⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Watching You - Helen Fields

If there is one book you should read this year - THIS IS IT!

Absolutely brilliant from start to finish - and not content with pulling the rug from under me once, Helen did it twice! What an ending!!

I sincerely hope that this is not the last we see of the characters in this latest outing - incredibly vivid, incredibly eccentric but above all else incredibly brilliant.

Book of the year for me….make sure it’s on your list.

Watching You by Helen Fields presents a premise that I thought would draw me into a dark and suspenseful narrative. The story follows renowned surgeon Beth Waterfall as she copes with the aftermath of her daughter's murder at the hands of a stalker. As a new string of brutal and seemingly disconnected murders occurs in the city, DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine work tirelessly to uncover the identity of a serial killer. I had a hard time liking Dr. Woolwine. I did like DS Christie Salter and her relationship with DS Lively.

The author does build tension in the story, intertwining Beth’s personal grief with the unfolding investigations. The depiction of Edinburgh adds a nice backdrop to the story, making its dark alleys and streets almost a character in their own right.

However, some of the characters often feel underdeveloped and somewhat one-dimensional. And the dialogue can feel stilted to me. The resolution, while satisfying, does not offer any groundbreaking revelations that would elevate the story beyond a traditional crime thriller.

Overall, Watching You is an engaging read for fans of the genre, offering a mix of suspense and emotional depth. It provides enough thrills to keep readers entertained from start to finish. If you're looking for a gripping story to pass the time, this book delivers on that front. I would recommend and rate it 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).

#NetGalley @AvonBooksUK

I am a huge fan of this author but unfortunately I found this book a bit hard to get into. I am very glad though, that I kept going until the end, as there was a twist I did not see coming. This made it all worth while. I look forward to her next novel.

On the Dark Streets of Edinburgh, a Killer is Waiting

This taut, blood chilling thriller wastes no time getting under your skin. From the first gruesome discovery to the spiraling terror that grips Edinburgh, the tension is relentless.

At the heart of the story is Beth Waterfall, a brilliant surgeon shattered by grief. A year after losing her daughter to a sadistic stalker, she finds herself back in the crosshairs only this time, the threat is broader, bloodier, and far more calculated. The murders start stacking up, each one brutal, each one baffling. The city is panicking. The police are scrambling.

Enter DS Lively and Dr. Connie Woolwine, a detective profiler duo trying to connect the dots in a case that refuses to make sense. Woolwine brings psychological insight, while Lively grounds the investigation with grit. Together, they unravel a chilling pattern that points toward a serial killer methodical, patient, and terrifyingly ahead of them.

The book thrives on sharp pacing, short chapters, and cliffhangers that make it nearly impossible to put down. The author’s depiction of Edinburgh is moody and claustrophobic, amplifying the sense of unease. As the body count rises, so does the fear that Beth’s fate is already sealed.

I always enjoy Helen Fields books and this didn’t disappoint thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Collins for an ARC

Watching You is a tense thriller focusing on the hunt for a serial killer who seems to follow no discernible pattern with their kills. A homeless man stabbed. A woman mown down as she walks home from the shops. The victims don’t seem to be linked at all, and the police are fumbling for information. The police don’t know what to say, but DS Lively and forensic psychologist Connie Woolwine are convinced they have a serial killer to catch.
While the details of the deaths are unravelling we also have scenes from the perspective of someone called the watcher. They are clinical in their observations…and have set their sights on surgeon Beth Waterfall.
As we follow the teams’ investigations we watch the cases build up and gain an understanding of the characters behind the scenes.
The ending was not expected at all, and though it felt like a rather neat trick it was definitely an interesting concept.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.

4.5⭐️

I’m a big fan of this author with both the standalone and the perfect series. However I didn’t love The Institution but wanted to give another book in the Connie series a try as I loved the first book The Shadow man. Watching You can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I find it had to know what to make of Connie, she’s more than a little strange, the relationship with her partner in crime Baarda is also unconventional.
We have surgeon Beth Waterfall, DS Lively and plenty of bodies. We also get the antagonist’s dark twisted perspective making this a crime / psychological thriller fusion which is a favourite style for me.

I feel that the author is back on form with this book. It’s dark with plenty of interest and twists.

Watching you by Helen Fields is the next instalment involving forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine and ex police officer Brodie Baarda.
In the dark streets of Edinburgh, a killer is watching. Soon after several people have been murdered with no obvious link. The pair has been asked by the Murder investigation team to assist DS lively to seek the potential serial killer.
At the local hospital Dr Beth Walker is still grieving over the death of her daughter Molly who died a year previously Molly was a victim of a vicious stalker who destroyed her life. Which resulted in her taking her own life. Little does Beth know the same man is watching her. Will she be the next victim?
I always get excited that a new book from Helen Fields is born. This is another fantastic read by Helen fields. This is a well-executed story but darker and more sinister than her other books and at times quite unsettling with the stalker’s exploits. But on the lighter sides I enjoyed reading of the great characters of the investigation team and Connie and Brodie. It had an ending I didn’t see coming 5 stars from me.

Page turning police procedural drama from one of my favourite authors.

One of the best things about @helenfields_author writing is the characters she creates & makes you love. In this, we have Connie Woolwine & Brodie Baarda back in Edinburgh, which then gives us the bonus of some other much loved characters coming into play, too, such as DS Lively & a very important cameo.

Clever writing which is easy to get lost in, loveable characters, suspense, atmosphere & twists galore.

I will always recommend Helen Fields & if you want the full experience, start with the Perfect series & then just keep going.

Good but I feel her writing gets lost a lot the time too much going to really engage but a good non tasking read I'll her the snaps for the out there crimes that are committed in her novels some truly unique and extra creepy

A wonderful police procedural thriller, A Serial killer and wonderful characters that leave you gripped from the start. I cannot recommend this author enough

What an amazing book! Only to be expected with Helen Fields really. This is the first book I’ve really enjoyed in a good long while….I simply couldn’t put it down! Lots of interesting twists & turns! Thoroughly recommend

Watching You is a fast paced well plotted thriller that will have you holding your breath, crossing your fingers and hopiing for the best.

Watching You is gripping from start to finish.

Expect the unexpected from Helen Fields and be prepared to read long into the night.

The atmosphere is dark and creepy and the atmosphere is tense with twists and turns, secrets and lies.

Trying to guess the ending is fruitless ( though I tried) as a major twist will shock you.

Highly recommend Watching You but be warned you will be looking over your shoulder during and after reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for the privilege of reading and reviewing Watching You.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Great book as always from Helen Fields
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

I loved the character of Connie Woolwine! And I enjoyed the cameo of another character who I really liked from a previous book.

This was a very tense, immersive read. As we know from early on the who, though not the why, I thought this was going to be an enjoyable, albeit straight forward, police drama with the unique twist being the addition of Connie who uses some strange methods to unravel the mystery. And it was that - however! - there was a plot twist that made my jaw drop and then a further twist that actually made complete sense that I should have spotted earlier but the author was too clever for me with the little red herrings!

Many thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

As always, a massive thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
I have been a fan of helen fields for years. I've loved every single book she has written and this is another one to add to that list.
In this we see a return of the brilliant Connie Woolwine, and other returning characters, on another case that they need to solve. Helen really knows her stuff when it comes to detective work and it really does shine through in her writing, I've never read a detective book written by her and been left wondering what its all about. Helen describes the detective process really well and it all makes sense. As always, some twists and turns in there. I couldn't put this down. I have been in a reading slump but this definitely got me out of that. I look forward to the next installment of Connie and the gang

Helen Fields can do no wrong. Another page turner. On par with her previous books that's for sure. Can't wait to read more. Am currently reading her previous series now

There is a killer lurking, called The Watcher. There are several unexplained murders in Edinburgh and the number is growing. Watching You is a thrilling and well thought out mystery. DS Lively and Dr. Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler, are tasked with this complex case. DS Lively finds an unexpected deep connection to surgeon Dr. Beth Waterfall, who lost her daughter to a vicious stalker. This is a book with very well developed characters, some who are deeply disturbing, and it will keep your interest. There is an unusual twist at the end that I admit I’m uncomfortable with and I didn’t see coming. Still I recommend this dark and complicated story. With thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Do you prefer your thrillers on the darker side? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Helen Fields once again serves up a true spine-chiller.

Let me introduce you to the Connie Woolwine series. Connie is a forensic psychologist brought in from the US to aid the local Scottish police. By her side is ex-police officer Brodie Baarda, there as her assistant (of sorts) and protector.

They’re working alongside DS Lively and his partner in tracking down a potential serial killer, hopefully before he strikes again.

Helen Fields has the magic recipe to balance a police investigation while showing a vulnerable side of the team trying to bring down a killer.
Each installment of this series gives me a better understanding of our characters and I’m becoming more and more connected to them.

Can this book work as a stand-alone? YES! Absolutely! But you’ll be missing out on the character development. So my recommendation is starting at the beginning with The Shadow Man!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK

So before I start the review I must say that Helen Fields is one of my favourite crime writers I know that once I start one of her books I will not be able to put it down.
This book is simply phenomenal in the crime genre. It grips you from the first page to the last and in my opinion is her best book to date. It pulls you along at a frantic pace and by going back in the time line it keeps you hooked and you really do feel for some of the characters.
If you are a Fields fan there is one subtle part in the narrative that is a sort of blink and miss it moment but I almost screamed out loud....read it you will if you are a fan understand.
I can not recommend this book highly enough if it does not win multiple crime writing award this year there is no justice in the world. I would say more but to say more may give the plot away and oh wow what a plot.
It is a masterpiece in the genre read it you will not regret it.

There’s a killer watching and lurking deep within the shadows in Edinburgh. A body is found and surgeon, Beth Waterfall and her team do their best to save him to no avail. There’s a second discovered at Jupiter Artland and this one is unrecognisable – soon there will be more. Who is The Watcher stalking grieving Beth? Her much loved daughter Molly fell victim to someone who ruins her life a year ago and it seems that Beth herself will become a victim if DS Christie Salter, DS Sam Lively, forensic profiler Dr Connie Woodwine and ex-met officer Brodie Baarda cannot find the killer in time. It’s a race, who will get to the end first?

There’s always a whoop whoop from me at the anticipation of a new Helen Fields and this series is excellent with a terrific Edinburgh background. The two central characters of Connie and Brodie are so good, I like the contrasting personalities, their razor sharp minds and insights, their fascinating relationship and the lively banter between them. I also like the addition of DS Sam Lively, he’s very likeable in a grumpy sort of way and witnessing him changing is a light in among the darkness. Beth Waterfall’s daughter Mollys situation is described heartbreakingly well and poor Beth’s feelings are relatable.

The story is told via alternating chapters of the investigation with the perspective of that of The Watcher which is chillingly powerful. This really builds the tension and suspense often sky high. It’s tightly plotted, it’s hard hitting, fast paced, there is never a dull moment and the usual rollercoaster read that I’ve come to expect from Helen Fields. There’s plenty of emotion as well as shocks and as the author rarely holds back, I know what I’m in for and definitely not disappointed. There’s a strong sense of impending doom as the reader waits for something awful to happen but praying that your worst fears aren’t realised. At times the tension is off the scale, there are some absolute cracker scenes with chapter endings that result in the odd expletive from me, that is after I’ve picked my jaw up off the floor! The author really is on fire!

As for the much debated ending, well, I like it. A lot. It’s creative and original so what more can you ask for? I look forward to reading what the authors fertile imagination conjures up next – I’m assuming it’ll be Luke and Ava. Three cheers!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon books for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.