Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for an ARC of The Shadow Man.

I'll be honest, I hadn't read one of Helen's stories before but after this one, I will be looking at more of her books ASAP

The Shadow Man is cautiously creepy from the get go.

A suspicious man lurking in the dark..... my mind instantly taking me to fearful places.

This is a crime thriller with grit and substance.

We follow the team of forensic psychologist Connie Woodwine and DI Brodie Baarda from the Met Ops Team as they assist police in Edinburgh after the disappearance of Elspeth Dunwoody (something to do with a high profile person).

Connie and Baarda are what you'd call the complete opposites but their differing personas really helped the case. Connie is no nonsense, straight talking whilst Baarda is more polite, reserved but they complimented each other well.

Unfortunately Elspeth isn't the only person to go missing and as I saw 'The Shadow Man' deteriorate both physically and mentally I was moving further and further to the edge of my seat. Just how far would he go to complete what he'd started?

This isn't a book for the faint hearted, it is what I'd describe as quietly terrifying.

Although a stand alone I wouldn't object to more books with Connie and Baarda as the development of their relationship was just as capturing as the main story itself.

Deliciously, dark, The Shadow Man is a novel that is superbly executed, giving the reader a satisfying ending too.

Another creepy, gory, scary horror from Helen Fields. The Shadow Man wants victims, but, he wants them alive. He's sick in mind and body and this is not a book for the fainthearted.
The 3 captives are a wife, a 12 year old and a man in a wheelchair. Trying to find the Shadow Man are a forensic psychologist and a DI and the book takes you from one perspective to another.

It's a cracking chiller, but, I did find it a tad gory in parts for my taste and rather longwinded.

Overall, a solid 3* Good Read and perfect for those who enjoy their thrills and chills.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to preview in exchange for my honest review.

Get ready to be scared. It generally takes a lot to get my heart racing while reading a book and this book definitely did just that. It had an interesting view point from the psychologist which, to me, just added to the creepiness. I loved the twists and turns throughout the book and I look forward to reading more from this author.

thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Okay, I have a new favorite author... @Helen_Fields. Just finished her new book, #TheShadowMan. A fast-paced, intense stand-alone thriller set in Scotland, this needs to be a series. Highly recommend! #NetGalley #eGalley #iamreading

I have been a fan of the ‘Perfect’ books since the very first one. This is not part of that series, although I think that after reading The Shadow Man many more readers will gravitate to the series. This is a stand alone; a very dark psychological thriller, part police procedural. At times it is horrific, but is so well written it is a real page turner. A couple of characters appear from the other series but the main characters are very different. The lead policeman is Brodie Baarda with help from an American profiler Connie Woolwine and they are chasing a serial killer. D I Baarda is the practical one in charge of organizing the man power under him. Connie has to put all the puzzle pieces together. She is a wonderful character and her psychology is spot on trying to find out what makes the shadow man tick. He is sick with a very rare syndrome which is so well described it sent shivers down my spine. The plot rattles along in a difficult to put down way until the final hard to read outcome. There is maybe a hint this could become a series too. I do hope there will be more of this pairing as I was completely hooked. This is a top thriller and a must read for 2021. Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

What a thriller of a novel. Had me gripped from the start and was just gruesome enough to keep me interested. Looking for more novels by Helen Fields

He chooses them carefully. He watches them. He kidnaps them. After all, they will be his family...albeit not his first.
Will DI Baarda and Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler, find him before he kills his victims?

As I'm not a huge fan of police procedurals, I approached this book cautiously, not setting my expectations high.
However, I'm glad to say that this turned out to be a very gripping and fast-paced read that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
The plot was interesting and original, which is not an easy feat to achieve in this genre, and the suspense never dwindled.
A bonus point for setting the novel in Edinburgh.
It is apparently a stand-alone novel, but I'd definitely reach for any further books if it ever becomes a series.

WOW. Loved this book. Fabulous as a standalone. 3 people from different backgrounds. Finding a way to survive. But do they and can anyone find a way out?????

I just love Helen Fields books and this was no exception. A brilliant stand alone story. Highly recommend if you like dark, creepy police procedurals. Love it. Couldn't get to the end quick enough.

**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.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a dark and creepy thriller! Women are going missing in plain sight and no one sees anything! American profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine is sent overseas to assist DI Baarda in the investigation. They are sent on a breathtaking ride of a case. This is one of the creepiest villains I have ever read about. FYI, you know who the villain is from the beginning. The chapters alternate between his viewpoint and the viewpoints of Dr. Woolwine and DI Baarda. Sometimes the chapter is from the viewpoint of one of his victims. I enjoyed the characters, especially Connie. She was hilarious. I’ve never read a book by Heen Fields before but this won’t be my last. If you like things disturbing and dark, definitely read this book. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book totally exceeded any previous expectations for a crime thriller. The pacing was excellent, and the descriptions, especially of the victims’ feelings and setting, made my blood run cold — I’m a huge fan of Criminal Minds (the tv show) for how it uses psychology to solve crimes, and I felt like this gave me similar vibes, but so much better because of the amazing writing and descriptions!

The real winners of the book, however, are DI Baarda and Dr. Connie Woolwine. They had great chemistry, between their witty banter and just how they put their heads together to try to solve the crime against all odds. Woolwine especially was really well-developed, which is great for this single novel.

As an American reader, the Edinburgh descriptions were well done. Although I’ve never actually been there, I felt like I understood the setting and the culture, especially since Woolwine was an American (and quite a bright, confident, and fairly accurate stereotype of one!)

Overall The Shadow Man was one of the best thrillers and crime novels I’ve read, and I definitely wouldn’t complain if this standalone novel ended up as a series so I could continue following Baarda and Woolwine

The Shadow Man is a new standalone thriller from Helen Fields based once again in Edinburgh. I have read all of her Luc Callanach series so I wasn't sure what to expect from her new characters. I'm pleased to say it was excellent and I hope she writes a follow up featuring Dr Woodwine and DI Baarda.

Fergus Arriss is an extremely troubled man intent on fulfilling his dream of surrounding himself with a family before he dies. He has very specific requirements for this "family" and knows exactly who he wants. He wants the perfect wife, the obedient child and ideal brother. So begins a spate of kidnappings in Edinburgh requiring the expertise of psychologist Dr Woodwine and police officer DI Baarda. Already one kidnapping attempt by Fergus has gone tragically wrong and it's a race against time to prevent further tragedies.

This was a thrilling read, gory and very dark in places. Loved it!

Hmm, I am okay with dark and creepy but I read a review that stated ~ “if you cannot digest gory and dark drop this book and run!” I not a fan of gore so wasn’t sure if this was going to work!

Aww It was much better than I expected! My first Helen Fields and I will read another!!
A good reason NOT to take reviews too seriously and make your own decisions!!! We all have different taste.

Story starts with forensic psychologist Connie Woolwine, an American forensic psychologist and her partner Brodie Baarda a London detective. (These are both interesting, unique people. So my first impression was a good one.) Anyway they are working with the Edinburgh Police Scotland to investigate the disappearance of a woman, Elspeth Dunwoody, Meggie a 12 year of girl and Xavier a male paraplegic. They seem to have nothing in common; but are being held in captivity by ‘The Shadow Man’. Who isn’t an ordinary kidnapper as he doesn’t ask for ransom but has something else in mind for this threesome!
There is no doubt he is ill, he has a psychotic disorder that has him believing that he is dying and has nothing to lose.
[author: Helen Fields] has a very creative mind. Story is original and creative!
She has developed an interesting unique story with clever investigators.
For example: I especially enjoyed the visualization techniques.
In my graduate program in counseling we did an exercise in ‘Guided Imagery’ It was great. It was a career awareness workshop and the exercise was soo positive!

BTW: I also enjoyed reading Ms. Fields Acknowledgements at the end of the story!

Another not a solid 4 stars ( I am not generous with giving stars) It is more like a -4 or a +3 so it was a
⭐⭐⭐.5 for me

Want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 4, 2021

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.