The Doll's House

December 21, 2015
British author Arlidge’s twisted third Helen Grace thriller (after 2015’s Pop Goes the Weasel) puts the Hampshire detective inspector on the trail of a serial killer who seized Ruby Sprackling, a troubled young woman, from her flat after she spent a night drinking and is now holding her in his cold, dark cellar. Helen has already caught two serial killers in her short career, but personnel changes among her subordinates and sabotage from her jealous superior, Det. Supt. Ceri Harwood, hamper her investigation. Scenes of Ruby’s deteriorating condition at her captor’s hands provide counterpoint to Helen’s increasingly hectic efforts to save her. Arlidge adds nothing new to the captive woman plot and fails to drum up much suspense as Helen closes in on the killer. Still, Helen is a strong lead with plenty of smarts and intuition, and she succeeds in getting the most out of her team. Agent: Hellie Ogden, Janklow Nesbit.