This one was odd... I knew going in that it was going to be dark and creepy, and was prepared for that. I wasn't prepared for feeling like I was constantly missing something - like there was backstory I didn't have, and elements of the characters and their relationships that were never flushed out. It felt like there were books or stories prior to this one that I had missed - like jumping into a series Midstream. It made for a disjointed read that I never felt connected to and I didn't really enjoy it as a result...

Detective Anjelica Henley must hunt down the person responsible for killing and dismembering victims throughout London. What’s especially concerning is that these more recent crimes are eerily similar to those of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer that she helped put behind bars two years ago. Olivier, angered by these latest murders, escapes prison and vows to hunt down this new killer himself. Now, Olivier and his copycat are locked in a violent game of cat and mouse. And it’s up to Henley to stop them both...

This story has the feel of a police procedural, but also includes rich characterization and back story. Henley is determined and strong, while also battling her own demons, and I immediately liked her. Olivier is everything you want to see from a serial killer - he’s cold and calculating, and perfect opposite Henley. This book is the perfect amount of gruesome, and it has an ending that will leave you wanting more (in the best way possible!)

A dark gritty thriller well written haunting.A serial killer and a copycat killer chilling gruesome it kept me reading late into the night.An author to follow.#netgalley #harlequinbooks

DI Anjelica Henley is back on active duty with the SCU. She has no idea what she will face when called out to a crime scene.

By the river, dismembered body parts are washing up. While the crime has all of the marks of a serial killer she locked up not that long ago, she knows he is still in strict lockdown. Right?

The Jigsaw Killer. A total sociopath. No remorse, no second thoughts, just monstrous acts against people that would send the strongest of cops running.

When Anjelica can’t find answers she goes to the source. Peter Olivier. The Jigsaw Killer. Who also tried to kill her. He isn’t happy someone is copying his crimes. Not at all happy. Which is very scary for some people.



On the day she returns to active duty with the Serial Crimes Unit, Detective Inspector Anjelica Henley is called to a crime scene. Dismembered body parts from two victims have been found by the river. As more and more bodies turn up, a pattern emerges. These are all people from a jury. Can any of them be saved before the Jigsaw Killer takes things into his own hands?

I felt as though I had missed book one. But there isn’t a book one. I would have liked more backstory from the characters as it felt like we came into the middle of something. Although it was really gory, I had no problem with that. I just felt there were pieces of the characters' stories that everyone but me knew.

NetGalley/ March 16th, 2021 by Hanover Square Press

I thought The Jigsaw Man was going to be a straightforward police procedural with an interesting serial killer and I was happily wrong! It's so much more than that!

Yes, it is a police procedural but the main character Inspector Henley, is a Black woman (which is rare in Thrillers) who is pulled from her desk job and thrust back into the crime field when dismembered body parts are found scattered around. The parts belong to a variety of victims and Henley immediately decides they are the work of a copycat Jigsaw killer.
The OG jigsaw killer Peter Oliver, is in prison and his scenes in the story were super creepy! Definitely got a Hannibal vibe from him and Henley is like a more nuanced Starling.

There were a few parts that dealt with the politics of policing that I found a bit dry, but I just read them quickly so I could get back to the good stuff; the gruesome murdery bits and the tension between Henley and her co-worker/ ex lover.
I also wanted more of the original killer Oliver and a little more backstory on the copycat because that felt a little random.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I can't believe it's a debut! The story reads like a later book in a series because Henley is so well written with an intriguing backstory. I really hope this is the first of a series staring her because I'm invested in her life and love triangle now!

A serial killer and his copycat are locked in a violent game of cat and mouse. Can DI Anjelica Henley stop them before it’s too late? Dismembered body parts from two victims have been found by the river. The modus operandi bears a striking resemblance to Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer, who has spent the past two years behind bars. Can she apprehend the copycat killer before Olivier finds a way to get to him first? Or will she herself become the next victim? I found this book to be a slow read with a lot of repetitive information. More backstory is needed as I felt lost at times. This book felt more like a 2nd book instead of the first in the series. I feel the book needs more editing in order for the story to flow better. Thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for a free copy for an honest review.

THE JIGSAW MAN by Nadine Matheson is a standard crime thriller! Reading this book is like watching an episode of Law & Order meets Criminal Minds. The main character Henley is a cop trying to catch a copycat serial killer. This book didn’t have any shocking twists and Henley had the familiar unstable family life having to deal with her intense job. The point of view would switch between Henley and a couple other characters which was interesting. Definitely a solid read if you’re a fan of police procedurals!
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Thank you to Hanover Square Press via NetGalley for my advance review copy!

This is not for the faint of heart but the writer is awesome and distributes the plot well. This is more for the readers who enjoy solving disturbing crimes involving a serial killer.

Dark thriller about a copycat serial killer who is taking things to the next level. When Detective Henley is alerted to a new batch of murders with the victims cut into pieces, it’s like the past is coming back to haunt her. When the original Jigsaw Killer was sentenced to life in prison Henley thought that nightmare chapter of her life was over, but with the gruesome crimes beginning again she has no choice but to revisit the past, even if it costs her her own life. Gruesome, graphic and chilling.

I was really looking forward to this one but it didn't fully grab me. I found myself not fond of the writing style and the way things went all over the place. I was caught off guard alot with the way scenese changed. Even worse, it seemed like this wasn't the first in the series but the second or third book and the author assumed we knew all these characters.

Had a great premise, though not exactly a unique one, but the execution just wasn't quite there for me. I struggled really hard to keep reading, hoping it'd get better and be more solid. That wasn't the case.

I am sure people will love this one. There's disturbing content and I love gritty reads, this one just wasn't for me overall because of the writing style.

Thank you netgalley for this arc.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Jigsaw Man is Peter Olivier, who killed and dismembered 7 people some years before, and was caught by Inspector Anjelica Henley, whom he then stabbed in the stomach. She survived and Olivier went to prison, so why, now that Henley is finally finished desk duty after her traumatic experience, is her first case another dismemberment that eerily mimics Olivier's?

Olivier is the same slick, charming serial killer we have grown accustomed to via pop culture, and his exploits are as bad, if not worse, than the Bundys he is modeled on (dismembering seven people with a jigsaw is no joke). Henley is probably back on the street rather too soon, as her PTSD is still keeping her up at night, her marriage is in shambles, and her daughter rarely sees her. What could possibly go wrong?

Nadine Matheson keeps the suspense ratcheted way up throughout, and then the last couple of chapters fly by. There's a cascade of unlikely events that happen very quickly, and it's difficult to put the story down at that point. There's been plenty of hype around this book, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it optioned as a film (I was even doing some mental stunt-casting as I read). It reads very much like a film.

Definitely not for the faint of heart (or stomach), this is a ripping good yarn that could use a little cleaning up in spots, but makes me excited for Matheson's next outing.

Inspector Angelica Henley is finally returning to active duty after being stuck at her desk for too long. But she never expected her first day back to include a difficult trainee or body parts washing up all over South London. This new murder is strikingly similar to the work of Peter Olivier, aka the Jigsaw Man. But he's in prison for murdering seven people and almost killing Henley when she tried to arrest him. Does Olivier have an accomplice on the outside, or is there a copycat with a vendetta all his own? Henley needs to interview Olivier about these new murders, but at what cost? A gripping mystery and psychological thriller and a strong start to a promising series.

Anjelica Henley is a Detective Inspector in London's Serial Crime Unit. She is tasked to match wits with a serial killer behind bars and his possible apprentice/copy cat killer on the outside. This is not a "cozy" read. Body parts begin appearing all over the city and there are some graphic scenes. However this thriller is well written, fast paced and it features a multi-faceted lead detective who has issues of her own. Looking forward to reading a second book.

Heard about this one on a webinar and had to read it. It did not disappoint.
A gruesome police procedural with diverse and flawed characters - you know, like real life people. Jigsaw Man takes us on a hunt for a serial killer who is copycatting a currently imprisoned serial killer. Is the jailed Jigsaw Man somehow influencing the new serial killer? Are they working together? DI Henly wants to find out...after all she helped put the Jigsaw Man behind bars even though it cost her.
A great police procedural from a new voice with a new perspective...Nadine Matheson nailed it with this one. Can't wait to read more!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the chance to review an ARC of The Jigsaw Man. This is a complex thriller. Lots of secondary characters that are suspects and/or victims but they all tie together once everything is figured out. The protagonist is a very likable character and Matheson does a good job of letting us know what Henley's world is like as a investigator and all that she has been through. The convicted serial killer, Olivier is quite creepy and gives me a Hannibal vibe. Very intelligent man that has an obsession for a female investigator. The action really picks up a little over halfway through the novel and doesn't disappoint. I wasn't exactly happy with the ending but maybe there will be a second book!

This was an exceptionally well written and compelling thriller. I really enjoyed how East/South-East London was an important character. At times it was a little more graphic than I am usually comfortable with, but I could see how these extremely detailed pieces were important to the plot and characterization. I am really looking forward to the next in the series! Thanks to HQ (through NetGalley) for the ARC.

This was a solid British serial killer procedural. A copycat killer is leaving body parts around Deptford and DI Anjelica Henley is trying to unravel the clues. This felt a lot like the second or third book in a series but was actually not - There was just a bunch of backstory. Gritty and compelling.

A seriously solid debut thriller. Looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. Will most definitely be adding her to my watch list!

For fans of gritty, gruesome serial killer books ... check this one out.

Thank you #netgalley, #HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) and #hanoversquarepress for the earc.

Good, pretty gruesome at parts. I liked the lead character and hope to see more of her story in upcoming novels. Creepy, send shivers up my spine at times.

I was truly surprised to find that this was a debut for Matheson. She hits all the right notes in this creepy thriller that reads more like the second or third in a series. DI Angelica Henley is sent back to active duty after a near-fatal injury, caused by a serial killer she's put away. On her first day back she is sent to a crime scene that is eerily familiar and soon she's caught between "her" serial killer and a copycat who's out to destroy more lives. Twists, turns, and a whole lot of suspense, I'm looking forward to more from this author.