A gripping hunt for a serial killer takes a couple of unexpected but welcome twists in the denouement that raises its rating from 3 to 4 stars. I was particularly impressed with the character of Connie, a brash profiler whose talents extend to conversing with the dead!

Any book by Helen Fields is always worth reading and this latest is no exception. It is well written, with an original plot and the characterisation is just spot on. Set in Edinburgh, when a body is found Dr Beth Waterfall is assisting with the investigation. I really liked her character, although profiler Connie is also brilliant and very original. The pacing has a steady flow, sometimes a bit slow, but overall this is a very good character driven novel, with an unexpected twist, which I really enjoyed and would recommend to lovers of thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

As a longtime fan of Helen Fields and someone who’s read most of her backlist, I was really looking forward to Watching You—and it did not disappoint! Fields once again delivers her signature blend of suspense, tension, and emotional depth. I especially loved the return of some familiar characters, which added an extra layer of connection and nostalgia for those who have followed her previous work.

There were moments where I found myself getting a bit lost with the number of characters and shifting perspectives, but it all came together in the end and made sense. Fields’ storytelling remains compelling, and the pacing kept me turning pages late into the night.

A strong addition to her growing list of thrillers—definitely recommended for fans of the genre and anyone who loves a twisty, well-written crime novel.

Big thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC

A terrifying psychological thriller that page on page never fails to stoke up everyone’s worst nightmares. Every character involved in this murder investigation is an intelligent and logical individual who nevertheless succeeds in failing to apprehend a serial killer whilst the perpetrator continues to evade punishment. A profiler and partner despite years of experience only appear to successfully ascertain the idiosyncrasies and weaknesses of the investigation team whilst the perpetrator continues to remain invisibly obscure. A slow agonising build up to an excruciating and harrowing exposure towards a conclusion that defies each and every possible logical revelation as to the identity of the perpetrator. A five star read that is screaming to be made into a movie that would defy each and every expectation.

A Helen Fields novel is something special and for me this is one of the best. It is a Woolwine and Barca series Anne it is great to meet Connie Woolwine again, who definitely does things her own way! The characters are so well developed and the pacing keeps the tension building. There are plenty of twists along the way, the biggest of which genuinely took me by surprise. Which doesn’t happen very often! A terrific read. Definitely can be read as a standalone.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Avon books and the brilliant author Helen Fields for a early copy of her book to read.

This book is set in Edinburgh not to far from where I live.A crime read.A death then more follows a serial killer on the loose..DS Lively and forensic Profiler Connie Woolvine are on the case will they find the killer before the next victim...my rating is 3.5 rounded to four as found it to be a bit slow in parts...looking forward to reading more of her books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.

Edinburgh's murder investigation team is at a loss looking for clues to three unsolved murders committed over a short period of time. Enlisting the help of forensic profiler Connie Woolwine, they soon realise they have a serial killer to contend with.

I still find it difficult to believe that I only discovered Helen Fields' novels in 2021 when I read One For Sorrow, the seventh book in the Luc Callanach series. Since then, I've consumed all but two of the author's novels. I've loved everything I've read and one of the things I've particularly enjoyed is the way in which some of the characters pop up in other series. Watching You is a prime example of this. The setting is Edinburgh, home of the murder investigation team that Luc Callanach and Ava Turner are part of. Both detectives are absent, so it is down to DS Lively and DS Salter to lead the investigation, with Detective Superintendent Overbeck keeping a close eye on proceedings. To help the investigation, Dr Connie Woolwine (The Shadow Man/The Institution) and her partner Brodie Baarda are brought in to consult, and the pair enlist the help of Midnight Jones (Profile K/The Profiler). Anyone picking up this book as their first taste of the author's work shouldn't be concerned as the story works well as a standalone one and will probably entice you to go back and read the rest of the back catalogue.

The story goes at a blistering pace as we go from the first victim being dragged to their death, through to the conclusion of events. The author puts you into the mind of some of the victims as they live their final few moments, graphic and grisly descriptions are avoided, but it is still enough to give you an unsettling feeling.

I have never been a fan of Sam Lively, but in Watching You, we see a completely different side to the brusque and uncouth DS who is regularly a pain in Luc Callanach's side. As the investigation intensifies, we get a greater understanding of why he behaves as he does and even see a softer, more caring side.

As the bodies begin to pile up, it takes consultant Connie Woolwine to link the deaths and spot the connection, local surgeon Beth Waterfall, whom DS Lively is attracted to. We are given brief glimpses into Beth's background, and this is the most chilling aspect of the whole novel. We discover that Beth's daughter Molly was a successful artist until she attracted a stalker who made her life a living hell. The lengths that the stalker went to are truly terrifying and incredibly plausible. No matter how hard she tried, Molly could not escape the grip of the stalker, and her life spiraled out of control with devastating consequences.

Everything leads to an intense conclusion, with more than one life in jeopardy, as the killer homes in on his target. Not content with a cold and sadistic serial killer, Helen Fields throws in a couple of almighty twists at the end, which I certainly didn't see coming and raises the brilliance of the book. I also loved the final scene in the police station, which warmed my heart, putting to rest a fear that had existed for four years.

Wow, Watching You is a cracker of a read that grabs you right from the first page and doesn't let go until you reach the end. Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler, and a colleague are asked to help the Murder Investigation Team on an open case and when more murders follow Woolwine and the police team search desperately for victim links. I enjoyed following Woolwine working with the police team to find the murderer and whilst DS Lively is skeptical of Woolwine's working methods will they get results? The authors writing is very good and engaging, the story flows well and moves from past to present times easily. The plot is very believeable and stalking and the effect and consequences it has on the victim and their families is dealt with well here. Does this connect with the murders and why is the victim being stalked? I kept trying to second guess what would happen next and who the murderer was and I couldn't have been more wrong. I enjoyed the brief catch up with Midnight, Dawn and Doris and how they are faring and liked that Lively's personal life takes a turn for the better here.

I really enjoyed reading Watching You, if you like police procedurals that are well written and full of thrills, mystery and suspense with characters you take to heart and root for then this is for you and I'd recommend it. I hope the author has plans for Woolwine, Baarda, Lively and Salter in future books and I would definitely want to read them.

4 stars

I had read a few thrillers prior to this and so I was going to leave it on the shelf for a later date but I'm glad I didn't because it was so addictive.

I do own two of Helen's books - The Institution and Profile K - but I haven't yet read them, but they will definitely be bumped up my TBR list now.

This book grabs you instantly. It is fast paced and tense and doesn't let up from the first word to the last.

I read so many thrillers, they're my most read genre, but it seems that no matter how much I enjoyed them, they do get a bit samey after a while. So it was lovely to read a thriller that still gave me everything I expect from the genre but with a fresh perspective.

There are quite a number of characters, main ones, secondary and background, heroes and villains. But it never feels too much. Every character is given enough time to develop and you really get attached to them, even the 'baddies'.

I have read a couple of reviews that are questionable about the ending but I loved it. It was so unique and unexpected and yet really wrapped everything up in a shocking but satisfying way.

I didn't realise the character of Connie Woolwine is in a few of her books, and it didn't hinder my reading of this one having not read the others, but I'm looking forward to spotting her turn up again.

It doesn't rely on gore, it doesn't sensationalise the violence, Helen relies on suspense, fear, to keep the thrilling pace up and she's done it to such a great extent.

This was an incredible book. The twists and turns with a big reveal I would NEVER have seen coming.

The only thing I didn't like was the cover but that's because I have a phobia of butterflies so I won't hold that against her 😊

It is such original, tense, fast-paced, layered, fabulous, intriguing, edge-of-your-seat stuff.

*****CONTAINS THEMATIC SPOILERS*****

*****CONTAINS THEMATIC SPOILERS*****

The next paragraph contains a list of thematic spoilers so do not read on if you want to go in fresh.

*****CONTAINS THEMATIC SPOILERS*****

*****CONTAINS THEMATIC SPOILERS*****

Yes it's a thriller about a serial killer so obviously there's going to be some difficult topics, but as well as murder and death and loss, this book contains mentions of physical illness, mental illness, memory loss, suicide, stalking, and malevolent spirits.

If there’s one thing that Helen Fields is good at is the incredible opening chapters to her novels! I’m always drawn in from the start - more often than not gut-churning and gory, but with incredible scenes that have you wanting more! Loved the twist in this one - absolutely didn’t see that coming! Loved the cameo from Midnight from Profile K (The Profiler) and it always has me wanting more!

I am a fan of Helen Fields, and have read many of her books. Watching You is a gritty police procedural with a dark side, along with likable, relatable characters and relationships, albeit the ending left me a bit baffled. Recommend this book and all of this author’s books!

When a homeless man is admitted to hospital with multiple stab wounds, DS Lively rushes to the hospital hoping to speak to him before he is operated on. Surgeon Beth Waterfall is ready to operate and Lively barely gets a word out of the man before he has to be sedated.
When he later speaks to Beth Waterfall he feels a connection he hasn’t felt in years. But Beth is hiding her own trauma, the stalker who ruined her daughter’s life is now seemingly out to ruin hers.
Meanwhile DS Christie Salter is called to the discovery of human remains in a well-known beauty spot. Then an elderly woman is brutally killed and it’s clear that the Edinburgh murder investigation teams are going to be very busy.
Profiler Dr Connie Woolwine is brought in to help but with no forensic evidence and no connection between the victims how much can she actually do.
Fast paced, gritty and utterly gripping, this will have you on the edge of your seat and guessing from start to finish.
Helen Fields is a brilliant author but she has outdone herself this time. This original, dark, gritty story had me totally hooked. I read it in two sittings.

As usual this was a fabulous read by Helen Fields.
A gritty police procedural novel with the added bonus of a criminal psychologist. Connie Woolwine is back and she's straight into the case.
Three murders seemingly random have the team flummoxed, and they need all of their combined skills to catch the killer.
The characters are great and have close camaraderie with each other, friendly banter helps them during difficult times.
Watching you is a pacy novel with an underlying sense of suspense and intruige. Certainly a novel to lose yourself in

Helen Fields is back with a bang with Watching You her new thriller. Set in Edinburgh with DS's Lively and Slater and specialists Dr Woodwine and Brodie as the main characters. We're very quickly thrown into a rip-roaring story that never really stops to take a breath. The twists and turns are enough to give you whiplash and the ending is amazing and totally unexpected. An absolutely fantastic 5 star read for me. Recommended if you want a book that grips at the first page and doesn't let go.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Wow! What a whirlwind this one is!
Just when you think you know what is happening, along comes another twist which changes everything!!

When a body is found, little does the police force know that they may be dealing with a serial killer, as the bodies mount up, suspicion falls in different places, but just what is going on. As DS Lively and his associates begin to investigate, things start to become far more personal for them all.

This really is a fast paced read, I really found it impossible to put down, especially the last 40%, where so much happens!

There are quite a few key characters in this one and they are all well developed and they grow on you throughout the story.

It certainly wasn’t predictable and the conclusion was not what I was expecting, with more than one surprise late on in the book!

All in all an absolute must read, but do clear yourself some time as you won’t want to put it down!!

I loved being back in Edinburgh, especially with Dr Woolwine and DS Lively combining forces. I really enjoyed the book, and found the resolution to be unusual and intriguing. I was also pleased to get a fleeting glimpse of a particular pair of characters, and am hopeful that we will see more of them soon.

An enjoyable read.

Raw and visceral
Fascinating - I had no idea of the topic in the book but THAT was an eye opener!
Horror in many ways mixed with crime
But with that Fields stamp of quality on it as ever

Ok, what can I say other than, I was hooked and I didn’t want it to end and I wasn’t expecting this to be like that. Please give this book a go!!

I knew this was going to be good, all the author’s books are, but I had no idea just how good it would be and like the others definitely not for the faint-hearted!
Gripping does not come close. A brilliant twisty plot. The fabulously complicated Woolwine and Baarda join Lively and Police Scotland when three gruesome, yet apparently unconnected, murders confound them.
Brilliantly tense and fast paced this read hurtles you along in its grisly wake. I was completely engrossed in this, but OMG the twist!
Fascinating and all the more horrific because this might be a work of fiction but the topic is very very real.
Again the author knocks it out of the park.

I absolutely loved this book, with its familiar characters. This author has been a favorite of mine and I can’t wait to see what she'll write next.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.