This is the second novel in the author’s Heartland trilogy, the first title in the series being Butterfly on the Storm, which I reviewed here: [https://bit.ly/2PocTGL]. The Dutch author has been compared with Stieg Larsson, and certainly there’s similarities between this series and Larsson’s Millennium series.

Angel in the Shadows starts precisely where the previous title closed and continues with that title’s labyrinthine plot of international corruption. At heart, the story is of a Russian oligarch, Valentin Lavrov, who uses his power and wealth to corrupt people around the world in pursuit of greater riches and power.

While the protagonist of the series is investigative journalist Farah Hafez, there’s a strong supporting cast, including her friend and fellow journalist Paul Chapelle, and Dutch Detective Radjen Tomasoa. Each of these lead their own investigations, Paul Chapelle’s linked to that of Hafez, that of Radjen Tomasoa a separate strand. There’s an equally large cast of villain’s.

In the previous novel, an Afghan boy dressed in girls’ clothing, makeup and jewellery was the victim of a hit and run on a deserted street on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Hafez starts to investigate, immediately guessing that the boy is a victim of Bacha Bazi, an afghan tradition of dancing boys who often fall prey to paedophiles. This leads her to uncover a paedophile ring, at the centre of which is a powerful Dutch politician, finance Minister Ewald Lombard. This in turn leads her to uncovering the wider corruption of Valentin Lavrov. In Angel in the Shadows, Hafez continues her work, which takes her to Indonesia.

I gave Butterfly on the Storm four out of five stars and I do recall really liking that novel, but for some reason Angel in the Shadows did not impress me so much. To be sure there’s a lot to like about this book. It’s settings are vividly described and brought to life, it’s characters well drawn, and its tale of corruption, oligarchs, and Russian undermining of foreign powers is nothing if not current. But unlike the last novel, there’s something more formulaic about the sequel. High octane thrillers which have their characters trotting the globe are nothing new, and when done well, are an exciting read. Butterfly on the Storm achieved this, but I felt Angel in the Shadows was not so successful and that the author was trying to hard to have his characters travel to locations new. Also, things which didn’t bother me in the last book did this time around. Farah Hafez is an adherent of Pencak Silat, the Indonesian martial art, and while in the previous book it was an interesting feature of her character, in this novel the sections where she met a Pencak Silat master in Indonesia just felt like filling. In fact, weirdly this novel felt too long, despite it being shorter than the last (the paperback of Butterfly on the Storm is 528 pages, while Angel in the Shadows is 464).

I think the main reason I liked Butterfly on the Storm so much in comparison to Angel in the Shadows is because in the first novel there were some bold set pieces which really blew the reader away. The initial set up of the child victim of Bacha Bazi was striking and deeply disturbing, while later there are some explosive moments, quite literally. Towards the end of the novel, there is a massive set piece on a motorway, which results in a huge pile up. This is a scene that needs to be read to be believed and really makes the novel soar. Angel in the Shadows has none of this and while there are some moments of great drama, even some surprising and shocking moments, the novel just seemed pedestrian by comparison.

In conclusion, to me Angel in the Shadows suffers from second book syndrome. There is a silver lining however. Unlike Butterfly on the Storm, which ended on a cliff hanger, from where Angel in the Shadows started, this second novel ties up all loose ends. This means the third and final instalment in the series can start from a fresh page. No doubt the characters will find that the conspiracy and corruption continues (and there are hints of this in Angel in the Shadows) and that they still have much work to do. Hopefully then, in crafting a novel that doesn’t have to continue so directly from what’s gone before, the author can produce something that meets the expectations left from the first in the series.

I must apologise straight away – I abandoned this book, which is a thing a very rarely do. I am surprised about this because the premise is something I would normally enjoy. A journalist has been kidnapped and is forced to make a statement in support of a terrorist organisation. Her colleague, Chapelle rescues her and spirits her away to Jakarta. So far so good. From this point on I got bogged down: too many characters, too many locations, too many organisations. Clearly very well written, and exciting, but I just found it too confusing. May well be my problem – lack of concentration – but I am confident that there will be many avid, supportive reviews. Just not for me.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Terrific sequel to Butterfly on the storm but reads just as well as a standalone novel full of strong characters and an exciting international plot.

Not having read the first title in the trilogy, I was worried that it would affect understanding of this title but I think it works well as a stand alone novel.
It is quite fast paced and violent at times but a story about terrorism is by necessity an uncomfortable one.
Not my usual sort of title but still quite a compelling read.
Thank you to the publisher for this review copy.

I read 10% of this book before giving up. I won't review on my blog or on Amazon because I don't see any point in reviewing books I really don't like as others may enjoy it. I have read enough to know I am going to hate it. Random characters introduced without introduction and enormous plot holes. Positives? A lot of action, some attempt at contemporary relevance.

Sorry.

This is the second novel in Walter Lucius’ The Heartland Trilogy. I have not read the first book in the series, Butterfly on the Storm, but I followed the story no problem as there is plenty of back story to fill in what is happening.

Journalist Farah Hafez has been kidnapped and is forced to give her support to a terrorist group on camera when a young girl’s life is threatened. This leads to her becoming one of the most wanted people in the world!

This is a very dark thriller, which is fast paced, but you really need to pay attention to follow what is happening. The characters are fascinating, as are the countries we visit throughout the story.

I really enjoyed this action packed story, so will be looking out for more from Walter Lucius.

The story begins with journalist Farah Hafez being kidnapped and forced on camera, into pledging her allegiance to a terrorist group - she’s told if she doesn’t, a young girl will be killed right in front of her. Farah reluctantly repeats the script she’s been given but in doing so she goes straight to the top of the ‘most wanted’ list of both international security and the criminal classes alike!

Farah had been investigating what appeared to be a hit and run involving a young boy, but this was far from straight forward, and pointed to some very high profile individuals, and, in turn is the cause of her present demise. Right now, she has no idea how she will be able to demonstrate to international security, that she has no links to any terrorist organisations, or even if she’ll live long enough to get the chance to prove her innocence!

Angel in the Shadows will take you into some very dark and disturbing places, but I have to say it was particularly fast paced and produced some truly heart pounding moments. The characters had great depth to them and although the narrative was a little complex, it was certainly well written, and without question a real page turner to boot! Walter Lucius is not an author I’m familiar with, but I’d be happy to read further offerings of his in the future.

The start of the book is quite slow paced in my opinion. I was even planning it stop reading. But, somehow, I was quite reluctant. Thank GOD, I did not stop. The story somehow became much more interesting after Paul, Farah & Anya separate into different countries.

This is a dark fast paced thriller full of lots of twists and turns. It’s a very dark read about current themes like violence and terrorism. This is the second book in a series but I haven’t read book one and didn’t have any problems picking things up in this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Michael Joseph - Penguin Random House UK for a review copy of Angel in the Shadows, the second novel in the Heartland Trilogy.

Following on from the events of Butterfly on the Storm Dutch-Afghan journalist Farah Hafez finds herself compromised in Moscow and on the run in Indonesia, desperate to expose the oligarch behind numerous corruption plots. While she and her friends are investigating this corruption Chief Inspector Radjen Tomasoa of the Amsterdam police is investigating the hit and run on a young Afghan boy and assorted murders associated with it.

I enjoyed Angel in the Shadows much better than Butterfly on the Storm as it seems easier to follow, better organised and simpler in its interconnecting links. The narrative shifts mainly between Farah Hafez, her friend Paul Chapelle and Radjen Tomasoa and with each having a separate investigation (with overlaps) and experience it makes the novel compulsive reading, rather than the choppy affair its predecessor is. The plot is ambitious with its international settings and high level corruption but it basically boils down to good old fashioned greed. Much of it is nonsense with the protagonists being rescued from certain death by various unlikely scenarios but it’s good, entertaining nonsense as Mr Lucius keeps up a relentless pace that had me glued to the pages.

As this is book 2 in a trilogy I would recommend reading the series in order but I would also recommend putting some time and a few other books in between them as there is a lot of necessary recapping in this book which experience tells me would be annoying if you read them in too close proximity.

When thinking about the characters my big question is why bother? Farah and Paul are pursuing a corrupt Russian oligarch with bottomless pockets and a propensity for violence so why not walk away? It turns out that they are idealists with a strong sense of justice and an even stronger streak of stubbornness. I suspect that their self righteousness would be annoying in real life but they are ideal characters for a thriller. My favourite character, however, is Radjen Tomasoa, another stubborn character, but much more human with doubts, frailties and a desire to be a ninja.

Angel in the Shadows is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Angel in the Shadows by Walter Lucius a four-star read that could leave you cold. This is the second book in the Heartland Trilogy and I would advise you to read them in order, this book seems darker than the first, but it could just be the place I’m in at the moment, that being said I enjoyed this one much more than the first book in the series. If you like your books fast paced and filled with action then you can’t go wrong with this, there is drama a plenty and interquel in the best way possible with all of the different characters vying for your attention.

This book is very fast paced. There is so much happening. I had read Butterfly on the Storm and enjoyed it. The second book is just as enjoyable. It is hard to keep up in places as there is so much happening. I would definitely recommend this series and I am looking forward to the third book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This author has an uncanny affinity for the countries and contexts in which the story takes place. Each is very different,adding interest and depth to the book. The characters are believable and well described. Their inter relationships are beautifully created. The murder which lies behind the story is also well developed with an unexpected ending. Apart from all that praise,the story is very well written. It is a book I did not want to lay down until I had finished.

Angels in the Shadows is the second book in the Heartland Trilogy series .I have read Butterfly in the Storm the first book so I was looking forward to reading this book .The story is quite disturbing it starts with Farah Hafez having been kidnapped and made to make a statement in support of terrorists organised by a Russian oligarch .Farah escapes rescued by her fellow journalist Paul Chapelle and travels to Jakarta to hide .The story goes back and forth picking up some of the story from the first book but it is a good standalone book as well .It is very menacing and sometimes heart stopping and at times I found it hard to keep up with the complex story .Nevertheless I look forward to reading the last book in the series .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for this review copy i return for an honest review .

The great strength of this novel is not only its three heroic protagonists - Farah (taken for a terrorist when in fact she'd been forced to appear as one) and the two inseparable journalists, secretly operatives - Peter and Angie (sp?) - the flamboyant Farah is off with new name, new passport and new face to Indonesia - and that is where the best trait of this novel lies - in the information about local governmental and security issues in these countries - the author is Dutch and so the anti-terrorist pursuits and anti-corruption work in Indonesia is clearly known and in some ways controlled from europe after all - the sense of where is home becomes clear as Farah and the two journalists fight their way through bureaucracy at all levels - often finding illicit ways to accomplish what they need - they've all had top notch training. in some ways the character of Peter is the most hidden ... but it's really his female partner who is pivotal. more gripping in some ways for its full explanations of events than its plotting - but that is solid too - really strong...

Angel in the Shadows is the second book in Walter Lucius' "Butterfly On The Storm " trilogy and it's really very good. Obviously as a a second book ideally readers would have read the first but there are enough references to events preceding those in this book that it's easy enough to pick up the thread if you haven't.
The story reminded me very much of the "Dragon Tatttoo" saga but in my opinion at least flowed much better and is certainly better edited than Stieg Larssons famous epic.
There's a big cast of goodies and baddies with journalists, Russian oligarchs, police, corrupt politicians, computer hackers and even an elderly,and psychic,Indonesian martial arts expert amongst a diverse cast of characters,I'd guess the latter being a fairly unique character. The action jumps from Holland to Russia to Indonesia to South Africa with several currently topical issues cleverly woven into the plot. That plot is quite complex and stretches credulity more than once but it's entertaining and moves at a relentless pace.
If you enjoyed the "Dragon Tattoo" books you'll enjoy this series,likewise if you're a fan of the Jason Bourne series.
The only problem I had personally is my frustration at enjoying it massively but not having read the first book in the series. Yes you can read this as a standalone but obviously reading the first book would greatly add to the enjoyment of the second so that would be my recommendation.
A very entertaining read.

Big thanks to Penguin, Water Lucius and Netgalley for my copy in return for an honest revue.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I thought this book was hard to get into, it just wasn’t for me.

This book is so fast paced. It felt like being on a runaway train going downhill. Be prepared to be swept away with political corruption, deception, abuse and murder.
Travel from the cold of Russia to the heat of Jakarta.and even find yourself in a claustraphonic ventilation shaft fighting to uncover plots and schemes to overthrow and corrupt.
At the heart of the story are journalists. Fighting to get the truth out.
Buckle up for the journey!