I wanted to read several other books before I jumped right back into book 7 of the Helen Grace series. Well, that didn't happen! I had to see how DI Helen Grace handled everything that had happened to her in books 5 and 6. Not much time for her to recover because we're immediately in a fast moving 24 hours of seemly unrelated (at first) murders. Another one I couldn't put down! Thank goodness I have book 8 in my bookcase and the last three to date headed to my mailbox today! This series is highly recommended for readers who love damaged heros battling to protect the good and take down the bad! ( )

This is the latest in the Detective Helen Grace series, book number 7 and it is slightly different to the rest of the books because this story is told over a 24 hour period.

A pair of brutal killers with no apparent motive are causing havoc on the streets of Southampton.

A woman’s body lies in the road. At first it looks like a tragic accident. But when Helen Grace arrives on the scene it’s clear she’s looking at a cold-blooded killing. But why would anyone target a much-loved wife and mother?

Across town, a shopkeeper is killed whilst his customers are left unharmed. What lies behind the killers choices?

Who lives? Who dies? Who’s next? The clock is ticking. If Helen can’t solve this deadly puzzle then more blood will be shed. But any mistake and the life that may be shed may be her own.

The slaughters have been carefully planned and both victims and crime scene venues meticulously selected and planned. They have already been marked out with an odious graffitied serpent emblem. There will be no deviation from the plan; it is set in stone and all of the victims are to be killed in a single day of carnage, terror and merciless brutality.

There is an element of tension and mistrust within the team and with Helen still smarting and resentful towards certain members of the team this has an impact upon them all with very serious repercussions. With glimpses into the mind of DI Helen Grace we also get short background stories of the victims, which gave a glimpse into their lives and adds depth to the story on a more personal level.

The book is filled with action, chases and multiple twists and turns that keep you turning the pages well into the night. Fast paced, highly addictive and possibly my favourite book in the series so far!

It is not essential to read the first 6 books in this series (even though i recommend you do as they are all brilliant books!) but there are references made to past events from the book before, but if this is your first M. J. Arlidge novel i can guarantee after reading this you will soon be racing to read the other books!

A brilliant read, roll on book 8!
( )

I like this series, only one book left to read :( ( )

It was with a bit of sadness that I finished listening to this book since I knew that this is the last one published (for now) and I had a blast listening to the last three books in the series in a row. This is a series that's definitely should be read from the beginning, every book is like a new chapter in a book and starting in the middle isn't something that I recommend. I know since I started with book two and now wish that I hadn't done that.

Anyway, I was a bit doubtful at first with this story that takes place during 24 hours. After the thrilling last book, did I feel that I had a bit of a hard time to really get into the story, but I shouldn't have been worried, this seems like an open and shut case, but BAM then the story twisted and I was hooked, as usual with the books in this series. I truly enjoyed the thrilling story with two people that randomly seem to kill people, or is it so random? It's up to Helen Grace to find out. It tragic, and sometimes I do wonder how many people get broken because of their own family.

Love me Not is a great book. This is book 7 and so far has every book been great and I can't wait to read the next book. The ending was a bit bittersweet and it will be interesting to see what Helen Grace will do next! ( )

I love this series. DI Helen Grace is one of my favorite protagonists because she has a dark side, even though she is inherently good. She's very, very good at her job, no matter what gets thrown at her. Since she went through so much in book #6, I was worried that book #7 was going to take too much time getting her back into the swing of things, but my worries were unfounded. "Love Me Not" took off running, right from the start, and Helen is right back in it immediately.

In this book Helen and her team - including regulars DS Brooks, DS Sanderson, and DC McAndrew - chase down a cold-blooded killer, whose victims appear unrelated at first. As they narrow down their suspects, they find themselves still just a step behind the killer, although the timeline keeps tightening and the plot keeps picking up the pace.

The only thing I felt that was missing from this book - and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars -was continued exploration into Helen's dark side. There was plenty of introspection in this book, but in actuality book #5 was the last one that really delved into Helen's dark side, as it was central to the plot of #5. Perhaps because all of that in #5 led to Helen's prison sentence in #6, author M.J. Arlidge deliberately left that part of Helen behind in book #7. Will we ever see it return? I hope so, as that was such a critical part of Helen as a person.

Also a little bit different in this book was perennial thorn-in-the-side Emilia Garanita, Helen's nemesis and the reporter who will stop at nothing to get a good story. She annoys me to no end in every book in this series, but I liked her more in this book. I'll be curious to see how much her role in this book affects her role in book #8.

Overall, "Love Me Not" stayed consistent with the series: tight and interesting plot, excellent writing, fast pace. There's a reason why I am hooked on this series. So far Arlidge is batting 7 for 7; every book in this series to date has gotten either 4 or 5 stars from me. I hope this trend continues! ( )