Review: Down to the Woods (Helen Grace #8)

Author: M.J. Arlidge
Started reading: April 27th 2020
Finished the book: May 3rd 2020
Pages: 492
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Published: September 20th 2018
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.20
My score:

Synopsis

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.

My thoughts

At this point, I'm such a big fan of this series, that I try to get everybody to read this series. I always ask about this series if people take a look at my shelves. It's just so good and I believe that every thriller lover will like this series. The set of characters is a great one to follow in these books. I can easily rush through and the books always have such exciting endings.

Pros

• Previous book: What I love in reading a series is when it takes of where it left you. Some series are just standalone books with the same characters, but with series like this, you have to read them in order to get the full story. It always feels like a little reward if you've read all the books, especially with a longer series like this one.
• Addition: I love how the set of characters changes and that the author is not afraid to kill characters that are important. It's always fun to get to know new characters in a book and I feel that the addition in this book is a good one. It's fun to get to know a new person through a book you like.
• Race through: I literally devoured the second half of this book. It was so thrilling and the short chapters just made me rush through. I think that I've read 250 pages in two hours. I can't wait to read the next book, which will come out next month here in The Netherlands.
• You think you know?: Arlidge always makes you think that you know who the big bad guy is in books, but you really don't and I love that feeling. Especially when you're on the wrong path several times. I get so excited to reveal the plot that it's addicting for me. It's a lovely rollercoaster ride to find out the truth with Helen Grace and her team.

Cons

Nay!

Overall

I think that M.J. Arlidge is at the top of my list of thriller authors together with Karin Slaughter. She is the Queen of Thrillers for me, but M.J. Arlidge is the King! Don't ask me to choose between them, thanks. I'm addicted to his books and the plots are amazing. The characters have depth and the way he switches it up with the set of characters is great. I can't wait to read the next book and I have to wait another month... Do you know how long that is when you're excited for a book?!

Thanks for reading!

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