I really, really enjoyed this book! It was utterly gripping, full of twists and turns, it grabbed me from the start and kept me gripped until the very end! Fantastically written! Would definitely recommend!

This was my first Helen Fields book and I can say without a shadow of doubt, it will not be my last.

I absolutely loved the roller coaster thrill ride this turned out to be with it messed up characters, crazy scenarios, and heroes that were every bit as interesting as the villains.

This kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages.

Wow!! You think an author would be used to writing their detective series and can do nothing else better. Well Helen can. Granted, still a police thriller (Overbeck makes an appearance) but concentrating more on the profiler brought in especially for this case, from America no less. A DI is brought up from London too! The plot also concentrates on aspects from the psychopath and his victims. I enjoyed this alot with the profiler's aspect rather than anyone from Police Scotland.

The psychopath is so spooky bringing in an unusual mental state of mind I've never heard of (you learn more about this as the story progresses) which makes the storyline more appealing.

Fast paced in places and there's no car chases in sight, just mental torment and the victim's fear just drips off the characters across the pages. Brilliant (not that I enjoy people fearing for their lives of course). The build up to the end is so different from any other crime novel I've ever read and that's what readers want. Something to stand out from the others in the same genre.

Love the little crumb left at the end possibly leaving a gap for a possible return of Connie???

You have to try Helen's stand alone novel, sooooo good!!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of The Shadow Man, a stand-alone thriller set in Edinburgh.

When socialite Elspeth Dunwoody disappears DI Brodie Baarda, a kidnap specialist from Met and forensic psychologist Dr Connie Woolwine are seconded to Police Scotland to find her. Other disappearances follow but no one knows if they are linked.

I first started reading this book a few months ago but kept putting it down because it concentrated so much on the thoughts and actions of the kidnapper, Fergus, and I have zero interest in the fictional thoughts of criminals or the mentally ill. Try as I might, I cannot take it seriously. I was, however, offered a copy of the novel in return for a review, so duty called and I buckled down to persevere.

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, equally you should never judge it by the first 20% as The Shadow Man eventually heats up to quite a compulsive read. This is due to the switch in emphasis where it mostly concentrates on Connie’s analysis of what they know and how she accumulates that knowledge and the experiences of the victims, Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier. Fergus obviously looms large over these activities, but more as an impetus for Connie and as a figure of fear to his captives. There is a sense of urgency and tension which grows as the novel progresses, a non stop flurry of action and reveal upon reveal as the narrative takes a grip of the reader.

I’m glad I picked this novel up again, otherwise I would have missed a treat. I did, however, put it down again several times when the tension got too much. I found myself really rooting for the captives and both their predicament and their efforts to escape and getting a bit annoyed at Connie for not catching on quickly enough. The contrast between the two narratives, investigators and victims, is strong and compulsive. In this case knowing both sides makes for a better novel.

The Shadow Man was, for me, slow to start but once it got into its stride it’s a terrific read.

My first book by Helen Fields but certainly not my last. Halfway in and I wondered where it was going as it seemed concluded and could only become boring, but how wrong could I be. Hang on to your hats because this is only just revving up. Edge of your seat terrifying, be warned you’ll be turning the pages of this horror deep into the night. Great characters and it would make a great film or TV drama. Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for letting me read and review this book.

When I saw this title on NetGalley I knew I absolutely had to read it! It publishes early next month and already I know this is a tile that a lot of crime/thriller bloggers will be talking about!!

I just love Helen Fields’ writing style - It’s easy to read, knowledgeable and fast moving. All the elements required for a thriller you can really sink your teeth into. This is Helen’s first stand-alone thriller and if you haven’t yet experienced her “Perfect Series” this is a great introduction to the author and her style of writing.

The synopsis for “The Shadow Man” tells you all you need to know about the storyline. I wont be delving in any deeper, you guys know I always keep my reviews spoiler free. However, having now finished this stand-alone, I am somewhat disappointed that we wont get to read more about DI Baarda and Woolwine. A very unlikely pair who form a bond that I for one would like to read more about.

The Shadow Man grabs you from the first page and holds your attention until the last. A disturbing tale with a thought provoking ending.

When you’ve read this I would be interested to hear your opinion on my two questions below:


1) Are some individuals with monstrous ideals not fit to be released back into the real world?

2) Are they simply too inhuman to be redeemed through therapy?


Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Fields and Avon Books for my review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.


Publication Date: 4th February 2021

Full on creepy alert! The plot of this is straight out of the house of horrors, like one of those awful news stories that crops up from time to time. A man kidnaps and holds hostage three people to create his own family. Things just go from bad to worse from there on in. The tension is palpable. Honestly this stayed with me when I wasn’t reading, I couldn’t wait to find out the outcome. Not one to read if you’re very anxious!

A man kidnaps a woman, a child and a young man as he wanted to create a family and is delusional. The victims, Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are all locked up in an apartment by some one named Fergus and only Fergus could let him go. And while they find a way to escape from his apartment, they realize that they were not the first victims as they find skeletal remains on the floorboard...

I really do like the plotline of the story--this type of plot is really rare and it was creepy, disturbing and horror, like I felt as if I am watching some kind of horror story. I do like how the three victims unite together to try to attack their abductor and escape and the descriptions about the abductor, Fergus sounded creepy and weird to me. Really, I felt like I am in some sort of horror movie. Only thing is, I felt (my personal opinion) that the police details were not really necessary.

Overall, I rate this book four stars!

I’m not normally known for giving so many 5 star reviews but with a book as good as this one was it’s a no-brainer. Of course this is the author that brings us the very excellent Luc Callanach series. I’m not sure if this book is intended to be a stand alone or the start of a new series, but either way it’s too good to miss.

Dr Connie Woolwine is a forensic psychologist from the US who has been engaged to consult on the disappearance of Elspeth Dunwoody, the daughter-in-law of a VIP. Connie is an interesting character, very direct and almost abrasive, but she is very outcome focused and has a different take on things because of her achromatic vision (she can only see in shades of grey). She is teamed with DI Baarda and, although it takes a while, they end working together quite well.

The bad guy in this story is a very strange guy indeed. He thinks he’s dying and for some reason feels the need to have a family and for them all to die blissfully together. Well he doesn’t have a family, so what do you do when you don’t have the family you need? Why you just go out and steal one! That’s where Elspeth comes in. And Meggy, and Xavier. Connie is the one who puts it all together and sees the links that no one else does. She is absolutely brilliant. She is also able to get into the bad guy’s head, not a pleasant place to be.

Elspeth is just trying to survive and when Meggy arrives she becomes protective of the 12 year old, well she is a mother with children of her own. Meggy is also a fabulous character, just headstrong enough for a 12 year old and very gutsy. While Connie is working it out she still needs to convince Superintendent Overbeck of the value of her theories. I really liked Overbeck’s character in this book, she is so acerbic! Those of you following the Luc Callanach series will remember her from there.

It becomes a race against time. Connie is convinced the missing people are still alive but is also certain that at some point their situation will become perilous. When an ex-boyfriend of Elspeth’s however posts something on social media Connie knows their time is running out and it’s pedal to the metal trying to find the bad guy’s lair. The ending of this book is explosive, one of the best endings I’ve read! I was literally at the edge of my chair. It was totally unorthodox and totally brilliant! The story never dragged, I cannot recommend this highly enough. And that cover - just gorgeous! Thanks to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Helen Fields for providing me with a copy to review. My opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Helen Fields for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Wow! Where do I start? Once again, Helen Fields does not disappoint. Helen knows how to captivate her audience. This book is scary, dark and thrilling. I didn’t put it down once! The story is so well written. The characters are really easy to like, I hope there will be another series. I can’t recommend this book enough. I may have to reread it!!

This is the author’s first stand alone book after the Perfect series and the first of hers that I have read. It features a creepy, twisted serial killer who kidnaps victims in order to complete his much longed for family. I was drawn to this book because it features a female forensic psychologist who is called in to profile the killer and give insight in to his mind and motives. Connie Woolwine is confident, ballsy and brash, not afraid to ruffle feathers with her controversial approach. However, she is wounded and has her own disturbing past to contend with... I really liked her character despite being shocked by some of the views she expressed with regard to rehabilitation of offenders towards the end of the book! I won’t go in to it as it would give too much away...!

This is a pacy, intense, claustrophobic and disturbing book and I really enjoyed it! 4.5 stars

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I’ve loved reading the DI Callinach books and I loved this one just as much. Great new characters. Great story.

It is not often I find a book/author that genuinely creeps me out, Helen Fields has managed this by the bucketful with The Shadow Man.
I was horrified, queasy, and on the edge of my seat reading this book.
Connie is a fascinating character and I am very much hoping Helen Fields will be making this part of a series because I am desperate to see what comes next for her.
*Off to search Amazon for more by Helen Fields*
#NewFavouriteAuthor

The Shadow Man is a crime thriller where you follow Connie, a forensic psychologist hired to solve a disappearance. As the story goes forward, Connie will figure out that she’s dealing with someone way more sinister and dangerous than she ever thought.

The Shadow Man is not what I was expecting. From the blurb, I thought we would follow the victims of a serial killer. This does happen, but the main characters are the police and forensic experts working on the case. So this isn’t my kind of thriller story. I enjoy the smoother unraveling of the motivations behind a mystery, while The Shadow Man is more in a police hunt style.

Because there are multiple POVs, including the police force, the victims, and the serial killer, you know most of what is happening before the police. So there are no significant plot twists or moments that will leave you with your jaw hanging. It’s more of a constant tension and a feeling of dread to see what will happen. And yes, you can expect violence and gore.

You’re dropped into the action right from the start. It’s even weird to pinpoint the timeline initially, but you’ll get the hang of it. Around the middle, the action drags because the police are lost, and the serial killer focuses his attention on other characters. But the end is satisfying, so it’s okay.

Like other police hunt thrillers I’ve read, the plot is the main focus, so the characters are not well explored. If you’ve ever watched Criminal Minds, The Shadow Man reminds me a lot of it because the main character, Connie, is a profiler. And that’s all there is to her, apart from a tragic backstory. Both her and Baarda, the other detective, are stereotypical and bland. It is sometimes too easy for Connie to understand the profile of the criminal with little information. Her illations are too quick, and it doesn’t make sense how she got there at times.

The kidnapped characters are more interesting to follow. There are higher stakes, and they’re under a crazy amount of pressure to survive. You can see their minds and will deteriorating and how they willingly hurt themselves from the sheer desperation of getting out. It’s easy to criticize Elspeth for giving up at first, but I understand it. If you can’t fight them, join them. Meggy is way too smart for a 12-year-old, which makes her engaging, but some moments don’t feel believable for someone her age. Xavier is a fighter, but unfortunately, you won’t follow him enough to create a significant connection.

The Shadow Man is a crime thriller perfect for the fans of Criminal Minds. There’s a twisted serial killer, a cunning criminal profiler, and high stakes that will keep you addicted and waiting to see where the story goes.

While it took me a bit to get into this gritty, dark thriller, it was totally worth it! I loved Connie's tough personality, the uniqueness of the serial killer, and the truly shocking end. A thoroughly bone-chilling read that is not for the faint of heart.

I loved this. Wow! The descriptively disturbing story was creatively told and pulled me right in.
The American profiler brought another layer to this already good plot. I found her so interesting. She was clever, very American and sarcastic. I could see her being someone I would like to hang out with. I couldn’t get enough. The story got better with each chapter. It was interesting, creepy and suspenseful. I was transported right into the story. Great job.
I would highly recommend this for my mystery, thriller-suspense friends. You won’t be sorry.
Thank you Avon books via Netgalley for this audiobook. I’ve voluntarily given my review.

A chilling and gruesome crime thriller that is brilliantly developed and full of interesting characters, The Shadow Man is sure to be a standout thriller of 2021.

I love a crime story with a main character who is a Forensic Psychologist, as that means that we're really going to get into the dark and twisted mind of the killer. And the shadow man is certainly one of the weirdest and disturbed killers you will have read about. But Connie also sympathises, so it's great to know the shadow man for more than just his actions. You get to know him as in-depth as you do the other characters, but that doesn't mean that you'll be able to see what's coming.

We get to see the story from all points of view - the kidnapper, the police, and the captors - which helps to keep the momentum going with constant developments and revelations. It's like a constant nightmare as the situation gets worse and worse, which all builds up to a heart-stopping finale.

Connie and Baarda have a great chemistry and they work together brilliantly to ensure that the plot progresses quickly. I love that Connie is both brains and brawn while Baarda is more of the [eye-catching] support. Her medical knowledge allows for some really interesting details about mental illnesses and the support system, making this a hard-hitting but completely engrossing read.

If you like a thriller on the dark side, this is definitely a book you need to pick up! I hope we get to see more of Connie and Baarda, too, but I will certainly be reading more by Helen Fields either way.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields
Rating 4.7/5
A gutsy, quick paced, scary thriller given depth by the skilled writing of Helen Fields. Situated in Edinburgh there is one absolutely terrifying kidnapper and serial killer on the loose. He must be apprehended before he kills again.
Helen Field’s characters, particularly the American Forensic Psychologist Connie Woodwine and Detective Brodie Baarda bring a whole dimension to the novel. Connie “reads” people spookily well and due to a brain trauma sees the world from a different angle.
I loved the relationship between them; like chalk and cheese but they work exceptionally well together. They are both carrying a lot of “baggage” which adds to the reactions to each other. As a team they are formidable.
Meggy, the 12 year old victim is an enigma. At times, usually mature beyond her years and others, a terrified young girl who isn’t coping.
A really terrifying read, a total page turner with a well thought out plot. Written by an author who knows how to keep her readers enthralled and scared at the same time.
This is a stand-alone novel but Helen Field must continue with a second, third, fourth, fifth with her two main characters, I for one want to read more of the cases sent to Connie and Brodie to solve.
Totally recommended.
Thank you to Helen Fields, Avon Publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read The Shadow Man. In return I have given an unbiased and honest review.

The best book I’ve read this year thank you and may they continue. I have read all of Helen’s books and none of them have disappointed

From Good Reads:
Helen Fields is not known for pulling and punches and she does not disappoint.
Absolutely rockets along with barely a pause for breath.
Great chemistry between our police officer and our psychologist and a truly menacing 'baddie' Also loved the interactions and differences between our victims and one in particular is a delight.
Builds up and builds up to an cracker of a finale that should have everyone on the edge of their seats.
More please.