Fergus believes he is dying but won’t die without leaving a family behind. As he’s running out of time he’ll have to create one by abducting his new family members and holding them captive in his loft.

I feel this book had a lot of potential but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. At the start I was often confused by the dialogue and had to keep backtracking to figure out who was speaking. The parallel plots didn’t seem to gel together and I think this book should’ve been called the Skeleton Man instead! What saved this book for me was the ending as that was quite gripping but I admittedly found myself getting a bit bored up to that point! Helen Fields description of the villain however was very impressive. The way she described his physical appearance made me feel I could really picture the creepy character that he was.

What a fantastic start to 2021, The Shadow Man by Helen Fields. Pure escapism at its finest. I finished reading just as the UK's COVID-19 situation worsened with the announcement of lockdown #3. Thank goodness my To Be Read list circles the planet fifteen times and then some!

A serial killer, The Shadow Man, is abducting victims and holding them prisoner with the sole purpose of having something 'special' in store for them. Yep, this is one crazy sick-in-the-head mofo!!! The three captives (Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier) know their days are numbered. If they're to have any chance of survival it's imperative they find a way to escape and now!

I haven't read any of the author's 'Perfect...' series so The Shadow Man was my first introduction to her work. And what an introduction it was! Gripping, suspenseful and at times very disturbing.

The killer was utterly chilling. He totally had me freaked out, yet even so I was fascinated by his repulsiveness. DI Brodie Baarda along with American psychologist Dr Connie Woolwine made a great team and I do hope their partnership continues. Their banter brought some much-needed humour and lightheartedness to counterbalance the darkness and depravity.

Overall I thought it was a cracking read — intense, thrilling and exciting. The finale was just amazing. A well-deserving 5 star read.

Helen Fields has written a great thriller with The Shadow Man, I loved all the characters in this book and especially the American profiler Dr Connie Woolwine and the terribly British DI Baarda, I don’t want to give anything away but Connie has been brought to Scotland to profile the Kidnapper of a young woman but no one knows where to start. The interaction between the main characters was great and I hope there will be a sequel as I feel we haven’t even scratched the surface of Connie Woolwines character. I would definitely recommend.

It took me over halfway through this book to get into it, and even then, I still struggled. I didn't particularly like Connie, and felt that her partnership with Baarda was forced. Fergus was creepy and I thought he was well-written. I just couldn't get into it & the ending fell flat - there are some books you just can't get into, and this was one for me. I think fans of Helen Fields DI Callanach series will enjoy this.

Thrilling Rollercoaster.
Fergus thinks Angela is his angel, his perfect wife. When her husband takes their kids camping, Fergus makes his move. But Angela dies. Weeks later, he tries again with Elspeth.
Connie is brought to assist Detective Inspector Gaard of Scotland Police with the kidnapping of Elsbeth, daughter in law of a wealthy man. Connie uses her forensic psychology background to compile a profile - visiting the abduction scene, past events. And then a 12 year old is kidnapped from her school's parking lot.
Meggy sparks Elsbeth's drive to survive - together trying fo find a way to escape. Then Fergus falls down the stairs - he's convinced he's dying. And that's 25% in the book.
What a chilling tale. Told from various perspectives- Connie, Elsbeth and Fergus, gives the plot an insight into all the key characters.
I loved these characters- the humanity, humor, tragedy.
Highly recommend.

What a book. A roller coaster ride of abductions, murders, burials and much more. If you're dead - but still walking around - are you still human? How much licence does it give you in your behaviour towards others? These are a couple of the type of question the Scottish police and their drafted in helpers DI Baarda and Dr. Constance Woolwine have to answer to sort out a muddy, cold mess.

Loved it - in fact I read it in one sitting - gripping story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Elspeth is a woman in her 30s - the perfect wife, a doting mother and loved by the community. Meggy is 12, a bright student but sadly neglected by her own parents and hated by her stepmother. Xavier is a wheelchair-bound man who plays basketball and has a colorful social life.

3 strangers. 3 lives.
The one thing they have in common is that they are being watched.. and then abducted by the Shadow Man. Vanished into thin air.

Now it's time for forensic psychologist Connie Woodwine and Detective Inspector Brodick Baarda to track the 3 missing people.

Who is the Shadow Man?
Why did he capture them?
Can Connie and Brodick save them before it's too late?

* * *

This is my first Helen Fields book and I dived in blind. I must say I am so surprised because it's so so good!

The villain is unique and not cliché. You know how most kidnappers are charming so that they can easily abduct people? That is NOT the case here. He is bad physically (gross-looking) and mentally. Reading this book is like taking a tour in a psychopath's mind. What kind of people catch his interest, how he stalks them, plans every detail for the kidnapping and caring for the captured afterwards. Details like how his body is rotting and how his teeth are falling out are vividly explained and if that's not your cup of tea, it could gross you out.

The lead investigators Connie and Baarda take some time to warm up to. At first it felt like there's no chemistry at all but deeper in the story, I grew to like them. I kinda hope to see more of them in the future.

If you are into Cara Hunter, you'd really enjoy this. This book is brilliant and I have a feeling that i will get my hands on other Helen Fields books soon! Thank you @netgalley and @avon_books for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a creepy and disturbing book about a very sick serial killer trying to replicate his perfect family before he dies. This is a scary book and deals with a number of mental health disorders that were totally new to me. I really liked the two leads in this book and thought they had a great dynamic as well (maybe we will hear more from them). Fascinating and scary read.

Fergus Ariss is in his late thirties and he knows that he's dying. His body is giving up on him, his internal organs beginning to putrify but before he dies he wants a wife, a child and a brother. He's been on the lookout for the perfect people and he's made certain preparations. The flat where the family will live is prepared and even windows with curtains, and pictures in frames have been painted onto the walls. Angela Fernycroft was to be his wife. Her husband, Cal, had taken the children - a boy of seven and a girl of five, away for the weekend. Unfortunately, it doesn't go according to plan and Angela dies.

Police Scotland was stretched so they brought in outside help to investigate the death of Angela Fernycroft. Dr Connie Woolwine is an American profiler and she's staying at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. DI Baarda is from the Metropolitan Police. They're going to have to become a team and develop some local knowledge but before they can do that Elspeth Dunwoody is abducted. She will become Fergus's wife, even going through a wedding ceremony with him. Fergus wants things done properly.

Dr Connie Woolwine has a problem. She's had it since she was in her late teens: she has achromatopsia. She can only see in black and white and shades in between but she has no colour vision. Being an achromat is no longer a problem to her although people around her can find it difficult to deal with. Brodie Baarda is OK with it: he's got problems of his own. Back in London, his wife is having an affair with one of his colleagues. And then twelve-year-old Meggy Russell is abducted from outside her school, in broad daylight.

How do you link together the murder of a woman, the abduction of another and then the abduction of a child? Murderers don't usually go in for abducting women: it's the kill that's important to them. Abductors usually stick to a particular group of individuals rather than going for an adult and a child. It's going to take all the combined skills of Connie and Baarda to work it out and Connie is going to surprise quite a few people with just how close she's prepared to get to a corpse.

I first encountered Helen Fields when I read Perfect Kill, part of her DI Callanach series where I found some of the sexual and violent scenes a little graphic. I didn't find the same problem with The Shadow Man (which is a stand-alone) but that might have been because I don't have a problem with corpses and it has to be said that there are rather a lot in the story.

My tolerance was helped by the fact that the writing is good. Fields captures a scene with just a few words:

An oxygen tank sat next to his bed like some bizarre relative waiting for interaction.

The characterisation is good too: Fergus Ariss is an original. I don't think I've ever met anyone suffering from Cotard's syndrome (also known as walking corpse syndrome) before but Fields uses it to great effect. It's an unusual, engaging read and I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

Dr Connie Woolwine is an American Forensic Psychologist who has partnered with Detective Brodie Baarda to investigate a missing person case in Edinburgh.

We know that the perpetrator is “The Shadow Man” he has abducted several people. What are his motives?

Connie realises that the disappearances are linked, but unlike your average kidnapping, no ransom has been demanded.

A chilling read that had me flinching every time I heard a noise in my house!! I loved how the tension slowly builds in this book, leading effortlessly to a chilling ending.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Engrossing.

Murder, diseases (that I had never even heard of), kidnap and a UK US collaboration.

Fast paced, thoroughly planned and more than a little unnerving. You really should try closing the curtains once in a while.

You've got to read this, if nothing else for quite some time.

Helen Fields is fast becoming one of those authors where I'd buy on name over anything else.



Status: Completed

Rating: 4.8/5.0

When I saw this book available on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to read it having loved every book in the DI Callanach series by Helen fields a favourite author of mine I just knew this standalone was bound to be another winner and oh my it most certainly was. It’s one hell of a creepy read with the main protagonist “ The Shadow Man” proving to be be an out and out crazy killer and abducter like no other and he really sent chills down my spine over and over again with the plot racing along and this deranged killer leaving mayhem behind him.
What I enjoyed most of all though was the other two main characters in the book forensic psychologist and profiler Connie Woolwine and DI Baarda they were both just amazing and the rapport between them just made this book so special I would love if we could hear more from them in the future pretty please Helen Fields ...it was also brilliant that we got to see the wonderful Superintendent Overbeck also.
So an absolutely brilliant five star page turner of a book that I just can’t fault I just loved everything about it dark, creepy and fabulous what more can you ask for !!
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read all of Helen Fields’ novels and look forward to each and every one of them. This is a stand-alone novel and introduces Dr. Connie Woolwine who is a forensic psychologist from the US and Detective Brodie Baarda who is in Scotland assisting the local police.

The two are working together to track down murders and disappearances. The case develops and although they do not know each other they soon learn to trust each other’s way of working.

Elspeth, Maggie and Xavier are locked together in a flat, being held captive by the shadow man who is becoming more brazen with each attack.

The search becomes more and more urgent and the characters develop with the author’s usual precision with romantic undercurrents and clever dialogue. Cleverly plotted with some scary moments.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books and Helen Fields for my ARC of The Shadow Man in return for my honest review.

Brilliant. Highly recommended.

Wow! prepare to be scared of Daylight & Shadow, of known & unknown places deep with the Human Psyche! The Shadow Man watches , he looks for the most comfort a victim might provide him with ,but like all Criminals he makes mistakes & that's what allows Doctor Constance Woolwine & DI Baarda to finally catch him.I don't want to write any more as it would give too many hints but Do Read this Book.#NetGalley,#FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, #GoodReads, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/11bc11d0026952991f96874534f30a6fb6dbed74" width="80" height="80" alt="25 Book Reviews" title="25 Book Reviews"/>

I love how this book shoves you right into the storyline, without the buildup. Such a cool technique to engage the reader. Fields' writing is great as always, and she definitely captures some heart-pounding moments in this book!

5 plus stars for me ! I wish I could give it 10.

Helen Fields you have outdone yourself with The Shadow Man

The Shadow Man, is a dark creepy compulsive read that keeps the lights on and you jumping at every noise.

Elspeth, Meggie and Xavier have all been captured and held in a small room by The Shadow Man who's description is creepy enough thank you.

That's after a murder he committed.

Ambience is so well done I felt the cobwebs, smelled the decay and heard all the noises.

I am truly hoping there is a sequel to Connie and Baarda the investigators.

To the top of your unread pile you should put The Shadow Man

If you have not read The Perfect Series by Helen Field you soon will after reading The Shadow Man.

Hope I sleep tonight.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK, Avon for a mind boggling read.

Wow! This book was fantastic!! Grabbed me from the first chapter! I loved the characters, even the shadow man was so interesting and intense. One could almost feel sorry for him. Almost. Dr. Woolwine and DI Baarda were an excellent and exciting duo. There is nothing negative to say about any of it! Can’t wait to check out other works from Helen Fields!!

4.5*
The Shadow Man is a collector of people, an abductor, watching his victims and planning while learning their routines, until it’s time to make his move. In the opening sequence his plan goes fatally wrong causing him to be careless with his next victim.

Forensic psychologist Dr Connie Woolwine and Detective Inspector Brodie Baarda from Met Ops are assisting the Police Scotland, Edinburgh based division, after the disappearance of prominent businessman’s wife. The investigation into Elspeth Dunwoody’s disappearance leads Connie and Baarda to link their case to further abductions that follow no pattern. And why have there been no ransom demands?

There are no obvious connections between Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier but they are all imprisoned together and have no idea why they are prisoners or what fate awaits them. The Shadow Man has a twisted agenda…and a twisted mind, as we find out while following his thought processes as to why he chooses his victims. Terrifyingly irrational, he suffers from a little known condition which makes him unpredictable, gross and at the same time pitiful.

Connie and Brodie make a great partnership. They are total opposites in their attitudes. Connie is an interesting character with her brusque and very self assertive personality. She was left with achromatopsia after a head injury in her teens which gives her a contrasting view of the world to Brodie. His character is quieter and more subtle than Connie’s and appears to be someone who can be trusted instinctively.

The story follows the investigation, with chapters from the perspectives of the captives whose plight is shocking, as well as giving insights into mind of the Shadow Man.

Characters are developed well, all have back stories and/or issues to flesh them out. Connie especially. She goes her own way with determination regardless of the risks. The Shadow Man is fast paced with all the Gs—gripping, gruesome and gritty—with unexpected twists and likeable protagonists.

I LOVED this, and was lucky enough to have the time to luxuriate in the enjoyment of it. Does that sound weird luxuriating in the horror and thrills of a book?

We meet the shadow man pretty early on, and slowly throughout the book Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are introduced.

There are 2 other supporting characters, which make up some crucial parts.

Over all this book is a great read, the intensity builds well right to the end

A Solid 5 star book.

The shadow man .... what can I say. I don't think I've ever read any Helen Field books before. In fact I've not really read any thrillers in a while so this was definitely a breath of fresh air from my usual genre. The relationship between the police and the psychologist was well written. The plot was great with interesting characters. And overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book.