This one started really slow for me, but once the story got going it was a faster paced read. A young girl goes missing and it takes the main character Aidan back to when he was younger and the disappearance of young girls. Aidan was also taken but he was quickly returned, he was the only one that survived. The town now has to relive the past to find out what happened. I liked the relationship between and his best friend, who supports him and helps him uncover the truth at every turn. That was a highlight for me in such a dark story. I was hoping to explore the aftermath of the killer once found and was left disappointed at how rushed it felt, as I had more questions that were left unanswered. Still a good read for a thriller

Complex thriller ,featuring a few amateur detectives. Started slowly but gradually gathered pace. Plenty of twists and turns

When a young girl is kidnapped, Adrian who works for a newspaper has flashbacks..

He may be the only survivor of The Lollipop man and he can't tell anyone.

This well wriiten novel is quite a creepy read. I absolutely loved how the story unfolded and didn't quite guess what was happening next.

A young girl is snatched from a Halifax and there are similarities to a cold case from years before. Is there any way that this could be the same person?

Adrian works at the local newspaper, and he has a secret he can’t tell his parents about - even though, 8 years earlier, he had been the one to get away from ‘the Lollipop man’ - the only child to have been abducted and then returned. Adrian becomes fascinated by the new case, and a famous TV presenter, Sheila Hargreaves, is sure she knows who he really is. Can they work together and find out who has abducted the girl - and is it the same person? Does Adrian know anything that could help?

A well written book, which made me think about the start of the use of mobile phones, and how the media could still whip up a frenzy.
Thank you to @AllisonandBusby for the advance copy.

All you wanted is to forget the past. Adrian was a young boy when he was taken. Luckily he was returned unharmed. But the kidnapped is back and it has brought up all those painful memories. Some people have found him and they each want something from him. Can he keep out of everything or will he be dragged into it all?
Another girl has been taken and it hits close to home & he realises that he can try his best to find her. Adrian & his friend Gav start digging & they both get involved in finding out the truth. Will they find the young girl before it is too late?
A great read. Excellent characters. Adrian is trying his best he hasn’t had it easy but he still puts himself out there. His friend Gav always has his back even when there is danger.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

This had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of this world. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed how they worked in this story. The plot had that feel that I was expecting and was glad I got to read this. Daniel Sellers has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this. It had that mystery element that I was looking for and glad I got to read this.

This was an engaging thriller with two unusual protagonists - Adrian, an 18 year old newspaper assistant with a hidden past and Sheila a local television celebrity and former journalist. Seven years ago Adrian was kidnapped by a man dubbed ‘The Lollipop Man’ but returned to safety only hours later, unlike the three girls who had previously gone missing. Shiela reported on events back then and is keen to help solve the mystery of the Lollipop Man’s identity and the fate of the girls. I really enjoyed the style of writing, it really brings the characters and locations to life and I found it a very easy read. I liked how this focused on Adrian and Sheila as individuals as well as the case although there’s plent6 of action too. There’s some disturbing details to the crime and some brilliant twists but also great empathy between tje key characters. Overall I found this very original and it has me gripped, I’d actually love to read another book about Adrian and Sheila as I really enjoyed reading about them. 9/10

dual-timeframes, suspense, 1986, 1994, abductions, crime-fiction, friendship, missing-persons, news-media, reporter, serial-murder, tense, Yorkshire****

Unusual time frames for this almost retrospective intricate crime novel involving the disappearances of children eight years apart. The tale is not from a law enforcement perspective but involves journalists and one who came close to becoming a victim. Something about it just didn't click for me, but a friend thought I was nutz not to go over the top reading it.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Allison & Busby via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Feb 20, 2025 #TheLollipopMan by @danielsellersauthor @AllisonandBusby #NetGalley #CrimeFiction #Yorkshire #NewsMedia

Has a serial killer struck again in Yorkshire in the mid nineties?
Adrian a trainee journalist teams up with TV presenter Sheila to try and solve the case of abduction. I think that the plot device of Adrian having a connection to the original abductions works well and does not seem far fetched and allows time to be spent filling out Adrian’s character. Plenty of fear and secrets in these days and references to other non-fictional killings and the tendency then to hide homosexual feelings come over strongly in the book and give a creepy noirish background to recent events.
I thought that the plot was well developed and led to a tense satisfying conclusion
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for the ARC

Working at a local paper, eighteen-year-old Adrian is hit hard when eleven-year-old Sarah Barrett is taken from their area. The nature of the crime raises the possibility that the serial killer associated with a cold case from nearly a decade ago has returned.

His distress is understandable, because at the age of ten, Adrian (then called Matthew Spivey) nearly became one of the Lollipop Man's victims himself. Since the other three children are still missing, he also struggles with guilt at being the sole known survivor.

Adrian isn't the only one reckoning with the past. Sheila Hargreaves, a journalist, is still unsettled by her own handling of the Lollipop Man case years ago. Will she do things differently this time?

Set against the background of Yorkshire, the story inevitably brings back memories of cases like the Yorkshire Ripper and Myra Hindley. This is a good crime novel that delivers on the entertainment it promises. It lets 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Daniel and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Lollipop Man prior to the publication date.
Just as I had formed a view of Daniel as being a member of the tartan noir authors, he has moved this book away from Scotland.

Set in Yorkshire, the story is told in 2 timeframes, 1986 and 1994, a time when the culture was very different from the present day. There are many characters and plenty who have a vested interest in keeping their own family secrets.

It is a complex, atmospheric story and quite different from the previous books which I have read by the author.

After laying dormant for 7 years, the Lollipop Man is once again under suspicion for the kidnap of a 7 year old girl. Adrian is a local journalist who freezes when he learns this. Why? Because he was nearly a victim of the serial killer himself, but since he’s changed his name he’s hoping nobody will discover him. But that’s about to change…

It’s 1994 and a little girl goes missing, it brings it all back to Adrian as he was kidnapped 10 years prior. He was the one that got away though, others weren’t so lucky. I enjoyed the storyline, liked the timeframe and it was very on par. The book is set in 1994 and the old fashioned ways were very much part of the storyline. I did find there was a lot of characters and as it’s a longer book, it’s hard to keep on track. I did enjoy the ending though and glad Adrian will find peace.

An overall 4 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

I did enjoy this story, set mainly around West Yorkshire, mainly in the 1990's, however it does relate to dome earlier events.. The story was good and a little different however I did struggle with the number of characters involved in the story which did make things a little difficult.
The story does bring back thoughts of murderers such as Myra Hindley and Peter Sutcliffe. These were areas where they committed their crimes so life would likely affect the thoughts of the characters.
If you like psychological thrillers and crime fiction, and you are good at keeping track of characters, then I would definitely pre-order the book ready for its release.
Many thanks to Allison & Busby, NetGalley, and the author, for providing me with an electronic advanced review copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book will be published in hardback and e-book formats on 20th February 2025

"There's shame and death hanging over you like a black shroud, Adrian Brown."

Seven years ago, a ten-year-old boy named Matthew Spivey was abducted by a man known as "The Lollipop Man." Unlike the other three victims, who remain missing, Matthew was released two hours later. Unfortunately, he was unable to provide an adequate description of the offender.

Now, another young girl has disappeared under similar circumstances, and people are whispering that the Lollipop Man is back. Matthew has changed his name to Adrian Brown and is working for Calder Valley Advertiser as an administrative assistant but is also doing duty as a driver, and this is how he ends up at the crime scene.

Soon he finds himself in the midst of the investigation after he stumbles (literally!) over a body, and he feels obligated to attempt to determine the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators.

A brilliant read that captivated me from the very beginning!
Thank you to NetGalley and Alison & Busby for the ARC.

A brilliant book that brings together the past and present in a brilliant way which collided. There were a lot of twists which I never saw coming.. I was totally gripped

This is a twisted psychological thriller. Author’s writing is compelling and the book is gripping. Author has shared enough about the characters. The book kept me on the edge and loved suspense and twists and turns.

Set in the Yorkshire town of Tollers Bridge. Sarah Barrett, an eleven year old girl vanishes. Eight years ago some 4 people were abducted and now the abduction of Sarah made everyone believe that the lollipop man is back. Adrian’s character is strong and determined. The news of the return of lollipop man has not only scared people but it also reminded them of the unsettling memories. The closer they are getting to the truth, the more dangerous it’s becoming for them. Will they be able to save Sarah or find the man behind all the abductions? Read the book to find out the answers. I loved this book. If you are looking for a twisted psychological thriller with twists, K!ller on loose, hidden identity and the book that will keep you on edge, read this book.

Many Thanks to the Publisher.

Another young girl, 11 year old Sarah Barrett, has gone missing in the Yorkshire town of Tollers Bridge. The police only find her clothes and the community is shocked as it means that the Lollipop Man has returned. 8 years earlier 3 girls and a boy were abducted. The girls were never found but the boy was.
Adrian is 18 and an admin on the local paper, the Calder Valley Advertiser, and he’s soon in the thick of it as the paper covers the events. But the possible return of the Lollipop Man brings back disturbing memories. He was the killer’s last victim and his name used to be Matthew Spivey. Although his name has changed and his relationship with his parents has always been strained since, he has more disturbing reminders of his abduction as the hunt for the killer continues.
The media circus soon becomes a feeding frenzy when local TV celebrity and journalist, Sheila Hargreaves becomes involved. She has her own memories of the first girl’s disappearance and her part in the aftermath.
A local woman, Edna Wormley, contacts Adrian and they meet. She hints that she knows who the killer is and has proof of it in the form of a letter. But she wants to be on the front page. But someone knows that she’s got too far near the ruth and it’s Adrian who finds her, murdered, on a towpath near his favourite gay pub, the Jester.
There was a book published about the case who named three suspects – two have alibis and the third is dead. It’s also established that a woman was seen taking Sarah Barrett which brings back memories of Myra Hindley. Adrian and his mate, Gav, now begin their own investigation focussing on Edna Wormley’s allegations and Sheila Hargreaves accepts that she has to atone for what she’s done and becomes involved once she realises who Adrian really is.
When another young girl vanishes from Adrian’s mother’s back garden, it’s time for them all to join forces and find out the truth before it’s too late.
The Yorkshire moors have been the backdrop for notorious killers such as the Moors Murderers and Peter Sutcliffe and the brooding landscape lends itself to dark dees and disappearances. The murderers echo throughout the book.
The book is set in 1994 and there are enough references; Walkmans, Russian trench coats, faxes, Ceefax, AIDS and phone boxes to make it authentic. Adrian was a typical teenager but also suffered from survivor guilt - why was he returned and found? I thought that this was really well portrayed.
The media circus was also a major theme with several people determined to become rich and notorious because of it. However, Sheila Hargreaves pestering Adrian by assuming different voices to speak to him was really nauseating.
There were a lot of characters to keep track of and I thought that perhaps a couple could have been dispensed with. Adrian and Gav’s investigation methods were unprofessional bordering on amateur to say the least. I felt that the ending was rushed compared to what had gone before but on the whole it was a good solid psychological thriller by a writer who was new to me.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

Tense and complex mystery that just doesn't let go. Past and present collide with secrets everywhere. Protagonist you will root for all the way and strong storyline. A definite winner.

Although the crimes explored in this novel are often the subject of crime thrillers, this story has an unusual team of investigators. The Lollipop man abductions dominated the news scene in the late 1980s, but after the last victim, a young boy, was found alive, the abductions ceased. In 1994, another child is taken and the police and public fear the killer has returned. Adrian was the boy who survived, and at eighteen, is working in a newspaper office to gain experience. He is understandably affected by the new incident and is determined to find the killer. Shelia was a young journalist at the time of the abductions and is now a successful television journalist; she also wants to see justice done. They form an unlikely alliance, which uncovers clues, false leads and suspects in a community rife with fear and suspicion. The short chapters and pacy writing give the story a real-time feel, but the setting is the mid-1990s, where prejudice is endemic. It is a complex and compelling crime mystery.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.