The Shadow Man

Full review online in mid February..

THE SHADOW MAN is a standalone novel by Helen Fields, best known for her "DI Callanach" police procedural series. This is also an investigative series, with Dr Connie Woolwine, a profiler from the US and DI Baarda heading up the investigation. As the two work together to track down kidnapper and victims, they learn to trust each other’s ways of working. It’s clear that the author has set up the narrative to allow a bond to develop between these characters but there’s little in the dialogue that persuades the reader that this could really happen. There is also an implausibly Americanised dialogue of the Scottish characters throughout, and some truly gratuitous descriptive detail. Some things are far more powerful by being left to the reader’s imagination and this reader progressed from feeling engaged and interested to a little repelled. Still, it was well written and interesting, if a little different from what we've come to expect from Fields.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a terrifying novel that will keep you intensely focused on what will happen and who the “shadow man” really is. I have read most of Field’s DI Callanach series and love her writing style and her ability to ensure that the characters seem accurate as well as the fluidity of her writing. That said this is a stand-alone novel and I have found that she does seem to take great care in ensuring the reader understands the background as well as keeping you in suspense wondering what would happen next. The three main Characters are Maggie, Elspeth, and Xavier. All three have different backgrounds and now they have thrust into a situation where they must fight to free themselves. They awaken to find that they are trapped together and there is one person that is holding them captive, the shadow man. Enter a US profiler and the detective who is heading the case and you the reader will find yourself wondering if there is any way out for them. I promise you that this one will be very hard to put down. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. While I felt that her writing was different in this book vs the series, it did not disappoint at all.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

An original story line, good to see an author come up with something new. A rather grisly story, going back over a number of years. Pretty scary if this particular illness does exist. All comes to light in the gritting fínale. This story has everything.

A VERY dark read! Complex, intriguing characters, compelling plot one and good dynamics between partners make this a stand out read of the year so far. I hope there's another to follow

This is a standalone thriller by author Helen Fields whose DI Callanach series I really enjoy. This is a great read that I instantly got into, excellent characters and an interesting plot. This book kept me reading deep into the night wanting to know how it was going to finish.

The Shadow man abducts people and keeps them locked up in an house, there are no ransom notes but he just wants them to stay in his home. There are signs in the house that they are in danger and must escape to survive. There is so much more to this story but wary of giving to much away so will only add this is a great read and would highly recommend.


I would like to thank both Netgalley and Avon Books UK for suppling a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for this advanced copy of Helen Fields new standalone The Shadow Man. Wow, absolutely amazing!!! From the first page to the last, this story grabs you and doesn’t let you go.An absolute page turner of a book and spine tingling brilliant!!Set against the back drop of Edinburgh, the characters and the city literally come alive on the page. You feel every emotion the characters go through. This is 5 stars all the way!!

This is my first Helen Fields book that I have read so I didn’t really know what to expect but she has gained herself a new fan because of this book . The story is a great thriller from the very beginning it pulls you in and keeps your attention page after page . The characters are great and you really start to feel and care for what’s happening. it really is a great dark read especially at this time of year and I look forward to reading other books Helen has to offer . 5 stars it’s everything you want for a read like this .

I haven't read any of Helen Fields books, but after reading this, I might.

This is about the Shadow Man and it freaked me out. He just takes people and keeps them locked in a house. I really don't want to give too much away about this, but when I tell you this kept me up at night..it really did.

There are three characters trapped in the house and they must work together to get out. Trust me when I ay this will keep you on your toes and keep your heart pounding!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the Arc in exchange for my honest opinion

400 pages

4 and 1 / 2 stars

American forensic psychologist Dr. Connie Woolwine and London Detective Brodie Baarda are investigating the disappearances – and deaths – of missing people in Edinburgh. Connie has an annoying potty mouth.

The reader knows the identity of the perpetrator from the get go. He is very ill, but determined to fulfill his “mission.” While at first his abductions are carefully planned, as his illness and psychopathology progress, he takes more chances.

More people disappear and the tension in the story increases. Meanwhile, the captives make a horrific discovery. Their fear grows. Connie decides to make a personal appeal to the kidnapper. Will it work? Or, will the madman come after her?

This book is very well written and plotted. The transitions are also well done. The novel is a nail-biter for sure. I had to stay up late to read what happened to the unfortunate kidnapped souls. While it is true that there is much discussion of the kidnapper's psychology, I found that part particularly interesting. There are more things under heaven and earth...The story is rather gruesome in places, but I think it is only to illustrate the severity of the kidnapper's illness.I have read many of Helen Fields' other books, but I think that this one stands out. More please, Ms. Fields. (I agree with another reviewer who said that a standout and very well fleshed out character is Meggy.)

I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for forwarding to me a copy of this very fine book for me to read, enjoy and review.

So tense so chilling a book that grabbed me from the first pages&Kept me reading late into the night,Abook that I will be recommending to all thriller lovers I know a five star read,#netgalley#avonbooksuk

I love the Helen Fields' books so I was excited this was a stand-alone and it didn't disappoint! This one involves 3 captives, a wife, a 12-year-old, and a wheelchair-bound young man who are kept captive by their kidnapper never really knowing why they were taken. It alternates between their harrowing journey and the two chasing them. Connie, the psychologist, is a most interesting character who can't see colors but can intuit personalities by her intense questioning techniques. Fergus too, is an interesting study in mental illness and the pace never lets up in this procedural. I'm hoping there's a sequel as I'd like to read more about them!

I love all of Helen Fields work, and this book was not a disappointment. Different in tone and style to her Callanach thrillers, nonetheless an excellent read. Nightly recommended

WOW! This was absolutely terrifying and a book I would suggest reading with all the lights on, windows and closets closed! I was instantly drawn into this book with two different Points of view from the killer and a criminial profiler and lets just say that the killers point was so terrifying i almost had to check my closet and windows before bed and i absolutely stayed up way too late finishing this book! I read the whole thing in one night!

The shadow man abducts people and locks them in a house with no windows and only one door that he can lock and unlock. He leaves no ransom note or reason behind why he kidnaps Elspeth, Meggy, and Xavier but poor Angela fought back and lost her life for that brave act.Meggy is an absolutely brilliant character that isnt afraid to fight back! There are truly gruesome scenes but it only adds to the mystery that is the shadow man.

Ill leave the rest of the plot for you to read and decipher but i cant say much more without giving away the story.

Helen Fields has a new fan and i look forward to much more!
Thank you for the opportunity to read this absolutely terrifying novel!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a gruesome psychological thriller and is a thrilling, haunting book about the work of Harris Povey and his latest three victims. The police team with D I Baarda and his boss, Detective Superintendent Overbeck and the profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine make an interesting, and creative team, all of whom are interesting characters. I would enjoy reading more of the stories and challenges of Baarda and Woolwine in the future.
Highly recommended.

This is my first Helen Fields book and I’m hooked. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I loved Dr. Woolwine’s character and how she was able to profile the killer/kidnapper. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read another Helen Fields’ book!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. This book started off really good, I couldn’t put it down. Then it started to get slow. It seemed to be going on forever. A good storyline, not too pushed on the main character but the others where great. Not one for me to be honest.

OMG This is a scary book. I believe that the research is accurate and this syndrome which drives the story is real and what a frightening concept.
The perpetrator is a really scary person and the situations that arise are nightmare inducing!
In spite of this I was really hooked and was desperate to pick the book up again to find out more.
The investigating team felt very Helen Fields with clear thinking and team work. The two main characters being very supportive of each other.
Highly recommended -- if you like to be horrified!!

This is the best book I have read for quite a long time. It kept me hooked throughout and although I've enjoyed all of Helen's books I think this surpasses her others - which takes some doing.
It's certainly a read with a difference, a female lead with unorthodox methods of getting into the mind of a killer, and also the way she deals with him closeup!!
Hopefully this will continue into a long running series. I'll be waiting.

Helen Fields has done it again another brilliant book. She seems to always write a total page turner and this is no different. Again a great set of characters the new team adds a whole new dimension as they are not both police but one is a profiler.
To say too much would give the story away but needless to say the Shadow Man is a great character that is truly scary. This is one of Helens most terrifying books that keeps you reading right the way through to say it is a page turner is an understatement.

4.5 stars ⭐️ Holy CRAP, y’all! This book was so beyond creepy. There were several times I had to stop reading or turn my head like I was actually seeing what was happening. I can handle a LOT but this one got to me. Such an amazing story and great characters. Definitely add this one to your list!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Brilliant storytelling with a cracking pace. Can’t wait to read book two about Dr Constance and Detective Baarda. Loved them both. Thank you for the read NetGalley. Highly recommend Helen Fields.

Wow what an edge of the seat thriller! Grabbed me from the first page and kept me gripped until the end.

The book is set around Edinburgh.

When Elspeth Dunwoody disappears, leaving her shoe behind to show she was taken, the case becomes all hands on deck as she is the daughter of the head of a global tech company with many political contacts.

Connie, an American forensic psychologist, is employed by the police to provide a profile of Elspeth’s kidnapper. She joins DI Baarda who is investigating.
As they are following leads, a young girl is kidnapped from outside of her school and it becomes clear to Connie that it is the same kidnapper.

I don’t want to give anything further away with the storyline but it is a dark and addictive read which will have you reading well into the night!

Highly recommended.
Due for release 4/2/21
Many thanks to Avon and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review

After being a huge fan of the 'perfect' series I was eagerly awaiting this release. It didn't dissapoint!
Its beautifully written and builds suspense, whilst introducing you to characters both old and new.
I loved the nod to the perfect series with the setting in the foreboding Edinburgh and the return of superintendent Overbeck.
The hints of vulnerability in Connie, coupled with her fierce nature leave you both vying for her success and concerned for her safety.
But the masterpiece of this book is the Shadow Man creating a human so demonic but still retaining the believable human qualities has been done to perfection leaving me truly chilled.
A fantastic new addition to the crime fiction world.
Many thanks to netaglley for this wonderful book.

This was my first Helen Fields novel and I now want to read more of her work. This was a well-written and creepy thriller.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The main character in The Shadow Man is a forensic psychologist named Connie Woolwine who has been called to Edinburgh to help solve the missing person case of Elspeth Dunwoody. Connie's partner in sleuthing is Detective Inspector Baarda. Connie is a unique character in that she has a unique perspective of the world- partially because she is an achromat (can't see colors) and partially because of her own past psychological traumas. This is a woman who is not afraid to get up close and personal with the dead to see what they can tell her. Edinburgh is a perfect setting for this dark and brooding mystery. As the story progresses, several other people disappear. Are the cases linked and if so, what can Connie deduce from each case that will help her find a connection to the villain? I don't want to give away anymore details accept to say that this was a rewarding read which kept me at the edge of my seat. I hope that this is the first book in a series because I would love to read more mysteries with Connie and Detective Inspector Baarda!

Brrrr! This book completely froze my blood cells, taking tour inside the criminal’s mind and as you discover how his dysfunctional mind works, how he chooses his preys, stalking and watching, if you’re not a tough one who cannot digest gory, dark, terrifying way of story telling, please just drop the book and run! That’s not your cup of Earl Grey, for sure!

Luckily I don’t like tea but I always keen on reading darker, challenging, complex stories just like this one. I already packed more adult diapers just in case before diving into this journey.

At the beginning we’re introduced the perpetrator, after a few glimpses make us realize his motives, we learn he is sick ( not only mentally but also physically) but he needs to finish his passion work. So we’re not sure his health conditions can prevent him to finish what he started. He wants his legendary name “ Shadow Man” leaves a memorable trace when he’s gone!

Dr. Connie Woolwine, an American forensics psychologist and Brodie Baarda, a London detective, team up to solve the missing person cases in Edinburgh. Their relationship dynamic and quirky characteristics( especially talkative forensics Ms. Woolwine has some similar qualities with Annette) reminded me of Katherine Engberg’s Tenant series detectives Werner and Korner.

Elspeth,Meggy and Xavier are three characters from different backgrounds.They’re captivated at some unknown place, their each moves are monitored by their hunter. They need to find a way to escape but how?
As the number of the cases is increasing, eventually the pressure on the detectives are getting higher. They have to find a way to stop them but how?

What if Connie attracts the perpetrator’s attention, acting like ideal candidate to be abducted. Well, her plan may work but also may drag her to the most dangerous places she cannot ever imagine.

Click! Click! Click! You hear the sound! I keep ordering more DI Callanach series! I enjoyed the author’s riveting writing style, high tension building of the story and memorable characterization including shadow man. She portrayed the sick mind of a character with a realistic, objective and also horrifying approach.

I cannot wait to read more works of the author sooner.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.

#TheShadowMan #NetGalley
I loved it.
Helen Fields has done it again. She's written a wonderful Book with great suspense and twist. Although I was right somewhat about the ending but she completely blown me away.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for giving me an advance copy of this book.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a dark psychological thriller. The dynamics of the police team are interesting, seeing how the characters work together and develop throughout the book - it was even great to have Overbeck back! I have read all of Fields’ other books and highly recommended this one.

This story is dark, twisted, and quite brilliant. It grabs you right from the beginning and you just can’t put it down. This author writes some incredible stories and this one is just as good...if not even better. If you love suspense and thrillers then make sure this is on your list. It does not disappoint!!

The Shadow Man Review!
The Shadow Man is an excellent book for any fan of thrillers, crime, suspense, and even horror. As a mental health nurse, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and premise of this book! This book takes us into the mind of a psychopath to see exactly how the criminal mind works. It is so interesting to read and a great learning experience. Helen Fields does an excellent job of telling this story! I would highly recommend it!

Without a shadow of a doubt (I know, apologies) a really dark, compelling thriller. I was hooked from the outset. Loved the characters and would love to meet them again. Cannot recommend it enough. Brilliant.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Oh my! This was both exciting and creepy as hell. Having read a great many thrillers over the years, the scariest tale of all was when an author peeped into the mind of a psychopath to reveal the darkest of thoughts residing there. And nobody could do it better than author Helen Fields. There was suspense at every step, and the dark lanes of the subplots twisted every few corners of the book.
The plot had three people who were taken by a ruthless kidnapper and locked in a house with no windows. Then on the other side of the spectrum, there was Connie a psychologist trying to get to the truth and finding the connection between the kidnapped. This was a police procedural but felt more like a thriller as the excitement ratcheted up every few pages.
The characters from the kidnapped to the police team were etched in detail. To see the kidnapped showing courage brought a singular warmth in my heart coiled around the fear if it would enough for their survival. The author knew how to keep the suspense in the prose, where all the scenes appeared seamless when the truth was finally revealed.
An exciting but completely scary book, I have to admit. It would have been better if there were not one of my midnight reads. Read it during the day if you want to avoid nightmares.

The premise of this book is a woman’s worse nightmare...and I loved it! The writer knew how to tap into the fears in the mind’s of women. I would definitely recommend this book to someone because every thriller reader likes to read a book that makes their ultimate terror tangible.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Fergus who is dying decides two kidnap three people. They are Elspeth,Meggy and Xavier. They have tried to escape to no avail. This book has so many twists and turns. Kept me interested until the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. This book was so creepy. I love that "scary" feeling I get when I read a psychological thriller. The author knocked it out of the park. This book was the best book that I have read in a long time.

This is a stand-alone book by Helen Fields, author of the DI Callanach books which I love, and wow what a rollercoaster of a ride this book is, I couldn’t put it down. The story revolves round The Shadow Man, who kidnaps firstly Elspeth, a young mother, then Meggy a 12 year old and lastly Xavier a young wheelchair bound man. The Shadow Man is seriously weird taking them to a flat he has made in the upper story of his house and there they remain locked up. They have no idea where or why they are held? The three of them must try to escape in order to survive, a feat that seems impossible. In their endeavour to escape they uncover gruesome secrets. Detective Brodie Baada a London detective, and American profiler Dr Connie Woolwise are investigating their disappearance. Helen Fields paints a truly remarkable picture of a man who is a psychopath, not a pretty picture. She also depicts Edinburgh, transporting you into the darker areas. Her prose flows effortlessly as the story with all its nuances unfolds.. A real page turner of a book even if some of the story is a bit hard to digest. A book I would have no hesitation in recommending another cracking read from a Helen Fields. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC

What did I just read!!!!!
A ghost enters the life of a woman, a girl and a man, takes them away into a nice fantasy for himself that soon turns into the worst nightmare for all three. Because he's not just a ghost, he's a monster and he's all too real.

‘Positive motivation is overrated.’ Connie reclined her seat and closed her eyes . ‘The only trigger human beings really respond to is abject frigging fear.’

Ok. I will be honest I don't know where to start. I read this for 5 hours in one ago because, yeah,it was that UNPUTDOWNABLE !!!! And I am still reeling from the ending so forgive me if I don't sound coherent enough.
Let's start.
Characterisation: layered, multiple characters each unique in their own way. Can't decide who's the best. Meggie, little kid who's smart and incredibly brave. Neglected at home but knows how to stand up to bullies really well. She's the life of this book.
Elspeth, a philanthropist wife, with kids. Presents the picture perfect mother and wife, but has her own faults. Malleable ( sometimes too much) but resilient and often has good survival instinct.
Xavier, parapelgic man who comes in at the last half of the book but still leaves an impression. Wish I had seen more of him.
Connie, our forensic psychologist brought in from the States, who sees things in black and white, literally. Working in a male dominated profession and a few emotional baggages of her own, she has learnt to cope with great sarcasm and unconventional methods that, no doubt, get the results and earn her respect from even the most sceptical ones. Her involvement in the investigation goes too far and the choices she has to make might change how you see things. You will respect her.
Brodie, handsome partner of Connie wish I had seen more of.

Again congratulations to the author on creating such a thrill ride. Yes, nearly 5 hours and I wasn't bored once.

"Blood droplets from his face burst juicily as they hit hers"

That's how vivid the writing is. Unique way of presenting and creating scenarios that grabs your attention and never lets go.
The author might have focused a little too much on the female characters to the point that the male characters get sidelined but it's more than compensated with the way the monster is represented.

And the ending! Oh boy the ending! I don't want to give anything away because one has to read it themselves to see it... But holy shit the ending!!!!!

I don't know when the author will be releasing her next book but let me go back and read the rest of her work because Helen Fields just might be my new favourite author.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Helen Fields for a copy of this outstanding book in return for an honest review.


"The paint had run, as if the windows themselves were crying at the sickness of the world they hid."

Sickness doesn't even cut it! The horrors throughout this book are so awful its so good!
Fergus is a very ill and very messed up individual and having a lot of the book in his perspective was bloody fantastic!

"Fergus Ariss waited to see if this time, at last, he would stay dead."

Connie and Baarda are an amazing couple of characters, I really really hope to see more of these two.

Fantastic story! 5* highly recommend

This is the best book I have read for quite a long time. It kept me hooked throughout. The characters are great and you really start to feel and care for what’s happening. it really is a great dark read especially at this time of year and I look forward to reading other books Helen has to offer .

A five star read!! A brilliant new character in Dr Woolwine and also a very creepy villain. I like the way a character from the brilliant DI Callanach series is in the book also. Would love to see this as a new series. #NetGalley#TheShadowMan

This is a standalone novel from Helen – whose Perfect detective series I LOVE – and golly, it is clever. A man, woman and child are locked in a flat, put there by someone who wants them for themselves – and shows no sign of letting them go. This shadow man is a ghostly figure but all too real for his prisoners. It’s up to detectives and a specially flown in aid to work out the shadow man’s motives and background, and ultimately, what he plans to do with the unlikely trio. It is quick, it is clever and it is shocking in some areas – literally hand over mouth shocking – but the depth of research and quality of writing is exceptional. Please Helen, write all the books.

When I read the book blurb, I thought we would be looking into the perspectives of the captives. But this book features less of that.

The only thing I liked about the book are the psychology bits and the climax. Rest of the plot is jagged because of the POV shift. The author didn't handle them well.

But still a pretty good book and a really good lead character.

Wow, this book is dark! Seriously creepy and disturbing throughout. The characters are all fabulous and play their role to perfection. I really hope this is the first of a series for Connie as she is brilliant.

Dr Connie Woolwine is called in to a case in Edinburgh to work with detective Brodie Baarda in the disappearance of a well known local woman, Elspeth.

Elspeth is being held hostage and is soon joined by two others who are all looking to escape the evilest of nightmares, the Shadowman. He is always watching and waiting for them to make the wrong move.

Helen is one of my favourite authors and the ‘Perfect’ series is by far one of the best. So when Avon kindly sent me a copy in exchange for a review it certainly made my day and I devoured it over a few days. Beware the first chapter is not the best to read when you’re in bed alone!

A great story keeping you gripped from start to finish and leaving you wanting to know what happens next...

Did I just discover a new author ? ✔️✔️
Have I ordered the Perfect Series (all of them ) between reading this book. ✔️✔️

Dr. Connie is my hero. I love her. Write more about her please. She is so kickass🦸🏼‍♀️and cool 👩🏼‍💻I really feel like we would be BFFs. I need to see where this goes with Baarda.

So she is a super smart , super quick ,forensic psychologist who profiles serial killers and does all sorts of other neat stuff. I could write a paragraph on just that. Baarda seems to be a badass cop, and together they try to find Fergus who believes he’s dying , and before he does he needs to create the perfect family. But things don’t work out every time for him so he’s killed a few along the way. Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are the perfect family to him.

You meet all sorts of cool characters (whom I hope to meet in her other books that I have on the way📬).

I love these types of books. This book is not for someone who can’t take gory details. But I love them.

DEF A 5 STAR READ. Get this book when it’s available , it was amazing.
Thank you NETGALLEY AND HELEN FIELDS!

Ok now that's what I'm talking about in a Mystery/Thriller book!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
I ❤'d this book!! So GOOD!

I am such a big fan of Helen Fields Luc Callanach series so i was thrilled to get the chance to read this and it was just as amazing as i hoped. Connie is a brilliant, complex character and following her as she unraveled the crime was exhilarating. I couldn't remember the last time i was so tense reading the climax of a thriller. I had no idea what was going to happen.

A read that sends chills up your spine, this is not a DI Callanach story but a standalone thriller

3 People have been kidnapped and placed in a windowless house with little hope of escape, A psychologist is helping the police by trying to get into the mindset of the kidnapper and assist in the search for these missing 3

A thrilling read and one that needs very little feedback to make others want to read

This has gone straight into my top five of 2021 . A marvellous masterpieces of suspense, terror and mystery that will leave you knowing at your knuckles and checking under the bed. Someone’s collecting people and not in a good way either, he’s a dark and deranged person who wants to fulfil his horrendous plan. A plan that involves kidnap and murder, his objects are kept locked away and terrorised into play acting his sick desires. Can he be stopped before he inflicts even more hurt and pain or will his plans grow to fruition. A dark , unsettling , psychological thriller that will leaves its taint on you long after you put it down. Be prepared to be shocked, upset and thrilled as you follow the story to its climatic conclusion. Bloody brilliantly written and a one to watch out for next year.

Profiler Connie and detective Baarda investigate a kidnapping of a wealthy woman in Edinburgh. There are another kidnapped victims and it seems the cases are connected.
Connie has some interesting researching methods and her relation to Baarda is effective.

The story is very dark, the perpetrator is obviously very sick man, with tortured soul and he only wants to have a proper family. The lives of the ones he'd chosen are his oxygen.

Gripping and scary story.

My first time reading anything by Helen Fields and if her other books are like this then I am definitely going to enjoy reading them. Connie is an interesting quirky character and bounces well against Baarda who at the start seems a stickler for the rules.. It says it's a stand alone book but there are hints of another story hopefully. It's well written and the storyline although not original has a different angle to it. Definitely worth reading.

For me who is more of a cozy crime reader this book made me feel breathless with tension. It taps into your primeval fear of being trapped. Not the sort of book to read before bed. But I kept picking it up to read more. I did enjoy it but I’m a scaredy cat so read it with the light on.

This standalone from Helen Field is really different from her Callanach series, but exactly the same as in it does not disappoint.
I was gripped from the beginning.
Its set in Edinburgh and centers around a man who abducts people to build his perfect family, he has taken others in the past though for one reason or another they didn`t fulfill their role.
So now he has three people Elspeth, Maggie and Xavier.
They are all unconnected but now find themselves trapped together and held hostage by a man who could snap at any point.
They know they are in a dangerous situation but escaping is never going to be easy.
Will they make it? Can they all survive?
The case falls to Detective Brodie Baarda, on loan from the Met, investigating the disappearances and deaths of people in Edinburgh. He`s aided by an American forensic psychologist DR.Connie Woolwine.
With their investigation throwing up few leads Connie decides she needs to make a personal appeal the kidnapper.
Will she be able to draw him out into the open or will the madman draw her into the shadows with him ?
This is a truly dark read that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
I could easily read more books featuring Baarda and Woolwine, such an easy recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for the chance to read this as an ARC.

After a woman is found murdered in her home and another goes missing, Dr Connie Woolwine a phychological profiler and DI Baroda must search for a very cunning and twisted suspect. A page turning detective thriller. How are will you go for a " perfect family"?

Yet another brilliant book from the very talented Helen Fields. Not a Callanach story but has some of the characters from the Perfect series in it. Telling the story of a man Fergus who without giving too much away is extremely creepy. A superb idea for a story and well executed. I really liked that Overbeck and Ailsa Lambert were included in it.. It is a novel which causes an unpleasant feeling of fear and unease and may keep you awake at night. I loved it

This is a different crime book in that you know who the perpetrator is, and what he’s done, why he’s doing it but it is so creepy and nail biting, I felt I was in that house with those poor people. Towards the end (03:30am) this morning I was on tenterhooks because I didn’t know what was going to happen.

Fergis is one odd bod! He kidnaps people and keeps them on his house, in a man made flat with no windows and no escape. He even forgets to feed them!

When people begin to go missing the Edinburgh police draft in a psychological profiler from the States to get into the mind of the kidnapper. I have to say I really liked Connie and the main policeman Baarda. She was likeable and thorough and she herself was flawed which helped her get inside the mind of Ferris. I had to laugh when Overbeck appeared, she is one bitch and those of us who’ve read the “Perfect “ series with DI Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner (brilliant series) will recognise her. All I can say, is God help Edinburgh police having her father n charge!

All in all it was a very enjoyable book and I really felt I was locked up too, it is a stand alone book, but then again I’m sure if Helen wanted to write more with the same characters the door is open.

Read it, you won’t be disappointed.

My thanks to the publishers and to Helen for the ARC.

From the publisher (because it's a perfectly succinct summary: He collects his victims. But he doesn’t keep them safe.

Elspeth, Meggie and Xavier are locked in a flat. They don’t know where they are, and they don’t know why they’re there. They only know that the shadow man has taken them, and he won’t let them go.

Desperate to escape, the three of them must find a way out of their living hell, even if it means uncovering a very dark truth.

Because the shadow man isn’t a nightmare. He’s all too real.

And he’s watching.

I absolutely loved this clever tension-filled book. It's dense--Fields does a wonderful job building her world and giving the readers a glimpse into police work, psychology, the minds of victims and perpetrators alike. Backstories are fleshed out and satisfying and there's great chemistry amongst the cast. So the density never feels like a slog: I flew through this one, staying up late into the night to finish. Baarda and Connie are likeable heroes, and one can absolutely relate to Elspeth, Meggy, and Xavier. There's also a chilling antagonist.

I'd absolutely recommend this to any thriller fan. I'm so happy to have discovered Helen Fields here and I'll be sure to seek out her other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

As a huge fan of Helen Fields’ books, I was delighted to be asked to read an advanced copy of The Shadow Man. And it did not disappoint. Right from the start, it had me hooked and I needed to see how it would end. A man, a woman and a teenage girl are kidnapped and put in a windowless room. But who kidnapped them and why? As the story unfolds, you will want and need to know what will become of them all. Definitely one of my favourite books of the year.

I rarely give out five stars but this was an easy decision. I love this author's books and one of the few authors whose books I will automatically purchase without reading the synopsis.

This one was unbelievable. Kept my heart racing throughout the entire book. Particularly the end. Oh holy cow that ending. I'm going to need therapy. Deep, long therapy.

Best mystery/thriller this year. Sublime. And I absolutely fell in love with the characters. Please make this a series. Please. But give me time to save up for therapy.

This book was filled with tension from the beginning.
As usual there was some major twists which for me as a reader i had no idea they were going in that direction
I shall be recommending this author to friends who love the same genre as me

I am a big fan of Helen's books and I couldn't wait to read this book, If you like tense, creepy, scary books, then this is the one for you, I loved how when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. Helen never disappoints and always has you guessing. My skin crawled reading this book, it was very eerie but made me want to read on. Three victims are taken and locked up but they have no idea why. What they discover in there will break your heart, The shadow man is a dangerous man who has got issues himself, what will happen when his victims try to escape, him being weak himself, will they make it? It all wraps up into a outstanding ending. I cannot wait to read Helen's next book.

You could cut the tension in this book with a knife.

I loved having the viewpoint of the psychologist, rather than just the typical storyline with police. It gave this one a completely different feel.

The Shadow Man is an anxious and scary race against the clock... that'll leave you double-checking your locks and squinting into dark corners.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this title.

Thoroughly enjoyed the previous books by Helen Fields and, as anticipated, this did not disappoint.
A dark tale with so many twists and turns I was gripped from the outset.
Hopefully the start of a new series featuring Dr Connie Woolbine.
4.5 stars

Another brilliant read from Helen Fields. Gripping from the first page this is a gritty and disturbing story of ‘the shadow man’ and his many, victims spanning decades. Suspense and drama had me willing Elspeth, Maggie and Xavier on so that they can get back to their families as undamaged as an ordeal like this can leave them. Highly recommended. With thanks to netgalley for an arc in return for my honest feedback.

Thank you for the advance copy. This book is very much an edge of your seat book and I'm certain it will be hugely popular amongst our library readers. It's a dark exciting thriller and although the writing is very good and descriptive, it doesn't stop the book being a real page turner. I will be recommending this book for our library book club.

”Life has a way of making things complicated”.

This is my first Helen Fields book, so I didn’t know what to expect from this book. She is popular with her series and this is her first standalone book.

The story is intriguing to me to know more depth towards the truth. From the beginning, it had me hooked and kept my attention. As the story unfolds, we came to know about two main characters, Connie and Fergus.

Connie, the American forensic psychologist, is excellent in her work. She is the most compelling character in this book who can’t see colors and profile the kidnapper. Fergus, the kidnapper, is scary. He is an interesting character even though he’s a bad guy here. He is diagnosed with a mental illness called Cotard syndrome and leads to no fear in doing anything as he thinks he’s invisible and dying even though he is not. Fergus chose each person for a reason. They are playing their role to Fergus.

The story has been told in a nice storyline; only I feel a little confused with the point of view. I think it is better to have two points of view only, from Fergus and Connie. A few last chapters made me speed my reading because I want to know the ending. I am satisfied with the end! Plot twist also in here!

This is a standalone novel but I'm hoping there's a sequel because I like to read more about Connie and DI Baarda.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This standalone book absolutely shocked, amazed and captivated me from the very first page. A complex storyline with intriguing characters it will compel you to read deep into the night. A must for all thriller lovers and my thanks go to Netgalley, Avon books and the fabulous Helen Fields for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Are you ready to delve into the mind of a killer? You better be prepared... not everyone makes it out alive!

Helen Fields ability to write captivating and thrilling books just gets better and better!

The Shadow Man is her first standalone novel since writing the Perfect series. Whilst we are given two brand, spanking new characters this story actually takes place in the same constabulary as her previous novels and features the monstrous Superintendent Overbeck (Overlord!) and even the same chief medical examiner Alisa! For the fans of the Perfect series (like me) this just makes it even better!

The two new characters we are treated to in this book are brilliantly written and paired up. Similarly to Turner and Callanach, Connie is your strong female lead. Supremely intelligent when it comes to profiling, strong willed and is certainly no wallflower. But, for all of her ‘Rocky’ outbursts she is absolutely fabulous, a breath of fresh air to an otherwise male dominated sector and I very much hope she makes another appearance soon.

This book had me hooked from the get-go. It’s a creepy, pulse-racing read that is so tense I found myself holding my breath. Had Connie not followed her gut/instinct rather than wait for clues I do think Fields might’ve struggled to rein this plot into line. But theory chasing aside this book is absolutely brilliant!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read The Shadow Man by Helen Fields. I loved this book, from the moment I picked it up, until the end. This is a stand alone, written by one of my favourite writers.
Talk about creepy! This is probably one of the best books I have read all year. Shadow Man is a perfect title for this book, as the killer really is in the shadows. This sick individual does horrific things, to get what he thinks is his "Perfect Family!" Helen Fields brings serial killer to a whole new level and Fergus Arris fits the bill. He sure kept American Profiler/Forensic Psychologist Connie Woodwine and DI Brodie Baarda on their toes!

The Shadow Man is a gripping thriller which I could not put down. The story is compelling and the perpetrator of the horrifying crimes is sinister and made my flesh creep. It is not for the faint hearted but for all lovers of crime thrillers it is a must.

I wish I could give this latest book from Helen Fields 6 stars. It is brilliant. From the first sentence I knew it was going to be excellent and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a stand alone book after the brilliant Perfect series. It is a gritty tale introducing DI Baarda and criminal psychologist Constance Woolwine. Connie is a great character, feisty and straight talking and hopefully this will be the start of a new series. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to review this brilliant novel.

American profiler and forensic psychologist Connie Woodwine and DI Brodie Baarda from the Met Ops Team are assisting the Edinburgh based Police Scotland team following the disappearance of Elspeth Dunwoody, this is followed by further disappearances and this the hunt is on for ‘The Shadow Man’.

Wow. That start! Talk about perch on the edge of your seat, hardly daring to breathe as the nightmare unfolds. 0 to 60 in a nanosecond! I think it’s fair to say that Helen Fields has my attention immediately. Woodwine and Baarda make a fantastic team, they’re yin and yang, as they try to track down a horrifyingly mentally ill, delusional and demonic monster. The interaction between them works so well, Connie is straight talking, shoot from the lips and Baarda is ever polite but there is sharp good humour between them which works really well and relieves tension. The victims actions are interesting and I don’t want to give much away but one of them proves to be both brave and resourceful. There’s desperation, shocks by the bucketload as a maniacal fantasy is constructed. It’s creepy, ghoulish, shivers up the spine and jaw dropping in intensity. Thankfully the pace alters and gives you time to catch your breath before your head explodes and then builds up again. The end - what can I say except it’s beyond tense, it’s tragic and sad. I love the ultimate finale with Connie and Baarda and I sincerely hope that the author does not confine them to a one off. They are tremendous characters, I’d love to read what they do next.

Overall, I think you can tell I think this book is good! It’s gritty, dark, so well written, the plot is well paced and you have no idea what is going to happen next. It has some very original and creative elements that add an extra dimension to the storyline. This is Helen Fields best book so far in my opinion. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I am a massive fan of the DI Callanach series of books so was excited to read this!

Really enjoyed the story but especially liked the characters - there's surely a series in Connie Woolwine and Brodie Baarda. I also loved that some of the secondary characters from the Callanach books make an appearance.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.
Having read all the DI Callanach books to date and become a fan of them, I was perhaps a little apprehensive about this publication as it would introduce totally new characters from Ms Fields.
I needn't have worried, this standalone publication was a superbly written book and I have no hesitation in giving it five stars.
Dare I hope for more to follow for these characters ?

Wow! A 4.5 stars read for me. I could hardly put the book down and I will definitely be seeking out her other books in the "Perfect" series.

I loved the dynamic and chemistry between Connie Woolwine and Brodie Baarda, although I would have liked to have seen more character development but I hope the author will bring them back in another book. Also, I felt some confusion with the timeline as it seemed that the investigation was moving at a different pace than the action involving the victims.

All-in-all, this story progressed from being somewhat creepy to disturbing and then ramped up to full-blown terror! I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing this ARC.

Breathtaking. My favourite of Helen's yet! Deliciously creepy and atmospheric, it will stay with you long after the last page is turned...

Firstly thank you to net galley for the opportunity to read this book. Secondly, wow! This is not my first Helen fields book. Ive read the perfect series so was a bit worried how id feel without the usual characters ive grown to love. But let me tell you, this standalone was not a disappointment at all. Connie is badass and i hope and pray helen will continue her story. This book is based upon the story surrounding a few people who end up going missing. Connie is an American forensics psychologist who does her best to figure out whats going on in the mind of the kidnapper, along with detective brodie baarda. This book should 100% be made into a film, i was literally on the edge of my seat waiting in anticipation for what was about to happen. I cannot rste this book enough. It was creep, amd extremely clever. I would to see more books with the characters in because i thought they were brilliant. Massive hats off to helen fields for this masterpiece

Another book by a fantastic author. This book is a standalone book and part of Helens current series. Full of suspense and edge of your seat reading. You will be hooked and needing to turn those pages in no time.
Maggie, Elspeth, and Xavier, find themselves thrust into something neither of them want to be a part of. The 3 of them trapped together must find a way of escaping. How or if they can survive can only be discovered by reading the book.
Occasionally you need to remind yourself to breathe, as you read just one more page, then another. You'll be

Thank you to NetGalley, the amazing Helen Fields and Avon Books UK/Avon for forwarding to me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is Helen Fields' first stand alone novel with the unlikely pairing of strong willed rule breaker and American forensic psychologist Dr. Connie Woolwine and straight laced play by the rules London Detective Brodie Baarda. They are investigating the disappearance of a young mother named Elspeth, who has been kidnapped outside of the yoga studio she frequents.

The mystery of who has kidnapped Elspeth is not one to the reader. We are introduced to Fergus Argiss early on and hear his point of view throughout the book .Fergus believes he is dying as part of Cotard's Syndrome, which is an integral part of the book. As more are taken in Edinburgh and his house becomes full, Fergus begins to unravel and starts making mistakes.

The Shadow Man can be very graphic in some parts and is not for the faint of heart. There is not your typical "All tied up in a bow" ending but it I was very satisfied with it. If I had one complaint, it is in listening to Connie speak, her language is one of a Scot and not one of an American, using phrases such as "boot" instead of trunk or "eat a curry".

I thought this book was amazing and I can't wait to read more Helen Fields!

I am not familiar with the author or her other novels, but the synopsis sounded interesting. The shadow man has three victims locked in a flat. How do they escape this nightmare?

And this is a nightmare.

A woman has vanished into thin air, and a dead woman has been found in her flat. The book has three plotlines of the case: Dr Connie Woolwine an American Psychologist/profiler brought in on a missing persons case in Edinburgh. The Shadow Man himself and his side of the story makes disturbing reading, and from inside the house and how the kidnap victims cope.

This is a very dark novel with some of the terror implied rather than described which almost makes it more disturbing. The Shadow Man and his victims make good characters, I just found Connie Woolwine a bit to kooky for me, but this did not stop me enjoying the novel, or hoping for another case with her on it.

Interesting take on Edinburgh with parts of it that don’t come up very often in novels which delighted me as its my home town.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in advance of an honest review.

Elspeth Dunwoody has disappeared. Elspeth is the Daughter-in-law of a very powerful and influential businessman so no expense is being spared in finding out what happened to her. Edinburgh’s MIT have brought in DI Baarda from London a Kidnap Specialist and Connie Woolwine an American profiler.
No witnesses and no forensic evidence means they are at a dead end. Then a young girl, Meggy Russell, is seen being bundled into a car outside her school and Baarda and Woolwine can’t help but feel that her abduction is somehow connected to Elspeth.
When a young paraplegic man is taken they finally get a lead but it’s clear the kidnapper is escalating and becoming reckless. Why is he taking random people and what does he want with them. Connie has a theory but no one is listening and time is running out.
I love the DI Callanach books and wasn’t sure about a stand alone but WOW! This is brilliant. So well written you can feel the tension.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Helen Fields for the advanced copy.

Wow, wow and more wow. I will have read close to 150 books this year. It is in my top 3, if not my #1 favourite book of the year. I had just read her DI Luc Callanach books back to back and loved them. This topped these. I honestly did not think there was a variation on lead characters in crime books I had not seen before. Yes, this was a first, wow (back to that word) I loved the new take. As far as I am aware this is a standalone, but if it is not, the number one book I will be after is a second instalment.

A psychological thriller set in Scotland with a DI and a psychologist in the lead. The plot and the crux of the story is new and unexpected. About halfway through I thought I have picked up the wrong genre, but was happy to be proved wrong. Some parts are too graphic and dialogues coarse, which I feel could do with some toning down. I would like the author to make this a series.

Wow, what an amazing read. I was gripped to this fast paced story and couldn't put it down till i finished

I need to start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC for my honest review. I am a huge fan of Helen Field’s DI Callanach series,and I jumped at the chance to read this stand alone novel. Strong similarities in characters, overall strength, suspense and mystery, this is darker! I cannot say how clever and exciting this novel is. I look forward to her next already.

The creepy main character Fergus really freaked me out but I loved the whole book and read most of it in one sitting!

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the stunning new novel from #HelenFields, author of the "Perfect" series featuring DI Callanach.

"The Shadow Man" is a venture into new territory for Ms. Fields, and she absolutely nailed this one" I read the first half in one afternoon sitting, totally ignoring all of the other books on my shelf.

With the introduction of Connie Woolwine, a forensic psychologist, and DI Baarda of the Edinburgh Major Investigation Team, we embark on a deep, dark mystery that starts with a scream; the neighbors certainly heard that.

Elspeth Dunwoody, wife and mother, has simply disappeared from Gayfield Gardens, and the scream from Connie alerts the entire neighborhood - so how is it that there are no witnesses to her disappearance?

This we are introduced to The Shadow Man. A man who is convinced that he's dying - any day now - and has nothing to lose as he starts the collection that will make up his family: a wife (never mind if she's already married, that doesn't matter), a daughter (so what if he father is frantic to find her after her daylight abduction) and a brother(?) - we're not certain of the purpose behind the brazen, violent abduction of paraplegic Xavier.

Connie and DI Baarda have their hands full trying to link these three cases with others - the disappearance of a homeless woman, the murder of a young mother in her bed... and they're stymied almost every step of the way by a police force that just cannot see how they all connect.

Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are being held in an upstairs flat with painted-on windows and no access to the outside, at the whim of Elspeth's 'husband' Fergus. Or is he Fergus? As the mysteries start to pull closer and closer together, the depth of his depravity is slowly unveiled. But as a (possibly) man, what does he really have to lose? All they know is that they have to escape before he kills them all!

Ms. Fields slowly builds the atmosphere to a fever pitch and a climax that is as chilling as any I've ever read.

Along the way, she nods slyly to her other series, mentioning that MIT is short-staffed due to one member 'working on the Continent with Interpol' and another on personal, medical leave. And she brings DS Overbeck into the mix.

Ms. Fields introduces us to two interesting 'conditions' within the course of her story: Dr. Woolwine is achromatic, which means she sees the world in black-and-white only, as a result of a childhood injury. And we explore Cotard's Syndrome within the context of our villain.

All in all, this is a thoroughly engrossing book which I would highly recommend.

4.5*
Gore score 🗡🗡
I loved the perfect series so I was pleased to get a chance to read this Netgalley arc of this stand alone novel.
I really enjoyed this book.
The shadow man has collected 3 victims Meggie, Xavier and Elspeth
They don’t know where they are or why.
I didn’t think that the blurb is very strong for this novel. It wouldn’t entice me to purchase the book. There is a spoiler in the blurb thanks a lot! Please remove it. No point reading about the girl escaping if you already know she is going to turn up dead.
I like the cover, quite eye catching.
The main character is Connie is a brash American forensic psychologist who has her own dark past. I Like the relationship developing between her and Baarda.
Of the characters I felt a bit sorry for Fergus the villain of the story initially.
Elspeth was a bit of a wimp, but when she had some one to be responsible for she stepped up. Meggie is feisty I like her attitude.
Oh what a clever twist just when I was thinking this part isn’t working for me!!!!! An explanation followed by my immediate re connection.
It looks like this could become a series, I do hope so, but hope that the setting stays in the UK.

As a huge fan of Helen Fields’ DI Callanach series I was super excited when I got approved to read her new novel The Shadow Man. A stand alone novel, The Shadow Man is a dark creepy ride into the mind of a madman. You are introduced to The Shadow Man as he kidnaps a woman. Brought in is forensic psychologist Dr. Connie Woolwine from America to assist DI Baarda in locating the missing woman. However, the case they are on turns into so much more. Its the kind of story that you can’t put down and find yourself reading late into the night. At times I found myself getting freaked out by sounds in the house as I read. But I couldn’t stop reading it! I do hope that this is only the beginning of a new series! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!!!

A good and interesting read!

I would recommend this to everyone who loves a good story with captivating characters! Definitely a good read!

Dr. Connie Woolwine, a profiler, and DI Baarda are tracking down a kidnapper and his victims. It is a fast pacing thriller and I enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy.

Firstly a big thank you to Avon for my copy to review on netgalley . Im a huge fan of Helens books , i was very excited to read her first stand alone.

This is devilishly creepy and terrifying. She writes crime perfectly. You are engrossed straight away and hooked till the last page.

Fantastic charactars especially connie the forensic psychologist who i wouldnt mind meeting again. Shes a brilliant strong woman who has her own way of cracking a case. Through her mind we get to see the mind of the shadow man.

This is chilling and captivating.

Highly recommend if you want a read that is haunting and gets under your skin.

Published 4th February 2021

I really enjoyed this book. Character development was good. The plot was very interesting. Not a lot of typos.

Thoroughly enjoyed this latest book from Helen Fields. Having read all of the Luc Callanach books I was intrigued by the latest two offerings. I loved These Lost and Broken Things and was excited to have a chance to read The Shadow Man. Connie Woolwine is a true force of nature and an excellent new central protagonist. I hope we get to see more of her. I absolutely loved this book.

No one pens a psychopath quite like Helen Fields. Fergus is up there with her most terrifying villains.

This is a stand-alone novel that like the Callenach series is set in Edinburgh with a few cross over characters cleverly woven into the story. The main character is an American psychologist, Connie Woolwine who is on attachment to Police Scotland. Initially I found Connie hard to like and I wasn’t sure the novel was going to work. As the storyline and tension built I warmed to her character and the novel quickly turned into the page turner you’d expect from Helen Fields.

As with previous novels the ending is fast paced and satisfying. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes crime thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I really enjoyed it!! This is a great read that I instantly got into, excellent characters and an interesting plot. This book kept me reading deep into the night wanting to know how it was going to finish.

There is so much to this story; it's a great read and would highly recommend.

Wow, another brilliant read from Helen Fields. Introducing no nonsense, straight talking Forensic Psychologist Connie Woodwine this stand alone thriller is beyond creepy. The mind of a debased serial killer is laid bare as hope for his captives fades. I really hope this will be the start of a new series.

DARK, CREEPY and INTRIGUING! What more can you ask from a true crime/thriller book?
Just grab the book with both hands and start reading.

I can highly recommend this book and although I read it as a stand alone I do hope it's the start of a new series. It's set in Edinburgh and is a mix of Crime/Psychological Thriller with a bit of horror mixed in. (Well I found it quite horrific in places.) The writing is brilliant as you would expect and I was blown away by some of the descriptions.. It held my attention from the first page to the last.

I really enjoyed this book all the way through. It had a really good plot, great main characters and really keeps you hooked on the plot. I would highly recommend this book.

Helen Fields never disappoints and with this book she’s delivered again. A departure from the Perfect series but still set in Edinburgh and with a couple of the same characters. It’s one of the freakiest villains I’ve ever read. And definitely do not read the first chapter while in bed!

Spine-chilling, nightmarish and another 5 star read by Helen Fields!

‘The Shadow Man’ is in town abducting women, children and men. He has many names and many faces, but one thing is for sure; whoever has seen him says he looks like death.

What are his reasons for these abductions?
Is he a monster? Is he mad? Is he bad? Is he a psychopathic serial killer? Or something much much worse?
Dare to enter the mind of a deranged killer? Be my guest!

Thanks to the author, Avon Books and the NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.

This is a different kind of thriller/horror book.
An American profiler and psychologist is called in to help aid when a high profile abduction of Elspeth occurs after a murder of a similiar woman. Along with Detective Baarda she and he follow the abductions of a 12 year old child and of a parapalegic man. Trying to figure out the end game is all they can try to do and the twist and the turns of the case is absolutely horrifying. Fergus abducts them all to try to create the family he never had, not long after his introduction the reader can realize that he is not only physically but also mentally sick. He is so sick and twisted it's not even funny.
This book follows the investigation and also gives an insight into Fergus's mind, and what an adventure that was. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers as this is one that you are hooked from the beginning to see what other crazy thoughts are going to occur.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives and I loved Connie. She looked at the world in a different view and because of that different perspective she was able to understand Fergus and what he was actually capable of. This type of book is like someone's worst nightmare because Fergus literally the boogeyman he comes and takes his victims and then he tries to basically make them play house with him all the while the victims are terrified. Such a good book! I definitely recommend it!

Excellent.
A thoroughly enjoyable thriller with just the right amount of twistedness and gore this time but tension by the bucketful.
I loved Helen's last one but I felt this was even better.
Interesting side to Connie the profiler who has her own problems to deal with. Her back story is fascinating and fabulously portrayed.
Read this in one weekend and really struggled to put it down.
Many thanks.

Connie is an American Psychologist invited to help out in a high-profile kidnapping. As she begins to gather clues the case explodes as a child and a wheel-chair bound man are both kidnapped too and the perpetrator is linked to a previous gruesome murder. Meanwhile Elspeth, Meggie and Xavier have to try to find a way to escape their kidnapper whilst surviving his temper and his punishments. Locked in a flat, they don't know each other or why they are there. All they know is the Shadow Man has them.

I particularly enjoyed this book. The characters were brought to life and the plot was intriguing. With the narrative swapping between the victims, the perpetrator and the investigators the story was fast paced and exciting. Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for allowing me to preview this title. I shall certainly be looking for other books by this author

The Shadow Man was such a chilling and eerie read! It kept me at the edge of my seat and I especially enjoyed the chapters based on the 3 victims! They each have different backgrounds and different ages but, that is what was needed for them to be taken in the first place. The other chapters are your typical crime book where we follow detectives, named Connie and Baarda, where they find out information and try to solve the case. However, these sections are what make it so good!

Fields had a very clever way of writing, and I felt as if I was in the room with the victims - fighting for survival. This book was suspenseful throughout and at certain moments, I got goosebumps. The thought of being kidnapped and trapped, is terrifying and Fields really depicts the whole situation well. The Shadow Man is just as creepy as you’d expect him to be, and there is a lot to find out about his story too. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, then this is a book for you!

Massive fan of Helen Fields books and this one is definitely one of her best. Could not put it down once I had started! Definitely worth reading

This book was creepy in a good way and kept your attention throughout.
I also learnt new things which is always a good thing.

The plot was intense and well planned out and kept my interest throughout the book. I really needed to get to the end to find out what happened.

This was my first Helen Fields but won;t be my last..

My favourite character was Meggy, she was a little firecracker. and she was so well constructed.

With thanks to NetGalley and to Avon Books for the arc in return for an honest and fair review.

4 VERY INTERESTING GORY STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the chance to read this book.

Not to give to much away, this is a thrilling dysfunctional read. The Shadow Man has me looking into every corner of my house. Though fictional it felt real. Stepping into the mind of psychopath leads you down a steep cliff.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK.

5 STAR READ. This was a sensational book, i read this so quickly within 24 hours as well, it had me hooked and wanting more, it was very page turning book as well, i definitely recommend for all as you will not be disappointed i loved this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DI Brodie Braada from the Met has met up with American profiler Connie Woodwine in Edinburgh. They’ve been called in to help with the kidnapping case. Elspeth is the daughter in law of a high profile businessman and it’s all hands on deck. Despite a ransom call it comes clear that this isn’t a straightforward abduction and a stranger has taken Elspeth for unknown reasons. Then a twelve year old girl, Meggy, is abducted from outside her school. Connie is convinced that the two cases are linked but how can she and Braada stop a killer who believes he’s a ghost and invisible to everyone else around him?

Great read - hope there will be more cases for Braada and Woodwine as they made a great team.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Helen Fields for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I was pleased to be approved for Helen Fields new book and have really enjoyed her DI Callanach series.

I really, really enjoyed this book. The two main characters were very likeable, had believable background histories and had to work together to find a missing person and investigate a murder. I thought the book was very well written, had lots of suspense and a great plot line with plenty of twists in it. It engaged me from beginning to end and I think it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. I loved the brief appearances from two characters from the DI Callanach series. I think this is a stand-alone book although I am hoping that there will be a follow on featuring these characters. Just loved it.

Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are locked in a flat. They don’t know where they are, and they don’t know why they’re there. They only know that the shadow man has taken them, and he won’t let them go. Desperate to escape, the three of them must find a way out of their living hell, even if it means uncovering a very dark truth. Because the shadow man isn’t a nightmare. He’s all too real.

I am a big fan of Fields' books and was excited to read this standalone. Imagine my delight when I discovered previous characters feature in this something dedicated readers always appreciate. Back the plot and wow what a crime read this is! Fields has thrown everything at this; this is horrifying, grim, full of despair and agony and yet, out of nowhere comes hope which overwhelms the read and ensures there is still that positive sheen to it. I was absolutely hooked by this and completely incapable of putting it down. More to point I did not want to.

As I have said this is a very different crime read and I think that is because we follow the victims as they desperately fight for survival. I am not going to say who if any survive but it is following them and seeing them seize every opportunity that makes this read so full of hope. They really are in a desperate situation but they cling on to anything that might keep them going and it made for gripping, emotional reading.

Staying on the subject of the characters, Fields has created a mixed bunch that all bring something to the plot. They may not all be likeable but they are definitely realistic and enable the reader to get behind them and root for them. I have to give a special mention to Connie, she is such an interesting character, I was obsessed with her. Connie's profession is fascinating, her personality intriguing and her background turns out to be just as interesting. Connie absolutely made this read.

I have already touched on this but I really do have to express how horrifying and grim this read is. The plot is one of the darkest I have read in a long time, not in a gory way but in an all too real way. Fields really captures all the terror and I felt like I was living the life of the characters. It makes for incredible reading but be warned this is a very dark and disturbing read.

'The Shadow Man' has everything you want from a crime and then has the added bonus of Connie who really makes this read. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy.

Shadow Man is an exciting thriller that brings us into the mind of a psychopath as he chooses his victims and deals with his mental state. Dr. Connie Woolwine, an American forensic psychologist and London Detective Brodie Baarda are investigating a murder and multiple kidnappings in Edinburgh. Since we see into the killer’s mind, we know from the start what his plan is and his very disturbed reasons for kidnapping and murder. Woolwine and Baarda can’t seem to catch up as there is one kidnapping after another. A woman, a man and a child have all been locked into a windowless apartment and they don’t understand why, but we know.

This is a fast-paced book with twists and turns along the way. The villain is so different from most other books of this type, that it was hard to guess what would happen next. I raced through this book and enjoyed the real-time events. It made me feel the anxiety and stress of trying to solve this case. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading other works by Helen Fielding, the author. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Totally creepy, addictive read. A mentally ill man will stop at nothing to get the perfect family, even if he has to murder multiple people to get it. Dark look at the mind of a serial killer who has kidnapped three people and locked them in an apartment together. The people are strangers but must work together to try and survive and outwit the seriously demented man who put them there. Full of twists and turns and extremely dark, this book was impossible to put down. Highly recommend.

I LOVE Helen Fields and was delighted to be offered a ADR of her new book The Shadow Man due for publication early 2021. This standalone (or perhaps first of a new series) had intricately entwined references to the "Perfect" Series by way of Overbeck and Aisla Lambert but the books are in no way linked, it was just a wonderful reference to the rich scenes and characters Fields developed and I felt immediately drawn back into this world.

Set again in Edinborough the book focuses on two man characters who are equally electrifying with the gorgeous detective Detective Baarda and Constance "Connie" Woolwine, the unconventional no holding back american forensic profiler.

The crime is fitting with Fields style of graphic, claustrophobic thriller prose laced with horror and suspense and I raced through this book. I love that she has stuck with rich, deep characters and a fast past unwinding of the story that has you equally awed and frustrated with the police, detectives and Constance. A homage to the original "psychological thriller" rather than the flimsy shallow suspense novels of late. Well done Ms Fields a cracking novel and I highly recommend! 5/5

I really enjoyed this story. New characters and an excellent story..creepy but fascinating. Hopefully more from baarda and connie to come!

Oh let me tell you this is one of the best suspense reads ever . I could not put this book down the first page to the last never a dull lagging moment . If you like suspense, thriller , twists and turns with a good plot you will love this book as much as I do .

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It was a well written book. I have read other books by this author and liked them too.

Wow!! Like a punch in the mouth, this dark psychological thriller grabs you from the first page and doesn’t give you a moments rest until the last page. Her characters are wonderfully developed and the taut story line makes this a book that is hard to put down. Another smash hit by Helen Fields!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

4.5 stars
The Shadow Man is a thriller set in Edinburgh. We are introduced to Dr Connie Woodwine, an American forensic psychologist and crime profiler. She’s been asked to work with DI Brodie Baarda on a kidnapping case. Connie is also interested in a recent murder case, and she adds her own unusual investigation methods into the mix.

When more kidnappings occur, the pressure to solve the case shifts gears; Connie offers a theory which seems bizarre, and which she just has to prove before time runs out for the victims.

I liked Connie, with her flaws and her brazen personality; she acted unexpectedly and it worked well with the story. The narrative goes back and forth between the police investigation and the kidnapped characters. Some of these parts were particularly brutal, but no more so than what has come to be expected in this genre of fiction. The story moves at a good pace, and the build up to the ending had a twist which I hadn’t seen coming.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I am still able to say that I can happily recommend her to readers of police crime fiction, or those who like books set in Edinburgh and who don’t mind a bit of gruesome content.

A man believes he is dying, rotting from within, but before he is reunited with his mother, he wants to prove to her that he has his own lovely family. So he kidnaps a woman, girl and man to be his wife, child and brother.

Dr Connie Woolwine has been brought to Edinburgh from America when a woman is killed in unusual circumstances, which puts her forensic profiling skills to the test as she works with DI Baarda to find the killer before his latest kidnap victims meet a grisly end.

Gripping throughout, well written and very pacy, this was an exciting read. By making the reader sympathise with the killer, we find him even more frightening than if we just saw a stereotypical psychopath. Excellent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and I liked the characters. It kept me guessing and I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.

I also liked the ending.

A new standalone novel by Helen Fields. The Shadowman collects his victims to to help fulfil his delusional world. Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are the latest victims and stay strong to keep one step ahead of the Shawdowman. DI Barca and brash American forensic psychologist Connie Woodwine team up to help work out the mind and identity of the Shadowman before it’s too late for his victims.
An easy to read in one sitting book, and I enjoyed the fast pace and disturbing tones to the characters.

A very clever plot, this really kept me guessing, and was a hard book to put down. I was totally absorbed by this book. Amazing read which I would recommend to anyone.

I got so into 'The Shadow Man' that for the first time in a really long time I got so creeped out by a book that I had weird nightmares and was convinced someone was coming up our stairs in the dead of night.

At first I wasn't at all sure if I would even manage to get into the story or like the characters. The lead partnership of Baarda and Connie was interesting but a bit cold and clinical. They felt quite distanced from me as a reader, but the more I read the better their characterisation became until I am now desperate to read another book about them. I don't even really know why. Their relationship was full of great banter and sass with a good deal of respect too, but it also seemed that there weren't any specific events that could be put forward as concrete evidence of development. Development was happening but not explicitly.  So the ending was both a surprise and not at all a surprise.

What I really loved was the description. There were a few occasions when I stopped and re-read a sentence just because the descriptions were just so different and refreshing. There were none of the usual cliches and more of a clinical use of words. They created great images, especially those relating to Fergus. I could picture his skeletal frame so clearly. The bones poking at the skin. 

The multiple narrative voices were also a great tool. They kept the plot interesting giving new perspectives. Essentially it was quite a simple main plot but with lots of movement and character based development all of which was held together by the different narrative voices.

I'd say around the 50/60% mark I did want something a bit more dramatic to happen to pull my interest back in again as it had in the early chapters. It just needed a halfway boost to the main plot.

In comparison the ending was really impactful. It didn't seem like a HEA was a given so I was super on edge through reading. I also loved the 'cliffhanger' ending. I would love to read amother in the series immediately just to get some closure!

📖BOOK REVIEW📖⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#theshadowman by @helenfields_author @avon_books @netgalley

This book was excellent. The first stand alone by the author and already I want it to be a series please, please 🙏

As I’ve found with all of this authors other books, it grabs your attention straight away and doesn’t let go till the last page. The story is interesting, unusual, gripping, really fast paced with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

I absolutely loved the main characters, investigative duo forensic psychologist Connie Woodwine and Brodie Baarda from the Met Ops Team - they made such a good team! They really brought some humour in a pretty dark and disturbing book! I also really liked the appearance of a character from the authors main series, it made it feel very homely like you’d just snuck into another part of the police department for a while!

Overall an excellent fast paced gripping thriller of a ride! Definitely would recommend this one!

➡️for synopsis

Thank you to author #helenfields #avonbooks and #netgalley for allowing me to read this one early!

Out February 4th 2021

-Emily

I was given a copy of this book for free by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a great book, and it has some really impressive characters that drove the story forward. It’s possible it’s just me, but I miss mystery thrillers told from one point of view. The constantly changing POV is a little frantic, and sometimes it detracts from the flow of the story. That being said, I enjoyed - and was thoroughly creeped out by - this book, and would definitely recommend it to any murder/thriller fans!

This was one of the best psychological thrillers that I have ever read. It was gruesome and macabre and so full of twists that I read the whole book and kept getting surprised. The villain was from a horror story and the victims were true innocents who did not deserve their treatment at his hands. Connie, the psychologist on loan to the Edinburgh Police Station is intuitive and so smart that she scared me at times. Detective Baarda was smart but he was not as strong a character as Connie. The strong female protagonist was a perfect foil for the very crafty and evil kidnapper. The story moved along at a very fast pace with new characters introduced intermittently to add to the story. I read numerous books at the same time,and this was the book that kept drawing me to its pages. I just really wanted to know what was going to happen next to little Meggy, Elspeth and Xavier. Each of these victims has difficulties before they are kidnapped, so their backstories were just as interesting as the main tale. All in all, this book was well worth reading and I was sad to see it end. I really want to read more about Connie and her talent to read people and situations and Baarda and his relationships. Fans of suspense thrillers will really enjoy this book!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The first stand alone novel by one of my absolutel fav’s - Helen fields. Fair to say I bloomin’ love the perfect series so I was so excited to get an advance copy of this one! The shadow man abducts people and keeps them in his home. But why? This story delves into the mind of a mentally unwell individual so is pretty dark but as expected it’s so well done! The American profiler Connie and DI Baarda are both interesting and likeable characters who make a great pairing and I really hope we get to see more of them! Excellent writing style, captivating thriller and an original plot 👏🏻 thank you for the arc!

Thanks netgalley and Helen Fields for letting me read a very edition of this book. I loved it.
Really could not put it down, brilliant.
Don’t want to spoil this story by giving too much away.
A man who thought he was dying, and never having a family decided to kidnap a family.
He wanted to be loved as that had been missing all of his life.
So he got hold of a wife, a child, and a brother do they could be one happy family.
But things did not work out for him as planned, and the maniac he was turned out to be a monster as well.
Five stars and more.

I loved this book. If you've read the "Perfect..." series you'll know Helen Fields can create drama, tension & intrigue aplenty. Her villain is chilling & totally unique, his crimes are deeply disturbing.

From the prologue you know this story is going to be very creepy. Then the action starts & the book rarely let's up as the story moves at pace. Fields has a way of inviting you to get to know her characters quickly, they have little nuances & quirks that humanise them & make you want to like them or loathe them. I wish I hadn't had to put this down, if life hadn't got in the way I'd have read this in one amazing go.

Elspeth has found herself in a living nightmare. She has learned the rules, but now Meggie has jointed her in this unknown location. She needs to teach Meggie the rules, but Meggie is a young girl, who doesn't want to play by the rules. She wants her mommy. While Elspeth and Meggie try to escape Xavier, a man in a wheelchair is added to their group. Why has the shadow man put them all together? Another great read from Helen Fields. Thanks netgalley.

I am a fan of Helen Field’s books so when I saw this I had to read it. It’s a standalone book this time which I was a bit nervous about as I love the Luc and Ava series, but I needn’t have worried. This one is just as good, well written with good characters.

Set in Edinburgh , someone is kidnapping people, but why? What does he want? Fergus is a strange “man” but I found his character really interesting and the book kept me guessing right the way through.

Loved seeing some familiar faces as well. Highly recommend this book.

Oh wow I loved this!
Absolutely devoured it in two sittings. I'm a fan of Helen Fields anyway but she has surpassed herself here. Fantastic!

Wow just wow What a epic ride. I enjoyed the gripping story and places this book took me. I will be adding this to my favorites. Well-done.

Helen Fields is the author of the series of D.I. Luc Callanach detective novels. Having read a number of the books in the series, I was keen to read this latest book by the author. Like the Luc Callanach series, this book is set in Edinburgh and follows an investigation by Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team (MIT). Some of the MIT’s minor characters from previous books feature in this story, but two new characters are the main protagonists in this book, which therefore can be read as a standalone. Detective Inspector Brodie Baarda, an Eton-educated detective from London has been drafted into Edinburgh’s MIT due to staff shortages. Also seconded to the investigation is Dr Connie Woolwine, a forensic psychologist from Massachusetts in the USA. The story revolves around these two main characters, both outsiders to Edinburgh.

At the outset of the book, a woman has been abducted. Connie Woolwine has been brought in to provide a profile of the offender. Later on, another woman’s dead body is discovered and more abductions occur. There develops a race against time as Connie Woolwine and D.I. Baarda attempt to track down the missing persons. As in the author’s previous books, the tension is maintained throughout and there was plenty of action and drama, resulted in my wanting to keep reading and find out what happened next. I should add a care warning that some of the descriptions in the book are very graphic.

As a fan of the the D.I. Callanach series, I enjoyed this book and found it to be to be an interesting spinoff. Indeed, the premise bears some similarities to “Perfect Remains”, one of the early D.I. Callanach books. I found the main characters well drawn, both of them coming to the investigation with personal issues. It was also an interesting, and different, perspective to have a story featuring a criminal profiler, and I enjoyed reading about some of the unconventional methods she employed. The city of Edinburgh also features strongly in the narrative and it was fun to track the movements of the various characters around the city. Overall, I found the book to be a thrilling and interesting account of a major police investigation into a bizarre series of crimes.

Another fantastic crime thriller by Helen Fields which follows a different set of characters but is still set in Scotland.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. One of which is a forensic psychologist. However, in real life a forensic psychologist rarely works with the police and definitely wouldn't draw up criminal profiles as accurate or specific as the character does in this book.

As always I loved the writing and pace of this book. There was never a point where I was bored or disengaged.

I thought I knew where the story right from the start, but the author manages to add some really interesting elements, to shake up the plot and make it stand out from all the other crime thrillers on the market.

I particularly liked the character who couldn't see colour, I thought that was really interesting.

The ending was pretty intense but kept me hooked right till the last page.

Overall, I highly recommend this thriller as I do all of Helen Fields books.

TW: death, violence, murder, mental illness, suicide references, kidnapping, death of baby and gore

A woman disappears. Another is dead. Where is Elspeth? Massive police resources are thrown into finding her and then there is another disappearance and then another.
I am not a big police procedural fan. However, this is not a book dominated by your average police investigation. We follow DI Baarda who is seconded to the scottish force as well as Dr Woodbine, a psychologist. In other chapters we follow the story of the disappeared and also get glimpses inside the mind of the person who took them.
I found this a well written, interesting and in places thoroughly gripping book. I found it interesting to look inside the mind of the person who is taking these people. Piecing together those clues as to why they are doing this. In fact I enjoyed most of the characters. Dr Connie Woodbine is a bit odd and, in places, implausible. She does & says some things which I really struggled to see her getting away with in reality. There are also certain aspects of the ending concerning Dr Woodbine which didn't quite sit right with me. However, on the whole, the book worked and I enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

I absolutely loved this book. Having previously read several books by Helen Fields I was delighted to be offered this ARC. This stand alone story begins with a kidnap going terribly wrong and a woman dies. Things escalate when the kidnapper becomes more desperate in his quest and begins to accumulate people to join his ‘family’. A race against time begins to find these unfortunate souls. Dr Connie Woolwine, an American psychologist assists DI Baarda in trying to understand the motives of the kidnapper. Without giving away any spoilers, the described condition was fascinating to discover and understanding the mind of a sufferer instilled further fear and tension into a book packed with the many actions of a person who has no sense of fear or repercussions. A definite page turner and one I hope will be just the start of a series with these two likeable characters, whose chemistry bounces off the pages. A great read and one I can thoroughly recommend.

An utterly mesmerizing thriller. Fergus, a sick and twisted man, is stalking and capturing people to create his own person family. Creepy and edge of your seat thriller. Fields has outdone herself with this one.

I started this book on a perfect dreary and rainy day which was the perfect setting for this book. The Shadow Man by Helen Fields was absolutely brutal, gruesome, and terrifying. Typically I read on my iPad in the dark because my husband is sleeping next to me, but at certain points of the story, I had to wait until daylight!

The Shadow Man is a multi-layered story of four main characters. The Shadow Man is very methodic and meticulous as he profiles and watches his next victims. He has to be sure that who he chooses will be the epitome of the person he is looking to find. He finds those people after a botched job that almost sends him reeling, but he insists on building the unit that he's looking for. He begins with Elspeth, wife, and mother of two, to begin this unit he has built within his mind. While the media outlets are broadcasting news about her disappearance, he moves on to the next person he has been following for a little while now, Meggy. Meggy is a spitfire elementary student who is an intelligent spitfire who finds her self alone quite a bit as her Dad works long hours so her stepmother has to take her to and from school... her stepmother who she loathes... Lastly, he focuses on Xavier. He's a very athletic man who loves to play basketball and stay fit at the local gym. They all find themselves in a flat where they are desperately trying to save themselves from the fate that waits for them. What fate is that and why did the Shadow Man choose them? Detective Nolan is working hard to figure out the case before it's too late!

This is by far one of the best crime/mystery thrillers I have read in a while and also my first Helen Fields book that I have read. I must say that it will certainly not be the last one I read! You will not be disappointed if you are a fan of mysteries and detective stories. I certainly couldn't wait to find out what happened next!

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a standalone novel and the first book from the author that I have read. After reading this, the author has gained another fan WOW and amazing is all I can say.
American profiler and forensic psychologist Dr Connie Woodbine has been asked to work with London’s DI Brodie Baarda on the kidnapping of Elspeth Dunwoody in Edinburgh after a murder has occurred. When also a 12-year-old girl also go missing. Connie realises that the two disappearances are linked and they when a third man who is a paraplegic goes missing. Both have been taken by the shadow man. But this is not the usual kidnapping, there has no ransom have been made.
The perpetrator has something else in mind for the threesome. While the pair are held in a room that they are finding hard to escape from. They wonder what is going to happen to them. Not trusting the shadow man. A man who is terribly ill and has psychotic episodes thinking that the threesome is his family. He also suffers from Cotard’s disease, which someone thinks they are dying and their body decomposing. So, he does what he does because he thinks he hasn’t got anything left to lose. He is going to die anyway.
The Shadow Man is a brilliant page turner, and I devoured every minute of it. This is an intense, creepy and scary thriller with great characters and storyline. The author has such vivid imagination. I liked her writing style. I don’t know why I haven’t read any of her previous novels and I am kicking myself for it. But I sure will check them out now. 5 stars from me.

Well, the certainly creeped me out.

I've been a bit of a reading slump as of late, and I thought a mystery/thriller novel might be just what I needed to finally break it - and I was right! I'll admit, it took me a little bit to get into the book at first. While I thought the prologue was incredibly creepy, the first few chapters were... I don't know, it might have been my own mood, but it felt a little dull. It wasn't until around 25% or so that I really got into the novel, but once I did, I couldn't seem to put it down!

This was my first Helen Fields novel but it certainly won't be my last.

'The Shadow Man' by Helen Fields is a new novel, that does not form part of the popular ‘DI Callanach’ police procedural series, but runs along a similar vein as two characters investigate a series of terrible kidnappings that may also be linked a to brutal murder.
Fields delivers a sucker punch in the opening pages and the pace continues rapidly, while the punches do not let up. The story can be decidedly graphic at times, especially when dealing with the victims trying to avoid upsetting their captor.
The storyline follows the investigation as lead by DI Baarda from the Metropolitan police and the assistance of Dr Connie Woolwine, a profiler from the US. The pair made a strong team, with Woolwine being the good abrasive of the two and playing upto the stereotype of the brass, uncompromising American. I found this aspect of the characterisation interesting – it is a turnabout on the usual play of the male character being the more difficult of the pair and while I did not like Woolwine, I did enjoy how the pair worked together.
The kidnapper is truly disturbed and the syndrome described in the novel adds both an unusual and compelling layer to the storyline.
I will definitely to looking out for another investigation with Woolwine and Barda.

Many thanks to Fields, Netgalley & Avon for allowing me to read an ARC of ‘The Shadow Man’ in return for an honest review.

And so Helen Fields remains my favourite author. Another thrilling book, this one i found a little creepier than her others, but in a good way. I always look forward to her books and recommended them to anyone.

Forensic psychologist Dr. Connie Woolwine and London Detective Brodie Baarda have teamed up to investigate the disappearance of a woman in Edinburgh. Before long, two more people have been kidnapped and it is up to them to solve the crime. The questions they are asking is why these people have been chosen they have nothing in common and also who is doing it. They have very little to go on. The reader is aware of the identity of the perpetrator from the beginning of the book.

I absolutely loved this book. Helen Fields is not afraid to go where few authors have gone before in terms of toe curling gruesomeness!! At some points, I literally had to read between my fingers or look away as the narrative progressed. I would recommend this book as it is very well written and plotted. Really looking forward to the next one! 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a start to this book, my attention was gripped from the first page and never faltered until the last page. This is a compelling and gritty read from Helen Fields, very well written with a fast paced plot. I loved the character of Connie, an American forensic psychologist, and the beautiful Edinburgh setting., as well as the chemistry with Brodie, a London based detective. Young Meggy stole my heart, what a gritty 12 year old! The explosive ending was perfect. I can't wait to read the next installment. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I am a big Helen Fields’s DI Callanach series so was excited to read The Shadow Man - story follows a kidnapping of a woman and girl in Edinburgh.
DI Baarda on loan from the MET and Connie Woolwine, an American forensic psychologist.
Their relationship and backstory are a big part of the story which I loved and adds depth to the storyline.
The story is pacy but also slows down at the right moment.
This is not a run of the mill police thriller it has more depth, originality and insights into the criminal/psychotic mind.
The final chapters are really dramatic and intense racing to an unbelievable climax.
I loved this book, the main characters and the unusual storyline.
5 Stars from me.
Hope to see these characters in a new book.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this in return for a fair review.
Enjoy.

From the creepy prologue, I knew that this book was going to be full of drama, twists and intense intrigue. Having read previous books by Helen Fields, I also knew I wouldn’t be able to put this one down and set aside a day to devour it in one session. It definitely did not disappoint. The kidnapping of a well-connected Scottish woman necessitates the drafting in of Connie Woolwine (an American psychologist) to assist London DI Baarda to investigate the case. When further kidnappings occur, the pair quickly find themselves hunting a dangerous and damaged individual who is creating his ideal family. The perpetrator is known to the reader throughout and the extent of his horrific existence is gradually revealed. I was repulsed by his thoughts, description and behaviour, which meant I was willing the resolution to happen all the way through. Well developed and interesting characters peppered the story - from gutsy Meggie to the formidable Ailsa (who I would love to see more of!) and the fantastic relationship between Woolwine and Baarda made this a compelling read. Too disturbing to be “enjoyable” but a super story. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read.

When I started this book I thought that this was either going to be a 2 star read or even a possible DNF but then around the 30% mark it started to click and I was able to get into the flow of the story.

The reason I was able to continue was without a doubt the characters of Connie Woolwine, an American forensic psychologist, along with her partner Brodie Baarda, a London detective, both of whom have been asked to assist in capturing the Shadow Man. I loved their chemistry. I loved Connie's take no shit attitude against Brodie's more gentile and polite manner. They were just so much fun to read and their sections were so very good. (I'd love to see these two again - just throwing that out there Ms. Fields!)

My problem came with our perpetrator. I was actually repulsed by his description and because of that I wasn't able to take this seriously. At first. Eventually I found my footing and by the end of the book I do know why this person is the way they are. TW: If you have any type of tooth phobia then steer clear of this! Yikes.

If your in the mood to spend time with a very demented psychopath then The Shadow Man should fit the bill perfectly. 3.5 stars!

My favorite Connie quote: "The world would be a much better place if being a complete dick were illegal."

Ain't that the truth!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fergus is terminally ill and dying, but before he leaves this Earth, he wants a family who’ll miss him. He decides to create his own makeshift family by kidnapping victims and forcing them to play house with him. Of course, his captives are none-too-happy with this predicament, so they are desperate to try and escape him.

Meanwhile, Detective Baarda and forensic psychologist Connie Woolwine are in a race against the clock to find them before it’s too late.

Wow. The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a truly unnerving page-turner filled with a compelling cast of characters.

I found the police procedural aspects of the story particularly well-thought out since the author has first-hand experience as a criminal law lawyer. I also appreciate that she did extensive research to make the psychological profiling aspects of the story as convincing as possible. It really paid off, adding a sense of realism to each page.

All and all, I recommend The Shadow Man for fans of phycological thrillers, and I know the blurb says this is a standalone book, but I truly hope to see more of Dr. Connie.

A truly atmospheric novel that will chill readers to the bone. The plot moves quickly and is told from multiple perspectives, giving readers insight into one deeply disturbing mind. Not for the slight of heart as the narrative is quite descriptive in nature. Dark, gritty, and downright elusive. Everything this genre should be. Loved it.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheShadowMan which was read and reviewed voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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My first read by this author. I liked the cover and the title reminded me of The Whisper Man plus early reviews were very positive.

Nearly the first half of the book was a bit of a chore for me mainly because of the creepy perp/plot was not engaging me as much as I’d like but the investigative chapters held my interest.

Then there was an introspective moment at the halfway point about one of the characters that brought this story out of the ‘Shadow’ for me.

The second half of the book was quite good in building this story to an effective, powerful ending.

Excellent writing. Intriguing characters are always so important and the story ended with my two favorites. I do feel another title may have fit better but this was still a good one.

A definite recommended read! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC of this book.
Have read books by Helen Fields before but this one exceeded all expectations.
The characters were absolutely fantastic and the storyline was so different that it made a really amazing read. I felt like I really knew Baarda and Connie and I hope their relationship develops.. I appreciate this was written as a stand alone book but I do feel it could go further. The kidnaps are linked by Connie and her sheer determination to find the victims is admirable. I would love it if the author would write another book featuring these characters. Is worth more than the 5 stars I have given it.

Woahhhh... It’s not often I come across a psychological “syndrome” I’ve never heard of before but Helen Fielding has introduced me to a new one! Fergus is vile, despicable, complex, creepy, somewhat pathetic and will remain one of those fictional serial killers that stays with you for a long time.

The descriptive passages of death and decay and the torment and relentless attempts of the captives to escape are written brilliantly.

This is a clever, terrifying rollercoaster of a tale. Read it immediately if you like psychologically twisty stories that will haunt you in your dreams! I’ll definitely be reading more from Helen Fielding.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Shadow Man starts off slowly, but when it picks up it keeps you gripped until the end! Dark, creepy, with a truly unique psychopathic antagonist, it gives a look into a side of human nature that you'd rather remained hidden.

Dr Connie Woolwine is a great character - a feisty, impulsive American with a tough exterior, but as some of her story is revealed we see a softer side to her. Teamed with the stoic Detective Baarda, who thinks before acting, it's interesting to see their relationship develop.

This is so well written - you are immersed in the world of both the antagonist and his victims, you experience their fear as they watch his descent into madness and discover exactly what he's capable of. A great read I highly recommend.

What a creepy story! If you love twists and turns with some eerie creepiness thrown in, look no further! I loved it! These are my favorite cold weather reads! The Shadow Man might keep you up at night...

I've been meaning to start the D.I. Callanach series for ages now, so when I saw Helen Fields was having a new stand-alone coming out in 2021 I just couldn't resist the temptation to finally try her work. I have to say that I'm most definitely a fan now! Thriller fans: make sure to add The Shadow Man to your 2021 wishlist, as you will be in for an absolutely thrilling as well as shocking ride.

I'll keep things short to avoid spoilers, but what I can say is that in The Shadow Man you will find yourself an extremely fascinating and terrifying serial killer in the spotlight. Being able to get a glimpse inside his head and learn more about the reasons behind the way he is and why he does what he does is absolutely intriguing. Definitely kuddos for originality here! The other character in the spotlight, forensic psychologist Connie Woolwine, makes for an excellent counter character too and I loved both her kick-ass personality and personal background with the achromat details. The cast of characters overall makes for a very interesting mix and with the help of different POVs we get a full perspective of the different angles in play.

The plot and building up of suspense was solid, and I really liked the focus on the psychological angle suplementing the police investigation. Connie and DI Baarda make for a great team and I liked how some of the bantering made for a great balance in between the more shocking scenes. There is also plenty of action in The Shadow Man, and the writing makes it really easy to just keep turning those pages. Fast, suspenseful, disturbing and action-packed: you won't find a boring minute as you sit on the edge of your seat and keep your fingers crossed they will able to stop him before it's too late.

All in all, The Shadow Man is an excellent crime thriller featuring an unique and shocking serial killer I won't forget any time soon. Highly recommended if you enjoy the genre!

A really eerie, original and very well written dark thriller by the wonderful novelist Helen Fields.
Although she never lets us down, this book was even better than those I’ve read before and had me reeling from its creepy vibe.
Well researched, quite fascinating, and brilliantly executed, I can’t wait to read more of her work.

Another spine-chilling book I read this year.

The Shadow Man is kidnapping people left and right. No one knows what happens to them but those who have seen him say that he looks like death.
Connie Woolwine, an American forensic psychologist and DI Brodie Baarda of the London Police get together to track the disappearance of a woman in mysterious circumstances. What they find and how they do it forms the rest of the story.

But I want to talk about the Shadow Man here. If you have ever wondered what goes on inside the head of a kidnapper (or a rapist or a murderer), this is the book you have to read. This absolutely riveting, edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting (I think I will run out of adjectives) thriller is sure to capture your attention from page 1 and you can not put it down till you know what happens in the end.
Absolutely delighted 5 stars to the book. Will look for other books by Helen Fields.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC.

Wow!!! The Shadow Man by Helen Fields thriller had me reading late into the night. The book is thrilling and haunting as it delves into the scary, but very real, mind of a mentally unstable man. The characters are all very well developed and realistic. The shadow man is abducting women, children, and men... but what is his reasoning and what does he want to do to them? Chilling psychological thriller that is a must read.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields

There is nothing better than starting a book and being hooked by the first page! I think what I most love is the juxtaposition of an American Forensic Psychologist working in Edinburgh, Scotland; Dr. Woolwine is everything you would expect as a brash American but without seeming cliché and the same can be said about DC Baarda (a borrowed English gentleman).

When Dr. Woolwine is called in to assist in the disappearance of a woman (with important ties) she clashes with some of the English police squad. She is a great mind with unusual practices. The story is told from the POV’s of the doctor, mad man and his captive(s). Characters you immediately attach to and great pacing.

By the end of the book I was really hoping that Dr. Connie Woolwine gets her own series, preferably in the UK!

Thanks to NetGalley and Helen Fields for the ARC.

This was a fun, quick chilling read! Well written, full of suspense, and thrilling! Had lots of the fun twists and turns, and some gasp worthy shocks! Definitely one that is hard to figure out, so don’t want to accidentally spill anything! If you love psychological thrillers, I recommend this one, as it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!

What a gripping on the edge of your seat book. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Connie tells it like it is. She doesn't sugar coat things and that probably rubs people the wrong way but I like it. Connie teams up with DI Baarda to find a missing woman. The case takes on one bizarre turn after another. The story telling goes back and forth between the kidnapper, Connie and the victims in the book. I liked the book, it was refreshing to read about Connie and DI Baarda. You learn about Connie's past a little in this book which is what shaped her to become the person she is now. The kidnapper was very interesting to read about. I hope there are more books with Connie and DI Baarda in the future.

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*

What a book, absolutely loved it.

Brilliant psychological thriller which is full of suspense which is right up my street.

It’s hard to review without giving much away but if you like thrillers then give this a go

What better way to spend lockdown by reading a Helen Fields novel!!! It's an inventive story full of strange characters like Fergus, for instance, who is sick in body and mind. A dead woman, a missing wife and mother and then a schoolgirl are missing. Are the situations related? There's so little information forthcoming. Connie and Baada have to investigate if there are possible connections. Connie is convinced that she's looking for kidnapped women and not bodies. Are her instincts correct? Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Thrown together by terrible circumstance, three strangers must try to escape one man’s insanity.

From the police point of view, this situation is difficult to comprehend, let alone solve for the Shadow Man seems invisible.

I loved the way the story and the tension built terrifyingly slowly, as we suffer along with the victims as they try to understand what is happening to them and why.

This gripping and seriously gruesome story wound itself around my throat and refused to let go, long after I finished reading...

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book!

I’ve read and loved all of Helen Fields books and when I was approved for this new one I just couldn’t wait to start reading it. From the first page it grabbed me and didn’t let go until the last page. I found I was constantly finding time to sit down a read another chapter or two as I was desperate to find out what was going to happen. I was not disappointed it had twists and turns and very thrilling moments. This book would make a wonderful film it keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through to the thrilling conclusion. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review. I wish I could give this book 100 stars.

This was my first book by Helen Fields and it won't be my last! This is a police thriller bringing together DI Baarda and Dr Woolwine, an american profiler.

You follow the story mostly from the perspective of the investigation but there are also passages written from the perspective of the Shadow Man. Some of these really gave me the creeps! At one point he is in someone's bedroom watching them, waiting for them to fall asleep before he takes them - very, very creepy! But there is a strong storyline which kept me reading to see what happens next. His motivation is gradually revealed and it all makes sense in the end.

I really enjoyed the partnership of Baarda and Woolwine and the fact that neither of them were local to the crime, leaves it open for them to get together again, potentially in another location, to solve another case. I liked the way that their staying in touch seemed likely at the end of this book but not certain. There could be a book two, this could be a series. Fingers crossed!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved it, it was an easy five star rating for me.

Prepare to be very creeped out. The Shadow Man is a chilling standalone novel from Helen Fields that will grab your attention from the first page.

An extremely delusional and dangerous offender is stalking the streets of Edinburgh; seeking items from a wish list that you really don’t want to be on. When he snatches a wealthy, well-connected, woman Edinburgh City Police draft in an English detective with experience of kidnapping cases and an American forensic psychologist. What they hope is simply an attempt at extorting a ransom turns out to be far more sinister and troubling.

Helen Fields has created a gripping and interesting story, managing to keep up the pace whilst also fleshing out the characters and backgrounds. The perpetrator is truly unusual, suffering from a severe psychosis making him both terrifying and pitiable. Detective Baarda and Dr Woolwine are likeable and certainly have an intriguing working relationship. I particularly liked Meggy, the bold young girl who does her best to make life difficult for The Shadow Man.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and to the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review

I'm a big fan of the Perfect series by the same author, so jumped at the chance to read the stand-alone novel set police Scotland. There's even an appearance by D.S. Overlord to make me feel right at home.

This is another dark journey into the mind of a very disturbed individual. This time it's Dr Connie Woolwine, an American forensic psychologist and Brodie Baarda, a London detective, who have been brought in to assist in capturing the Shadow Man. Their developing working relationship adds depth to the story and is a clever way to learn their backstories as they have never worked together. I think that we have only scratched the surface though and I hope that this will be developed into a new series.

As the pressure mounts to find the abductor and his victims, there are some genuinely scary moments depicted. The pace is absolutely frantic and I raced through the pages to know how it was going to finish.

It's another cracker from Helen Fields, and I would like to thank the publishers and Net Galley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Oh my goodness, this book would have made a terrific Crimmnal Minds episode. A deranged killer-kidnapper with a very rare mental illness tries to make his own family from his stalking victems. This book was graphic and terrifying., keeping me up much too lasted last night. Strong women characters were an added bonus to this thriller.

I was so looking forward to reading this book I loved it, I hated it, I loved it and it drove me nuts!
BUT, the storyline is compelling and keeps you interested with more twists than a Curly Wurly!
A new Helen Fields police procedural with characters Dr Connie Woolwine, a fiesty, American forensic psychologist and DI Baarda, a ''think before you act'' kind of person.. They make a cracking team!

You can glean from the fly cover what this book is about and I am not going into the story.....that's for you to find out..... READ IT, if you are into psychological thrillers, you will not be disappointed!

I give this a 4 star rating for the storyline alone.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK

1st from this author,was not disappointed a great read.From start to finish it kept you guessing,did not see the end coming so I was pleased it finished the way it did.Would recommend to anyone who likes murder mystery books.

This is the second novel I have read by Helen Fields and it didn’t disappoint. Exceptionally gripping and a fight against time to save the victims kidnapped by the shadow man.

The main characters make a great team, the American profiler and modest detective work well together to unravel this mystery and find the murderer in time. I am hoping for a follow up story with these two to see how their relationship develops.

This was a really wonderful book, Helen Fields never fails to deliver. The storyline was full of deceptions, shady characters and two utterly brilliant main characters.. Connie was an utter delight, I envisaged her as a petite brunette version of Dolly Parton. What an amazing woman who would not stop until she found her abducted daughter a long time after the tragic event. This book deserves more than five stars. I highly recommend it, a hard act to follow.

This read has it all – super-intense suspense, characters to root for, sheer evil and some unusual psychological and physical conditions, all wrapped up in language that brings all these elements powerfully alive. I loved it!
I adore Helen Fields’ DI Callanach series, and was hoping this standalone would be as good. I needn’t have worried. From its creepy start in an Edinburgh graveyard to its unbelievably tense, unexpected ending, this book kept me in thrall.
Connie Woolwine , an American forensic psychologist, is called upon to assist in the case of the kidnapping of a high-profile woman. Suffering from achromatopsia , which both limits but also heightens her capabilities, she is teamed up with DI Baarda . Tough, no-nonsense and straight-talking Connie at first seems to intimidate Baarda, and I loved her unrelenting teasing about him being straight out of Downton Abbey or a Jane Austen book. She at first appears unapproachable, but turns out to be likeable, highly capable and insightful.
She also has some different and slightly bizarre ways of going about things, and one particular scene in the morgue may leave you wide-eyed with horror! Thank goodness for an empathetic pathologist otherwise Connie would most definitely have been kicked all the way back to America.
We know early on who the culprit is, and gradually begin to understand why he acts as he does. Fields takes us deep into his very dysfunctional thoughts and motivations, and his utterly horrifying mission. He’s creepy, totally evil and puts his victims into horrendous situations that made me cringe.
In a way, this story comes full circle and there’s wonderful symmetry. Connie’s intuition and intellect pierce the depths to uncover a killer’s motives and piece together how to bring the horrors to an end. And she makes a final, typically Connie, call about how to bring the killer to justice.
I raced through The Shadow Man, totally intrigued, fascinated by Connie, warmed by the banter and teamwork between her and DI Baarda (and her interference into his personal life), and desperate to see how it finished. Highly recommended.

Chilling, dark and creepy. I couldn't put this book down. Loved all the Helen fields books and this new one definitely didn't disappoint.. Love Connie and DI Brodie hope we will see more of these two if future books. A fantastic well written plot with loads of twists and turns.

I haven’t read any of Helen Fields books before, but having read The Shadow Man, I will certainly be reading her again. This is one of my favourite books of the year.
Don’t let the flowers on the cover deceive you into thinking this is a pretty, light read, it is quite the opposite. It’s chilling, unnerving, disturbing, intriguing and full of suspense.
The book starts very quickly, and draws you right in to the mind of an extremely twisted, warped soul. His condition, both mentally and physically is not one I have read of before, and hope not to encounter in reality.
This is not a horror book, but our perpetrator absolutely puts the creeps into me. The thought of being watched by him, or touched by him literally puts a shivering shudder through me.
I love the reserved Britishness of Baarda, set against the brutally blunt Connie. The polar opposites making a dynamic partnership, excellent characterisation by the author. The story builds at pace towards a tense ending. During which I was making noises along the lines of “no”, “eugh” and “eeww”. You know those endings where you are hoping and praying the story reads the way you want it to? I was completely absorbed.
I know this is a stand alone book, but am really hoping there may be a follow up to see where the story and characters take us next.
This book would make a gripping start to your 2021 reading. Without doubt, a 5* read.

What a fabulous standalone thriller. This book is not for the faint hearted as the graphic and gory descriptions are something to behold!

This is a seriously creepy book with a psycopathic insane killer.. I initially thought the investigators were very stereotypical, Connie Woolwine, a brash American forensic psychologist and DI Baarda a typical reserved brit. However as the book progressed I really fell in love with this detective pair and found them really interesting characters. Another 5* read from Helen FIelds

Another brilliant book from Helen. I loved her precious book series, which I have yet to finish and I loved this one. It really creeped me out & I could imagine myself in the characters shoes. Its the first time I could ever get that deep into a book. Loved it and hope there will be more

**This review will be cross-posted to my dedicated Instagram book blog close to the pub date**

A series of twisted kidnappings, all with different MOs, and no apparent links. Now it’s up to the forensic psychologist to make sense of it all, while the victims are forced to play the Shadow Man’s sick games.

Well-written and gripping till the very end. I really liked the creative take on the crimes in this one, and the way the psychosis of the culprit was described was just epic, loved it. It really had me turning the pages to see how things were going to end, and the ending was superb! All the characters are just perfect and very likeable.

There was one thing though, you know it’s going to be a problem when you read the words, “Not to stereotype but…”, and then it goes on to stereotype all the Farzanas with a headscarf (so effing Hollywood clichéd!). It was only a small part of the book but it left a bad taste in the mouth!

Overall an enjoyable read!

Thanks to #Netgalley, Avon books UK, and the author for the eARC of #theshadowman. All opinions are my own. Pub date: 04th Feb, 21.

THE SHADOW MAN is the gruesome, terrifying standalone crime novel from Helen Fields. Elspeth, a wife and mother,  Meggie, a twelve-year-old girl and wheelchair-bound Xavier are kidnapped by a crazed psychopath labelled The Shadow Man. At first the three victims  to have nothing in common, is it down to bad luck? fate? Or has The Shadow Man chosen each of his victims for a particular reason? Every good crime thriller needs a team to bring the perpetrator to justice, and in this case it’s American forensic psychologist Dr. Connie Woolwine and London Detective Brodie. Although they have a significant part to play in the plot, I thought the three kidnap victims were the stars of this book and the characters I found the most fascinating and exciting to read about.  

From the off we know who The Shadow Man is, and this can sometimes spoil a read for me, but not in this case! They are the definition of a “psychopath”. The author allows the reader to get inside his twisted mind, and it’s not pretty in fact it’s horrifying, we follow The Shadow Mans thoughts as he stalks and then kidnaps his victims, as to his motive? well, let’s just say it’s beyond deranged.  The perpetrator is unpredictable, cruel and lacks remorse so you never quite know what his next move will be, as the victims try to outwit The Shadow Man the tension reaches fever pitch. Readers of a nervous disposition may find some scenes uncomfortable as they are fairly graphic and gory, but it is a crime thriller after all. The Shadow Man is an accomplished crime thriller featuring an unique and shocking serial killer and one that might just give you nightmares. Highly recommend to those who appreciate their crime fiction dark and disturbing.

Thanks so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this great book . It was thrilling & had me on the effects of my seat . The characters were all likeable & I loved Connie.

A chilling and gripping read. A cast of intriguing characters and an absorbing story meant I struggled to put this down. Highly recommend.