Liar Liar (A Helen Grace Thriller)

Great book. I love the character Helen Grace - she has flaws. I gues what I don't like is people always out to discredit her. Her new boss is an unknown and intriguing character - it will be interesting to see what happen there in future books in the seriesThis book is about arson, fires being lit around London. It seems that 3 fires are set around the same time - sending firefighters in 3 different directions. Two of the fires are businesses but the third is a Victorian home. The fire was set at night while the family was asleep. The eldest son, Luke jumped out of the attic window to escape the flames and he suffered severe injuries from his jump. The father, Thomas Simms arrives home from a long day at work to discover his house in flames, his son on the ground seriously injured, and his wife and daughter still inside. The fireman finds the wife and daughter in the shower in the bathroom with the water running (to get oxygen). THe mother dies, and the little girl (Age 6) is in serious conditionDI Helen Grace and her team have their hands full trying to find whoever set these fires. And the very next night 3 more fires are setGreat story. Waiting for the next book - Little Boy Blue

I have found this whole series very enjoyable. The main character, a British detective named Helen Grace, is an investigator of serial murders. Liar Liar is very satisfying in the series.I found the books to be written from a very unique perspective, jumping back and forth from one characters view point to another.The books are very quick reads with short chapters and “hooks” on every page. And all the characters are very human with their individual flaws; some have more than others.I would thoroughly recommend this author and the Helen Grace series.

Another great entry in this series. Lots and lots of action and the introduction of a new, very creepy character in the form of Helen's boss. I wonder where that is going to lead!I think we can count on Helen being able to deal with whatever comes her way, as she does in this book, either by being very smart and in control or, if necessary, by losing it and using her fists. She is a very unusual woman, but interesting and likeable nevertheless.So, action packed story, interesting characters, short chapters which entice you into reading on and on. All the ingredients for a good thriller. I have the next book lined up and ready to go.

I have read all the DI Grace books, and this one may be the best of all. Grace confronts a new boss, a confrontation with her new dominator, and a baffling arson case, all at once. Her associate and friend, Charlie, is back on the job and wondering if she made the right choice. But the case is a bad one. Someone is setting fires--three at a time. The first two usually hit business establishments, but the third always hits a home. There are casualties. At first, Grace wonders if the deaths are accidental, but she soon realizes they are the true purpose of the fires. But, who is setting them? The arsonist is very meticulous, but there seems no rhyme or reason to the choice of victims.

I'm no book critic but I know what I like. I wouldn't say the writing is of the highest caliber. A lot of cliché phrases and some grammatical errors but, more importantly to me, when judging a mystery/crime story, the plots are thrilling, the characters complex and interesting, and the story really kept me glued to the page. A little S&M activity that was kind of unpleasant, especially because a main character is involved, but nothing too explicit or stomach turning. This is, I believe, is the fourth book by this Author (M. J. Arlidge) that I've read over the past month. I so enjoyed the first one, I ordered the subsequent sequels.

These Helen Grace books are very well plotted but until Helen gives up her addiction to S & M I won't be reading any more. Prurient!

I've enjoyed every previous book by this author, and have rated them all highly. This one, however, left me scratching my head. Why, for instance, would Grace release a suspect who had attempted to kill a police officer? That act alone should have been enough to keep him in custody. Quite disappointed that one of my favorite authors dropped the ball on that.

I read the first two books in this series,I am reading The Dolls House now Helen Grace is one of the best. You will love this series and you will want to finish them all like I am going to.

It's been a while since I read The Doll's House. The synopsis of Liar Liar didn't give much away about the plot which hugely intrigued me. I love that each book's serial killer has a different method of murdering their victims, in this case: fire. I liked to see Helen and her team really struggling in this investigation; previously, they have always appeared to be in control and have solid leads to investigate. However, in this book, that was not the case; they had very few leads but an ever increasing body count. As a result, I was constantly asking myself: how are they going to uncover the perpetrator's identity? And will they be able to stop them in time?The plot was fast-paced and tense but there were also quieter and slower moments when Arlidge gave me great character depth of Helen and Charlie. The last 20 or so chapters had me completely hooked and I was shocked at what I discovered. The last chapter ends on a cliff hanger that I am sure will be plot material for another book in the series, just maybe not the next one.I would definitely recommend Liar Liar and all its predecessors because these are brilliant crime thrillers.

4.5/5 Stars"Whoever did this was intent on creating death and destruction on a scale Helen had never seen before.It was as if they wanted to raze Southampton to the ground..."DI Helen Grace is back in another fiery instalment to M.J. Arlidge's crime/thriller series!One thing becoming abundantly clear as we progress, is that, Mr Arlidge cannot disappoint. Liar Liar has a unique and compelling story that twists, turns and does its best to lose you in confusion only to sneak back around to shock you with some emotional revelations. There's a blend within this novel that's hard not to love: A red hot thriller with complex characters and the potential to rival the crime genre's greatest.SPOILER WARNINGSynopsis (Not a copy from the book, but I always keep my interpretations close.)Southampton is ablaze.Three fires set within minutes of each other clog the night with smoke.The city is shocked to their core, but DI Helen Grace feels it more than most.It's her job to work the mystery and bring in the firestarter.But there's an anger and ferociousness to the crime that has Helen reeling.Can she catch the evil haunting the streets?Or will his fires consume all, leaving them free to vanish in the smoke...?Plot - 4.5/5 StarsLiar Liar starts off with a fiery, adrenaline-filled horror that sets up the novel's tone to perfection. From there it's a fast-paced ride that revels in the severity and shock the events that take place convey. Not only that, but Arlidge's plethora of character viewpoints does a phenomenal job of painting a full and vibrant world of emotion. Actions have consequences, and we see the core of both.The picture of pain compliments the escalating tension of a determined and vindictive serial killer. The ramifications of death and destruction are looked at from a human perspective rather than a criminal one. And when the revelations start, they really hit home. The concluding events that reveal to the reader the broader story manage to conflict and delight. The actions of the 'big bad' are completely reprehensible, but there's a level of understanding and sympathy that you can't help but feel.There are points where the story teeters on the edge of convolution, threatening to throw everything into utter confusion. Thankfully, the author does an admirable job of tying the many threads together, and tightening them to make for as few loose ends as possible.The final two pages with Helen's superior show a chilling future lies in wait.If anything, Liar Liar will have you racing to make sure your fire alarms are operational.Pace - 5/5 StarsArlidge keeps the action and flow throttling forward. The succession of fires taking place one night after another really brings the novel to a higher place. The reader can't catch a breath, much like the cast within.Characters - 4/5 StarsArlidge's cast is extensive, but not all characters get the spotlight. This isn't a problem, it's another one of those times that everyone fits their respective roles perfectly. Those in the background, and those in the foreground.In Liar Liar's case, Helen and Charlie, along with the 'big bad', are the ones who shine brightest.I can't fault the 'villain', the story and circumstances surrounding these aspects of the plot are well-built. The motivations and goals are clear and concise while extracting an edge of sympathy from the reader. If you're wondering about the quotation marks, you'll understand once you've read the book. I don't want to give too much away.Helen and Charlie, however, are a mixed bag. I love them still, both successful and competent women, but the majority of this entry focuses on elements that have been beaten to death. Helen: Still haunted and running from her past and dealing with her present vices; Charlie: Still contemplating whether or not she should leave police work.I do love the conclusion though, where the two ladies seem to help remedy these issues by growing closer together. Helen's ferocity and Charlie's loyalty give them both a thumbs up from me.There's a little discrepancy with Sanderson, whose rank jumps from a DI to DS at varying points in the story. And the addition of Gardam, and his obsession with Helen, precludes to a future you will not want to miss.Writing - 4/5 StarsA few oddly structured sentences, but overall a smooth, well-written work.Overall - 4.5/5 StarsWhen's the next entry out?

I thought it will be another police procedural case. Initially, there are quite a lot of behind-the-scene policing methods the station has to endure. The first few chapters are somewhat quite tedious to follow.As the story progresses, when more suspects are being interrogated, it raises the question of whodunnit. It keeps me guessing. It is a bitter end, I didn’t see it coming.It is very good especially when each character is emotionally engaged in their own history. You get to know how each of them really thinks and what is in their minds. Even the main protagonist, Helen Grace, is not spared.The ending is emotional. Another ending, I would say is a beginning instead, leaves me wide-eyed. I am looking forward to the book in the series. Some juicier case is going to happen...

What a terrifically exciting and, at the same time, horrifying read. Right from the beginning, this story grabs the reader and fills them with dread. It’s everyone’s nightmare, the thought of being in a house when it catches fire and unable to escape. Even reading about it can give you nightmares and what’s worse is the fact that there are so many of them. As the story progresses we are also given more insights into Helen Grace’s deep and dark private life, the theme which has prevailed throughout this series and which intensifies even further in this episode. However, the great thing about these novels is the bonding of her investigative team – we get a bit more involved in Charlie Brooks’ life on this occasion. As always, we see Helen’s determination to catch the perpetrator and once more, after many dramatic twists and turns, we reach a successful conclusion. Needless to say, even after the drama has ended we are treated to a fascinating ending which is sure to bring us back for more.

This is the fourth book in the Helen Grace series.I found this book quite hard to read.....not because it wasn’t good, it really was! More because it’s subject is one of my major fears.....dying in a house fire. The author is extremely talented at putting you right in the action so it did set me on edge and had me making sure all my plug sockets and cooker were turned off before I went to bed!Again this story had me guessing right till the end and even then it took a turn I didn’t expect.One thing I like about these books is the short chapters. I know some people don’t get on well with this style of writing but I prefer short chapters to ones that go on for ever.On to book five!!