where a family found a body buried in the sand. Whomever disposed of her body did a very good job (the poor girl has been there for quite a while). The killer made sure not to leave any forensic clues (and the cold, wet sand did not help). Luckily for the police, the victim did have a pacemaker (which means there is a serial number). Helen is on the trail for the killer. Will she be able to find him (or her) in time to save Ruby’s life? Helen is also adjusting to two new staff members. Helen misses her old team and is not sure who she can trust. Are the new people loyal to Helen or to Detective Superintendent Ceri Harwood (her boss)? Harwood wants to get rid of Helen and she is very determined (but she underestimates Helen). Helen will have to work to stay ahead of Harwood while catching a killer.
The Doll’s House is a good suspense/thriller book. I enjoyed it, but I did not find it as god as the previous books in the series. It lags it a little in places and there are abrupt transitions (it switches quickly from scene to scene which can be confusing at first). The novel is well-written (as usual) but it just lacking a little something. I think part of it is the change in characters (I liked the original team). The pace of the novel significantly increases in the last 40% of the book (which meant I kept reading until I finished it). There is quite a bit going on in The Doll’s House (more than what I wrote above), and it can be difficult to keep it all straight (it is worth it though). I give The Doll’s House 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend reading the first two books in the D.I. Helen Grace series before diving into The Doll’s House (otherwise you would be very confused). I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of The Doll’s House from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more information check out my blog, The Avid Reader (http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-dolls-house.html)
D.I. Helen Grace is called out to an isolated stretch of beach where a family found a body buried in the sand. Whomever disposed of her body did a very good job (the poor girl has been there for quite a while). The killer made sure not to leave any forensic clues (and the cold, wet sand did not help). Luckily for the police, the victim did have a pacemaker (which means there is a serial number). Helen is on the trail for the killer. Will she be able to find him (or her) in time to save Ruby’s life? Helen is also adjusting to two new staff members. Helen misses her old team and is not sure who she can trust. Are the new people loyal to Helen or to Detective Superintendent Ceri Harwood (her boss)? Harwood wants to get rid of Helen and she is very determined (but she underestimates Helen). Helen will have to work to stay ahead of Harwood while catching a killer.
The Doll’s House is a good suspense/thriller book. I enjoyed it, but I did not find it as god as the previous books in the series. It lags it a little in places and there are abrupt transitions (it switches quickly from scene to scene which can be confusing at first). The novel is well-written (as usual) but it just lacking a little something. I think part of it is the change in characters (I liked the original team). The pace of the novel significantly increases in the last 40% of the book (which meant I kept reading until I finished it). There is quite a bit going on in The Doll’s House (more than what I wrote above), and it can be difficult to keep it all straight (it is worth it though). I give The Doll’s House 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend reading the first two books in the D.I. Helen Grace series before diving into The Doll’s House (otherwise you would be very confused). I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of The Doll’s House from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more information check out my blog, The Avid Reader (http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-dolls-house.html)
lauren2209's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
beckee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
chloe_loux's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A lot of different perspectives and narratives in this book. I haven’t read any of the authors other work so I’m sure some references about the characters flew over my head. Interesting plot, semi satisfactory ending.
kyracoty's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
edshara's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't anything that special but it was still a decent read. The crime and the suspect back story wasn't anything new or fascinating, but I was able to stay invested in the story.
My main issue with this book was all the subplots. You had Helen(on her own), then Helen and her boss Ceri, and Helen and Jake. Lloyd had his thing going, as well as, Charlie and then Sanderson had her issues. It was a bit much and the sub plot with Jake seemed totally random, weird and out of place. I wasn't expecting it and didn't like it.
The subplot with Ceri, just seemed, too quick. I felt like, since this is a long series, the author should have stretched it out just a little(maybe one more book). That would have been more realistic. Overall this series isn't terrible and, if my library has more, I would like to continue.
My main issue with this book was all the subplots. You had Helen(on her own), then Helen and her boss Ceri, and Helen and Jake. Lloyd had his thing going, as well as, Charlie and then Sanderson had her issues. It was a bit much and the sub plot with Jake seemed totally random, weird and out of place. I wasn't expecting it and didn't like it.
The subplot with Ceri, just seemed, too quick. I felt like, since this is a long series, the author should have stretched it out just a little(maybe one more book). That would have been more realistic. Overall this series isn't terrible and, if my library has more, I would like to continue.
sophieamreacher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fast paced, thrilling, short chapters. I just sometimes find the characters to be missing something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Incest, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Torture, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Racism, Abandonment, Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Medical content, Misogyny, and Stalking
Minor: Rape
graceh_8's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
esther_reads01's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this DI Helen Grace book, but I wish we'd have learnt more about Helen's life away from being a detective.
The book is written really well in that there is just the right amount of detail, and the story flows nicely and makes you want to keep turning the pages and keep the chapters coming.
The book is written really well in that there is just the right amount of detail, and the story flows nicely and makes you want to keep turning the pages and keep the chapters coming.