Read, Run, Ramble

Title: Eeny Meeny
Author: M.J. Arlidge
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: New American Library (NAL)
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Format: Paperback (purchased used)

Synopsis

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review (originally posted at Read, Run, Ramble):

If you’re looking for a creepy mystery, here it is. Eeny Meeny will keep you up at night, both reading and then later thinking about the massive craziness you’ve read.

Helen Grace is after a serial killer who is giving victims one Hell of a crappy choice. While investigating the case, she’s balancing some personal and career demons as well. Alternating POVs provide background to the story as well as Grace’s past, which is littered with unhappiness.

Helen is a strong, tough investigator, but she’s also troubled. Though I didn’t really like the Jake scenes, I do understand the author’s choice. Helen wants to punish herself, that is clear, I just am not a fan of how she chose to do so (I’ve never understood the behavior or the draw to the scene). I’m glad the scenes were at least minimal. Readers can get a sense of why Helen is doing what she is doing without being overwhelmed with scene after crummy scene.

There were many outlying characters in this novel and I did get lost a few times – I simply couldn’t keep up with everyone. However, I think Arlidge did a good job of offering up a quick reminder when needed so that readers could quickly regain details of any characters re-entering central stage.

As the first in a series, Eeny Meeny, offered a good introduction to Helen Grace and the horrible world she’ll be investigating and fighting. I plan to continue and read along as the series continues.