Helen Fields has done it again and I never thought it wouldn’t be a five star. If you like twisty thrillers you’ll love this.
I didn’t see the twist at the end coming and I really loved the mix of some of the different characters coming together.
Can’t wait for her next book now.

Just finished it this morning and certainly wasn't expecting the ending. Great for an avid reader that likes a crime book. I will look forward to reading the next book from this author.

Wow! This had me in a chokehold. This delivers in spades.

We get the detective's pov, the victim's, and the murderer's (the watcher). I am facinated by seeing the way the detectives solved the case, getting inside the victim and the killers minds. This delves into the psychological and criminal profiling that I am so interested in. I absolutely love seeing a book go so in depth with it rather than just suddenly catching the killer from a simple tip and not seeing the frustration and work going on behind the scenes. I really appreciated the authors take on this.

The way the author has us understanding characters from all angles gives us an intimate insight, building an emotional connection to them all. It was heartbreaking in parts. Especially with the stalking element. How people are left so vulnaerable and unprotected from this, and the devestating impact that it has on not only the victim, but those around them too. It is terrifying.

This book is dark, unnerving, and absolutely gripping. The twists left me speechless.

The characters were likeable. I particularly liked Lively and Connie. I am so pleased that there are other books by this author for these characters. I am desperate for more tales of Connie. This is my first book by this author but I will be grabbing her other books (theres a few) to get more of this world.

If you like Criminal Minds and Mindhunters you'll enjoy this.

Thank you to Avon books for the advanced copy.

Watching You by Helen Fields is a dark, gripping thriller set on the shadowy streets of Edinburgh. The story follows surgeon Beth Waterfall, who is still grieving the loss of her daughter to a stalker and now finds herself in the sights of a ruthless killer. As bodies begin to pile up, DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine race against time to stop a serial murderer who always seems one step ahead.
I really enjoyed how fast paced and intense this book was. The tension builds with every chapter, and the twists kept me turning the pages late into the night. Connie Woolwine was a fascinating character, with her sharp insights and unique approach to profiling. The story was gritty, emotional, and unflinchingly dark, but also deeply human because of the characters’ struggles.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers that are chilling, twisty, and impossible to put down, this one is a must read.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Third book in the Dr Connie Woolwine series
Connie is convinced they have a serial killer on the loose, but is struggling to make the connections
It’s dark, gritty and twisty that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and can be in parts a disturbing read
Thanks @helenfields_author, @avonbooks & @netgalley for the gripping, complex police drama

This is the second book by Helen Fields I've read, and it won't be my last. I've received a copy from Avon Books UK via Netgalley, and it's out today!

Watching You is a darkly compelling thriller. The story is set in Edinburgh, and it follows forensic profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine and DS Brodie Lively. They investigate a chilling series of murders, while trauma surgeon Beth Waterfall finds herself entangled in the killer’s disturbing web.

The author is very good at combining tension, character depth, and emotional stakes. The pacing is tight, and the twists land well.

4,5/5 ⭐️

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Oh my Helen has done it again - flipping brilliant 🤩
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Creepy and twisted but I never saw that ending coming - tragic but wow!!!
I loved the very end 😀 no spoilers from me.
More please and if you haven’t read Helen’s books you are missing out but time.
If I could give 10 🌟 I could.
Thank you x

Another Banger from Helen Fields! Eight brutal deaths, all seemingly unconnected, yet DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine know they are dealing with a serial killer – they just need to prove it.

Although I don't think it's a series, this is probably the third book by Helen Fields featuring Dr. Connie Woolwine but she has a stronger presence in this one. I actually feel like she's a totally different character than how I pictured her from The Institution. Of course, she was undercover in that one (tee-hee). The book is well written and the characters are well fleshed out and lifelike and it was a very quick read for me. There are a few character crossovers from the author's other books which makes it all the more realistic. I only learned the term "incel" sometime in the last 5 years but it's popped up quite a bit in books since then and raises its ugly head in this book once again. There are definitely some twists in the story and I'm still puzzling over one of them. I'll probably have to wait until the next book. As is usual in this author's books, there's lots of violence and gore but I loved it and can't wait for what's next. Highly recommended.

My gratitude to Jessie Whitehead of HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with the opportunity to access an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: August 26, 2025

👀 From the chilling first line — “a face in the crowd. A killer in the shadows…” — this book had me HOOKED!
🕵️‍♂️ Eight victims. Seven bodies. One ruthless serial killer.
⏳ DS Lively & profiler Dr Connie Woolwine race against time… and trust me, Connie is unforgettable 🔍💡

💀 Dark Edinburgh vibes 🏴, heart-racing tension, and characters so real you feel every twist.
🔥 Brilliantly plotted & completely binge-worthy — had me flipping pages way past midnight 🌙✨

Watching You is a fast-paced crime thriller set in Edinburgh, where DS Lively is investigating a number of seemingly unconnected murders with the fabulous Dr Connie Woolwine.

As well as the bodies piling up, there is also a stalker element to the storyline told by the creepy POV of ‘The Watcher’.

I found this to be such an engaging, exciting and clever read featuring characters who have depth. The chemistry between the characters investigating was brilliant and Connie in particular was my favourite, I really liked her unique way of working.

If you enjoy a book that gives you that can’t put it down feeling, with twists and surprises along the way, then you’ll enjoy this.

Gripping, shocking, thrilling, and hard to put down! Whew! What a wonderfully written and well thought psychological thriller. A killer is on the loose in Edinburgh and leaving victims while the investigators are desperately trying to figure out who is doing such horrific things. I was instantly drawn into the plot. I love a good crime thriller and Helen Fields delivered with Watching You!

DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine know that the killings taking place in Edinburgh are connected. They believe they have a serial killer on their hands but need to prove it as the killer kills differently each time. The killer already has sights on the next victim! At the clock ticks down, the tension, dread, and danger increase.

This is the third book that I have read by Helen Fields, and I can't wait to read more. I love her writing, plot building, characters, settings, vivid descriptions, and dark plots. She keeps me on my toes, and I never know what is going to happen next!

Watching you is a razor-sharp thriller that plunges you into the shadowy streets of Edinburgh, where a serial killer known only as The Watcher is on the loose. The story opens with a brutal murder, but it’s just the beginning — seven more victims are promised, and delivered…
At the heart of the novel is Beth Waterfall, a renowned surgeon grieving the loss of her daughter, who was stalked and killed a year prior. Now, Beth herself is in the killer’s sights. Leading the investigation is DS Lively and Dr Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler whose insights are as unnerving as they are brilliant.

If you love psychological thrillers with a strong female lead and a twisty plot, this one’s worth keeping on your radar. It is enlightening, explorative and a real deep dive into so many elements of the human mind. I loved it!

As with all of Helen Fields’ books, Watching You grabbed me from the first paragraph, and I couldn’t tear myself away. From “a face in the crowd. A killer in the shadows…” to the very last page, the pace is relentless yet measured—each chapter ramps up the tension with surgical precision

Set on the dark streets of Edinburgh, a body appears—and then seven more, each seemingly unconnected. I found myself racing through the pages with D.S. Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine. I was on edge, watching them trace threads through a web of brutal deaths, knowing only too well that time was slipping away—and that grieving surgeon, Beth Waterfall, could be next.

The narrative structure, with its multiple perspectives, shifting timelines, and interlaced personal traumas, kept me guessing. Fields’s storytelling is taut, dark, and brimming with psychological weight.

Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler with remarkable insight, is a complex, captivating presence. Paired with her more traditional partner, Brodie Baarda, their rapport adds a touch of lightness, and Baarda’s steady approach fosters genuine teamwork. The dynamic between these two feels authentic, even if sometimes personally awkward, blending cerebral profiling with practical intuition.

Connie’s forensic profiling drives the investigation. She examines crime scenes with clinical coolness, seeking patterns where others see disorder. Her synchronized work with Baarda, analysing fragmented evidence and probing psychological undercurrents, is systematic and intelligent.

The police procedural elements used by DS Lively and his team are thorough and professional, although DS Lively has a growing interest in surgeon Beth Waterfall. It is Beth’s personal history and the trauma following her daughter’s experiences with a stalker that form the central plot. Somewhere in the dim, rain-slicked Edinburgh streets, that stalker is still watching and waiting. And woe betide anyone who gets in the way.

Verdict: Helen Fields has crafted a thriller that’s as emotionally textured as it is page-turning. The pace never lets up, the psychological tension tightens with every twist, and the characters—especially Connie and Baarda—are vivid, relatable, and compelling collaborators in the hunt. If you crave thrillers that balance dark forensic intrigue with emotional depth, and more than a hint of toxic masculinity, Watching You is your next obsession.

This is such a good book, i literally couldn't put it down. Made better by the fact it's set in Edinburgh!!
It's quite creepy, in a good way, and i liked the alternating chapters.
Definitely a series to keep reading!!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big time fan of Fields work and I've enjoyed her previous books in the past!
This book was no different.

Watching You by Helen Fields was an edge-of-your-seat story. The story was intense, and the action felt like it never stopped. There were so many good twists and tension. I really liked the author's writing style and how the story unraveled.
The characters are fully fleshed out and real.
It was well written and had just the right amount of suspense and build up.
Excellent writing and an absolute must read.

Thank You NetGalley and Avon for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book was outstanding!! This is the first book I have read by Helen Fields but will not be my last. A fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. If you are looking for a fast read because you can't put it down this is IT!! I can't recommend this book enough!! You definitely don't want to miss this amazing read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for allowing me to read this ARC!

At its heart is a dedicated and insightful investigative team full of vibrant characters. Whilst this is graphic and gritty in terms of the crimes it explores, it has an integral emotional element that keeps you reading because you invest in the characters and want to know what happens to them. It has an intriguing, pacy plot that keeps its secrets, and even though I guessed the killer, I couldn't understand why until the impactful conclusion. The chapters featuring the unknown antagonist are dark and desperate, which is disturbing to read. I like the twisty plot, the believable characters, the complex dynamic of the investigation team and the blend of emotion and horror that makes this compelling.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This is the 4th book featuring Connie Woolwine but not all of them are billed as such. As well as The Shadow Man and The Institution, I would also add The Profiler (Profile K) to that list to read before this one for full satisfaction as this book also features other characters from that one!
So... we start with a rather nasty case that the Edinburgh Major Incident Team are struggling with. So much so that they call in Dr Connie Woolwine to assist DS Lively and DS Salter (who, so I believe, stem from the author's Perfect series). She is ably assisted by ex-met officer Brodie Baarda. There has been a spate of killings but as they are all different, and the victims all appear unrelated, it's baffling them and they just can't catch a break.
Meanwhile, surgeon Beth Waterfall has herself a stalker. It appears that the someone who targeted her daughter a year ago is back and this time she is in their sights. She has also caught the eye of Lively and the two of them grow close as the book progresses.
The narrative switches between the investigation and chapters from the Watcher. This adds to the intrigue and also gives the book an overall feeling of chilling suspense.
As with the other books I have read by this author, I was clueless as to how it would eventually all come together at the end. So I pretty much gave up trying and just sat back and enjoyed what I was reading, which was easy enough to do. Although, that said, I had an inkling about something that turned out to be spot one so - yay go me! But the rest of how it ending both floored me and also left me wholly satisfied. Kudos to the author for that!
So, all in all, a cracking addition to the Woolwine world and also a kick up my bottom to get on with starting the Perfect series. Most of which I already have lined up - so little time...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Set against the dark streets of Edinburgh, this story is tense, unsettling and gripping from start to finish.

Beth Waterfall’s raw grief makes the danger deeply personal, while DS Lively and Dr Connie Woolwine’s pursuit of the killer keeps the pace sharp. The atmosphere is chilling, the twists are brilliantly executed and the suspense doesn’t let go until the final page.

Highly recommended if you are in the mood for a gritty crime thriller.

A serial killer is stalking Edinburgh and DS Livley is on the case trouble is not everybody is convinced. Beth's daughter was killed a year earlier now she in his sights. A Totally gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A well plotted thriller with well drawn characters. This is a read in one sitting. Thanks to Avon books UK and Netgalley for this review copy.