This book is a good addition to the Grace Allendale series, but wasn't as good as some of the author's other books. There were twists and turns, but nothing really shocking or surprising. It was well-written and is a good addition to the series, though.

A very good and at times a very sad book to read. This is a story that is very relevant today with lots of exposés about young girls being groomed to be used and abused by rich older men and woman.
It is also a story about friendship. How much can a friendship endure and what will happen when jealousy takes over.
I found it an easy read and I liked the family dynamics with 1 on the good side, 1 bad apple and 1 sitting on the fence.......or is it all about power?

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having read the first three books of the DS Grace Allendale series I was really looking forward to the next book.
I have to say that I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
Good Girl gripped me from the very start and kept me hooked until the very end.
The story is based on the murder of 16yr old Erin who died in the arms of her best friend.
I don’t want to spoil it by giving away anymore of the story line but I can thoroughly recommend this book and have no doubt that this will be another winner for Mel.

A twisted mystery full of betrayal. The girls at the center of the investigation are something else. I didn't know whether to feel sorry for them or shout at the book. Grace and her team are tied up in this case. Grace must revisit past cases as well as deal with uncomfortable family connections.
It's a fast paced read that will leave you with your mouth hanging open and shaking your head.

I have never been disappointed by anything written by Mel Sherrratt so had no hesitation in reading this, the fourth in the series, and, once again, it was as good as I was expecting and, as an added bonus, you don't have to have read the others in the series, as this works well as a standalone so don't worry!

What we have in "Good Girl" is a pretty dark and hard-hitting police procedural which follows the investigation of DS Grace Allendale and her team into the apparent mugging and murder of a young 16 year old but as Grace delves deeper, all is not what it seems.

With believable characters, an authentic and frighteningly realistic story line written at a great pace and with sensitivity, given the subject matter which is difficult to read at times, this is another excellent book.

Thank you to Avon Books UK, a division of HarperCollins, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

I love Mel Sherratt and have read a fair few of her books. The ones staring Grace Allendale are some of my favourites. In part because of the ‘push-pull’ that comes with her family, who are local gangsters, ones she wants to bring down but doesn’t quite seem able to. I’m always waiting for her to cross a line, and weighing the balance between what’s right and what’s legal when she does.

Saying that, there isn’t much line-crossing here, though her family are still there, doing things they shouldn’t and in a story that feels ripped from the headlines. It’s also a story that is uncomfortable to read at times given the subject matter. That discomfort, though, is one of the things that I enjoyed so much about this book. It makes it feel more real and makes it stand out from other books in the same genre.

You can’t ask for more than that – but you do get it. You get great characters that feel fully formed. You get a setting that feels real. And you get a plot that twists and turns and keeps you getting. Sherratt really is a great writer and I couldn’t be happier having read Good Girl – roll on the next book in the series!

This is the fourth book in the DS Grace Allendale series and what a corker it is.

Sixteen-year-old Erin Ellis is stabbed and murdered on her way home with her best friend Molly Redfern. Grace Allen is assigned the case and visits Erin's parents.
Grace is careful in her job as she is the half-sister of notorious crime lord Eddie Steele and his brother Leon some of her colleagues are still wary of her connections and find trusting her a challenge.
Whilst investigating the murder it comes to her attention that private parties are being held in the district. involving very young girls, drink drugs, and older men. She soon learns that Erin and Molly are involved but Molly is keeping quiet and not revealing anything. It is soon discovered that Erin was pregnant much to the shock of her parents
The story drops back to before Erin's murder and the life of the two life long friends and their families. Then up to date. It is very cleverly worded so as not to confuse the reader.
Such a fantastic gripping story with lots going on to keep the reader interested.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. xx

Grace Allandale #4

Erin and Molly are best friends. They were born just days apart. They had been close since they were born. That was, until Erin was murdered.

The story centres around the two girls. Their mother's were also best friends. Erin's death shocked the close knit community. It had first appeared to be a mugging that went wrong. Erin and Molly had been up to things their mother's knew nothing about. Grace Allandale and her team are on the case. This is a dark and in some places it's difficult to read. This is the last but the best book in the series. The gripping storyline is filled with shocks, secrets and it's a thrilling book to read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #MelSherratt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent book in this crime family saga.
A 16 year girl is stabbed. But nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns and hope this series has a few more books in it please!

Although I have not read the first two books of this series, I don’t think it is entirely essential to understand the complete back story. However, I did feel something was missing as Sherratt frequently refers to previous cases that Grace has worked on. Instead of disappointing, this just fired me up to want to get my hands on the other two books!

This story is rather dark and I did find it a little uncomfortable to read. Focusing on two teenagers, Erin ends up stabbed in an alleyway close to her home. Her best friend, Molly, was there at the scene and describes a male attacker who committed the crime. Molly and Erin, both considered as ‘good girls’, are seen as victims of a bigger crime and, as the details emerge, I found this part difficult to read. The theme of the crime in this book is sex rings and the exploitation of young, teenage girls, offering them up for prostitution. As a mother of two girls myself, I found it impossible not to project onto the story, imagining the worst scenarios. Crazy, right?! However, I think this reflects how well Sherratt creates this dark story and how believable this crime is.

As the novel delves deeper into this secret, readers are taken on flashbacks into the nine months leading up to Erin’s death. It becomes clear that Molly and Erin’s reputation is not accurate and the descriptions offered are pretty harrowing. Therefore, when the novel closes on a positive conclusion, I felt satisfied that the perpetrators were appropriately punished; justice had been served.

This police procedural novel is really pacey and I think this reinforced by the punchy chapters. Despite involving a flashback, events move pretty quickly. There was not a lot of discussion by the police force, deciding what move to make next. Sometimes I find crime books of a similar genre have too much of this, which lessens the impact of the investigation. Instead, the novel is also driven by Grace’s connections to the local criminals who roam free, and this helps to make this series stand out from the rest. Sherratt reveals more about the family that haunt Grace and the local police. I really like the fact that Grace has distanced herself from her family, whilst also using them as informants when things get really tough.

Characterisation is intense in this book and you do get a true understanding of the conflicted teens in the centre of this plot. Whilst the exploitation is uncomfortable, I think this is because Sherratt has created such an atmosphere in her writing. It’s another good read from this writer and I hope this is a series that she continues.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great instalment in the grace Allendale series.

When two teenage girls are attacked in a street alleyway and one dies as a result the police believe the motive is robbery of the deceased girl’s mobile. However, the discovery of the discarded mobile turns the case on its head and investigation takes a shocking turn.

The subject matter of this book is very relevant in today’s society and highlights the vulnerability of some teenagers and the exploitation they can be exposed to.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good Girl is the fourth instalment in the Detective Sergeant Grace Allendale series, set in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Sixteen-year-old Erin Ellis and her best friend and neighbour, of 8 doors down, Molly Redfern, have been close friends since their birth merely days apart, and their mothers, 38-year-old single parent Sara Ellis, who also has a younger son, Nat, aged 10, and Lucy Redfern, are also long-term besties. Having taken a wander together to the local cafe one Wednesday evening, Erin and Molly are making their way home when Molly returns to the Ellis’s house crying, shaking uncontrollably and covered in blood. Sara Ellis runs down the street to where her daughter has dropped to her knees, with blood seeping through her jacket. She cradles her daughter in her arms and calls an ambulance but it may be too late to save her. DS Allendale gets a call from her DI, Allie Shenton, who informs her she's needed to liaise with a distraught family after an apparent mugging-turned-stabbing across the street from the Bennett Estate. Erin is in critical condition and has been taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital and Molly tells them that a man ran up to them and attempted to grab Erin's mobile before brandishing a knife and stabbing her in the chest. She later dies of her injuries as the paramedics are unable to save her.

The team begin house-to-house enquiries on Sampson Street, the cul-de-sac in close proximity to the walkway in which the two girls were attacked. Neither the residents nor the local police can believe what has happened, but as evidence is initially thin on the ground, Allendale must resort to good old fashioned police work for answers. She soon discovers that the deeper she digs the more complex and disturbing it becomes... why are those close to the investigation, in particular the only witness, Molly, seemingly hindering the police's ability to get to the truth? This is a riveting and compulsive thriller and is much more sinister and profound than it may initially appear. The two teens were mixed up with some bad people and as the story unravels there really were some shocks in store, which I certainly wasn't expecting. It's a fast-paced, expertly plotted crime novel with enough action, drama and tension to keep you turning the pages long into the night. I enjoyed that we were treated to more character development and to do this Sherratt cleverly ties Erin's murder to our intriguing protagonist Grace and her estranged family. It all makes for a cracking read liberally sprinkled with twists, surprises and a dynamite conclusion. Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this novel before it’s 12/10 release date!

Good Girl is the fourth book in a series following Detective Grace Allendale. In this one we follow the murder for a 16-year-old girl Erin.

When I requested this, I had no idea it’s was the fourth in a series. Luckily it was able to be read as a stand alone with some family relationships that carry from the earlier books. This book was A LOT darker than I was expecting!

I loved watching the mystery unfold and it kept me guessing until the end about who killed Erin. The story was pretty intricate and our author does an outstanding job of weaving through the web she has created in this story!

My only complaint is that it was hard to understand when POV’s would change. I hope that when this book is finally released, that detail is edited because it was quite confusing at times.

Overall a solid 4 star read!

Reading Good Girl by Mel Sherratt it's obvious it is part of a series. But Ms Sherratt fills in enough details that the reader is able to follow along without any problems. The Good Girl keeps you guessing as to "who done it" until the very end. This book is about every parent's nightmare regarding their daughters and what could happen to them. I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books Uk for an early copy to review.

Quite a good police procedural where the atmosphere was quite tension-filled with a stabbing of a young girl. This was my second book by this author, and I found it quite immersive.

The prose showed me the investigation conducted by Grace along with the life of the young girl leading to the days of her her death. Emotions were absorbed into the story and Grace too was affected.

The story clutched by the throat by the power of the author's writing, there were quite a few harrowing scenes. Twists and turns along with a nail biting finish. Whew.

Another great book in the Grace Allendale series.
Grace is called out after a teenage girl has been stabbed down an alley in a residential area.
Her life is hanging in the balance and her best friend is in shock after the attack.
Sadly, Erin loses her fight for life and a murder investigation is underway.
Grace asks her best friend Molly for information about the attack but when she changes her story, Grace knows she knows more than she’s telling her.
The discovery of Erin’s diary shows her that the girls were being groomed and being paid to have sex at parties organised by a gang of men and women.
Soon the link goes back to the Steele family and Grace is shocked when Eddie gives her information on his brother, Leon.
This is a gripping crime thriller with a few twists and turns along the way, and I loved it.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

OH, MY GOODNESS!
I LOVED the previous three books in the DS Grace Allendale series, and I have absolutely LOVED this book. Talk about an utterly compelling story. Heart-breaking, but compelling.
To say this story is hard hitting would be an understatement. It starts with the stabbing of a sixteen-year-old girl, Erin, just a stone’s throw from her home. Every parent’s worst nightmare! I can’t even begin to imagine the pain. It doesn’t bare thinking about. Absolutely devastating for all involved and, as if this isn’t traumatic enough, the story proves to be far more harrowing than I could have ever imagined.
Grace, and the team, are obviously determined to get to the bottom of what initially seems to be a random mugging gone terribly wrong. I really feel for police who have to deal with such horrific incidents. They might not be personally attached to the victims and their families, but they are still human and are obviously affected by the cases they are faced with, especially where young lives are devastated at the hands of despicable people. I applaud their determination and dedication. It’s isn’t a job I would be able to do.
I love the police procedural aspect to this story. It always fascinates me.
I love that we have got to know Grace that little bit more with each book also and I especially loved how this book ended!
Her ‘relationship’ with the Steele family is an interesting aspect of Grace’s story too. It makes her a unique character, especially as she is a police officer.
My heart went out to Erin’s best friend, Molly. Even at the end. Another young life devastated by exploitation. My heart broke for the parents of both girls also. Their reactions to finding out just what had been going on during the previous few months is heart wrenching. I could physically feel their pain.
This was such an emotional read which I finished past 1am as there was no way I could sleep until I knew what happened. It is most definitely one I won’t forget in a hurry.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
All the stars, and then some, for me!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC via Netgalley.
#teamsherratt

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

Everybody says sixteen-year-old Erin is a good girl but as she walks home with her best friend Molly after a night out Erin is attacked with a knife and dies in Molly’s arms. DS Grace Allendale and her team DS Perry Wright and DC Frankie Higgins are called out to investigate but this crime brings up unpleasant reminders of an earlier case she was involved in. Grace can’t decide whether this is a mugging that’s had disastrous consequences or if it’s going to turn out to be something much bigger.

‘Good Girl’ is the fourth in the DS Grace Allendale series and is every bit as gripping as the previous three. Set in Stoke, this fast-paced police thriller has a gritty and disturbing plot with devious characters, unsavoury suspects, drama, suspense and twists and turns. As soon as I started reading I knew I was going to enjoy this book and I wasn’t disappointed. I like Grace who’s honest, straightforward and hardworking despite having personal connections to the notorious Steele family, and the last few lines is the perfect ending to what I consider a very enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining novel. No pressure Mel, but I’m looking forward with great anticipation to reading book five!

Good Girl by Mel Sherratt is an entertaining detective murder mystery. The main characters are all believable and easy to empathise with. The detectives are interesting people and we get the right balance of their professional and personal lifes. At times, the content is a bit gritty but never in a gratuitous way. It’s a good series of novels to follow if this genre is for you.

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon, a division of HarperCollins Publishers for the advance copy.

I didn't realise this was book 4 in a series before requesting. This is the first book I've read by this author but I will look out for her books in future.

Grace is a great character and from what I've read in this book I'm going to make sure I read all the others.

Really enjoyable thriller.