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mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
I got so into 'The Shadow Man' that for the first time in a really long time I got so creeped out by a book that I had weird nightmares and was convinced someone was coming up our stairs in the dead of night.
At first I wasn't at all sure if I would even manage to get into the story or like the characters. The lead partnership of Baarda and Connie was interesting but a bit cold and clinical. They felt quite distanced from me as a reader, but the more I read the better their characterisation became until I am now desperate to read another book about them. I don't even really know why. Their relationship was full of great banter and sass with a good deal of respect too, but it also seemed that there weren't any specific events that could be put forward as concrete evidence of development. Development was happening but not explicitly. So the ending was both a surprise and not at all a surprise.
What I really loved was the description. There were a few occasions when I stopped and re-read a sentence just because the descriptions were just so different and refreshing. There were none of the usual cliches and more of a clinical use of words. They created great images, especially those relating to Fergus. I could picture his skeletal frame so clearly. The bones poking at the skin.
The multiple narrative voices were also a great tool. They kept the plot interesting giving new perspectives. Essentially it was quite a simple main plot but with lots of movement and character based development all of which was held together by the different narrative voices.
I'd say around the 50/60% mark I did want something a bit more dramatic to happen to pull my interest back in again as it had in the early chapters. It just needed a halfway boost to the main plot.
In comparison the ending was really impactful. It didn't seem like a HEA was a given so I was super on edge through reading. I also loved the 'cliffhanger' ending. I would love to read another in the series immediately just to get some closure!
I read this through Netgalley and I'm really glad I picked it!
At first I wasn't at all sure if I would even manage to get into the story or like the characters. The lead partnership of Baarda and Connie was interesting but a bit cold and clinical. They felt quite distanced from me as a reader, but the more I read the better their characterisation became until I am now desperate to read another book about them. I don't even really know why. Their relationship was full of great banter and sass with a good deal of respect too, but it also seemed that there weren't any specific events that could be put forward as concrete evidence of development. Development was happening but not explicitly. So the ending was both a surprise and not at all a surprise.
What I really loved was the description. There were a few occasions when I stopped and re-read a sentence just because the descriptions were just so different and refreshing. There were none of the usual cliches and more of a clinical use of words. They created great images, especially those relating to Fergus. I could picture his skeletal frame so clearly. The bones poking at the skin.
The multiple narrative voices were also a great tool. They kept the plot interesting giving new perspectives. Essentially it was quite a simple main plot but with lots of movement and character based development all of which was held together by the different narrative voices.
I'd say around the 50/60% mark I did want something a bit more dramatic to happen to pull my interest back in again as it had in the early chapters. It just needed a halfway boost to the main plot.
In comparison the ending was really impactful. It didn't seem like a HEA was a given so I was super on edge through reading. I also loved the 'cliffhanger' ending. I would love to read another in the series immediately just to get some closure!
I read this through Netgalley and I'm really glad I picked it!
suzanne_between_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
IJzersterk, origineel en bloedstollend spannend. Tot het eind! Een must read voor wie van zowel de actie thriller als psychologische thriller houdt.
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
5.0
Thrilling Rollercoaster.
Fergus thinks Angela is his angel, his perfect wife. When her husband takes their kids camping, Fergus makes his move. But Angela dies. Weeks later, he tries again with Elspeth.
Connie is brought to assist Detective Inspector Gaard of Scotland Police with the kidnapping of Elsbeth, daughter in law of a wealthy man. Connie uses her forensic psychology background to compile a profile - visiting the abduction scene, past events. And then a 12 year old is kidnapped from her school's parking lot.
Meggy sparks Elsbeth's drive to survive - together trying fo find a way to escape. Then Fergus falls down the stairs - he's convinced he's dying. And that's 25% in the book.
What a chilling tale. Told from various perspectives- Connie, Elsbeth and Fergus, gives the plot an insight into all the key characters.
I loved these characters- the humanity, humor, tragedy.
Highly recommend.
Fergus thinks Angela is his angel, his perfect wife. When her husband takes their kids camping, Fergus makes his move. But Angela dies. Weeks later, he tries again with Elspeth.
Connie is brought to assist Detective Inspector Gaard of Scotland Police with the kidnapping of Elsbeth, daughter in law of a wealthy man. Connie uses her forensic psychology background to compile a profile - visiting the abduction scene, past events. And then a 12 year old is kidnapped from her school's parking lot.
Meggy sparks Elsbeth's drive to survive - together trying fo find a way to escape. Then Fergus falls down the stairs - he's convinced he's dying. And that's 25% in the book.
What a chilling tale. Told from various perspectives- Connie, Elsbeth and Fergus, gives the plot an insight into all the key characters.
I loved these characters- the humanity, humor, tragedy.
Highly recommend.
martinaferro's review against another edition
3.0
Ok book. Couldn’t stand the American “policewoman” - her dialogue was so cringeworthy and stereotypical.
lavins's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
A book that explore in depth the mind of a sick person. It is not the first or the last book going down this road, but this book was missing the thrilling aspect. I never felt like I was sitting on needles dying to find out what happens next, on the contrary. I found the chapters were taking too long, the characters were sometimes behaving annoyingly and over all the book was too long and dragged.
Spoilers ahead!
There were also so many unrealistic scenarios. The murder was smarter than everyone for years on end. Every time there was a kidnapping, it was executed to perfection, despite him being physically sick. He overpowers everyone, even multiple people at the time.
The ending was also a let down. I mean running by yourself to catch a dangerous killer is always the best thing you can do.
A book that explore in depth the mind of a sick person. It is not the first or the last book going down this road, but this book was missing the thrilling aspect. I never felt like I was sitting on needles dying to find out what happens next, on the contrary. I found the chapters were taking too long, the characters were sometimes behaving annoyingly and over all the book was too long and dragged.
Spoilers ahead!
There were also so many unrealistic scenarios. The murder was smarter than everyone for years on end. Every time there was a kidnapping, it was executed to perfection, despite him being physically sick. He overpowers everyone, even multiple people at the time.
The ending was also a let down. I mean running by yourself to catch a dangerous killer is always the best thing you can do.
courtneyadh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really love the depth of Connie Woolwine’s character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
cozy_chapters's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fantastically written.
It was a gruesome book but I loved every second of it.
Would recommend people to look up trigger warnings before picking this one up.
It was a gruesome book but I loved every second of it.
Would recommend people to look up trigger warnings before picking this one up.
bethmaria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ilse1980's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5