A gripping police procedural set in the beating heart of Edinburgh that has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. Brilliantly written, the plot was engaging and unfolded at pace. Highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

This book was absolutely insane and mind blowing! It’s quite fast paced and sometimes slow paced but I don’t know if it’s because I’m in a reading slump. For the story to be held in Edinburgh made me more familiar with the places that’s been mentioned and I could really picture what’s going on. The author’s writing style was actually easy to follow through too which I tend to not know what’s going on when reading a detective book. I quite liked Connie’s character, she’s weird in her own way but she’s really good at her job too. The twist in the ending surprised me actually, I did not see that one coming and throughout the book I was so certain it was that specific someone but overall, this was definitely a gripping thriller and it makes you look back twice to see if anyone is following you.

This book is amazing & a real page turner! There were twists and turns that made it so fun to read! I highly recommend!

One of my favourite authors, it's always going to be a hard hitting crime story. Once I picked this up, I did not want to put it back down. Set as always in Edinburgh, Dr Connie Woolwine is once again called on to help the Major Investigations Team with a murder investigation. Along with partner Brodie Baarda, Connie is at the heart of solving three seemingly unrelated murders. In the continued absence of Luc and Ava, DS Lively takes the helm, a somewhat softer version of himself as the story progresses. Superintendent Overbeck is not softening and the banter is great. As well as the murders, surgeon Beth Waterfall is being stalked by the same stalker who caused the death of her daughter Molly. It's a tangled web. As we get to know the characters, the outcome is even more shocking. I did enjoy the teaser at the end that hinted of the next book. Can't wait. #netgalley #watchingyou

One of the things I like about a Helen Fields novel is that no character is safe. She doesn't hesitate to kill off characters, even if they have played a significant role in a series. In this, her latest in the Connie Woolwine series, she has paired her with characters from her DI Callanach series, and it's anybody's guess which characters will survive.

With two of the lead detectives out of the picture, forensic profiler Connie Woolwine and her associate, Brodie Baarda, are called to Edinburgh to help with an investigation. As the body count mounts, Connie is convinced there is a serial killer on the loose. With little forensic evidence or a pattern to go on, she works with DS Lively to try to track down the killer. Lively is developing a relationship with surgeon Beth Waterfall, who is still recovering from the death of her daughter, and who may be the killer's next victim. It's up to Connie and her team to catch the killer before they strike again.

This book is quintessentially Helen Fields: dark and twisty, with every character in danger of being killed. Fields does an excellent job of keeping the tension going from beginning to end. This is a good test for Connie's skills and expertise in yet another gripping psychological thriller. 4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 28, 2025.

There is a killer loose on the streets of Edinburgh! Who is it? What led to these incidents? How are they connected? The Police with Dr Connie Woolvine need to keep their wits about themselves during their investigation of the case and examine the clues to discover the culprit. However, the clues lead them to Dr Beth Waterfall and it would appear she will be the next victim. It was full of twists and turns, gripping, gritty, heart stopping, pacy and unputdownable.

WOW, What a story, Helen Fields has written an amazing story that unfortunately could be true, it has a plot that seems straight forward of a killer stalker but maybe there is more than meets the eye.

Set in Edinburgh there are some random killings that don’t seem to be linked so the unique Dr Connie Woolwine and her colleague Baarda are called in with the hope she can use her special skills to try and find out if there is any links. Watching you, although it has reoccurring characters from previous stories it works perfectly as a standalone novel and I look forward to see what will develop between Connie & Baarda in future stories.

This book had an intriguing plot for me and I did enjoy it. I found the beginning to be a bit slow and the writing style was a bit jarring in my opinion but others might enjoy the writing style. The plot twists at the 90% mark were definitely unexpected and it pulled the whole book together

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! This book is so intense, thrilling, and completely unputdownable! Helen Sarah Fields at her absolute best! From the very first chilling scene on the dark streets of Edinburgh, I was hooked, and the tension never let up.

The plot is razor-sharp, following a series of brutal murders that at first seem unconnected but soon reveal a disturbing pattern. Every twist caught me off guard, and just when I thought I had it figured out, Fields surprised me again.

I loved the mix of characters. Dr. Connie Woolwine is such a fascinating protagonist. Her sharp mind, empathy, and unconventional approach make her unlike any other profiler I’ve read. DS Lively and the rest of the team, Salter and Overbeck especially, added so much balance, creating a dynamic investigative group I couldn’t get enough of. And Beth Waterfall, the grieving mother and brilliant surgeon, added a deeply emotional layer that kept me rooting for her survival.

Despite the number of characters, it never once felt overwhelming—each one was vivid, well-developed, and emotionally engaging. I found myself genuinely connected to them, which made the stakes even higher.

Edinburgh itself became almost another character, its dark and atmospheric streets setting the perfect backdrop for the hunt.

This is a masterclass in crime fiction - heart-pounding, deeply emotional, and endlessly gripping. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you love thrillers with clever twists, compelling characters, and writing that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Watching You is a must-read. Unforgettable book!

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Avon for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This certainly grabbed my attention from the first few pages and kept me guessing throughout with all the twists and turns that completely led me up the wrong path! The result was that the ending was a total shock, as all good murder mysteries should be. Thanks to Helen Fields for an excellent read.

I have to admit, I found the beginning of this book a real challenge. The constant shifts between perspectives – Lively, Connie, the victims, the Watcher and Mol – left me feeling as though I never had time to properly settle into anyone’s voice. The chapters were short and sharp, but instead of creating pace, they pulled me out of the story each time. I felt as though I was being asked to juggle too much too quickly, which meant I couldn’t connect with the characters in the way I usually can with Helen Fields’ books.
That said, once I hit the halfway mark, something clicked and I felt more anchored. The narrative steadied, the threads began to weave together, and suddenly I couldn’t put it down. From that point on, I was fully invested, and the tension built beautifully. I especially thought Mol’s story was devastating. The way an ordinary life could be upended by a single random person was terrifying in its simplicity, and it left me with a lingering unease. That part felt painfully real, and it was written with a sharpness that stuck with me long after I finished.
As a long-time fan of the DI Callanach books, I was curious about how this one would tie into that universe. Luke’s name is mentioned only in passing, but there’s a flicker towards the end that felt like a deliberate nod, almost as though Fields was planting a seed for what’s to come. I’ve been waiting for his return, and that tiny allusion gave me a bit of hope that he hasn’t been forgotten.
The twist, when it came, was excellent. I hadn’t worked it out at all, and it landed perfectly. It was clever without being outlandish, and it tied everything together. I really appreciated that feeling of surprise, especially after such a rocky start.
Overall, I’d call this a good read, though not an easy one to begin with. The first half tested my patience, but once I felt settled, it paid off. It’s not my favourite Helen Fields novel, but it did remind me why I enjoy her writing – the mix of dark themes, human vulnerability, and sharp plotting. If only the opening had been steadier and less fragmented, this could have been a real standout for me.

Another brilliant outing for Dr. Connie Woolwine(who I love) and Brodie Baarda.This book has everything you want in a read:a chilling killer,strong police procedural detail,love, and a great plot.
I enjoy how the author brings back familiar characters, and although this is part of a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone.
Chapters are told from multiple points of view,including The Watcher,Molly,and others.
The most chilling parts are the ones that take us inside the murders-they are gripping and upsetting in equal measure.
The plot feels fresh,with several standout moments and an outstanding.twist at the end.
I don't want to give anything away, but I liked that the author explains the medical reasons,it definitely shocked me that this is a thing.
This is a clear your schedule read. You won't want to put it down.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the Arc.

Surgeon Beth Waterfall is grieving. A year ago her daughter committed suicide after being stalked online and now it looks as though he is coming for her.
The police in Edinburgh are worried as more bodies are found with no visible connection.
DS Lively and a forensic profiler, Dr Connie Woolwine are called in to help. They know there is a serial killer out there but they need to find him and fast as Beth could be the next victim.

3.5 stars
Wow! Helen Fields and Dr Connie have done it again! There’s a serial killer and a stalker on the loose in Edinburgh. The twists had twists in this book. I always enjoy when we get to catch up with the gang from the Callanach series. It took a village to solve this mystery, and I was there for it from start to finish!

Wow, what a book. I loved this. Set in Edinburgh, love a wee Scottish book. (No spoilers here). Police Scotland, murders, stalkers, it’s all happening. I love all the main characters and their relationships with each other, but what I wasn’t expecting was that massive twist at the end. Just as my brain was recovering from that, It was hit by another twist. Helen Fields is a great author. I’ve read The Profiler by her also, and that was brilliant too. Watching You would make a great police drama/movie. I definitely recommend. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has plenty of twists and turns throughout the storyline.

The main focus of the story being on DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine hunting a serial killer. The story follows alternating chapters of the investigation which I felt left each narrative area with you wanting to know more.

The ending had lots of unforeseen twists and turns which keep you guessing and I would not have seen coming. This was a dark suspenseful thriller which I enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

Phew—this one is a gripping read!

There’s a killer on the loose in Edinburgh. A body is found, and Beth Waterfall and her team of surgeons fight to save the victim’s life, but to no avail. Soon after, a second body turns up at Jupiter Artland—this one unrecognisable. But that’s just the start… more bodies will follow.

Who is The Watcher? Why is he watching Beth Waterfall? Beth has already lost her daughter, Molly, to a stalker. They could never prove anything—the stalker had been very clever at hiding his identity. Now Beth herself is being targeted. Could the two cases be linked?

DS Christie Salter, DS Sam Lively, forensic profiler Dr Connie Woodwine, and ex-Met officer Brodie Baarda must race against time to find the killer before he strikes again.

I absolutely loved Connie Woodwine and Brodie Baarda together—their sharp minds and quick banter made for some of my favourite moments. DS Lively was another standout for me. He starts out grumpy and closed-off, but gradually changes when something new enters his life, and I really enjoyed that transformation.


The story alternates between past and present, giving us Molly’s perspective as she deals with the relentless fear and frustration of being stalked. These sections are incredibly well written—they capture the helplessness when the police can’t act without evidence, and they highlight the dark side of social media and the devastating effect it can have on someone’s life. As well as Beth as she picks up the pieces and deals with things.

Other chapters are told from The Watcher’s point of view as the killings occur. These scenes are intense, chilling, and expertly build the tension. Meanwhile, we follow the police investigation and Connie’s profiling work—only the killer leaves no trace behind. The suspense ramps up as the end draws near, with curveballs that you absolutely won’t see coming. I found myself picking my jaw up off the floor more than once.

Be prepared for emotion, shocks, and moments where you’ll be holding your breath, fearing the worst. I couldn’t put this book down—it kept me hooked from start to finish.

I have an inkling about two characters who appear near the end, and I’m crossing my fingers I’m right. Either way, this was a fantastic, edge-of-your-seat read.

Thank you to #Netgalley and @AvonBooks for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, and fair, review, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for this ARC of Watching You by Helen Fields

This is a blend of serial killer thriller with police procedural set in Scotland. We follow the events of multiple murders from multiple POVs which change around as the story progresses.

The level of character development whilst quite extensive, was plot relevant and only felt like it dragged a few times (especially at the end). I did feel like there were too many main characters going on which negatively affected my enjoyment as I was busy trying to keep track of everyone and their detailed lives and subplots. I also felt the authors politics were at times hamfistedly put into the piece with little reason that helped the overall story which again affected my enjoyment. Despite it being set in Scotland, I really couldn't distinguish between the characters accents even when there were non Scottish people so I feel this would have really improved the setting and feel of the book and fleshed out the characters more.

I did however enjoy this book and a lot of the twists were unexpected but still believable and the characters were enjoyable. I'd certainly not shy away from reading other works by this author too. I'd give it 3.5 stars if that were possible

Another excellent book in the Dr Connie Woolwine and Brodie Baarda series. Finding themselves back in Scotland amid a series of unexplained murders that on the face of it don’t seem to have a connection. DS Sam Lively is in the thick of the investigation and in the course of his work meets hospital surgeon Beth Waterfall. As the body count increases we also learn that Beth’s daughter Molly was a victim of a cruel stalker and the despair led to her taking a fatal drug overdose. A race against time ensues to prevent any further deaths from this ruthless but intelligent and extremely careful serial killer. Even Connie Woolwine is having trouble trying to understand the mind of this evil psychopath. As the danger increases and the net closes, an enormous twist you will not see coming has you questioning everything you have already read. An excellent story that delves into what makes a serial killer escalate and understanding the complexities of the human brain.

Watching You, is the new chilling thriller by Helen Fields, author of one of my favourite series DI Callanach. This is a stand alone set in Edinburgh and is a well written tale dealing with grief, obsession, and never ending danger.

The book starts strongly when the first body turns up, a gruesome killing but there is no reason to believe this is the start of what is to come. The killing is followed by another victim and another and the dead bodies start to build. The deaths convince Detective Sergeant Lively and forensic profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine that they are hunting a serial killer. The problem is that there is no obvious link between all the victims.

Meanwhile, twelve months ago Surgeon Beth Waterfall suffered the loss of her only daughter, when she was murdered by a sadistic stalker, and now she senses the same predator has set his sights on her.

The story follows Beth’s personal trepidation and the investigation into the murders, building the tension throughout the book. This is a well written thriller with very good characters that is perfectly paced. For me the strength of the novel was the characters.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Avon for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.