Eeny Meeny by M.J. Arlidge

 

DI Helen Grace is known as a cold, efficient policewoman.  She has risen quickly in the ranks and intends to keep her reputation.  That is, until the newest murder lands in her lap.

A young couple is reported missing.  The police look everywhere but can't find them or even a hint of a reason anyone would want to harm them.  Then the girl, Sarah, reappears without her fiancé.  She tells a horrific story getting a ride from a woman and then nothing until they were waking up to find themselves in a room without food or water.  They got a call that said they would be left there until one used the gun which was the only thing they had to kill the other.  After days of no food and drink, Sarah eventually killed her boyfriend and was released.

The story seems fantastic, a fairy tale that couldn't be true.  That is, until the next couple was taken.  This one was two attorneys, a young man and his supervisor.  They told the same story except they had run out of gas and were offered a ride to a gas station.  They described the woman totally different from the way the first couple had.

As the murders continue, Helen starts to sense that these were not random choices as they appeared to be.  Instead, at least one of each couple has some tie to Helen herself.  Is this someone she put away during her career?  Someone who knows her dark secrets?  Can she find the answers before more victims are killed?

This is the first novel in the Helen Grace story.  The reader doesn't learn that much about Helen as she is very reserved and doesn't interact with many people outside of work.  She has a supportive staff and the reader will be interested to see the story of this police force deepen over subsequent cases.  There are many twists and turns and the answer to the madness is one that the reader won't see coming.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.