The Shadow Man by Helen Fields

Did I just discover a new author ? ✔️✔️
Have I ordered the Perfect Series (all of them ) between reading this book. ✔️✔️

Dr. Connie is my hero. I love her. Write more about her please. She is so kickass ( )

A 30 some year old man who thinks he is dying goes on a kidnapping spree to find his perfect family and leaves them locked up in an old farmhouse. The reader cringes as a woman is forced to vow marriage to him in an old wedding dress. He stinks, his teeth are falling out, and his character is quite nightmarish. I admired the determination of the 12 year old girl as she became more of the adult and tried to help them escape. He also kidnaps a handicapped man in place of the brother that he lost at a young age. Once he determines that his "new wife" has been cheating on her real husband, he takes it personally and decides they all need to be together in a final resting place. As the police look for where he may have took them, they live through the biggest nightmare yet and the reader cannot help but imagining the horror they all live through. Great suspense filled story line, even greater, likeable characters, and the chance at finding real happiness at the end. I really enjoyed this book, although it felt kind of sluggish at times. ( )

This is definitely the creepiest thriller that I have read so far this year!

American forensic psychologist, Connie and Detective Baarda from the Met Ops Team are called by the Edinburgh based Police Scotland team to assist them in investigating the disappearance of Elspeth Dunwoody. Very soon the challenge increases following the disappearances of two more people: Twelve-year-old Meggie and a disabled man, Xavier.

Meanwhile, Elspeth, Meggie and Xavier are locked in a flat. They don’t know where they are, and they don’t know why they’re there. They only know that the shadow man has taken them, and he won’t let them go.

Desperate to escape, the three of them must find a way out of their living hell, even if it means uncovering a very dark truth.

Because the shadow man isn’t a nightmare. He’s all too real.

The entire plot is filled with horror and it is engaging right from the first page. The book is so well structured that you are able to follow the investigation. At the same time, you know what’s going on in the crazy head of the ‘Shadow Man’ as well read the actions and experience the terror and helplessness of the three captives.

The main characters Connie and Baarda were excellent, both of them complimented each perfectly which made for an excellent partnership. I really do hope they come together again in the future. The ending was so intense and exciting, but also satisfying.

Overall, a fast-paced thriller which will send shivers down your spine! Highly Recommended!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC! ( )

This is the second book I have read by this author. It is the first stand alone novel. I could see this book though being turned into a movie or expanded as a television series. Due to the dynamics of Forensic psychologist Connie and Detective Inspector Baarda. I liked them both. They really worked well together.

This book shows that you don't always need romance or gruesome violence to write a really good book. The storyline was great and the characters all had distinct voices as were they engaging. Even when I knew who the person was behind the kidnapping, it did not deter me or take away from this overall vibe of the story.

Fergus is an intriguing character. He is the wild card in this story. You never truly knew what he was going to do next. There may have been three victims Meggy, Elspeth, and Xavier but there was truly one superstar. Her name is Meggy. She was the youngest but the fiercest one of them all and my favorite too.

I recommend this book to mystery readers alike. You will become a fan of this author as well. ( )

Well this book definitely gets the heart racing! I couldn’t put this book down and enjoyed the uniqueness of the story - there were conditions that I had never heard of before and it was interesting to learn a bit about them.

The characters are interesting and the pace of the book is perfect - you will find yourselves thinking I’ll read just one more chapter!

I will definitely be looking out for more books by Helen Fields. ( )