Having read Helen Fields previous books, I obviously looked forward to this one and was more than pleased to receive it via netgalley. However, I found it different from her previous work, but no less enjoyable once I got into it.
If it had been by a previously unread author, I might not have ventured further than the opening chapter or two, but knowing what the author was capable of I plodded on and as mentioned enjoyed the read., even although the eventual outcome could be considered somewhat predictable.

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...

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.

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!

I liked that the Shadow Man had a unique villian. However, I've realized any detective viewpoint novel isn't for me. I enjoyed the storyline and was completely engrossed with the victim focused chapters, but found myself not as interested during the detective POV chapters. It's not the book, it's me. I loved the ending!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.