Title: OUT OF THE ASHES
Author: M.J. ARLIDGE
ISBN: 9781398727878
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 419
Source: Jonathan Ball Publishers
As her best friend fights for her life, DI Helen Grace hunts her attacker in unfamiliar territory. Under pressure as never before, Helen knows that this time everything is on the line. Her boss has told her that failure is not an option, whilst the Dutch underworld will stop at nothing to protect one of their own. But for Helen this mission is personal. Which is why she has vowed to catch the desperate fugitive or die trying…
Official Summary
02 September 2026
I loved this series and DI Helen Grace, but somehow, I managed to completely forget about it!
There are quite a few books in this series that I haven’t read, and despite it being ages since I last picked up one of these books, I managed to fall straight back into the story. The characters felt familiar, and while I had clearly missed quite a few developments along the way, it wasn’t difficult to find my footing and become completely engrossed very quickly.
Helen Grace remains the badass I remember. She is stubborn, determined and more than willing to step on a few toes when she believes she is doing the right thing. I do, however, need to go back and read the previous books to find out exactly how Charlie ended up in hospital and how Helen found herself pregnant. Clearly, I have some catching up to do!
Once again, this book delivered some rather unrealistic action scenes, but honestly, that is part of what makes this series such a fun read for me. This time, Helen is far from home, navigating unfamiliar streets without the support of her team. But that doesn’t stop her. She is determined to get justice and will stop at nothing to find the person responsible for putting Charlie in hospital.
I also enjoyed seeing reporter Emilia Garanita still hanging around. She has always managed to add an extra layer of drama and tension to the story, and I’m glad she is still part of the mix.
After reading this one, I am very keen to go back and read the books I’ve missed. There is nothing quite like rediscovering a series you loved and realising there is a whole backlog waiting for you!
Now, if only my TBR shelf would stop growing long enough for me to catch up…
Also By M.J. Arlidge
EYE FOR AN EYE
RIGHT OR WRONG?
Only nine criminals in the UK have been granted lifelong anonymity.
Their crimes so heinous that their identities are permanently changed for their own safety.
CRIMINAL OR VICTIM?
Upon release, they’re given a second chance: new identities and new homes with new neighbours who have no idea. Because, by law, they cannot be named as who they are – or were…
REDEMPTION OR REVENGE?
But what if someone started systematically exposing their true identities? Not to the press, or the public, but to the families of their victims.
Who deserves justice? And who gets to decide?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
M.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specialising in high end drama production. Arlidge has produced a number of prime-time crime serials for ITV In the last five years, and is currently working on a major adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans for the BBC.
It was awesome to rediscover this series and I a looking forward to reading the books I have missed. I must add a page to my reading journal next year to track author’s and series that I enjoy in order not to forget about them. How do you keep track of the books you want to read? Leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
