This was my first book by Mel Sherratt and I see on Goodreads that I have many, many more to read! This was a delight - fast paced, great police procedural with a leading character I already love. Felt authentic and relevant - now I’m off to the first one.

Second in the DS Grace Allendale series, “Tick Tock” works well as a standalone novel however there are some spoilers relating to book one, “Hush Hush”. Grace is a competent and dedicated police officer with a touching personal story. The book is gripping and an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next installment.

DS Grace Allendale returns in Tick Tock by Mel Sherratt and this the second book in the series is another well plotted, fast paced, entertaining police procedural.

The story starts off with the murder of a school girl which leaves Allendale and her team struggling to find either a motive or a suspect.

As they start to dig into the victim's background another person turns up dead and the pressure increases.

The main characters are well developed and engaging and the book kept me hooked and clicking pages throughout.

Whilst this is the second book in a series it can easily be read as a standalone as there is sufficient background to allow you to understand what has happened previously without being detrimental to the current story.

This appears to be developing into a really good series and one that I thoroughly enjoy. Definitely recommended

This book was amazingly complex and I loved the character DS Grace Allendale. She was fierce and extremely knowledgeable. I liked that I was able to start reading this book immediately and it worked as a stand alone even though this was a second book of the series. The book starts with the murder of a girl at a school and then it becomes apparent that this is the work of a serial killer when more girls end up being murdered. This was an excellent procedural and I will definitely go back and read the first book. I will be recommending this series to others. Thanks for the ARC, Net Galley.

After reading the unsettling thriller, I can't wait to read Hush Hush. You are instantly drawn into this fast paced story.

Really enjoyed this book an read it quickly as I couldn’t put it down. Kept me wanting to know what was happening an I had so many endings going on in my head of how the storyline was going to go. Really good storyline to. I know Grace features in a few of this authors books an although this book is stated as a stand alone book that can be read without reading the other I can’t help but feel they have ruined the previous book for me as there was a lot of reference to the previous storyline so now I feel I have the gist of it along with the ending which I’m raging about as it sounds right up my street. It won’t stop me reading it but might be a point to note or state they need to be read in sequence. Also only a small thing but the way the actual wording flows can be a little confusing as I have come across repeated lines, lines running into each other so can be confusing at times along with gaps that don’t need to be there. Again something that can be rectified. Would recommend this book for sure as it’s a really good read.

This is book 2 in the DI Grace Allendale series.The book started at a great pace with the murder of a teenager out running with her classmates. Next victim is a young mother.. DI Grace Allendale's team is investigating the cases. I liked the character of Grace and there was plenty of tension to keep the reader engrossed.but I felt the story was a bit familiar. There was a surprising twist as the clock ticked on to find the killer. I usually enjoy books by the author but this one failed to grip my imagination. My thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for my ARC. reviews on Goodreads and Facebook.

Mel Sheratt at her usual finest! loved this book as I love all of Mel's work. I would recommend this series of books to anyone wanting a gripping, on the edge of your seat story. I have been a fan of Mel since her first few books and she is getting better as time goes on! I read this book over 2 days, could not put it down. Thanks to net galley and the publisher for allowing me to have the privilige of reading Tick Tock as soon as I did!

I have read all Mel's books and having enjoyed them all particularly the first DS Grace Allendale book.
I was very much looking forward to the second in this series. I have to say that I was not disappointed.
This book had me gripped from the very beginning.
A teenage girl was murdered while on a cross country run. Shortly after another murder occurs when a woman on her way home from work is abducted and murdered.
With lots of twists and turns Grace and her team battle away to find the killer..
I don't want to give any more of the story away but I would highly recommend it. I am already looking forward to the third in the series

I’m one of those readers who likes a start of a book to grab me I’m not one for a slow buildup, I need to have my interest piqued from the start. Author Mel Sherratt knows how to deliver an opening chapter, one that’s shocking, it triggers the reader’s interest, as well as promising an exciting and heart thumping read. Tick Tock by Mel Sherratt is the second book in the DS Grace Allendale crime series, and although it could be read as a stand-alone there are references to the first book in the series Hush Hush, so personally I would read them in order it.

Grace and her team are called in to investigate the murder of a teenage girl murdered whilst on a cross-country run with her school. Was it a random attack? or was she specifically targeted? When the body count rises it really is a case of Tick Tock the clock's ticking as the team are in a race against time to find the person responsible. Grace is one of those characters you can’t help but warm to, like any good detective she’s relentless in her quest to solve the crimes, but she’s also very aware of the victims family and friends distress and shows great empathy, as each death reminds her of her own loss. Her relationship with journalist Simon causes some conflict between the pair, but you can’t help hoping they are able to work through their problems.

When I read a crime book, I’ve come to expect graphic crime scenes, I don’t necessarily want them, but more often that not they are there. What I really liked about Tick Tock is the fact the author doesn’t include graphic crimes to sensationalise her story, she concentrates more on the “after”. For me this made the read far more authentic, you sense the devastation and horror family and friends feel, their outpouring of grief, anger and disbelief, which give this novel a far grittier touch than any crime scene can convey. As you would expect like any good crime thriller, there are many red herrings and surprises to lead you astray on the path to the truth.

The last quarter of the book really picks up the pace as Grace and her team move closer to finding the killer, and OMG I never seen that one coming! I found Tick Tock to be a gritty, authentic, heart thumping read, and as for author Mel Sherratt her writing goes from strength to strength with each book she writes. Highly recommended to those who enjoy a fast-paced, authentic crime thriller

Review will appear on my blog as part of the blog tour

As ever I was highly delighted to receive Mels book as an ARC from Netgalley. She is such a wonderful writer and her books get better and better. Although this is the second book in the DC Grace Allendale series, it doesn’t really matter because you can get the gist of what happened before. In fact, because I read so many books I couldn’t remember exactly what had gone on before, so it worked well as a stand alone. This series is good, the team all get on together and work hard. No back biting like in a lot of crime books.

This time Grace has her work cut out as a young school girl gets murdered doing a cross country run. At first this is thought to be a one off, but then a woman is murdered on her way home. Are they related? The clock is ticking to catch whoever is committing these heinous crimes, but there are no clues. Can Grace get the killer before any more bodies are found.

My thanks to Mel, the Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

I’d like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Tick Tock’ by Mel Sherratt in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

A group of students from Dunwood Academy are on a cross-country run when Lauren stops to tie up her shoelace. When her friends go back to look for her they find her body abandoned in woodland. Two days later a young woman on her way home from work is abducted and her body dumped in a local park. When a third teenager, a friend of Lauren’s, is found DS Grace Allendale and her team realise that the clock is ticking to find the killer before he has the chance to pounce on another victim.
‘Tick Tock’ is the second in the DS Grace Allendale series and is an exciting and fast-paced police thriller. It’s been cleverly written with a gripping plot, a number of suspects, and enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I like the way Grace’s character is developing and the effective manner she works with her team, also how her relationship with Simon is progressing. There are brief parts of the story where it helps to have read the previous one but it’s not essential and can be read alone. I enjoyed this thriller which had me hooked from page one, I found it easy to read and was glued to my seat as the tension increased. I can recommend it with no hesitation and hope there’ll be a third in the series.

Tick Tock – Mel Sherratt

Hello again DS Allendale, how lovely to hear from you again. I thoroughly enjoyed this; it’s equally as good as the first in the series Hush Hush. I think that these could be read as standalones but for me personally I’d rather get in at the beginning; I can’t bear to miss anything.

From the starting blocks we are off and running with the murder of fifteen year old Lauren Ansell Strangled in broad daylight whilst on a cross-country run at school then within a matter of days we have another, a young woman is thrown into a van and murdered. And another few days there is yet another victim but this one survives. .

DS Grace Allendale, DI Steele and the rest of the team know they need to catch this one quickly. With no DNA, no witnesses in fact nothing but the beginnings of a pattern to work with Grace is anxious to find something to go on.

I personally can’t see how Grace and news reporter Simon’s relationship can stand the test of time. I think the conflict of interest in their chosen professions can only get in the way a few times before it becomes a big issue. I would like to think that there would be a way for them to compartmentalise home and work. Ultimately I’d like to see her happy.



Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books

This second book featuring Grace Allendale and her team is yet another surefire winner from the extremely talented Mel Sherratt.

When a schoolgirl is murdered during a cross country run, Grace and her team are up against it finding the murderer, when only a few days later another young woman is killed the same way.

Without spoiling the book for others, what I will say is there are plenty of moments to keep you on the edge of your seat, resulting in me staying up on the edge of my bed until 2.30 am so I could finish the last hour of Tick Tock.

Although I suspected one of the culprits, the twists and turns certainly threw a few curveballs into the mix. All together, this is another superb book and I have already been recommending it to friends and family!

What a sizzling second installment of the ,DS Grace Allendale series by Mel Sherratt! Every book I have read by the author has been superb. The plot was an intense suspenseful ride. The action began on the first page and never stopped until the end.Twisty and dark storyline is what I love best, and this one delivered. The complex past of Grace and the person she is becoming is a very compelling story. I will be waiting impatiently for the next book. Thank you to the publisher, Mel Sherratt and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

#netgalley

Stoke. A teenage girl is strangled on a school cross-country run in broad daylight. Two days later, another woman is found dead with similar injuries.

DS Grace Allendale is under pressure - no clues, no connection. Or is there??

Brilliant

I just love all of Mel Sherratt’s books so couldn’t wait to read this. It was just as brilliant as her others. It’s the second book in this new series, (the first book was called hush hush) and although it would be better to read this book first it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Plenty of twists and turns that we are used to from Mel’s writing. I thought I knew who the culprit was but alas I was wrong which to me is a sign of a good book, I couldn’t put it down!, I would highly recommend all of Mel’s books as they are all brilliant.

Another brilliant book from Mel Sherratt, I've read and enjoyed everyone of her books. This is the 2nd book in a new series following on from Hush Hush. Plenty of twists and turns in this book with reference to characters from Hush Hush as well as new characters. I found it a very good read, hard to put down, definitely worth reading.

This is the first book I've read by this author but it certainly won't be the last.

One note of caution. This is the second book in a series, and if you plan to read Hush Hush, the first one, I'd read it before this as this gives away the plot line.

I loved the characters, the pace, the story line. I was hooked from the start and didn't want to put it down. It has some good twists and I did not guess who was responsible.

All in all a highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to others.

Absolutely loved this thriller! Excellent character development, exciting dialogue and fascinating plot. What more can you ask for?
Highly recommended.