I had read the first part of this trilogy, although there only seem to be two books published. However, that was over three years ago, so I was quite happy for the recap sections, to remind me of the parts I had forgotten. Having said that, it could quite happily exist as a standalone book - you do not have to have read the first one to be quite happy reading this book.
I found the story to have several strands - so how did they all fit together in the end? Well, I thought, and I particularly enjoyed the parts set in different countries, showing the author had a good understanding of those places. The main characters were well fleshed out, and as before, I particularly liked Farah and found what she experienced in Indonesia to be fascinating.
I did enjoy reading this and finding out how the situation was resolved.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

sorry this book wasnt for me...could not get into it really struggled...sorry

Goodness -This was definitely an action packed read! However, for me, that also made it difficult to follow at times and work out locations and characters.

This is the second book in the Heartland Trilogy and I would advise you to read them in order, as I think there might be some references missed from the previous book. This was a fast paced, full of action book that leaves the reader thrilled until the end. Recommended.

I gather this is part of a series, although I didn't feel I'd missed anything coming into it without having read the first one. It's a pretty complex spy thriller with a lot of characters to keep track of. This didn't bother me but it seems to have been a sticking point for some reviewers. It's quite action packed and moves between different countries frequently. I did sometimes feel that the narration was confusing and lost its way at times, which is why I knocked a star off what would have been my final rating.

This is the second book in this tripod and other reviewers have said it can be read as a stand alone. This is more like a crime/ spy thriller which is not my usual genre. It was very busy and manic in places. So much confusion that I found pit very hard to keep up with the plot. It was a struggle to finish this book. Not for me.
I would like to thank the author, Penguin U K and Michael Joseph and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

I haven't read the first book and had not realised this was part of a trilogy when I started. It was easy enough to pick up though but now I have finished I need to go and read book 1.. This is a story of crime and corruption and is very captivating. The ending is open ended so I am hoping there are answers and everything is wrapped up in the 3rd book.

I tried, I really tried, to get into this, but it just didn't do it for me. Maybe it would appeal to someone who likes convoluted spy/journalist thrillers with a cast of thousands and settings spanning the globe, but I struggled to connect with any of the characters, who all seemed the same, and the plot was far too convoluted for me to get into or care about.

As the second book in the series, maybe I would have liked this more if I'd read the first, but given the style, if it's in the same vein, I doubt I would have liked it either. Sorry, but this one wasn't for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

I struggles a bit with this one. I kept losing track of who was where and doing what . Over all a good story line but didn't draw me in or make me feel involved.

Fantastic book, just as good as the first in the trilogy gripping from start to finish. Can’t wait for the next one. . Highly recommend

Due to the loss of my kindle I, sadly, was not able to read this book.
I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience.

This is a fast paced dark thriller of a book that at first seems confusing. I later discovered that it is the second part of a trilogy but reads well as a stand-alone story ( I shall look out for the final part however)
Farah Hafez is a journalist of Afghan heritage who is investigating worldwide corruption involving a Russian oligarch The novel starts with her being held hostage in a siege of a college and then pledging alliegence to the terrorists : in order not to be responsible for a young girls death off camera. This pledge leads her to become a fugitive as she immediately goes straight to the top of the international most wanted lists. Her story is interwoven with that of Paul Chapelle ( possibly an ex-lover) another investigative journalist and also that of Inspector Radjen Tomasa who is currently looking at the hit and run of a young Afghan boy.
The story gathers pace and all the constituent parts are woven together cleverly - you can imagine it being made into a tv series at some point.
Once I worked out who the main characters were I enjoyed the book

I did not realise that this was the second book in a trilogy and I dont think that matters. Now I will go back to read the first but only to see if there is any 'introductions' to the characters.
Farah Hafeez, is a journalist, she is one of the main characters. I liked her as she was a feisty female and a refreshing role model. Farrah is trying to prove her innocence in a so called terrorist plan.
The story is quite complex but compelling, it is set in various countries and involves some wonderful characters.
The book flows well as the story enfolds.
I would now like to read the first book in the trilogy, only to see if there is any more of an introduction to the people involved. I thought this book was a very enjoyable read. All my anxieties about the amount of violence and the many twists and turns were unfounded as the book was indeed a thriller.

I received my ecopy of Angel in the Shadows from Netgalley not realising that it was part two of a trilogy but, quite honestly it didn't really seem to matter.

It was an enjoyable read although it was rather violent in parts. I felt that I really needed to concentrate whilst reading as there were rather a lot of characters who, of course had foreign names which I always struggle to remember and quite a few twists and turns in the plot which took place over various locations.

Whilst I enjoyed this installment, the content was somewhat too violent for my liking and personally I will not be seeking out the third.

Angel in the Shadows by Walter Lucius

4 Stars

Excellent follow up to Butterfly on the Storm, part of the Heartland Trilogy.

Farah Hafez is a wonderful female role model, feisty, brave, flawed and driven to uncover the truth about the shocking accident that has left a young boy fighting for his life. As a journalist, she is exposed to the terrible events that led up to the accident, and in this book, she delves further into the dark world of child abuse and corruption at the highest levels of the Dutch government.

To make things worse, Farah has been used as a pawn in a so-called terrorist plot and has to flee for her life. The author weaves a fabulous story that is full of conspiracy theories that stretch from South Africa to Russia to Indonesia. The other unlikely hero is Paul Chapelle, a fellow journalist that has linked the villain of the story, Valentin Lavrov, too many events, including the hostage situation that led to Farah fleeing to Indonesia to escape capture.

Will Farah be able to prove her innocence?

The story is very complex and has many subplots that all weave together, but the author cleverly links them all together and also gives a little background, referring back to his first book, so that the story stands alone. You do have to concentrate to keep up with all the detail, but this does not detract from the story.

I loved the detailed descriptions of the various countries and the very detailed character development that continues throughout the book. As mentioned, this is the second book in the trilogy, and although the first book provides a more in-depth look at the backgrounds of the main characters, it is not essential to have read the first book.

A thoroughly entertaining, edge of your seat read, and I look forward to the next instalment.

Gillian

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Second in his Heartland Trilogy Angel in the Shadows continues the investigation of the death of a trafficked child in Holland. Our heroine is an Afghan expatriate living in Holland and she wants to show the death was caused by a Government Minister who has abused the child. She travels to Russia, hoping to link the Minister to a corrupt Russian, but she is caught up in a school terrorist outrage, and filmed with the terrorists to compromise her and undermine her journalistic credibility.. She then flees to Jakarta where she continues to try to link the Russian to corrupt government there. Meanwhile her colleague travels to his native South Africa to broaden the investigation. All very blockbuster International thriller stuff. There is rather a lot of extreme violence with our heroes facing insuperable odds until at the last moment they spring free. It is less credible than the first book, but nonetheless readable and engaging.

After investigating what appeared to be a simple hit-and-run, journalist Farah Hafez became caught up in a web of crime and corruption that led to her kidnap. Detained in Russia, she was forced to pledge her allegiance to a terrorist group on camera.
Now sought by international security and members of the criminal class alike, Farah flees to Jakarta to continue her investigation while her friends and allies attempt to clear her name from across the globe.
This is the second book in the series, it’s not a short or quick read at nearing 500 pages but I found it less complex than the first book. It could easily be read on its own as there is a lot of re capping which I found a little frustrating. Another well written book the pace is good although in such a long book it does slow at times. The characters are well portrayed & have plenty of depth. I look forward to the final part of the trilogy
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I enjoyed this story of intrigue and links in with up to the minute subterfuge. Fascinating and spell binding, keeping one involved right up to the end. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this genre.

This was a very well written thriller that was very fast paced. The settings and plot were well thought out and I really enjoyed it.

Thriller with everything in it. Exciting and realistic

I got this book in Kindle version from netgalley (thank you) without realising that it’s a follow-up novel and, of course, I haven’t read the first. Nevertheless it is reasonably easy to follow as some explanation is included along the way. It concerns three inter-related investigations led by Farah, an ex-Afghan journalist living in the Netherlands, Paul an ex-South African colleague of hers and Radjaen, a Dutch policeman. The story takes us to Moscow, Johannesburg, Jakarta and Amsterdam with plenty of action and nastiness. Without giving too much away, the plot involves corruption, bribery, espionage, betrayal, murder, sex abuse and loads more.
It’s certainly engaging and flowing and the three threads alternate throughout the book (sometimes annoyingly). Recommended to lovers of involved thriller plots.