DI Helen Grace returns in Pop Goes the Weasel, the electrifying new thriller from M. J. Arlidge.

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 . . .

I’ll admit, I found this book to be a bit intriguing. But in an odd way, it made me more intrigued to read the first one, as opposed to leaving me intrigued by this one. The constant references of Helen killing her serial killer sister, really have me curious and I have already place the book on hold with my local library.

As for this one, it was an interesting story. Especially considering all of the hypocrites within the story. As a local prostitute begins to literally gut men, Helen and her team find themselves facing a huge media shit storm, while trying to race against the clock to solve the case. I found this ironic, seeing as Helen is seeing a paid dominatrix and one of her team members is discovered to be sleeping with a prostitute who may be a suspect in the case.

Since I haven’t read the first book, I was a little confused and put off by Helen’s behavior to Charlie’s return to the force. I guess I would understand if Helen felt guilty, but at times, she’s down right rude to the poor woman. There’s just as much drama within the force as on the streets and sometimes it seems like it’s unnecessary. But what I can say is, that the author did a fantastic job making the serial killer sympathetic to the reader. As Helen uncovers the identity and motive, you can’t help but feel compassion for the young woman who is doing these horrific murders. Does this excuse her actions? No. But it brings to light a truth about the secret lives of many families and how you truly can’t know what’s going on behind closed doors.

It’s a solid book and maybe after reading the original, I will have a better understanding to some of the odd behaviors of the main characters. But if you like thrillers, it seems like you will probably enjoy this one.

Reviewer’s note: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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