I came across Eeny Meeny by M. J. Arlidge in the Goodreads Giveaways list. Although I didn’t win a copy, I checked it out from my library as soon as possible because of its very interesting blurb. Read on to know if it met expectations.
Genre:
Thriller, Crime fiction
Length:
421 pages
Blurb:
The first victim came out of the woods, starved, barely alive. She had been abducted with her boyfriend. The abductor had left them without food or water, with one gun, one bullet, and one choice – one kills the other, and the murderer survives. Survival, though, may be worse than death. Guilt and horror break the survivor’s mind, leaving her a shell of her former self. And Detective Inspector Helen Grace is forced to accept the girl’s horrifying, almost unbelievable, account when more people get abducted, and more survivors show up… leaving more dead bodies in their wake. DI Grace finds herself in one of the most terrible and challenging cases of her entire career. And the demons in her past, that she’s staunchly fought off in her rise to the top, finally seem to be winning. Will DI Grace find what’s driving the unseen monster before her past catches up to her? Or will a sadistic murderer bring about her downfall?
Overall Rating:
8 out of 10 stars
Plot:
9 out of 10 stars
Characterization:
8 out of 10 stars
Primary Element:
8 out of 10 for its thrill and suspense
Writing Style:
7 out of 10
Part of a Series:
Yes. This is the first novel in the DI Helen Grace series, and is M. J. Arlidge’s debut.
Highlighted Takeaway:
An excellent debut, Eeny Meeny is not for those who get queasy easily. Some very disturbing scenes and themes and a layered, complex plot keep you turning the pages relentlessly. M. J. Arlidge is definitely an author that crime fiction and thriller lovers would want to follow.
What I Liked:
There are three things that made Eeny Meeny super interesting for me:
- A layered, complex story with multiple arcs that tie in well.
- Narrative that really pulled you in, making you truly feel for the characters (good and bad).
- A strong lead character, who is as human as they come.
What I Didn’t Like:
There was only one arc that I didn’t really like too much, primarily because it felt a little out of character for me.
Who Should Read It:
Anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers, crime fiction, and thrillers. Eeny Meeny is definitely hard-hitting.
Who Should Avoid:
If you feel queasy with scenes that show the sheer desperation for survival inherent to human beings then you may want to avoid this one. The realness of the characters’ struggles and actions definitely had me squirming at certain points.
Read It For:
A new author and a new main character, both of which show an incredible amount of potential.
Before signing off on this review, I’d like to share that the revamp of The Book Review Station are underway. Starting with a new look (that we’re still fine-tuning), we’re soon going to be moving to author interviews and other new content. Let us know in the comments below if there’s something you’d like for us to include, and what you think about the new look.
As always, thanks for stopping by and checking out the latest book review!
– Rishika
The Book Review Station 