Member Reviews
*Many thanks to Helen Fields, Harper Collins UK Audio, and NetGalley for the audio version of the book in exchange for my honest review.*
A thriller based around three people kidnapped in Edinburgh by a mentally distorted man who keeps them in order to create a world of his own. A female profiler is on a mission to find the kidnapper before it is too late.
This book was a little of a let-down to me as I did not feel any thrill or suspense while listening to it. Quite the contrary, there were some moments I was unable to find a character or their actions believable. The only box with a tick was the narration ... Both narrators do a grand job, and they definitely add quality to this book.
I loved this audiobook. It has an original plot, lots of twists and turns, some forensic and medical stuff , and brilliantly constructed and believable characters.. It ticks all the boxes for me.
At the start I thought that it was going to be another serial killer police thriller, but whilst it is that , it offer's so much more. The killer has a syndrome I had never heard of (who doesn't love a killer with a syndrome), and the lead characters were interesting ,real , flawed and yet likeable. I love a strong woman as the lead character.
I loved the way the author contructed a killer that was like no other I had ever read about- I couldn't sytop listening to it.
I even loved the end- and that is where so many novels of this genre fall down.
The narration was great. The narrator had a multitude of voices, none of which were annoying in anyway, and she allowed me to become completely immersed in the story.
I can't wait for another in the series (I do hope it's going to be a series!)
What a fabulous book. Great story so brilliantly executed and what an unusual idea. I really loved Connie and her interaction with her very British, stiff-upper-lip, policeman. I can't imagine how Ms Fields comes up with these ideas. A profiler who only sees in black and white - ohmidays, inspired! I was totally absorbed in the whole thing, with some real gasp, will they make it, edge of my seat moments. Brilliant narration made the story easy to follow and added even more enjoyment to an already better than any listener has the right to expect book. Bravo all round.
The Shadow Man is a psychological thriller with a very dark twist. American forensic psychologist Connie Woodwine and DI Brodie Baarda are brought in to help Edinburgh police find a missing woman. When a young girl is taken from outside her school, they realise the cases are connected.
The missing woman and child are being held in a flat by Fergus who is trying to create his own, perfect family. He is suffering from mental health problems which lead him to take greater risks in his behaviour. A race against time ensues as Connie tries to locate Fergus before it’s too late.
I found this book to be incredibly strange and way too far fetched. The narrator for Fergus was comical while trying to be sinister, which detracted from the storyline.
The Shadow Man
Narrators ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ both these narrators were absolutely amazing!! Especially the man doing Fergus's creepy voice!
The Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the first time I've heard of this author let alone read/listen to something by her and what a fantastic surprise the writing was!!!! Will be heading over to Amazon to buy more book. This story was so incredibly creepy and this book is one that I think I'll find myself still thinking about years from now. Will definitely be recommending this to my book club.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio arc of this book, all opinions expressed here are my own.
The Shadow Man is the first book I have read by Helen Fields and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrators did a fantastic job with this audio using different accents etc for each character. I have to particularly commend the narrator of Fergus, he was sounding more creepy and ill by the second.
My favourite character in this book was American forensic psychologist Connie a foul mouthed, sarcastic, no nonsense lady teamed up with Detective Baarda to help the Scottish police based in Edinburgh find some missing persons.
Elspeth, mum, missing.
Meggy, 12 year old, missing.
Xavier, paraplegic, missing.
Fergus, completely batshit crazy.
This creepily enthralling read will have you on the edge of your seat til the very end. I know it’s classed as a standalone, but I’d love to read more with Connie and Baarda as the main characters. 4.5 stars
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!!
The Shadow Man by Helen Fields is a gripping, twisted, gruesome and sometimes darkly comical book which I read over the course of 24 hours. Some books I just read, this one I consumed.
From the opening scene I was hooked, and I knew Fergus was going to give me the creeps. I was not wrong. He is one sick puppy.
I think Meggy was my favourite character, providing most of the comedic moments, adding some levity to a pretty dark book.
Hats go off to the performers of the audiobook whose narration kept me on the edge of my seat. The different accents were spot on and the changes in Fergus’ voice, gradually getting creepier as his thought processes became more unhinged was just *chef’s kiss*. This is an example of dual narrators done perfectly. It appears they listened to each other’s performances and emulated them, so I didn’t get that jarring sensation when a character’s voice changes in pitch, affect and gruffness and stayed engaged with the storyline. Well done Robin Lane and Cathleen McCarron.
Thank you to Harper Collins Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for an honest review and to NetGalley for providing this service.
This sure is a scary book if you are at home alone. Right from the first few minutes of listening in, your heart is hammering and the tension builds. The narrators, especially by using more than one, really add to the atmosphere of the text. They are excellent.
Some books I really enjoy being read to me. Others I prefer to take at my own pace by reading. This type I would choose to read in the future as I found the script particulary chilling.
I listened to the audiobook version and loved the narrators. Plural. Robin Laing and Cathleen McCarron were fantastic and I hope to hear more from them. No one could of done it better.
I loved this book and give it a high 5 star rating. I would love to see this turned into movie! 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 HarperCollins UK Audio via Netgalley for this audiobook. I’ve voluntarily given my review.
Another great read from Helen Fields. Lots of characters - some very unlikeable ones which made for a very interesting read. Fast paced for the most part and I enjoyed the narrator of this one, too. I enjoyed the plot the most - an interesting character! Definitely recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC.
I was interested in listening to this audible book after reading the book and to see which I liked best. For me, the narrator is paramount to a good audible book. and Robin Lane and Cathleen McCarron are excellent! They create atmosphere, accents and scary sounds! Especially the character of Fergus.....scary! The story itself was interesting but too far fetched for me. I enjoyed the audible best. If you enjoyed the ''Perfect' series of books by Helen Fields, you will enjoy this story, on either adaptation.
I give a 4 star rating.
I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF LISTENING TO THIS AUDIBLE BOOK AND GIVE AN HONEST REVIEW IN RETURN
A vicious and disturbed man has kidnapped three victims, Xavier, Elspeth and Meggy. None of them have any idea why they have been locked into this apartment or even where they are. They call him the Shadow Man and if they don’t find a way to escape, they may never see the light of day again. Fields’s delivers a stunning thriller and Lang and company make you believe you are in the room with the victims and the terrifying Shadow Man
listened to audiobook The Shadowman by Helen Fields who is quickly turning into my go-to author. Another fabulous read with brilliant characters I do hope we’ll see again. This is a definite recommend.
Audio version of this book 📚- WOW WOW WOW what a cracking read/listen ! Helen Fields is one of my favourite authors and the ‘Perfect’ series is one of my favourites, so I was interested to see how this standalone novel compared . Well, it was one of the best listens/reads I’ve read in a long time ! An addictive storyline from the first page to the last and a cast of strong characters that I would love to see develop and so wish this would become a series! It is quite a dark novel in places and both narrators brought the characters to life and so the little touches of humour balanced this out ! I can not speak highly enough of this book 📚 highly recommend
This book is seriously messed up scary. It’s chilling and thrilling and totally nasty. The evil character is so cold and out of control, you can only hope and pray this book is fiction as you wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. The book unravels and unveils some serious darkness. Couldn’t put the book down- or read it on my own. I listened to the audio version and have to say it made this book shivering realistic. The voices the narrator used will stay with me and probably haunt me for weeks- Amazing!