A dark story which could have followed a number of themes making it all the more compelling. It’s difficult to second-guess who are the bad players and which way the plot will go but the unraveling at the end gives a realistic conclusion .

I received an advanced copy of this book from Allison & Busby via NetGalley.

When a young girl goes missing in a West Yorkshire town, eerie similarities to a string of abductions from years earlier come to light. Could the infamous “Lollipop Man,” a kidnapper from the past, have returned? Set in Yorkshire in 1994, this psychological thriller follows Adrian, a young journalist who survived the Lollipop Man’s clutches as a child. He was the only one of the kidnapped children to escape, and the trauma has haunted him ever since. Now, as the new disappearance sparks fresh fear and media frenzy, Adrian finds himself drawn back into the nightmare, determined to uncover the truth.

Adrian’s character is the heart of the story, and his journey is layered and compelling. The bond between Adrian and his best friend, Gav, is one of the standout elements of the book. Their friendship feels authentic and raw, a portrayal of loyalty and support amidst the challenges of both personal struggles and a harrowing investigation. The story also thoughtfully explores Adrian’s sexuality, set against the backdrop of 1995 societal attitudes, adding an extra layer of realism and depth.

Sheila Hargreaves, a journalist with a troubled past tied to the original case, provides a parallel perspective. Her determination to atone for her earlier involvement adds another emotional dimension to the story as she seeks redemption while uncovering long-buried secrets.

While the plot is gripping and atmospheric, there are moments where the execution falters. The writing can be hard to follow at times, and the sheer number of characters can feel overwhelming. Adrian and Gav’s investigative efforts, though engaging, often come across as amateurish and unpolished, which may frustrate readers looking for a sharper edge to the mystery. Additionally, the ending feels somewhat rushed, lacking the weight and resolution of the build-up.

After getting over the first part that was a bit slow it picked up pace and I was hooked. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Struggled a bit at the beginning as pace was a bit slow. However it soon picked up and was full of twists and turns. Ended up an enjoyable read.

Bit of a slow start and i struggled to engage with the storyline.
I found myself skimming rather a lot and came to the conclusion it just wasn't for me.
Apologies for the negative feedback.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

April 1994
When young Sarah Barrett is taken from a West Yorkshire town, people jump to the conclusion that she is the latest victim of The Lollipop Man as there are many similarities. This perpetrators reign of terror in 1986 leaves three devastated families and a fourth traumatised, the latter being Adrian Brown who at age 10, is taken but quickly released. Is the Lollipop Man back after an eight year gap? Sheila Hargreaves, a well-known journalist who fronts TV programme Yorkshire Tonight is determined to get to the truth whether DCI Malcolm Struthers likes it or not. Adrian is temporarily working at The Calder Valley Advertiser prior to university and is also invested in bringing the perpetrator to justice.

When I first begin this, I’m not sure about the novel as it’s a bit confusing at the start because we’re introduced to a lot of characters and events from the past all at once. However, it pulls me in and I find myself gripped, keen to learn the truth as we are led up alleys with a tense path to the stark reality.

Some of the strongest features of the book are the timescale, the atmospheric setting and the characterisation. It captures the time so effectively giving good context by reference to things like Ceefax, Walkmans, phone boxes and early mobile phones .
Into the mix we have misogyny, homophobia and the very real spectre of AIDs. The West Yorkshire setting in a small town with the brooding Brontë moors in the background and references to its dark past of the moors murderers and the more recent capture of the Yorkshire Ripper, gives the novel a rich brooding atmosphere, perfect for the unfolding events. The central characters of Adrian and Sheila are excellent, Adrian in particular comes alive with all the issues that he experiences. I like the growing bond between them and the true friendship of Gav to Adrian. Struthers is a good character but maybe not as developed as the others.

There are multiple layers to unpack in the novel which makes for interesting reading and there are several mysteries to unravel which keeps me gripped. It’s suspenseful, tense, twisty and has an exciting end with another atmospheric setting which comes to life before my eyes.

Overall, I believe this is the start of a new series and if so, then I’m definitely in!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Allison and Busby for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the eARC.
Woe, what a great book, I.loved it!
Sheila, Aidan and Gave are such well-drawn, appealing characters, that it intensified my enjoyment of the book. Plus the mystery of the Lollipop man was excellent, it kept me reading, wanting to know who and how, but I didn't want the book to end either.
So far I've found all Daniel Sellers' books (including the great Detective Lola Harris series) immensely enjoyable and I hope there will be many more.
It's dark, but also uplifting, a definite must-read.

I received a free copy of, The Lollipop Man, by Daniel Sellers, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Lollipop Man is an evil man, a kidnapper of children. Its the mid ninety's in Yorkshire, and a handful of kids have been kidnapped, but only one, Adrian Has survived. This was a heavy read, but a good one.

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…