Well, I finally sat down to read book 5 in the DI Helen Grace series! I read the first 4 books, the last being Liar Liar in 2017 then got busy with life, moving twice in three years and then unpacking the last of my book boxes. So, that's how I was able to jump back into this series! Thank goodness I have the next three books because this one ended with a cliff hanger. Another serial killer is targeting people from DI Helen Grace's double life. The killer leaves no trace behind...until they do. I have to start the next book now! I've already ordered the last three so I can keep up! ( )

A bad decision to start late at night btw since I had to force myself to stop listen quite early one since it was pretty late and I had to work today. Anyway, I'm really thankful that I have the next book as an audiobook was well since this one ended with a frustrating cliffhanger. I'm also glad I did not read the book and then had to wait until the next book was published!

In Little Boy Blue must Helene Grace tackle a very personal case. The murder victim is someone that she knew, but for reasons can't she tell her fellow colleagues that she knew the person in question. Now, she has to keep her emotions in check while trying to find the devious murderer. But, how long can she hide the truth?

As usual, has M.J. Arlidge written a thriller that from the start captivated me. I quite enjoy listening to this book. Elizabeth Bower is a great narrator, and her ability to change her voice for all the characters make it easy to know who is who. Also, the book is so thrilling that the hours just fly away when you're listening to the book.

I did suspect the identity of the killer, I'm not quite sure when it hit me who the person probably would be. However, it made the book more interesting to listen to. Was I right about my suspicious or not made the book more thrilling? Btw, yes I was right...

Little Boy Blue is just as the previous books brilliant. I do recommend reading this series from the beginning and not from book two as I did. This is a series that definitely is best suited to read in order. ( )

I really love the Detective Helen Grace series! Author M.J. Arlidge does not disappoint in this 5th installment in the series. A fast-paced plot and short chapters keep the storyline moving at a good clip, consistent with the previous 4 books.

In "Little Boy Blue," DI Grace finds her personal life and her professional life intersecting, and she struggles to keep them apart. A serial killer is targeting members of the underground S&M scene, and Grace finds her investigation hitting a little too close to home. The usual characters are back: DC Brooks and DS Sanderson are still at professional war with each other, even though they have to work together under Grace's direction. Grace's boss, Detective Superintendent Jonathan Gardam, has a more prominent role in this book. Journalist Emilia Garanita insinuates herself throughout the investigation, determined to cause Grace's downfall.

This book ends in a bit of a cliffhanger - not so bad that it left me frustrated, but it did leave me wondering "Wow, how is Arlidge going to resolve this?" Well played, Arlidge. I've already put book #6 on hold at my library and can't wait to read it. I may still be playing catchup reading this series, but I am so enjoying the journey. Solid 5 stars AGAIN. ( )

THAT ENDING.
Oh man. I'm going to need to run to B&N this evening to pick up the next book because I need to know what happens next for Helen.

In Little Boy Blue Helen is called to the scene of a murder that occurs in a club known as The Torture Rooms...and the victim is someone from her past. As Helen and her team race to find and stop the killer 2 more murders occur and Helen can't help wondering whether these murders are due to the victims' connection to her.

Further complications arise when reporter Emilia Garanita - who I obviously still hate - begins planting seeds of doubt into one of Helen’s DS’s minds.

The ending was a shock. I fully expected things to work out for Helen as it has in the previous books but the exact opposite occurs. I can't wait to dive into book 6! ( )

4.5 stars.

In Little Boy Blue, the latest installment in M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace series, DI Grace's private and personal lives intersect when she and her team investigate a series of murders that target people who are involved in BDSM. Although this newest release is the fifth novel in the series, it can be read as standalone. However, I highly recommend reading the books in order to get background information on the principal characters.

Detective Inspector Helen Grace finds herself in a very awkward position when called to the scene of a lurid murder in a popular BDSM club. While she does not visit these types of clubs, she does rely on dominators to help quell her guilt and quiet her thoughts and she has worked hard to keep this aspect of her life private. At first believing the death was nothing more than a tragic accident, Grace quickly discovers the man was murdered and even more shocking, she recognizes the victim. Keeping their connection under wraps, she heads up the investigation which quickly goes nowhere since there is shockingly little evidence at the crime scene. When the killer strikes again and the victim is someone linked to her, Helen is forced to reveal her secret to her boss but he allows her to remain on the case. With very little information to go on, the investigation is at a standstill when Helen arrives at stunning conclusion about the murderer's identity. Will she manage to capture the killer before a very diabolical plan comes to fruition?

In addition to trying to make sure her secrets remain hidden, infighting amongst two of Helen's underlings jeopardizes the investigation. Newly promoted to Detective Sergeant, Charlie Brooks is still struggling to juggle the demands of motherhood and her career. Feeling pressured to prove herself, she is working long hours and when her co-worker, Detective Sergeant Joanne Sanderson, takes advantage of a lead Charlie uncovered, the two are soon locked in a not so private battle for power. This internal strife plays right into unscrupulous reporter Emilia Garanita's plans to publicly humiliate Helen. An unexpected altercation between Helen and her superior, Detective Superintendent Jonathan Gardam, who has been keeping a very watchful eye on her ever since he became her boss, is the final nail in Grace's coffin once all of these events coalesce into a perfect plan that could possibly destroy her.

The mystery surrounding the murders is certainly compelling but there is very little evidence to help Helen and her team catch the killer. Stymied at every turn as each clue turns into a dead end, Grace cannot figure out a motive for the crimes. Did the killer pick the victims at random? If so, is their lifestyle the reason they were murdered? As the body count rises, Helen finally figures out not only the killer's identity but the real reason for the crimes. Unfortunately, this realization comes just as another shocking scheme is put into motion and Helen finds herself in a very tricky situation that appears impossible to escape.

Little Boy Blue is another riveting installment in the spectacular Helen Grace series that old and new fans do not want to miss. M.J. Arlidge is a masterful storyteller with an amazing ability to mask the killer's identity and motive for the crimes with clever red herrings and misdirects. Although the crimes themselves are satisfactorily wrapped up for the reader, the novel ends on a whopper of a cliffhanger for the very intrepid but highly unlucky Detective Inspector Helen Grace. ( )