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  • Down to the Woods

  • DI Helen Grace, Book 8
  • By: M. J. Arlidge
  • Narrated by: Sally Scott
  • Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (247 ratings)
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Down to the Woods cover art

Down to the Woods

By: M. J. Arlidge
Narrated by: Sally Scott
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Down to the Woods by M. J. Arlidge. 

There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries here....

DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do their murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet.

©2018 M. J. Arlidge (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Helen Grace is one of the greatest heroes to come along in years." (Jeffery Deaver)

"The new Jo Nesbo." (Judy Finnigan)

"Fast paced and nailbitingly tense...gripping." (Sun)

What listeners say about Down to the Woods

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing narration, average story

I've really enjoyed previous books but this book seemed a bit superficial and rushed. Very little character development and insight into Helens life as there has been in previous books,she appears to have completely forgotten her troubles, her time in jail, the BDSM part of her life. Instead there's this odd thing with Charlie's child not sleeping which I don't really get. The story was ok but a bit lacklustre.

The worst part is the narration, changing narrator after 8 books completely throws the characters out and they don't sound how they should. Added to that the performance seems hammed up and OTT and people sound like they are on the verge of crying. Helen in particular sounds weak and like she has no idea what she's doing and lacking any confidence. There are also errors such as Amelia being called Emily and referring to the wrong number of people. Overall quite disappointing and I returned it

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I found this Helen Grace story rather farfetched in places and not nearly as good as the others. The narrator's voice began to grate with her approach to the different voices, especially Charlie's.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

New narrator - unfortunately!

Once again a brilliant story, I love this series of books.
unfortunately, this one is read by a different narrator.
I have listened to the previous books and had the voices firmly in my mind. I found it really difficult to accept the new voices.
Such a shame.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best DI Grace book yet

absolutely loved this book would highly recommend it to anyone. best D I grace book so far

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

What a shame

Disappointed with this very long latest offering. Really far fetched situations for our heroine including several near death experiences, and an extraordinary scene where she has to read a diary to the baddy in the dark.

Oh well.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

weaker than the previous books in the series

this DI Helen dies not have as strong a story line as the last few she was a bit predictable in place. not the best I've read but ok

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Book

Absolutely brilliant book, this book kept me gripped to the very end. it's been a long time since I had to stay awake til 4am to see what happened. Can't wait for the next instalment.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Poorest book yet

I’ve enjoyed the Helen Grace books so far but this is the weakest storyline yet.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Flat narration.

I agree with other reviewers; this series seems to have lost its way somewhat and is not helped by flat, passionless narration. Most of the characters sound the same and I found it difficult to identify who was speaking at times. I’m hoping the next book in the series will revert to the much higher standard of the earlier books. If not, I’ll be calling it a day.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

not as good as the previous HG books

Too many 'poetic licence ' scenarios. Lack of knowledge by the author about the countryside.

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