I have been late to the party when it comes to the DI Helen Grace series, but I devoured Eeny Meeny, and then couldn't wait to get started on Pop Goes the Weasel - and I wasn't disappointed. Whilst Eeny Meeny introduced us as readers to the main character, this second book in the series took it up a gear for me. Brilliantly written, the book races along at a fast pace, whilst a gruesome and compelling plot thickens and leads us through some twists and turns. Helen Grace is already emerging as a complex and troubled character who won't hide away from controversy which adds another layer to the series. I love a good detective series, and this is up there with the best for me already. The crimes committed are not the faint hearted and a brilliant serial killer emerges that had me riveted to my kindle from start to finish. I cant wait to read the next book in the series now! Would highly recommend this book to crime lovers.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

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...

This is the second novel featuring Helen Grace.

The first thing that appealed to me was the short chapters. Sometimes, reading thrillers with short chapters can really stop any kind of suspense from building but that wasn't an issue with this book. The author has worked in TV and understands the way we consume thrillers and mysteries.

The second thing, tied to the first, was the frenetic pace of the story. I can guarantee that, at some point reading this novel, you tell yourself "Just one more chapter..." It is one of those books. Sure, a super-fast novel doesn't guarantee a winner but this book just gets it right!

Finally, the other highlight was Helen herself - a great investigator who is also tough and ambitious. I do enjoy reading crime fiction, in particular, that has strong female leads.

Finally, the only real downside was the lack of character development. While some of Helen's backstory may have been discussed in the first book, there really is nothing in this one to either explain why she is where she is, nor does she have much of a story-arc in this book...

But I am willing to bet that changes over time. And I, for one, will be checking out the series as it goes along.


Paul
ARH